Don’t underestimate the impact that your TikTok bio could have on your content engagement and creator business. While you may have nailed short-form video content, if you don’t take the time to optimize your TikTok bio, you’re not building a strong brand on the platform — the kind of brand that gives you staying power and the income to match.
Read on for six tips that will help you optimize your TikTok bio, so you can start turning high-performing content into lucrative content.
1. Choose the right profile picture
Before even putting a single character in your TikTok bio, think about your profile picture. If the picture is still the same one you uploaded when you first signed up, it might be time to consider an update.
Select an image that reflects the kind of content you’re creating right now, and make sure people can recognize your profile picture in a second.
Why does this matter?
If you’re just using TikTok for fun, then you can use whatever profile picture you want. But if you’re treating content creation as a side hustle, or even a career, then you need to think about whether your profile picture clearly represents your personal brand.
2. Ensure your username reflects what you do
As a content creator, you should choose a username that communicates exactly what your brand and identity are about. You may simply use your name, but it’s better to pick a username that clearly states what you do.
For example, if you create tutorials and content about sewing, instead of having “@susan123” or “@susanhughes” as your username, you can go with “@susansews” or “@sewwithsusan.”
Why does this matter?
Your username is everywhere — it’s under all your TikTok videos, it’s in your comments, and it’s what viewers and other users can use to tag you. Those who’ve just come across your username might not know what your content or business is about, so it’s important to ensure that your handle can effectively communicate that information to new, potential viewers.
3. Optimize the text in your TikTok bio
Now that the profile picture and username are taken care of, it’s time to actually insert text in your bio. TikTok bios are limited to just 80 characters, so you need to make each one count. Think of keywords that capture what your content is about and incorporate them in your bio.
The best TikTok bios tend to be super short, so keep it simple and get to the point. If you’re a marketing specialist, for example, you can have a clear and concise bio that reads like this: “Content marketer. Helping you get your head around marketing.”
Why does this matter?
Unless you’re a TikTok celebrity like Charli D’Amelio, you probably can’t get away with leaving your bio empty. While your username and profile picture tell others about you in a few seconds, your bio can offer more details about your content and personal brand. And if you’re using TikTok as a marketing channel, you can also use your bio to inform potential customers of what you do and sell.
4. Optimize the link in your TikTok bio
Sure, you could just include a link to your BeReal account in your TikTok bio, but that isn’t really the best way to use this space. Since you only get to add one link to your bio, you’d better make it count, right? Well, what if we told you that it doesn’t have to be just one link? Link in bio services such as Linktree and Campsite allow you to create landing pages where you can embed multiple links to your different channels and content, so make sure to leverage these tools.
Why does this matter?
TikTok might limit you to including a single link in your bio, but as a content creator, you’ll probably need more than that. Chances are you have multiple social media platforms — and hopefully multiple sources of revenue — that people need to know about. With easy-to-use link in bio tools, you can easily turn one link into many, and drive your followers to any website or platform you want.
5. Include a CTA
“CTA” is marketing speak for “call to action.” In the context of TikTok bios, a CTA is a statement that encourages your followers to do something specific when visiting your bio.
Think about it this way: When your followers come to your profile, what’s the one thing you want them to do? If you want them to book you for a coaching session, for example, you’ll want to include a CTA like “Book me for coaching👇” in your bio, along with a link that lets them make an appointment online.
Why does this matter?
While having a presence on TikTok is great, in order to actually make money as a content creator, you’ll need to drive your viewers and followers to websites where they can purchase products or services that you offer. Without a CTA, a potential customer might not know what to do when they read your profile, or even understand what the link in your bio is about. By including a CTA in your bio, however, you’re guiding them towards a specific course of action.
6. Connect other platforms to your TikTok
If you use social media platforms other than TikTok, then connecting them to your profile should be a no-brainer way of optimizing your TikTok bio. After all, while TikTok dominates short-form video (right now!), that doesn’t mean you can’t find success on other platforms. And no matter where that success is happening, you’ll want it to continue on other platforms. TikTok currently allows you to connect your Instagram and YouTube to your profile, so make sure to do that.
Why does this matter?
There’s just some type of content that’s a better fit for YouTube or Instagram than for TikTok. By including links to other platforms in your TikTok bio, you are giving your followers more ways to interact with your content.
TikTok bio, optimized
An 80-character limit shouldn’t stop you from optimizing your TikTok bio. Between getting more out of your one URL, connecting to other platforms, and adding CTAs, there are several ways to make your TikTok bio communicate effectively to those who look at your profile. Try out these tips, and you’ll be surprised by how much of a difference these few changes can make.
Want to get more views on TikTok? Download our free TikTok SEO Cheat Sheet for tips to get more eyes on your content.
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