Quick Fixes That Help the Right People Find (and Follow) You on Instagram
The KidLit Creator’s Chronicle – Issue #13
This week, we’ll cover something I’ve been deep in recently: Instagram. I just wrapped a 3-day Social Media Mastery Bootcamp, where we spent hours each day focused on how children’s book authors can use Instagram more intentionally, more simply, and more effectively.
Whether you love Instagram or feel completely overwhelmed by it, today’s edition is designed to help you simplify your profile and create real connection, without needing to be online 24/7.
Let’s get into it!
Imagine walking by a row of inviting shop fronts on a busy street and you spot two bookstore windows. One display is cluttered and confusing, and you’re not sure what kinds of books they even sell.
The other is clear, beautifully arranged, and instantly tells you, “These books are for people like you.”
That’s exactly what your Instagram profile needs to do.
As a children’s book author, your profile is often someone’s first impression of you. It’s your digital storefront, and in just a few seconds, it needs to answer three silent questions that every parent, teacher, or librarian is asking:
- Who are you?
- What do you offer?
- Why should they follow you?
The thing is, it doesn’t matter how beautiful or brilliant your content is if your profile leaves people confused or unsure. They’ll simply click away before they ever see your carousel post or reel.
But here’s the good news: creating a clear, interesting profile doesn’t require hours of effort. You just need a few key pieces in place, like a searchable username, an inviting photo, a reader-focused bio, and a helpful link-in-bio strategy, to make your profile a welcoming invitation into your world.
Think of it like the back cover of a book. It’s short, intentional, and invites the right readers in.
So today, we’re not chasing followers for the sake of numbers. We’re setting the stage for real connection, the kind that turns curious visitors into readers, supporters, and fans.
Your Instagram Profile: 6 Quick Wins That Boost Results
If someone lands on your Instagram profile today, what do they see?
Is it clear who you are and what kind of books you create? Would a teacher, parent, or librarian know within five seconds whether your content is for them?
If not, don’t worry. Here are six simple ways to polish your profile and turn it into a warm, welcoming space that encourages the right people to stick around.
You can do this in under an hour:
Username: Make it clear and searchable
Your username should be easy to type and instantly recognisable. If possible, use your name or a variation of it, such as:
- @JaneSmithAuthor
- @BooksByJane
- @JaneSmithWrites
Avoid tricky punctuation, numbers, or inside jokes. The goal is discoverability.
Need to update your Instagram handle?
Go to your Instagram profile → Tap “Edit Profile” → Change your Username and Name fields as needed → Tap Done to save.
Tip: If your chosen handle is taken, try simple variations like adding “author” or “books” (e.g. @JaneSmithAuthor or @BooksByJaneSmith). Keep it clear and easy to search.
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Profile Photo: Choose a warm, friendly photo of you
Good examples of profile photos: @authorvaleriethompkins, @stacycbauer, and CBM Coaching Members, @nicole.oke.author, @nkards and @lavonnebjelland.
Don’t use a logo. As an author, people want to connect with a human. A close-up of your smiling face in good lighting works best. You can also hold your book (but keep your face clearly visible).
Bio: Tell us who you are, what you write, and how you help
Think of your bio like the back cover of a book: short, clear, and focused on the reader.
Mention what you write, who it’s for, and what kind of content followers can expect. Add a touch of personality, then finish with a clear call-to-action.
Example: Picture book author | Inspiring kindness & courage
🎨 Behind-the-scenes of my writing process
👇 Grab your free activity pack!
Link-in-Bio: Use action-based buttons that make it easy to connect
Instead of vague buttons like “Books” or “Freebie,” try:
- “Buy My Book on Amazon”
- “Download Your Free Activity Pack”
- “Join My Newsletter for KidLit Tips”
Tools like Linktree or a custom landing page on your website work well. Make it simple and focused.
Highlights: Add 3–5 Instagram Highlights that reflect your brand
Highlights are saved Stories that sit at the top of your profile. Think of them like quick-reference tabs for new visitors.
