Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching to help you win—on stage and off. After 300+ interviews and coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.
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It takes five seconds—if that.
That’s all the time you get to make an impression when someone taps on your Instagram profile. It could be a judge. A director. A sponsor. A brand. Or even just someone you’d love to work with in the future. If your bio doesn’t instantly communicate who you are and why they should care… they’ll click away. And you won’t get that chance again.
This week I sat down with my good friend Gracie Pfaff from Influentialist Marketing to talk through her brand new Instagram audit service—designed specifically for creators, pageant contestants, and anyone building a personal brand. The best part? It's just $49.
👉 https://www.influentialistmktg.com/profile-audit
Gracie’s not only a social media strategist—she’s also a former Miss Tennessee Earth, UGC model, nonprofit founder, and pageant girl through and through. She’s someone who’s built her own personal brand from the ground up, learned from experience, and now helps others do the same.
Here’s what we covered in our conversation—and why I think her audit service might be one of the smartest investments you can make.
The Bio Breakdown
Your Instagram bio isn’t just a space to list your hobbies. According to Gracie, it’s “your hook”—the elevator pitch for who you are and what people can expect from your content. She walks clients through what she calls the “bio glow-up,” starting with:
* Your name (real, stage, or both—make sure people can find you)
* Your hook (something short and punchy to stop the scroll)
* Your roles (model, advocate, founder, etc.)
* Your offer (what people get by following you)
* Your CTA or link (where to go next)
And no, you don’t need to cram your entire resume into those few lines. In fact, don’t.
Gracie recommends breaking it up visually (yes, emojis can help), and staying laser-focused on clarity and connection. Think of your bio like a trailer—not the whole movie.
Link Strategy 101
Gone are the days of “link in bio” meaning just one lonely URL. You can now add multiple links directly in your Instagram profile, but that doesn’t mean you should dump your entire Amazon storefront in there.
Gracie’s advice?
Keep it simple, current, and relevant. She suggests:
* Your portfolio or personal website first
* Any live opportunities (e.g. pageant voting, sponsorships)
* One or two extra links that support your niche—nonprofit, Amazon list, media feature, etc.
Audit yourself: if it’s out of date, confusing, or no longer aligned with your goals, it’s time to clean house.
Highlight with Intention
If your highlight section looks like a rainbow explosion of 47 different stories, you’re not alone.
Gracie’s tip: “You don’t need that many.” She recommends no more than 5–6 neatly themed highlight covers, all on-brand and aesthetically consistent with your feed. Think of them like chapters of your story—easy to scan, on theme, and visually cohesive.
What to Pin (And What Not To)
The first three posts on your grid matter more than most people think.
Gracie’s rule of thumb: one can be your most viral content (for reach), but the other two should represent your average and best content—what someone will see more of if they follow you.
If your pinned post went viral but doesn’t reflect who you are or what you post 90% of the time, it might be doing more harm than good.
What the Audit Includes
Gracie’s audit is more than just a list of tweaks—it’s a personalized video review delivered within 72 hours.
👉 https://www.influentialistmktg.com/profile-audit
You’ll get:
* A screen recording of your Instagram profile walkthrough
* A custom breakdown of what’s working—and what’s not
* Actionable suggestions on bio, links, highlights, pinned posts, and content strategy
You can also add optional extras like content ideas or upgrade to their full Viral Reign coaching program, where her team helps you redesign everything from highlight covers to posting schedules.
You Don’t Need to Be a Pro (Yet)
Whether you’re just starting your pageant or creator journey—or you’ve been around a while but feel stuck—Gracie emphasizes that you don’t need a perfect aesthetic or pro-level equipment to get started. You just need clarity and direction.
Small fixes can make a massive difference.
Even simple things like cleaning your camera lens, using natural lighting, or removing outdated links can upgrade your profile from “confusing” to “compelling.”
My Favorite Takeaway?
When I asked Gracie what really makes a strong profile, she didn’t say flawless graphics or aesthetic filters.
She said: Personality.
In fact, her most popular reel wasn’t a glossy beach shoot or an edited promo—it was her sitting on a bed eating a burger, talking about being allergic to aluminum foil.
Authenticity connects. Don’t be afraid to show your sense of humor, your behind-the-scenes moments, or even your bloopers. Your audience wants to see a real human—not just a highlight reel.
Want Your Own Audit?
You can book in an Instagram audit with Gracie here:
👉 https://www.influentialistmktg.com/profile-audit
Whether you're chasing brand deals, building a platform, or just trying to get noticed—this could be the fastest way to start showing up the way you want to be seen.
Timestamps
* 00:00 Meet Gracie Pfaff
* 02:43 Why Branding Matters in Pageantry
* 03:55 What You Get in a $49 Instagram Audit
* 05:51 Bio Breakdown: What to Include (and Avoid)
* 07:24 First Impressions: Why Your Bio Is Make-or-Break
* 09:12 The Hook, the Offer, the Aesthetic
* 11:01 Beyond the Audit: Full Coaching Upgrades
* 14:17 Link Strategy: What to Put in Your Bio
* 16:49 Highlight Covers: Clean, Cohesive & On-Brand
* 20:03 What to Pin (and What Not To)
* 22:25 Feed Vibes: Personality, Humor & Humanity
* 26:49 The Three Pillars of Pageant Content
* 28:45 For Beginners: Where to Start Without Overwhelm
* 30:00 What Most Pageant Girls Get Wrong About Social Media
Ready to take the next step—on stage and beyond? I offer a limited number of private coaching sessions per month for women serious about elevating their pageant journey. Click below to book yours.
https://thepageantproject.com/coaching
Pageantry is evolving—and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Join us if you're ready to go beyond the crown.
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