If you’re coming along to Create & Commerce Foundations, there’s a good chance you’re at an early stage with your business – or you’re starting to take it more seriously for the first time.

For many people, social media feels like a big step. You might have only ever used it personally, or you might feel a bit awkward about showing up as a business. That’s very common, especially for creatives.

This post is here to help you set things up properly, in a straightforward way, so you’re not guessing or backtracking later.

We’ll focus mainly on Instagram, as it’s where most small creative businesses start, but I’ll also touch briefly on TikTok and Facebook.

First things first: personal vs business accounts

A business account is simply an account designed to support what you’re selling or offering. It gives you:

• Access to insights, like who’s engaging and what content works
• Contact buttons (email, website, directions)
• The option to run ads later if you choose
• A clearer and more professional presence

You don’t need thousands of followers.
You don’t need to be polished.
You just need to be clear and consistent.

On Instagram and Facebook, you can switch an existing account to a business account or set up a new one from scratch. If your personal account is very personal (family, opinions, holidays), it’s usually better to start a separate account for your business.

Choosing your handle (this matters more than people realise)

Your handle is your username – the bit people type to find you.

Aim for something that is:

• As close to your business name as possible
• Simple, readable and easy to say out loud
• Consistent across platforms where you can manage it

Try to avoid:

• Long strings of numbers
• Lots of underscores or dots
• Clever spellings that need explaining

If your exact name isn’t available, try:

• Adding “studio”, “shop”, “co”, or “design”
• Using your location if it makes sense
• Keeping it as short as possible

This isn’t about getting the perfect handle. It’s about being easy to find and easy to remember.

Setting up your Instagram business profile

Once your handle is sorted, focus on these key areas.

Profile photo

• A logo is fine
• A clear photo of you is also absolutely fine
• Keep it simple and recognisable at a small size

Name field (this is searchable)

This doesn’t have to match your handle exactly. Use it to explain what you do.

Examples:

• Ceramic Homeware – Edinburgh
• Jewellery Maker | Ethical Silver
• Brand & Web Design for Small Businesses

This helps both people and Instagram understand your account quickly.

Your bio (plain English works best)

You don’t need buzzwords. You need clarity.

A simple structure:

• What you do
• Who it’s for
• Where you’re based (if relevant)
• One clear next step (visit website, get in touch, sign up)

Think of this as a short introduction, not a sales pitch.

Links and contact details

Use the website link field properly. Even if your site isn’t finished yet, you can link to:

• A holding page
• An email sign-up
• A simple “coming soon” page

Make sure your email address is correct and easy to find. This builds trust more than people realise.

A note on posting (especially if you’re unsure)

You do not need to post every day.
You do not need to dance, point at text, or copy big brands.

At the beginning, focus on:

• Introducing yourself and your business
• Sharing what you’re working on
• Explaining what you offer in simple terms
• Letting people get used to seeing you there

Showing up consistently in a way that feels manageable will always work better than forcing content you hate.

What about TikTok?

TikTok is video-first (but interestingly still photo carousels get more interaction!) and more informal, but the setup principles are the same:

• Clear handle
• Simple bio
• Business account if relevant

If Instagram already feels like enough, it’s completely fine to leave TikTok for now. It tends to work best once you’ve built a bit of confidence and rhythm elsewhere.

And Facebook?

Facebook is still very useful, particularly for:

• Local businesses
• Community-based work
• Events and groups

Set up a Facebook Page (not a personal profile) for your business. You can link it to Instagram later, which makes managing both much easier.

Final thoughts

You don’t need to have everything figured out before you start. Your social media accounts can grow and change as your business does.

Setting things up properly now gives you a solid base to build from – without overthinking it or trying to do everything at once.