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A
You're listening to the Heart and Hustle podcast. We are your hosts, Abby McLeod and Lindsay Roman. This episode is going to be pretty fun. We've never done this before, have we?
B
No, we've, we've done many like Instagram or website audits in like coaching calls or in. Well, yeah, in, in like, I mean on the show.
A
Yeah.
B
Well, in general we've audited things for people.
A
Yes.
B
In coaching or courses or like workshops. All the things, yes. However, on the show we have never.
A
We'Ve never done a live audit and especially we've never done an Instagram bio audit.
B
Surprise. That's why we're here. You probably read that spoiler. You probably read that in the title. Title. Thank you. So today we went through a bunch of. You submitted your Instagram bios to us to audit live on the show. And if you are watching on YouTube, we will read them verbally. But if you're watching on YouTube, you'll also see like the screenshot, screenshot of the bio that we're talking about. So that way there's just like a little visual interaction for you. But that's why we're here. It's going to be a fun time. If you are a business owner of any capacity, selling quite literally anything, building any brand of any sort, hopefully you will get a lot out of.
A
Today we're going to dive into the strategies to help your bio convert the best to reach, you know, the ideal customers, to be the most searchable on Instagram, all of the things. So let's dive in.
B
Are you just getting into your photography business and have no idea what lenses, camera bodies and gear you should go for? What? Well, today is your lucky day, friend because we're about to go over our entire gear list with you. Yep, we are about to spill all the tea on our favorite camera gear for shooting weddings and elopements. Now, if you're a photographer in a season of growing your gear list and you're just wanting to know what lenses, camera, bodies and other gear we use and recommend, this freebie is for you. You ready? Let's go grab the freebie@theheartuniversity.com gear. Hey he. Hi, I'm Lindsay Roman.
A
And I'm Evie McLeod and we are family and legacy focused serial entrepreneurs and the founders of the Hart University, a business education company with a mission to help you thrive in your business and life.
B
Welcome to our entrepreneur cocktail hour where business and marketing strategies meet faith real talk and raw and life changing conversations.
A
At the end of the day we are all in this together. Figuring out how to navigate the ups and downs, the messy and the beautiful and everything in between. This is a community where you can come as you are, get inspired and walk away. Equipped to build a legacy filled life.
B
You're listening to the Heart and Hustle podcast.
A
All righty, let's get started. We are just going to dive straight on in.
B
We are post lunch. I've had a spicy, saucy quesadilla. I'm ready to roll.
A
All right, we're going to start off first with. At Kippy Photography. This is the social. Oh, my gosh, Instagram. There we go. Of actually one of my coaching students who submitted as a podcast listener.
B
Hey.
A
And I was like, hey, this is kind of fun.
B
So that's amazing.
A
Robin, we are going to dive in to your bio first.
B
Okay, so again, we said this in the intro, but if you are not watching this on YouTube, you can easily like, we'll say everything verbally, but I think this might. Because we might be talking about just the formulation of the words. We might be talking about the profile photo. So again we'll verbalize it. But it might be helpful to watch this on YouTube, just FYI. Um, okay, so Kibby Photography. She has a great profile photo from my eye right now that looks.
A
Looking at the camera, smiling.
B
Look at the camera smiling. It's a close up. I can see what she looks like. We always love that. Uh, her. What is that, like actual tall?
A
I think it's called the name. The Instagram name.
B
That's confusing because I feel like people think of the name.
A
No, the handle or the username is different than like.
B
Yeah, so hers would be at Kibby Photography and her name.
A
Yes.
B
Okay. Because we're gonna be talking about that a lot. I feel like the name, if you don't already know, you probably know this is searchable. So that's like a key factor when formulating your bio. You want to make sure that you're putting things in there that would be searchable or that people would be searching for to find you. So this says Robin wig, which I'm assuming is her name. And then there's like a little line and then it says Eerie, Pennsylvania photographer. And then we go down to her actual bio. Her category is photographer, which is. That's fine. And then it says wedding and portrait photographer for the cute, classic timeless bride. Corey PA dash Erie PA dash Jamestown in Y plus beyond. And then inquire.
A
But sure.
B
What, what did I say? Dash slash dash. Same concept.
A
It's an ash of Some sort.
B
All right. And inquire below.
A
Okay.
B
Do you have initial thoughts, Evie?
A
I do. Robin, Fantastic profile photo. Literally.
B
You're so cute.
A
I also, I love that it says your name and your location and that you're a photographer. However, the first thing that I would change personally is I would put Eerie, PA wedding and portrait photographer, or wedding photographer at the very least up in your actual searchable name.
B
Well, because, and this is maybe a question for people, but is your ideal client, like the what you're wanting to ask yourself is, is your ideal client typing in Erie, PA photographer to specifically find you, or are they typing in like Pennsylvania wedding photographer? Eerie wedding photographer?
A
Yes. So really thinking through, like, what is actually going to not only be the most searchable because I think that's obviously a primary, but somebody could say like, yeah, they're going to search like Eerie, PA photographer or photographer, but it's like, is it going to be a lot more clear, specific? Is it. Because if you still have photographer and PA, like, you know, PA whatever in there, it'll still pull up, but it might be more clear of like, you know, luxury wedding photographer, timeless wedding photographer, whatever. Like, even putting in like a specific type of wedding photographer with your location is even more clear and stands out. Not just I am a photographer, it's like, yeah, well, what kind, what style, what whatever.
B
Well, and also something that's going to be a common through line today is your Instagram bio has very limited characters to work with. It is valuable, valuable real estate and you want to maximize the information that you put in there to the best of your ability. So by just purely putting wedding up top on the name that's searchable, like.
A
The bolded area or Wedding and portrait.
