Instagram bio ideas for business: what to write and 36 examples to copy
What to write in your Instagram bio and name so people find you and message you, with 36 business bio examples by industry, ready to copy.
Someone sees your reel, likes it and taps your name. They land on your profile and, in a few seconds, decide whether to message you, follow you or leave. Most of the time they decide by reading two things: your name and the first lines of your bio. If they can't tell what you sell, they keep scrolling.
In this guide you'll see what to put in each part, how to write it so people also find you in Instagram search, and 36 business bio examples by industry, from Houston to Brooklyn, ready to copy and adapt.
What people look for on your profile
Someone who lands on your profile for the first time brings three questions, even if they never say them: what do you do?, is it for me or near me?, and what do I do now? A bio that sells answers all three before the person has to ask by message. A vague bio forces them to ask, and most people don't ask: they leave.
Vague bio: Making your dreams come true Passionate about what I do Your best self starts today. Left without messaging or tapping the link Clear bio: Acrylics, gel and pedicures Houston Heights · Mon to Sat Book your appointment below. Tapped “Book now”
Designs
Prices
Reviews
The formula for a bio that sells
What you do, in plain words
“Acrylics and gel nails”, “Custom cakes”, “Homes for sale in Doral”. The words your customer would use to search for you, not a slogan.
Who it's for or where
Your city or neighborhood if you serve people in person; the type of customer or where you ship if you sell online (“for busy moms”, “ships across the US”).
Why you
One concrete proof: years of experience, what makes you different or a detail your customer cares about (“gluten-free”, “English and Spanish”, “12 years selling Miami”).
What to do now
One action, the one that helps you most: “Book below”, “DM us MENU”, “Order on WhatsApp through the link”. And make sure the link goes straight there.
Your name counts too, and almost nobody uses it
Your profile has two names: the username, the @ that goes in your link, and the name, the bold text above your bio. You can change the name without losing your @, and it can say what you do: “Lucia · Nails in Houston” instead of just “Lucia”.
Why does it matter? Because this is how Instagram explained it: the text people type in the search bar is by far the most important signal, and Instagram matches it with usernames, bios, captions, hashtags and places. Among its tips for showing up in search, it recommends using a handle or profile name related to what you post, and including keywords and your location in your bio (Instagram).
Search: nails houston. Lucia · Nails in Houston (lucia.nails), Maria | Nails Houston (mariasnailbar), Kim Studio (studio.kim), Lu (lu.beauty)
The link: where something happens
The bio explains; the link makes something happen. Instagram lets you add up to 5 links to your profile, but the first one is the one people see most: the rest sit behind one more tap. That's why your first link should open a page with everything your customer needs: booking, messaging you on WhatsApp, seeing prices or buying.
If you don't have that page yet, the link in bio guide covers what to put on it and what it costs. If what you want most is for people to message you, see how to add your WhatsApp link to Instagram; and if you work by appointment, how to take bookings on Instagram.
36 Instagram bio examples by industry
Copy them and swap the city, hours and details for your own. They all fit in 150 characters. Wherever you see “·”, you can use a line break.
