Is the Market Too Saturated to Start a New Bookstagram Account?

 

The short answer is…. A resounding NO.

 

You can still start and successfully grow a bookstagram account in 2025.

 

The key is to be strategic.

 

Many people start their accounts with no content strategy and a bio that isn’t optimized to target their ideal audience (this is how I started too, no shade whatsoever). They post and post but get frustrated when their growth is slow and it starts to feel more like shouting to the void than making their content creator dreams a reality.

 

Have you been there? if so, you are in good company and in the perfect place to turn things around.

 

You might be asking, “Is there a secret sauce to growing a thriving bookstagram?”

 

Sure, there is a sauce, but I don’t like secrets, so I want to share with you the tried and tested strategies I use and teach my bookstagram 101 students.

 

It’s important to note, that no one strategy works for everyone every time, but these principles have worked wonders for many creators in the bookish niche.

 

An Intro to Your Bookstagram Profile

Let’s start at the beginning, shall we?

 

Whether you’ve already created your bookstagram account or are just about to take the plunge, we need to talk about your Instagram Name and Bio.

 

The goal is to quickly grab your audience’s attention and clearly communicate who you are, what books you love to scream about, and how they can connect with you (website, email list…). All while using strategic SEO keywords so you can be easily searched.

 

I know it sounds like a tall order. But just stick with me. I promise it’s not as complicated as it sounds. We are about to unpack an easy step-by-step guide to doing just that.

 

(For tips on how to build a stand-out brand, look no further than this blog.)

 

Start With Your Instagram Name

Choosing the right bookstagram name is crucial for your Instagram SEO (search engine optimization). When your name is fully optimized, you’ll not only increase your searchability on IG and Google, but you’ll make it very clear who you are and what you do to anyone who visits your account or sees your name pop up in comments and search engines.

 

Optimizing your name goes beyond just your handle (@bookedtildawn for example) and continues into the name field on your profile. (Tina Marshall | bookstagram + author support)

 

 

 

 

The name field holds enough characters for you to include your name AND SEO keywords, so use those up and make sure they are clear and concise. As you’ll notice, with my name, I include the words “bookstagram” and “author support”. This is important for attracting bookstagrammers and authors looking for help building their bookish platforms.

 

Your Instagram Bio

Your Instagram bio should be optimized to quickly convert a profile lurker to a follower. Be clear and concise so your audience know the kind of books you read/recommend/generally do happy dances over. The idea is to remove as many barriers between your target audience and your content.

 

Here are a few things to think about as you craft your Instagram bio:

 

Who are you? Does your bio clearly communicate that you are a bookstagrammer and what niches and genres you post about?

 

Are you relatable? Is your bio engaging and relatable to your target audience? Don’t be shy… show the people who you are here.

 

Hide your category. This may sound counterintuitive, but hiding the category that IG provides actually makes your bio look cleaner and doesn’t hurt your searchability at all.

 

SEO Keywords. Did you include SEO keywords pointing to your genre/niche in your bio? Just like with your name, it is important to include this in your bio for your searchability. This is also a great place to get a bit more specific than you can in your name (Examples: reader of dark romance; horror sci-fi; spicy romantasy; cowboy romance…).

 

Formatting matters. Keeping your bio as clean and concise as possible while still adding a dash of personality allows your readers to get the right first impression. Stick to 3-4 simple lines. Avoid the dreaded “more” button because the truth is that most people won’t take the time to press it to expand your profile to its full length.

 

Craft a Bio That Converts

Ok, now that you know what you need in your bio, let’s write one step by step.

 

Start with your bookstagram tagline (line one). Make it short, snappy, and full of your personality.

 

Add a clear CTA. Be sure to include one clear CTA that drives traffic to your lead magnet/email list/website. This can change depending on what you want to promote at different times.

 

Stick with one (two tops) Links in Bio. Your link can be used to drive traffic, promote brand collaborations, or share important content with your followers. But try to stick to one link since having more than one lowers the likelihood of either being clicked. (This is where link landing pages come in handy).

 

 

 

 

You are ready to start making a first impression that lasts (in a very good way). Once you get your name and bio refined, there are so many more ways to optimize your profile that I want to share with you.

 

Download my FREE Bookstagram Blueprint Guide today to get all the juicy details.

 

And if you need a little extra encouragement, feel free to shoot me an email!