B
Or Wedding and portrait, you can now delete honestly that first entire line because you don't need redundant information as as you guys are listening to this, even if you are not Robin, and you're just a gal listening to the podcast and you're like, what could I get from this? Yeah, don't have redundant information. Is there a shorter, faster, simpler way to say something?
A
Yeah, I love the for the cute, classic, timeless bride, personally. I mean, if that feels on brand for you, Robin, and that feels like a good, clear descriptor of who you serve, what you do, the the product you deliver, the service, the photography that you deliver, I think that's a totally fine clarifying sentence. The sentence below or the line below of more locations like Quarry Pen, Erie, Pennstown, New York and beyond. I. I understand why, especially as your business Coach, I understand why you have that in there of trying to target nearby cities and being very specific and clear that you work in those cities around. But I honestly think you could probably remove that. And you could, if you really wanted to, especially having removed the upper line. You could say something like serving Pennsylvania and surrounding region if you really wanted to just, like, simplify that. And then what I would make sure to do is in. In my opinion, consider having a. Which you kind of do in the. For the cute. But I would like line. But I would maybe consider having, like, over. Because, like, Robin, I know you have a lot of experience. Just as your coach, I would be like, over X years of experience or serving couples with timeless, you know, whatever, Like.
B
And you could almost switch around timeless, classic imagery.
A
Yeah, you could almost switch around and play with a longer sentence of, like, for the cute, classic, timeless bride.
B
Well, especially if you get rid of wedding and portrait photographer and you get rid of Corey Penn, Erie, Pa. Jamestown, New York, and beyond. Yeah, I mean, obviously you would replace that with. With a shortened version of it or just let the location in the bolded name do the work for you.
A
Yeah, it's a really good bio overall. I love Inquire below. I love a call to action. I would personally probably put some form of. Of an emoji, the finger pointing down, an arrow pointing down, something like that to kind of get their attention down to that link. But other than that, phenomenal.
B
Yeah, love. Yay. Great. Perfect. Okay, we have the next one. Is it Alyssa? Yes. Okay, perfect. We have Lissa Spivey. Is it spivey or spivvy? Probably spivvy photo. Apologies, Alyssa, if I'm. If I'm pronouncing that wrong. Okay, so we have. Oh, my gosh, she's so cute. Okay, so her profile photo is kind of like a mid shot to her knee. And above of her kind of like sassily, cutely, like, holding. I think that's a camera behind her, behind her back. And then like, almost like an over the shoulder shot, although she's not looking at the camera. So that's her profile photo. And then her bio name says Alyssa with a line. And then Pensacola and 30. A wedding photographer. Flawless. No notes on that. Um, I guess before we go on my. My first reaction on the profile photo, Alyssa, I would personally love. Because I can't see your face, and I. There's an element of, like, cheekiness and, like, playfulness in that, but I. Because you're not even looking at the camera, I think it would come across as maybe More playful, if that's the intention that you're trying to communicate. If you were like, over the shoulder, looking at the camera. At the camera. But I think also because it's a mid shot from far away, I physically just can't see. Because you're never going to see this photo any bigger than the little bubble.
A
Well, technically, if they don't have a story, you can technically click on it.
B
But no one's doing that. And you should always have stories. So, I mean, like, that's like a. Don't rely on people having to, like, make your photo bigger in order to actually. So my only thought is because we're photographers, and me and Evie are definitely in the camp of posting yourself among your work on your feed, you want them to recognize what you look like and who you are face to a name. Face to a name. And so ideally, that photo should be you looking at the camera with, like, a closer up shot. In my opinion, I would almost say, like, chest up. Chest up, waist up, waist up. Something that's a little closer. And the only caveat I will give is depending on your brand for anybody that's listening, and maybe even you, Alyssa, depending on your brand. Although, no, I. I would say because immediately your bio says timeless, joyful, and intentional. So that's not giving mysterious and, like, cryptic, like, like very artsy, Artsy fartsy. So this is only for the person that is, like, cryptic and mysterious and artsy fartsy. I think you can get away with, like, maybe like a black and white or like a, like a vogue moment. Yeah, Vogue moment. More so than something that, like, doesn't match your brand, if that makes sense.
A
You want your profile photo to immediately be inviting and engaging and warm and welcoming. And while this photo is super cute, Alyssa and I would absolutely post it and, like, maybe have it on your website and whatever. And there is an element of, like, playful and, like, relaxed and sweet about it. I would also say there's an element that it's not super welcoming right out the gate because your back is literally to the person who is.
B
It's almost giving Standoffish.
A
Yeah.
B
Without you probably intending for that to happen.
A
Yeah. And again, it's a super cute photo. So I'm not trying to, like, rag on that photo box by any means, but as a profile photo, I would definitely switch that up.
B
Oh, like, immediately I just scroll down. That would slay. That's her. A. It's like a shot of her on the beach and she's, like, softly, like, kind of like curled up looking straight at the camera with immediately the sleet smile immediately, like, I want to be this person's friend. Like, immediately.
A
It just feels so much more like, engaging. So anyways, we've harped enough on your profile photo, Alyssa. Moving on, the category is photographer, which is totally great. Uh, the bio says timeless period, joyful period, intentional period with like a white heart. Um, and then below that, serving the Emerald coast and traveling to you with an airplane emoji. And then the location is tagged as Pensacola, Florida.
B
Beautiful. Um, in my opinion, because again, like, redundant information because you have Pensacola and 38 wedding photographer in the bio name, which is searchable. Which, like, don't touch that. I think that's flawless. I almost think the entire sentence of serving the Emerald coast and traveling to you is unnecessary. You could maybe include something that indicates travel or destination.