Nail salon
- Acrylics, gel and pedicures in Houston · Mon to Sat, 9 to 7 · Book your appointment below
- Nails that last 3 weeks without lifting · Private studio in Silver Lake, LA · Book below
- Hand-painted nail art in Brooklyn · This week's designs in my highlights · Book through the link
Barbershop
- Barbershop in Miami · Cuts, beards and designs · No waiting: book your spot below
- Fades and hot towel shaves · Uptown Charlotte · Open 7 days · Book through the link
- Kids and adult cuts in San Diego · In and out in 30 minutes · Book below
Restaurant and takeout
- Birria tacos and consommé in Los Angeles · Tue to Sun, 12 to 10 · Order pickup through the link
- Venezuelan home cooking in Doral · Arepas, cachapas and pabellón · Order on WhatsApp below
- Neighborhood BBQ in East Austin · Tables for groups · Menu and reservations below
Coffee shop
- Specialty coffee roasted in-house · Portland, OR · Beans to go and shipping below
- Coffee, pan dulce and wifi in San Antonio · Open at 7 · DM us MENU and we'll send it
- All-day brunch in Chicago's West Loop · Vegan and gluten-free options · Book a table below
Bakery and custom cakes
- Custom cakes in Phoenix · Order 5 days ahead · Get a quote on WhatsApp below
- Gluten-free cakes for birthdays and weddings · Houston area · Book your tasting below
- Decorated cookies for events · Delivery in Atlanta · DM us COOKIES and we'll send prices
Online clothing store
- Women's clothing in sizes S to 3XL · Ships across the US · New arrivals every Friday · Shop the link
- Everyday cotton basics · Free shipping over $50 · Size guide and shop below
- Hand-picked vintage in Chicago · One-of-a-kind pieces · New drops on Sundays · Shop below
Real estate agent
- Helping first-time buyers in Orlando · English and Spanish · Homes for sale below
- Condos for sale and rent in Midtown Atlanta · Showings Mon to Sat · Book yours below
- Homes in Doral and Kendall · 12 years selling Miami · Get your free home valuation below
Personal trainer
- Personal trainer in Dallas · 30-minute workouts for busy moms · First class free below
- Outdoor bootcamp in Denver · Groups of 6 · Schedule and open spots through the link
- Training adults over 50 in Tampa · Strength and mobility without injuries · DM me START
Photographer
- Wedding photographer in Puerto Rico and Miami · Natural photos, no stiff poses · 2027 dates below
- Product photos for online shops · NYC · 5-day delivery · Prices and packages below
- Family and newborn sessions in Austin · Weekends · Book your date through the link
Coach or consultant
- I help restaurant owners cut costs · 15 years in the industry · Book a free call below
- Career coach for first-gen professionals · Résumés, interviews and raises · Book a session below
- Marketing for hair and nail salons · More bookings without lowering your prices · Free guide below
Accountant or lawyer
- Accountant in Houston · Personal and small business taxes · English and Spanish · Book below
- Family lawyer in Miami · Divorce, custody and child support · Book a consultation below
- Bookkeeping for small businesses in Seattle · Monthly books and tax prep · DM us BOOKS
Dog grooming
- Dog grooming in the Bronx · We pick up and drop off · Book on WhatsApp below
- Dog grooming in Phoenix · Small and medium breeds · Cage-free, no rush · Book below
- Mobile dog grooming in North Dallas · Send us your dog's size and we'll send you a price
Mistakes that make people leave
- Phrases that say nothing. “Making your dreams come true” or “Passionate about what I do” sound nice, but they don't tell anyone what you sell or where.
- A bio full of emojis or hashtags. It looks messy, it's harder to read, and emojis look different on every phone.
- Asking people to message you and answering late. If your bio says “DM us”, someone has to reply fast: you or an automatic reply.
- Hiding the price. If you have a starting price, show it (“Cuts from $25”): it filters out people who aren't your customers and saves you the “price?” DMs. We covered it in how to turn followers into customers.
- A link that goes anywhere. If your bio says “Book below”, the link has to open your booking page, not your website's homepage.
- Never updating it. If your hours, address or promotion changed, an old bio loses you customers.
Frequently asked questions
How many characters can an Instagram bio have?
150, counting spaces and punctuation. Your name and username go in separate fields.
Should I use emojis in my bio?
A few, with a purpose: one to mark your location or point to your link can help. A bio made of emojis is harder to read and looks different on every phone.
Should I put prices in my bio?
If you have a starting price, yes: “From $35” filters out people who aren't your customers and saves you a lot of questions. If your prices change often, link to your price list instead.
Should I put keywords in my name or my bio?
In both, in moderation. Instagram recommends a name related to what you post, plus keywords and your location in your bio. One or two words your customer would search for are enough.
How often should I change my bio?
Whenever something important changes: hours, address, a promotion or a special date. Change your name rarely, because it's what people recognize.
What do I put in the link if I have several things?
One page with everything: booking, WhatsApp, prices and shop. That's what a link in bio is for; the details are in the link in bio guide.
Should my bio be in English or Spanish?
In the language most of your customers speak. If you serve people in both, say so: “English and Spanish” is a reason to choose you.
A good bio doesn't have to be clever: it has to be clear. It should say what you do, where, why you and what to do now, and the link should deliver what it promises. If you want that link to open a page with your services, your bookings and your WhatsApp, you can build it with SocialMaker's link in bio and start for free.
Written byAndros BlandonSocialMaker