Your social media bio is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. First impressions always matter. 

In only a few precious lines, you need to communicate:

• What is your business?
• Basics about your offering: Products, services, experiences, etc.?
• A link or portfolio of links;
• And crucially, why should someone care enough to follow you on one or more social media platforms?

Creating the perfect social media bio for your business isn’t easy, all whilst staying within strict character limits. 

For multi-location businesses, the challenge is even more complex. You’ve got to balance brand consistency with local relevance, which can be done via having different social media profiles for each location.

This might mean having multiple profiles across multiple platforms, depending on your business, customers, search preferences, and of course, budget and resources. 

Our comprehensive guide will walk you through creating an effective bio that drives engagement, establishes credibility, and converts visitors into customers across different platforms and sectors. It includes various social media bio examples.

Key points for powerful social media bios

• First impressions matter: Users (aka, your customers or potential customers) spend only 15 seconds deciding whether to follow a business profile. Your bio is working hard to capture attention 24/7.
• Attention is precious: 90% of people on social platforms follow between 1 and 10 businesses/brands. Your bio has got to get the attention you need, so the people you want will follow you on social.
• Essential elements to include: 
  • Clear value proposition
  • Relevant keywords
  • Link(s), e.g., a Linktree
  • Social proof
  • Compelling call-to-action (CTA)
  • Give your brand a personality, e.g., use emojis and the right Tone of Voice (ToV) 😀
• Platform-specific approaches:
  • Instagram: 150 characters, use line breaks, leverage link in bio
  • Facebook: Utilise call-to-action buttons and dedicated fields for business details
  • Google Business Profile (GBP): Focus on location-specific keywords for local SEO
  • LinkedIn: Emphasise professional credibility, thought-leadership, and industry expertise.
  • TikTok, X (Twitter), Threads: Use a conversational tone and an even more authentic personality (even easier for a small business; put your personality into social posts). 
• Sector-specific customisation matters: Tailor your approach. For example, estate agents emphasise local knowledge, healthcare balances professionalism with approachability, and restaurants can highlight delicious dishes, drinks, and what makes your venue special. 
• Multi-location approach: Maintain your consistent core brand, whilst customising local info.
• Common mistakes to avoid: Generic language, information overload, outdated details, weak or unclear CTAs, and ignoring platform-specific best practices.

Now, let’s look at how to take care of all of this in more detail below 👇

Why your social media bio matters more than you think

Having an engaging social media bio, particularly an effective Instagram bio (with 2 billion users, this one is essential for most businesses), is key digital real estate that works 24/7 to represent your brand. 

Unlike posts that disappear into users' feeds (and Stories that simply disappear), your bio is prominently and permanently displayed on your profile. It’s a crucial touchpoint for potential customers discovering your business.

Research shows that users spend an average of 15 seconds deciding whether to follow or engage with a business profile. A well-crafted bio can boost profile visits by up to 30% and increase click-through rates (CTRs) to your website or other core landing pages. 

For multi-location businesses, social media bios act as a gateway to your brand, and they can include industry-specific keywords. Bios help establish trust and credibility whilst providing essential information like location, services, and contact details. 

When someone searches for businesses in your area, your bio often determines whether they choose you or a competitor.

A strong bio sets expectations, builds brand personality, and creates an emotional connection with your audience. Businesses with clear, engaging bios see higher engagement rates across all their social media content because followers feel more connected to their brand story and values.

Need a new social media management tool? Get started with a free Sendible trial. 

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What to include in a strong social media bio

Creating an effective social media bio requires balancing several key elements within a limited space. Start with a clear value proposition and a strong call to action that briefly explains what your business does and how it benefits them. 

This should be specific rather than generic. Instead of "We provide excellent service," try "Helping families find their dream homes since 2010."

Contact information and location details are crucial for local businesses. Include your primary location, phone number, or a clear way for customers to reach you in just a few words. Many platforms allow clickable contact buttons, making it easy for potential customers to book, buy, send a message, or call. 

Social proof builds credibility quickly. Mention years in business, number of customers served, awards received, or notable achievements. "Trusted by 5,000+ families" or "Winner of Best Local Business 2024" immediately establishes authority.

A great social media bio with a compelling call-to-action (CTA) guides visitors towards their next step. Inject personality through your tone and voice. This helps differentiate your brand and makes it more memorable. 

Platform-specific bio best practices

Below are best practices to remember for the world’s largest and most active social platforms: 

Instagram

Instagram bios allow 150 characters. Creating a creative Instagram bio makes every word count. Use line breaks to improve readability and organise information hierarchically. Include your most important message first, followed by supporting details.

Leverage Instagram's features like the link in bio, contact buttons, and location tags. You can only include one clickable link, so consider using link management tools to direct traffic accordingly (e.g., a Linktree). 

Facebook

Facebook business pages offer more space and functionality than other platforms. Use the "About" section to provide comprehensive information whilst keeping the main bio concise and engaging.

Take advantage of Facebook's call-to-action buttons for effective social media management like "Shop Now,” “Call Now,” and "Get Directions." These provide direct paths for customer action and are prominently displayed on your page.

Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile (GBP; previously known as Google My Business) description for social media marketing appears in search results and maps, making it crucial for digital marketing and local SEO. Include location-specific keywords and phrases that potential customers might search for.

Focus on what makes your business unique in your local market. Mention specific services, areas served, or specialisations that differentiate you from competitors in search results.