A
Like I. You could simplify and cut that one down if you are wanting. You're like, hey, but I don't say Emerald coast anywhere else. I say Pensacola and 30A. So I want to hit the Emerald coast, like line. I would almost say like, Emerald coast plus airplane. Yeah, plus airplane or plus beyond, like, something a little bit like, shorter. The other thing that I usually suggest to approach with caution. I'm kind of going out of order on this bio, but that's fine. Pensacola, Florida, actually, having that location tagged is not a bad thing. But if you notice, like, if you click on it, it. It's going to pull up Maps or Google Maps. It's literally going to take you out of the app to see where Pensacola, Florida is on, like, a map, which.
B
People don't probably need.
A
Realistically, you. If somebody really doesn't know where your location is and wants to search it, I would almost make it harder for them to leave your page to go find that location, search it, and then come back than to almost give them easy access to directly lead off of your page.
B
And because you also have that in the bio name. Yeah, it's not like it's. That's the only place that says your location.
A
I would probably remove. Even if you do specifically, like type it out, say Pensacola, Florida. Again, which I do not think you need to. I would not do it personally. But even if you did do that, I would do that over actually tagging the location that will direct people off of your page. Like, you do not want people leaving your page.
B
So because, like, I mean, people are squirrels today. So, like, I would click that and be like, oh, wow, Google Maps. And then I would just get so distracted, be like, oh, wow. Let me, like, look, you know, like how we do. We just would, like, start looking and now all of a sudden I'm digging around on Google Maps and I've. I've left your page and I'm probably not coming back because again, our attention spans are short.
A
So that's one quick thought there. I would instead switch out and end your bio with always with a call to action. That's kind of a general thing that we say. So, like, let's work together or, you know, let's make some.
B
Book me.
A
Yeah, book me. Let's make some timeless memories together. However you want to. Like, phrase, like a call to action. The. The first sentence I think is good. Timeless, joyful, intentional. I think that's good. I'm going to be honest. Personally, I would. I have a question mark over that a little bit in my head of like, timeless what? Joyful what? Intentional what?
B
Like photos.
A
Photos Experience, like your pages, your heart, your approach. Like what? Like, I would almost give a little bit more clarity of like. I serve couples in love with timeless, joyful and intentional imagery.
B
Which if you sh. Well, you're also, in my opinion. I don't. I think you have leftover characters as it is right now. Yeah. I don't think you're using all of them. And it's my opinion, obviously, don't waste characters and fill stuff in just to fill it in.
A
Yeah.
B
But I think we should be maximizing the space that we have.
A
Yes. So, yeah, those are my thoughts. Otherwise, Alyssa, you're doing great.
B
Flawless.
A
I love it. Flawless.
B
Oh, whoops. Now I just see I opened Google Maps and now I can't navigate. I gotta go back. Amazing.
A
Okay, the next one is Yracheltrusty. This is the. The name. Cute profile of picture Rachel.
B
She's such a cutie.
A
It's like waist up, smiling at the camera.
B
We love it.
A
Gorgeous mountains behind her. The name is Rachel Trustee. Kind of like one word dash Literary fiction author. And then the category is author. And then there's a map emoji. Telling stories of discovering purpose to help you discover yours. And then the like. What are those? Praise hands in relatable literary fiction. And then the footprint emoji follow for fiction with a purpose. What are your initial thoughts, Lindsay?
B
Okay, many thoughts. I'm going to start with the bio name. I don't. It almost is reading like a. What's that called? Like a typo. That there's not a space in between Rachel and Trustee.
A
And there might be. I would be surprised, but there might be a Chance that she ran out of characters, in which case I would.
B
Say, I feel like you can.
A
That's why I think there's, like, plenty of space. But if there was a space issue, I. I would personally just do Rachel. Yes. Especially because your handle, or if you really want to keep all the words, I would delete a space. Like, have Rachel, space trustee, no space with the dash.
B
And then.
A
And then literary fiction. Yeah, Space literary fiction. Like, I. If you really are limited on characters in that sense, I would have no space with, like a dash.
B
It's just what I'm looking at. It. It reads like a typo because it's. It. It. Maybe this is not the case, but it seems to be that your first name is Rachel. Your last name's Trustee. Based on the information I have by Rachel Trustee, like, that makes sense. And so I would. I would personally put a space in there. The other thing is, I would capitalize literary fiction author. I think that would just make it look a slight more professional. Capitalize the L. Yeah. And the F. The F. And then the A. Because you're an author. So this is like, on the other examples, they were all photographers, and so we were harping on, like, putting a location in this bolded section. I don't think you need to do that because you're a business or you're a creator, an author. That, like, location does not matter a dang if you are. So that's just for anybody who's listening to this. If your business relevance, like, if the location matters for your clientele, then put location in that bolded section. But if it doesn't, then you don't need to worry about that.
A
Yeah. The next thing personally that I would say on this one is, oh, gosh, I lost it.
B
Hang on.
A
Sorry, I lost the link. Telling stories of discovering purpose to help you discover yours. I'm not gonna lie. I understand that that might seem like a power punch, maybe to you. Rachel, I. Coming in as a blind. Like, I don't fully know who you are, what you do, who you are, what you do. I get that. I feel like that should be powerful and impactful to me, but it's not. I'm kind of confused by that.
B
I think it's because it's vague.
A
Telling stories of discovering to purpose to help you discover yours. But I'm like, but what does telling.
B
Stories of discovering purpose mean?
A
And also, what do you mean by telling stories? Like, are you, you know, like a humans of New York where you're sharing stories?
B
It says literary fiction author. So we could make inferences. Yeah, but there's dummies out there that we have to deal with that can come to your page at any time and you, you gotta almost like. Yeah, over Make. Make sure it's like. There's no question.