Start with these:
- About Me – Share your author journey or fun facts
- Books – Covers, blurbs, links to buy
- Freebies – Colouring pages, printables, activity guides
- Praise – Reader reviews or testimonials
- Events – School visits, signings, or upcoming appearances
- Behind-the-Scenes (BTS) – Your writing process, writing space, snippets from your life
Branded covers made in Canva help keep it looking polished.
Example: Stacy Bauer uses uniform yellow and blue Highlight covers.
Pinned Posts: Guide new visitors with content that counts
Pinned posts on the kidlitmama’s profile.
You can pin up to 3 posts to the top of your profile. Use them to:
- Welcome new followers
- Highlight a recent or popular book
- Offer a free resource or reader magnet
Review and refresh these regularly so they stay relevant.
A reminder:
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about clarity and about showing up in a way that reflects who you are and invites the right people into your world. Every small tweak you make here is one more way to connect with authenticity and purpose.
A Profile Alone Won’t Build a Community, But It Can Start One
Honestly, it can be tempting to pour all our energy into growing your follower numbers. But here’s the question: Is a follower actually what you want? Or is it something more?
Because followers don’t buy books. Fans do.
Followers don’t share your story with a friend or invite you to their school. True supporters do.
And that kind of connection doesn’t come from a clever bio or a perfectly pinned post alone. It comes from what happens after they follow you.
The truth is, a follower isn’t a fan until you nurture the connection.
Having 10,000 followers who never engage with you and don’t really know who you are is more or less meaningless.
A lot of authors think, “If I can just get more people to follow me, I’ll sell more books.” But if those followers aren’t nurtured, if they don’t feel seen, valued, or understood, they’ll quietly fade away.
So yes, build a profile that clearly shows who you are and what you offer. And focus on building your following, since you do need followers as a start. But don’t stop there.
Your Instagram profile is like a welcome mat. It’s where people first pause, peek in, and decide whether to step inside. But the real magic happens after they’ve followed you, through your stories, your posts, your replies, your realness.
So yes, it’s important that your profile is clear, reader-focused, and thoughtfully put together. But then, be sure you also focus on engaging and activating the ones you already have.
That might mean:
- Posting consistently even when engagement feels low
- Asking questions in your Stories (and replying when people answer!)
- Creating content that serves your audience more than it serves the algorithm
- Generosity, whether that’s a free activity pack, a thoughtful reply, or just showing up as yourself
And here’s the real shift: Don’t just focus on reaching more people. Focus on truly connecting with the ones you already have.
Because when your message actually lands with someone, it leads to lasting connection, word-of-mouth, and book sales.
You don’t need a big following. You need a connected following.
So instead of obsessing over follows, shift your focus to what happens next. How can you serve, engage, and invite your audience a little deeper into your world this week?
A strong profile gets the door open. But a generous presence is what turns followers into fans, and fans into readers.
Real-Life Example
Valerie Thompkins, like many self-published children’s book authors, knew her books could help kids feel seen and represented, but she struggled to develop a strategic marketing plan to create awareness and generate sales.
Instead of trying to be everywhere at once, Valerie focused on two platforms: Instagram and TikTok.
On Instagram (now with over 14,000 followers), she consistently shared behind-the-scenes moments from her author journey, personal stories, and visually appealing graphics related to her books.
On TikTok (where she’s gained over 55,000 followers), Valerie posted videos discussing the importance of representation in children’s books while offering relatable advice for indie authors.
The result? She has sold over 20,000 copies of her first book (so far), built a loyal and engaged audience (without spending money on ads), and established herself as a leading voice in the self-publishing space for children’s books!
Over to you!
Taking small, intentional action is how real momentum builds.
You’ve got six clear, doable steps to polish your Instagram profile. Now’s the perfect time to do at least one of them!
Pick one thing from the list, whether it’s updating your bio, tweaking your username, or pinning a post, and go do it now. It doesn’t need to be perfect. Just take that first step.
Comment and let me know what you did!
“See you” next week, with the next installment of The KidLit Creator’s Chronicle!