LinkedIn company page

LinkedIn bios
should emphasise professional credibility and industry expertise. Use industry-specific terminology and highlight business achievements, certifications, or partnerships.

Include information about company culture, mission, and values to attract both customers and potential employees. LinkedIn users often research companies for business partnerships or employment opportunities.

TikTok, X (Twitter), Threads, Bluesky

These platforms favour personality and authenticity over formal business language. Use conversational tone and emoji’s to create approachable, engaging bios.

Stay current with platform culture and trends whilst maintaining brand consistency. What works on X will feel out of place on Threads, so adapt your voice accordingly.

Next, we’ve put together some examples of different bios that would do well promoting businesses in specific sectors ⬇️

Need a new social media management tool? Get started with a Free Sendible Trial. 

Sendible: Benefit from one of the 10 best tools on G2; we’re a marketer’s best friend for scheduling, monitoring, and reporting on social media.

Sector-specific bio examples for inspiration

Different sectors need unique approaches to bio writing. Here are tailored strategies for common business types:

Estate Agents should emphasise local market expertise and personal service. Example: "Your trusted Central London estate agent 🏠 Helping families find perfect homes since 2015 | Free market valuation | [Linktree]"

Healthcare Practices need to balance professionalism with approachability. A dental clinic might write: "Family-friendly dental care in Manchester ✨ Gentle cleanings, cosmetic dentistry & emergency visits | New patients welcome | Book online ⬇️"

Restaurants and Food Services should showcase the food, drinks, atmosphere, and service. "Authentic Italian cuisine in the heart of Soho 🍝 Fresh pasta daily | Takeaway & delivery | Book online ⬇️"

Retail Businesses benefit from emphasising product selection and the shopping experience. "Your one-stop shop for outdoor adventures 🏔️ Camping gear, hiking boots & expert advice | Free gear consultations | Shop online or visit us!"

Professional Services like solicitors or accountants should stress expertise and results. "Protecting your business interests for 20+ years ⚖️ Corporate law, contracts & litigation | Free consultations | Let's discuss your case"

Car Dealerships should focus on brands, service, and trust signals. "Family-owned Ford dealer since 1985 🚗 New & approved used vehicles | Expert service department | Book a test drive today ⬇️"

Tips for writing bios for multiple locations

Multi-location businesses face the following challenges:

• Maintaining brand consistency
• Addressing local market needs
• Not using the same bio for every location. 

Start with a core brand message that remains consistent across multiple platforms and all locations, then customise supporting details for each market.

Create location-specific variations that could include local landmarks, neighbourhoods, or regional preferences. A pizza chain might mention "Near the Students' Union" for one location, whilst highlighting "Family-friendly atmosphere" for a shopping centre. 

Use local phone numbers and addresses in each bio to improve local SEO rankings and make it easy for customers to contact the right location. Include area-specific keywords that potential customers might use when searching.

Maintain consistent brand voice and core value propositions whilst allowing flexibility in specific offers or specialisations.

One location might emphasise delivery service, like using Just Eat. Another option is to highlight the dine-in experience based on what people prefer in that area. 

Common social media bio mistakes to avoid

Many businesses fall into similar traps when writing social media bios. The challenge is conveying a lot of info in a few short lines. 

• Generic language like "best quality" or "excellent service" provides no real value or differentiation. Instead, use specific, measurable claims and a unique selling proposition (USP) supported with your unique tone of voice/brand values.
  
  
• Information overload is another common mistake. Trying to include every service or feature creates cluttered, hard-to-read bios. Focus on your most important messages and use other profile sections for comprehensive details.
  
  
• Outdated information, particularly a brief description of your services, damages credibility and frustrates potential customers. Regularly review and update bios to reflect current offerings, contact information, and business hours.
  
  
• Weak or missing CTAs represent missed opportunities for customer engagement. Every bio should guide visitors towards a specific next step, whether it's visiting your website, calling for information, or following your account.
  
  
• Ignoring platform-specific best practices can limit your bio's effectiveness. What works on LinkedIn doesn’t work on Instagram, so tailor your approach to each platform's audience and features.

Social media bios: key takeaways 

An effective social media bio balances brand consistency with platform-specific optimisation and local relevance. Focus on clear value propositions, strategic keywords, and compelling CTAs. 

Treat your bio as a digital shopfront that immediately communicates who you are, what you do, and why profile visitors should follow, engage, and hopefully, become customers. 

Need a new social media management tool? Get started with a Free Sendible Trial. 

Sendible: Benefit from one of the 10 best tools on G2, we’re a marketer’s best friend for scheduling, monitoring, and reporting on social media.

Social media bios frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Should I write a different bio for each location? 

Yes, whilst keeping core branding consistent. Tweak bios to reflect location-specific offerings or audiences across various platforms. Use this to boost local SEO, and make each location feel more connected to its community.

How long should my business bio be? 

It depends on the platform. Always aim for clear, concise, and scannable, even if you consider using multiple links. Use every character allowance efficiently, but don't stuff bios with unnecessary info.

Can emojis be used in business bios? 

Absolutely 😀 For most consumer businesses, this is almost an expected norm. Use them intentionally and align with your tone. They provide visual appeal and clarity, making bios more scannable. 

What's the best CTA to include in my bio? 

Match your primary goal: "Book online," "Shop now," "DM to order," or "Visit us." Consider what action is most valuable for your business and easiest for customers to complete, such as how to share multiple links.