A
I think there could be more clarity in that line. I also think the line below in relatable literary fiction. Can I be honest? I. I avid reader here. Lindsay is too. Tell me if I'm. I'm ignorant on this. Okay. Literary fiction does not immediately give me a ton of clarity of what I.
B
Think it is a genre. Technically, yes, but it's one of the more vague genres.
A
Literary fiction. Like, I think of like.
B
Like I think of that. That's like the best boring category.
A
Oh, oh, okay.
B
No, that's just like, for me personally, that's just a me thing.
A
But I'm like, I think of literary fiction. I think of like. Like Charles Dickens.
B
You're thinking classic, maybe.
A
But I'm like, that thinks I. That reads literary fiction to me.
B
I think of like women's fiction. But literary means it doesn't have to be written by a. Like. Okay, so the point, I think of.
A
Like, neither one of us fully know what literary fiction is.
B
I think of like Kristen Hannah, except Kristen Hannah can be historical fiction. So that's not even maybe like, I think of like a typical. Oh, where the crawdads sing. What is that? Is that. Is that the book? Do you know what I'm talking about? Where the crot is like the famous. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Where like. Is it where the crawdads sing? I think so. I think that in my brain, that's like literary fiction.
A
Okay, I googled the definition.
B
Oh, wait, we got things.
A
Literary fiction is a genre that prioritizes style, character development and thematic exploration over a strong traditional plot. It often delves into the human condition, exploring complex emotions and societal issues through the lens of developed characters and intricate language. Literary fiction is frequently contrasted with. With genre fiction, which tends to focus on plot driven narratives within established conventions.
B
That's why it's. That's why it's more vague, because that, that genre, like, is. Is almost like a. It's. It's not relying like thriller, romance, like, those are. Those are in that category because the plot of it is that thing.
A
See, but here's the thing, Rachel. I may be absolutely. We may both be absolutely offending you right now by our ignorance on literary fiction. However, I think there is probably a small. We're both avid readers with completely different, like, book tastes. For the most part, especially in F. Like completely different genres are like our go tos and neither one of us really understood what that was, what we could expect. Like, like there was confusion in that.
B
Well, and like I have heard the term literary fiction before, but because it is a broad and almost like plain category. And I, I don't say plain offensively, I just mean plain because it's not relying like that definition said on.
A
It's a versatile category.
B
Romance, thriller, like science fiction. It's not relying on like a, like a genre genre. And so it is broader. But I almost feel like, because it's broader, I feel like in this bio it would be great to be more specific.
A
Yeah. So I. If it's helpful. Are you cool if I switch over to the.
B
Okay.
A
Rachel, what I wanted to do when I saw your bio, when we were like pulling this up, I had a coaching student who is also an author and I was like, I'm pretty sure she has like a dang good bio. So I pulled hers up because I felt like this would give like maybe some solid and applicable clarity of what we're talking about, especially for specific specificities within like authorship. So her handle is Victoria Lynn, author. Shout out to Victoria.
B
We'll put this up on the screen as well.
A
Yes. And her name is Victoria Lynn Clean fiction author. And then her bio is writing fiery Christian fiction without the spice. Six books out and then below that it's founder of the glory at the Glory Writers where they. Yeah, it's a whole company that she has for authors and all of this. And then get the clean reader's guide with like a hand down.
B
So called to action which like immediately after reading that I'm like, okay, so you write like spice. Maybe not spicy because that word has connotations.
A
But like, I love that she used fiery.
B
Well, but I like fiery because it gets giving spice. But clearly without the spice because she.
A
Literally says like it's giving. Like there's, there's.
B
There's going to be tension and banter and. And like intrigue.
A
Yeah, intrigue. Like, like drama. Like something's gonna like pull me in.
B
But even. Well, I guess she doesn't say romance.
A
No, but see, to me I see fiery. I see like. And then you kind of just even fiery. Could be you glance at her page and you see like a woman with a sword or like whatever. Like you see things that you're like a man with a sword or like a woman, a long dress. Like there's just an element that you're.
B
Like giving Romantasy, but make it Christian and clean, kind.
A
Yeah. It's giving, like, clarity.
B
Yes. So I would say it's giving clarity.
A
I just mean that, like, you read that clean fiction author writing fiery Christian fiction without the spice Six books out.
B
Which, to be fair, I mean, obviously, I know Christian fiction is technically its own genre, but. But kind of not. I mean, I mean, kind of. Yes, but like, that still isn't. Is it fantasy? Is it thriller, Is it romance? Like, there can be Christian fiction that is in those.
A
And there's still ability for her to have fluctuation. Like, Rachel, what we're talking about with your bio, like, we're not saying that you have to suddenly, like, in order to give clarity, you have to say, I write this genre. But I think what Victoria did really well was, you know, writing fiery Christian fiction. There's still so much variety in that of like.
B
But it's still also very specific. Yeah, but it speaks to who her reader or what. Like, who. What the readers for her books are.
A
Yeah.
B
If that makes sense.
A
And so, Rachel, I. Obviously I'm not going to tell you, especially, like, without, you know, sitting down, face to face, like, chatting back and forth. I'm not going to tell you what to put on your bio, but I would sit and ask yourself, like, is there a way I can say, you know, writing books or like, writing books or telling stories through books, through books of, you know, blank of human. And maybe there is something like. I don't know.
B
Well. Cause even. Even discovering purpose, there is an element in that that's specific, but it's still so vague that something about Victoria's was like writing fiery Christian fiction without the spice. There's something so specific. Wow, that was lovely. Specific about that. That even without the genre or knowing, like, the type. I mean, I guess Christian fiction is technically. But like, it's specific with the words that she's using. So again, without knowing what kind of books you write specifically, we can't necessarily tell you the exact words to say, but I would just encourage you with both those first two lines of telling stories, of discovering purpose, to help you discover yours. And in relatable literary fiction, I think you could summarize both of those in a very powerful, punchy statement that gets to the heart and the bones of.
