Ready to launch yourself and your business into Instagram fame? If so, your first step will be to create a new Instagram account, which you’ll use to grow your following and promote your content.
Creating a new account on Instagram is a simple process in and of itself (although we’ll still guide you through it, step-by-step, in just a moment). But if you want to build a solid foundation for your Instagram empire, you need to take things up a notch.
By that, we mean that there are certain strategies that you should be sure to do while setting up your new profile – as well as some pitfalls you should avoid at all costs.
With that in mind, let’s kick off this guide by showing you two different methods for how to create a new Instagram account. After that, we’ll let you in on five things to do and five things NOT to do if you want to set yourself up for maximum success on the platform.
How To Create a New Instagram Account (2 Methods)
Here’s how to go about setting up your new Instagram account.
1. While Logged Into Your Old Account
This first method will link your old and new accounts in your Instagram app so that you them can then switch between never you want without having to enter your login information.
Step #1: Open the Instagram app on your mobile device.
Step #2: Press and hold down on your profile picture in the lower right-hand corner of the screen.
Step #3: Tap Add account.
Step#4: Tap Create New account.
Step #5: Choose a username.
Step #6: Set up a password. (Remember to save it in a password manager tool or write it down somewhere.)
Step #7: Tap Complete sign-up.
2. After Logging Out of Your Old Account
If you don’t want to be able to switch between your old and new account, and you want a separate login process for each one, follow these steps instead. (This method also works if you don’t have an existing profile, period. Just skip the first step.)
Step #1: Log out of your old Instagram account by going to Settings and Privacy, scrolling all the way down, and tapping Log out.
Step #2: Tap Create New Account on the Instagram app login screen.
Step #3: Enter your name and tap Next. (You can choose your real name, your influencer name, or your business name.)
Step #4: Create a password and tap Next.
Step #5: Enter your date of birth and tap Next.
Step #6: Create your username and tap Next.
Step #7: Enter an email address or mobile number and then tap Next. (The email address or mobile number should be associated with your business.)
Step #8: Type in the confirmation code that Instagram sent to your email address or mobile number and tap Next.
Step #9: Tap I agree to Instagram’s terms and policies.
Step #10: Add a profile picture and tap Next (or tap Skip to complete this step later).
Step #11: Tap Done.
5 Things TO DO When Creating a New Instagram Account
Congratulations! You now have a new Instagram account!
But we’re not done setting it up yet. Here are five things you should prioritize doing during the setup process and immediately afterwards.
1. Do Choose a Distinct Username
Having a distinct username will give you a leg up when you’re marketing your new account. Namely, it will make it easier for users to remember you and search for you on Instagram.
Choosing a distinct username may be easier than you think! For businesses, your username should match your business name. For influencers, it should probably include your first and last or first and middle names – or whatever you want your fans and future brand partners to call you.
2. Do Use a Unique Profile Picture
Just like your username, your Instagram profile picture should reflect your unique personality and/or your business. Users should take one look at it and know that you’re real and interesting.
We recommend using a unique profile photo, logo, or artwork that you took or commissioned yourself. Simultaneously, avoid using stock photos, as these are typically generic and boring. They also make you appear inauthentic, which will hurt your ability to grow a following organically.
3. Do Optimize Your Bio
Your bio is the part of your Instagram profile underneath your name that tells other users a little about yourself (in 150 characters or less).
But that’s not all it does for you! A bio that has been optimized with keywords in your content niche will make you more discoverable in Instagram’s algorithm. It’s also a great place to share links to your products or services, so that you can convert sales. For those reasons, do make sure to fill it out completely.
4. Do Link Your New Account to Your Old One
If you have an old Instagram account, we suggest you use the first method we discussed above to set up your new one, so that your profiles will be linked. This strategy will allow you to switch between them in the app without logging out and back in again. You’ll have a much easier time keeping track of your old followers, comparing your performance, and maintaining access to your previous posts this way.
5. Do Use a Growth Service to Generate New Followers
Your new Instagram account will serve you best when you have a large following and a high engagement rate. Both of those achievements are critical to helping you achieve growth, earn money, and increase your influence on the platform.
