How Can You Optimise Your Social Media Profiles to Make a Strong First Impression?

Akinyinka Omikunle
Jul 22
2 min read

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, first impressions are made in seconds. Your social media profiles serve as your digital business card, storefront, and handshake, all wrapped into one.

Whether you're building a personal brand, growing as a coach, consultant, creative, or corporate professional, people form opinions before they’ve even seen your content.

As a marketing strategist, I’ve helped individuals and businesses evolve their social media marketing strategies, transforming their presence from forgettable to magnetic. Everything begins with a well-optimised profile.

Here’s how to optimise your profile to capture attention and convert it into connection, credibility, and opportunity:

1. Professional, Recognisable Profile Picture

Clear, high-resolution photo
Friendly, approachable expression
Consistent across platforms (ideal for your brand)
Recent and genuine, no heavy filters or distracting backgrounds

2. Craft a Powerful Bio or About Section

Treat your bio as prime real estate. Highlight:

Who you are (“Helping purpose-driven coaches grow on LinkedIn…”)
What you do (“Marketing strategist + brand consultant”)
Who you serve (“Coaches, consultants & creatives”)
Your unique promise (“Magnetic social media presence”)
One clear call to action (“DM for discovery call”)

On LinkedIn, your headline should be more than a role, a concise statement of your niche and value.

3. Optimise Your Username and Handle

Use your real name or brand consistently (e.g., @GaelleMokoy), especially if you’re building a personal brand. Avoid added punctuation or numbers that weaken discoverability.

4. Use Branded Highlights or Featured Content

Instagram Highlights: “About Me,” “Services,” “Testimonials”
LinkedIn Featured: show your marketing strategy examples, lead magnets, and case studies.
These guide new visitors without endless scrolling.

5. Link Strategically

Your bio link should be simple and actionable:

Lead magnet or freebie
Service or package page
Booking link or newsletter signup
Use tools like Linktree or a custom landing page

Give one clear reason to click, e.g., “Download Free Brand Template.”

6. Pin Key Content

Pin your best work on Twitter (X), LinkedIn, or TikTok:

Viral posts
Brand-story intro
Case study or testimonial
Current offer or campaign

This pinned content becomes your digital “elevator pitch.”

7. Update Regularly

Profiles must evolve with your strategy. Review quarterly:

Photo, bio, links, and featured content
Make sure it aligns with updated marketing and branding goals

8. Add Social Proof Where You Can

Highlight on-platform:

Client reviews, media mentions, partnership tags
Screenshots when possible
Video testimonials

Even a one-line follower DM can translate to social proof (with permission).

9. Audit the Entire Profile Experience

View your profile as a stranger:

Is your value clear in 5 seconds?
Would you feel confident messaging you?
Does it speak to your ideal audience?

Ask a friend or coach for feedback. An outside perspective is gold.

Your profile is more than an ID, it’s your first and most powerful marketing strategy. It either invites engagement or sends people away in confusion.

Refine with purpose, clarity, and personality and don’t just be present, be powerfully positioned.