A
Why you write what you write and.
B
Who you write it for.
A
Yes. 100%, Rachel, you're killing it. I know. I think you had put in your submission that you were getting back to posting, posting and social media after a break. So you're killing it 100%.
B
Absolutely.
A
Okay, this next one, is it Megan? Yes. Beautiful. Oh, I swear she's changed her bio.
B
That's fun.
A
It's still good. It's still good, but I swear it's.
B
Different than when we looked at this.
A
Yeah, because I can like, picture. I know. The profile photo for sure has changed.
B
Okay, well, I don't know what it was before. I'm just coming blind.
A
If you are loving what you're hearing on today's episode, then we wanted to share something else. You might love the Heart Shop. It's our digital resource online shop for creative entrepreneurship. The Heart Shop is your one stop shop for all of our online courses, luxury website templates, PDF guides, social media graphic templates and illustrations.
B
If you've been at your wit's end with your website design and you don't know where the heck to create a high quality pricing or welcome guide to give your clients an incredible branded first impression. Ooh, we got you. We created the Heart Shop to serve you with the best tools and resources you need to successfully run your business. Just head to theheartuniversity.comshop and start browsing the goods. That's theheartuniversity.comshop, and we'll see you there. Wanna know what both Evie and I use for our skincare? Our absolute favorite non toxic skincare products are without a doubt primly pure.
A
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B
Evie and I have been using Primally Pure for our skincare for a couple of years now and we are legit in love. Like we love that every product has minimal, safe, all natural ingredients that I'm not joking, smell divine and make our skin look and feel healthy and beautiful.
A
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B
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A
Okay, Meg, I pulled up.
B
I had.
A
Because I had screenshot all the bios we were. We were planning to play.
B
We outlined this episode about a month ago, and we picked who we were going to choose.
A
Yeah.
B
And in that month, you've clearly been working, girl.
A
I love it. And you've done.
B
We screenshotted, basically, your bio a month ago, and. And now we have what is currently what we're looking at actively as your bio right now.
A
Yes.
B
As we're recording this on June 25th. Yes. So we're gonna put both on the screen.
A
We're gonna put both on the screen. Let's read through the current one. Okay. And then let's read through the original one also.
B
It's at Meg, Faraway photos is her handle. Gorgeous.
A
Beautiful.
B
And her bolded bio name is Meg Line. London, Ontario, and P.E.I. wedding photographer. And then the actual bio says, capturing warm, candid love stories. Meg's version with a heart. Meg's version is in parentheses. And then she has, like, the location pin, and it says London, Ontario, or. Well, o n. And P.E.I. did we had another P.E.I?
A
No, it's this girl.
B
No. Oh, Erie, Pennsylvania. They're all in the north.
A
Oh, different countries, but sure.
B
And then it says, Booking 2025, 2026 weddings with an exclamation point or two of them. And then work with me arrow down. And I. Okay, so that's what the one currently says.
A
That's the current updated one. Beautiful Profile photo, waist up, holding a camera, looking, you know, at the. At the camera. The original one when we had selected. And screenshot. This will also be on the screen. Is the handle or the name?
B
I don't think she changed the bolded section.
A
Yeah, she did. The name.
B
She did.
A
Yeah. She added London to London, Ontario. So it was Meg, Ontario, and PEI wedding photographer.
B
I'm assuming it's not London, England.
A
It's London, Ontario.
B
There's a London in Canada?
A
Yes.
B
Okay. Sorry. My ignorance is showing.
A
She goes, didn't we have another pei? Oh, Pennsylvania, same thing. Okay. The original bio was helping carefree in love couples capture their story the way it deserves to be remembered. In parentheses, Meg's version with a pink heart, based in London, on. And PEI work with me, arrow down personally. Meg. Both bios are great.
B
Oh, she also changed her profile photo.
A
Yeah, profile photo changed, too. Both bios are totally great. Meg. So, like, in no way saying that the current one is, like, not solid. However, I will say we like your old one. We picked your old bio because it was, like, 10. 10, no notes.
B
We Literally put it on this list to be like, no notes. Moving on.
A
Like, this is a perfect example of, like, doing everything that we would recommend implementing and not.
B
Then you went and changed it.
A
Which, to be fair, capt. Warm candid love stories. Meg's version. There's still the same kind of like.
B
Well, she shortened it or she shortened the essence of it.
A
Yes. But what I'm gonna say.
B
I feel like she's not using all the characters anymore.
A
Here's my thing. Meg and anyone listening the. The sentence of helping carefree in love couples capture their story the way it deserves to be remembered.
B
That's.
A
So Meg's version. That is like a slam dunk.
B
That's so specific. It speaks exactly to your ideal client. It also tells me you're a sw. Holla.
A
Yes. It's. That's so good. Capturing warm candid love stories is not bad, but it feels very generic to me.
B
Like, everybody.
A
Every other person says warm, candid love stories. Like, there's just something like. Those are all.
B
But God bless. She kept. In Meg's version.
A
Yes. So Meg, low key. Would probably recommend switching back if I were being completely honest to that. That strong sentence of like, helping carefree in love couples capture their story the way it deserves to be remembered.
B
I will. On the new version, I do. Like she. Because her old version said based in London, Ontario, and PA Or p. Whatever. Pei. She shortened that with just the location emoji. I think that's fine on the new one because it's shortening characters so you have more characters to work with.
A
And you say on the new one, 2025.
B
I bet you anything she shortened that sentence because she wanted to fit booking 2025-2026 weddings. I bet she needs bookings this year. And that was the. Because you can't fit a huge sentence like that. And also booking 2025. 2026.
A
My opinion. Then I would remove the Based in London, Ontario, and P.E.I.