To grow your followers as quickly as possible, use a growth service. A growth service provides you with followers and engagements, and in doing so, makes your account and your posts appear more popular. As your popularity increases, more users will find your content organically and flock to your feed.
Thus, with a small investment, you can help catapult your new account to the level of fame you’re seeking.
5 Things NOT TO DO When Creating a New Instagram Account
Let’s turn our attention away from things you should be doing to things you SHOULDN’T be doing when you’re setting up your new account on Instagram.
1. Don’t Stick with a Personal Account
When you first create your account, it will be registered as a Personal one. But don’t stick with that! Instead, change it to a Professional account and choose between a Business (if you’re a business owner) or Creator type (if you’re an influencer).
Why go through all that trouble? If your account is Personal, you won’t have access to several features that are critical to becoming successful business owners and influencers on Instagram. Those features include Instagram Ads, analytics, and the ability to schedule your posts.
To switch your new Instagram account from Personal to Professional, follow these steps.
Step #1: Open the Instagram app on your mobile device, make sure you’re logged into your new account, and go to your profile.
Step #2: Tap the three horizontal lines at the top right-hand corner of your profile.
Step #3: Tap Settings and Privacy.
Step #4: Scroll down and tap Account type and Tools under For Professionals.
Step #5: Tap Switch to Professional account.
Step #6: Choose a category for your business or what type of content you’re promoting.
Step #7: Tap OK.
Step #8: Select either Business or Creator.
Step #9: Fill out your contact details and choose your profile display options.
2. Don’t Copy and Paste Another Creator’s Bio
Not everyone has a knack for writing an original bio for their Instagram profile. If you’re stumped for ideas, don’t resort to copying and pasting another creator’s bio. This is not only bad form, but it can blackball you as a plagiarist. Instead, use our Definitive Guide to Creating a Killer Instagram Bio to craft a bio that will grab your audience’s attention – in a positive way!
3. Don’t Post Stock Photos or Video Footage
In your attempts to kickstart your new Instagram account, you may be tempted to upload a lot of content right away in the form of free stock media, which is quick and easy to access.
But we caution you not to post stock photos or stock video footage that you found on the internet. If you do, you may find yourself driving users away as they search for more authentic and creative accounts to follow.
Instead, before you set up your new account, invest time and effort into creating original content that will help you stand out from the crowd.
4. Don’t Use Copyrighted Content without Permission
This “don’t” is critical to the survival of your account! It’s extremely important that you never use copyrighted content without the original creator’s permission (unless your purpose in using it falls under the fair use). That includes images, videos, and audio.
If any of your posts violate someone’s copyright, it could get taken down. And if you keep getting copyright strikes, you run the risk of your account getting terminated for good.
5. Don’t Delete Your Old Account Right Away
If the new Instagram account you’re creating is meant to replace an old one, don’t delete your old account right away – especially if you still have a lot of followers or if you published posts that drove high amounts of engagement.
The reason for this “don’t” is that you may be able to get your old followers to transfer over to your new account. Plus, you may also want to repost some of your more successful posts to your new feed. But you’ll lose out on those merging opportunities if you jump the gun and deactivate your first account too quickly.
Establish Your New Instagram Account Right With Viralyft
Starting a new account on Instagram that establishes your brand or influencer business is easy with Viralyft. Our plans provide you with real followers, likes, views, and other metrics to raise your engagement rate and help you dominate the algorithm.
DO reach out to our support team of social media experts to learn more about how we can help you achieve your goals for fame, influence, and money-earning opportunities on Instagram!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are You Allowed to have More than One Instagram Account?
Yes. You can add up to five accounts per email address or mobile number.
How Do I Create a New Instagram Account from an Existing Account?
To create a new Instagram account from an existing account, log into your profile and select Add account. If you’re using a desktop, you can do this by clicking Switch next to your profile picture. If you’re using a mobile device, you can do this by pressing and holding down on your profile picture.