B
As it's in your.
A
That's in your. Your name. That's already, like, known. I would remove your location, repeating your location and then put booking. And I also think you can shorten that and say 25. Like. Like colon or.
B
Oh, my God, the shortened version of the year.
A
Yeah. 25, 26 weddings. Like. Like, you don't have to say 2025, 20.
B
You also don't technically have to say weddings. You could just say booking 25 and 26. Arrow down. Because your bio name has wedding photographer in it.
A
Yeah.
B
And ideally, in theory, I haven't. I mean, this isn't a feed audit.
A
But in theory, I'm seeing weddings, so that's good.
B
Although I did see a baby. Maybe it's yours, though.
A
Okay.
B
No, I don't think it is. Okay. Sorry. This is not a fee critique.
A
Okay, Meg? Phenomenal. Both bios truly are very good. I will say, I think your first one that we had originally screenshot was the strongest.
B
Such a power punch statement. That was so good. So good.
A
So I would personally go back to that one, but both are phenomenal, so you're doing phenomenal. Great job. Okay.
B
So good. Amazing. Okay, next one. We got Willow and Oak.
A
Sarah Riley.
B
This is a past workshop student. Hey, girl. Okay, so her handle is at Willow underscore and underscore. Oak underscore photography. So that is who we're talking about. Her bio photo is a cutesy black and white photo. See this? In this scenario, I don't hate the black and white photo.
A
Are you against black and whites as profile photos?
B
No, I don't. I said I don't hate it.
A
Okay, but you specified. I don't hate the black and white photo.
B
Sorry, I didn't mean to say it like that. That's why I was like. I just. I was. I was thinking it could be closer up so I could see your face a little bit more. But that's my only.
A
It could also be looking at the camera because she's doing like, a little, like, side, like, squinty smile, which actually.
B
Beautiful photo.
A
Love.
B
It would work in your feed, but maybe closer up. Maybe looking at the camera.
A
Yeah, but I kind of like it. It's still.
B
Maybe just crop in. Yeah. It would cut off our hands.
A
But I. I don't. I don't hate what it has. In general. We don't hate it. No, it's not. It's not bad. It still feels very warm and. And welcoming. Even though you may not be like, eyes open, staring at the camera.
B
Right.
A
And closer.
B
Okay. Her bio name is Sarah Riley with a line. Willow and Oak. And then her actual bio says Willow. What's that called?
A
I think that's the colon. That's not the semicolon.
B
It is a semicolon because it's a semi colon. Colon. Look it up. Look it up. A colon is two dots. A semicolon because it's semi. It's half of a colon.
A
Oh, yeah, you're right.
B
Thank you.
A
A colon is two dots.
B
Two dots. Yeah. Yeah. Willow, semicolon. Freedom, Oak, semicolon. Safety and strength. Or safety plus strength. And then buffalo NY and destination. Photographer slash, videographer and then she has like a location emoji. Mex cali S, C, O, O, H, V, T, N, C. Hold on. I have to click more in. Okay, whatever. The list of places she's going. Clearly. And then 25, 26 weddings in choir, slash. What did I say?
A
Dash.
B
Yeah, that's a dash to me, guys. I know that's not. I know that's not what that is.
A
It's okay. I got my colon and semicolon mixed up. So 25, 26 weddings in choir. Arrow down. Okay, perfect. Okay, Sarah, first of all, I. Same thing we've mentioned on other bios. I would personally put. I wouldn't say necessarily, Willow and Oak in your name. It's already in your handle. Like Willow and Oak Photography. Sarah Riley. I think that's enough. I would almost remove that out of your name and I would put location and. Or service you provide. Ideally both.
B
Well, I would almost just do Sarah Riley and then the line and then say Buffalo NY wedding photographer.
A
Yeah, that's what I'm saying.
B
Yeah, we're saying the same thing. I was just clarifying. But yeah. So then once you do that, you could get rid of Buffalo, NY and destination photographer all in. If.
A
Yeah.
B
If you.
A
If you wanted to, if you could almost basically pull up that line of like, Buffalo NY and destination photographer and videographer.
B
So if you do video, you could. I really think that the bolded name section, I think you can make those, like, freakishly long now.
A
Like, it used to be very limited, and now it's definitely a lot.
B
I really think you could possibly. If you get rid of Willow and Oak, I think you could put Buffalo wedding photographer and videographer. And I feel like Buffalo is clear enough that you don't need NY in there. I feel like there's no other possibly.
A
Shorten and say, like, like photo and video instead of photographer and videographer. That's good. Anyways.
B
Would people be typing in? It still might pop up if you typed in, like, Buffalo wedding photographer.
A
Anyways, Sarah, you can play with that. The. The one thing that I would say is the willow equals like, you know, or. Or semicolon. It's more confusing because it's.
B
It's Willow semicolon, which doesn't make sense to me anyways. Okay.
A
I think it's. You're clarifying what your. Your business name means. And I know we actually. I like, vividly remember us talking about this at the workshop that we were like, that's so cool that there's like actually. And something really so beautiful.
B
It's not like you just chose random earthy words.
A
Yeah. Like, there's a reason that you chose the name Willow and Oak and we loved that. And I think Lindsay and I both had encouraged you or I. I remember doing it. I don't know if it was on a website audit or what, but I remember saying, put this on like your about page on your website. Like, that's really cool that there's like a deeper meaning here and everything. And while I don't like, I'm not like, this is horrible that you would have it in your bio. I just personally do not think that's the point place.
B
I don't think people care at that point in time of seeing you.
A
Yeah.
B
Or interacting or finding you.
A
Yeah.
B
They're not. That's just information that's like, okay, yes. Like, whereas I think if you put it on your about page on your website or even you put it on a highlight, like. Like an About Me highlight on Instagram and like, you do a story series one day where you're just like, hey, I'm Sarah. I am the founder and owner of Willow and Oak Photography. I just wanted to share a little bit about my business and the name meaning behind my business. And like, that can be in a. In a highlight.
A
I also, Sarah, you have a post currently, like, pinned that's like Willow and Oak timeless photography, serving worldwide. And then it's like, what's new with Willow and Oak? New look, new direction, same heart. And you like kind of. It's like a carousel. And you kind of like walk through, like, some of the changes and you kind of touched on, like, the name change. Like, nothing wild. I just dropped photography from the name. We're now officially Willow and Oak, blah, blah, blah. I'm like, literally that same concept of like, like an introduction post that's like Willow and Oak, like, who we are. Like, over time, you could possibly unpin this post and basically redo one. That's basically like, here's who I am, here's who I serve. And that's where I would put something like as a pinned post even, or Lindsay was saying as a saved highlight.
B
Or both.
A
Or both. That's like, here is the meaning behind my name.
B
Is Willow and Oak available? No, it's not.
A
Let's not get into it.
B
It's not. It's taken by someone with three followers. Get out of here with your Sarah fragrance.
A
Sarah's probably like, I am. She's like, I'm right aware of this.
B
There's actually a lot of Willow and Oaks Well, I was just. What, what made me Google that is like hearing that you dropped the photography, but the photography is very much still in the handle gave me slight pause. I don't think that's that big of a deal.
A
But yeah. Anyways, the point is I would pull those first two lines of your bio. The Willow semicolon, Freedom oak semicolon, safety plus strength. I would pull those. I do not think that needs to be taking up your, your bio, real estate. And if you already put your location and what you do, like your niche into your name and almost pull that out of your bio.
B
So many characters to work with.
A
That's when I would look, I would reference back to something like what Meg did, which is the like statement, I help or I serve or serving.
B
And it's like you're, you're doing this and this is like a blanket statement for almost every single person probably listening to this. Can you create a short, condensed statement describing specifically what you offer the world and who you offer it for?
A
Yes. Phenomenal. But I love, especially if you're. You're trying to get more and more destination work. Sarah, I, I think the concept of having the upcoming travel and the upcoming list. I.
B
Especially if we're telling her to get rid of the destination. Because by pulling up Buffalo wedding photo and video into her bio, like we're technically saying drop the destination.
A
Yeah. Depending on if it'll fit. And you could say like serving, you know, NY and worldwide or whatever. Like if you could fit that in locations like what Sarah has, like Max, Cali, sccoh, whatever. Not vital to have. If, like, for most photographers, especially if you're not actively like, I'm trying to push to get more destination work. I would cut it just simply because that's not the most vital piece of information. But if you are trying to get more destination and trying to showcase like, hey, I'm in demand, I'm traveling actively. I'm going all over and maybe hoping to like trigger somebody being like, wait, when are you going to be in Colorado? I have, I want to book you, you know, whatever.
B
I.
A
That's an amazing thing to have. And then I love Sarah that you have a call to action at the end. So amazing. Phenomenal.
B
You are crushing it.
A
I love it. Okay, let's get away from the photographers. We have one last bio.
B
This is at Jenny Killcup. You can see how that's spelled on the screen if you're listening. No, just kidding. If you're watching this, her bio photo is a cute little photo of her like, in front of her studio, it seems like with, like, paintbrushes and her illustrations. That's so cute.
A
Smiling, laughing at the camera.
B
I'm obsessed with that photo. Do not ever change it. I mean, you can change it, too, if you want to, but, like, that's really great. Her name is Jenny Kill Cup Watercolors. And then category is artist. And then her bio says watercolors mom life favorite finds, and then hashtag IVF infertility love. All right, so first off, like we said, don't ever change your bio. Keep it the same forevermore. I'm kidding, obviously, but also, don't change it. It's, like, really cute. Is the essence that I'm trying to say. Jenny Kill cup watercolors, would you change that? I feel like this is a scenario where I don't think location matters.
A
No, but I would possibly say, like.
B
Like, watercolor artist.
A
Yeah, watercolor artist. Or like, custom watercolor prints or like, however, like, I think that could be stronger depending, Jenny, on, like, what you do, what you offer, what your ultimate, like, goal is. Because there's obviously an element of, like, mom life favorite finds, IVF infertility that it almost does feel like you're also building a bit of a personal brand.
B
Ye.
A
You could lean into, you know, artist. Artist and watercolor artist and mother or something in, like, your. Your. Your name.
B
I think it'd be fun. I'm sure there's. Isn't there, like, a. Like, a canvas with paint emoji or even a paintbrush emoji? Yeah, I. I sometimes, like, when people put emojis as, like, the line breaker. A lot of people are putting, like. Like, they'll put their name, and then they'll put, like, a line, and then they'll put, you know, what they do.
A
Yeah.
B
But I almost, like, sometimes I think it can be tasteful if you. Instead of putting a. An emoji to break it up. So if you have Jenny Kill cup and then you put, like, the. The paint palette. Palette emoji, and then you say, like, custom watercolor artist or something like that, and mother, if you want to. I think that could be fun. Yeah.
A
So, Jenny, just depending on what your goals are and who you're trying to reach and, like, what you're offering, you could possibly spice up that name and then the bio, I think, take in mind just about everything that we. We've taught so far in, like, today's episode where we talk about. I would have a clear like, I am. I help, I serve statement at the beginning.
B
You could Also have a statement like that without a proper noun.
A
Yeah. Or verb. Like I help.
B
I. Yeah. Like. Like, it could literally be custom watercolor artistry or.
A
Or of your meaningful mementos.
B
Yeah. Something like that. That's like, still. It doesn't have to be a full grammatically correct sentence, but it's still a phrase that still gives the essence of what you serve specifically and who you serve specifically for.
A
Yeah. Like, I. I'm just. Jenny, I'm just gonna. Like, personally, just after scrolling through, I'm not totally sure that you do offer custom prints. I'm. You obviously are incredible, talented artist. I'm assuming there's a possibility for. For custom. Yeah, I literally. Okay.
B
Second, I think it's custom because it.
A
Looks obsessed with how this custom pet portrait turned out.
B
I don't.
A
I don't know.
B
Does she have. She's not linked to an Etsy store. Oh, she's linked to her. Well, actually, I don't know what she's linked to.
A
Okay, I'm just gonna roll with this and pretend that they are our custom prints. Jenny. And that's a big part.
B
She has a website. It's jennykilcop.com.
A
Awesome. We're gonna roll with that. I'm just gonna say custom watercolor plus watercolor prints.
B
She has a shop and she does custom.
A
Of your most. That's what I kind of assume.
B
Okay.
A
Of your. That's why I said plus watercolor prints of your most. Life's most beautiful memories or something like that. Let's say that's your first line, and then maybe below that, you say sharing a peek into, like, motherhood. IVF infertility.
B
And I also don't think you need to say IVF and infertility. I think it's worldly associated that ivf.
A
True.
B
Well, no, I guess. Well, typically, those technically are kind of two different topics, but if you're running out of characters, I would just put ivf.
A
Yeah. And you had. I would personally. Here's a big thing on bios. If at all possible, I would not do a hashtag in your bio because if somebody clicks on that, it takes them to the whole IVF hashtag.
B
Same for. Why, like, one of those first ones that we said don't put your lo. Like the location of Pensacola.
A
And I would say, depending on your business and your bio, I know multiple people will. You'll link to another account. Like, like obsessed with. At Taylor Swift. Do not do that.
B
Well, because then there's just. She's not doing that people.
A
No, no, no. But I'm saying that it's the same concept through all of these.
B
Unless it's your own business that you're.
A
You're trying to like possibly direct people. But even then I would be cautious. It's not necessary sometimes to put another handle that could possibly redirect people off. So I would Even if you say, you know, custom watercolor plus, like, what are, you know, beautiful prints of life's most, you know, whatever beautiful mementos or something, and then you say sharing mom life, IVF journey and my favorite finds. And then I would personally be like, shop my. My prints or shop my store or something like that.
B
With shop.
A
Arrow down.
B
Arrow down.
A
Yeah. So I feel like that could be like a really strong, like, here's a clear who I am, what I'm offering on this page, and a call to action.
B
I think that's all of them.
A
I think we got through all of them. Go.
B
Hopefully that was helpful and fun. If you like these like audit episodes, let us know and we'll do more.
A
We got so many bios submitted and we could not.
B
I literally. We chose like, what was that, six? Yeah, something like that out of hundreds that got sent in. So apologies if we didn't get to you, but if you like this, we can come back for round two.
A
Yeah.
B
Although I feel like, I mean, everyone has a unique circumstance, but I feel like the essence of like the rules. Not rules, but like the, the guidelines of what we're saying is kind of the same. And you probably felt that through like us going through.
A
And you might be in a place where you're like, awesome. Okay, I get the strategy. I'm really still struggling to come up with something. Yeah. In which case one on one. Coaching.
B
Yeah, we offer coaching. So hit us up.
A
We walk through this along with all sorts of marketing strategies.
B
We can audit much more than just your bio on a coaching call. But thank you so much for listening to this episode.
A
Ye.
B
If you liked it, I was going to be like, give us a thumbs up. Who are we? YouTube. Well, actually, wait, this is especially because this is a visual episode, so you actually might be watching on YouTube.
A
Please go subscribe to the YouTube.
B
I please go subscribe.
A
It's kind of pathetic. Like our list straight up our podcast on like, like the audio side, like Spotify and Apple.
B
Listen, I put on lipstick today for you. YouTube, please go subscribe.
A
You don't always have to watch. But we like the subscribes. They help us anyways.
B
And the thumbs ups.
A
Yes.
B
And the comments. Okay.
A
But also go rate the show wherever you're listening because it's very helpful for us.
B
We digress. Have a great day.
A
We love you. We'll see you on the next episode.
B
Sam.
Hosts: Evie McLeod & Lindsey Roman
Air Date: October 28, 2025
In this episode, Evie and Lindsey perform live audits of listener-submitted Instagram bios, offering real-time feedback, strategies, and practical tips to elevate bios for creative entrepreneurs. Their goal: help listeners create bios that are clear, searchable, and compelling—tools for converting casual scrollers into clients or community members. The hosts critique each bio’s structure, clarity, and effectiveness, emphasizing the importance of maximizing limited space to authentically communicate brand, services, and calls to action.
Bio Audited at [03:09–09:00]
Bio Audited at [09:00–16:12]
Bio Audited at [16:20–27:08]
Bio Audited at [29:42–35:23]
Bio Audited at [35:34–43:46]
Bio Audited at [43:51–49:25]
Use the Name Section Wisely
Profile Photo Matters
Be Specific
Cut Redundancy
Avoid Detours
Always Have a Call to Action (CTA)
Optimize for Character Count
The hosts wrap with reminders that bio strategy is universal, regardless of business type, and that clarity, searchability, and a sense of YOU are the keys to a high-converting Instagram presence.
For coaching or further help:
Evie and Lindsey invite listeners to reach out for 1:1 coaching to deep-dive on bios, broader business, and marketing strategy.
Podcast Tone Recap:
Friendly, supportive, energetic, with plenty of laughs and “BFF-level” candor—listeners are left feeling empowered, informed, and excited to tweak their own bios.