👤4 min read

Optimizing your profile for maximum exposure

The specific steps that make your profile stand out in search results and convert visitors into clients.

Your profile is your storefront on Plugr. Students decide within seconds whether to contact you based on three things: your photo, your skill title, and your bio. This article breaks down exactly how to optimize each element so you appear higher in search results and convert more profile views into actual conversations.

Your profile photo

The photo is the first element students see in the Discover feed. A professional-looking photo immediately separates you from competitors who use blurry selfies or no photo at all. The goal is simple: make it easy for someone to recognize and trust you before they even read your bio.

  1. 1Use a recent, well-lit headshot or upper-body photo. Natural lighting works better than heavy filters.
  2. 2Make sure your face takes up at least 40% of the frame. Full-body or group photos do not work well at small sizes.
  3. 3Avoid using logos, anime characters, or abstract images. People want to see the person they will be working with.
  4. 4Keep the background simple and uncluttered. A plain wall, a desk, or outdoor greenery all work.

Best practices

  • Photos with a clean background and visible face get significantly more profile views than photos without.
  • If you offer a creative service, your photo can reflect your personality — but your face should still be the focus.
  • Update your photo every 6–12 months to keep your profile looking current.

Avoid these

  • Uploading screenshots, memes, or images with heavy text overlays.
  • Using photos from years ago that no longer look like you.
  • Leaving the photo slot empty. Profiles without photos receive almost no engagement.

Your skill title and bio

Your skill title is what appears in the Discover feed. It should be specific and match what students actually search for. Your bio expands on that — it explains what you do, who you serve, and why you are reliable. Together, these two fields determine whether someone taps your profile or scrolls past.

  1. 1Choose a primary skill that is specific and searchable. “Graphics Design” works better than “Creative Services.”
  2. 2If your skill is not in the predefined list, select “Other” and type it clearly.
  3. 3Write a bio that answers three questions: What do you do? Who is it for? Why should they choose you?
  4. 4Keep your bio between 2–5 sentences. Long paragraphs get skipped.
  5. 5Mention your level, faculty, or a specific achievement if it adds credibility.

Best practices

  • Use the exact skill name students search for. If people search for “barbing,” use that word instead of “mens grooming.”
  • Include one specific detail that sets you apart. For example: “I have designed over 50 event posters for LASU student organizations.”
  • Write in first person. It feels more personal and trustworthy than third-person descriptions.
  • Proofread your bio. Spelling errors and broken sentences signal carelessness.

Avoid these

  • Using vague language like “I do everything” or “jack of all trades.” Specificity builds trust.
  • Writing a bio that is just a list of adjectives (“Hardworking, dedicated, creative”). Show, don’t tell.
  • Copying another provider’s bio word for word. Originality matters.

Products and services

Adding products or services to your profile gives you more surface area in search results and helps students understand exactly what you offer. Each product can have its own image, name, price, and description. Think of these as mini portfolio pieces that showcase your range.

  1. 1Go to your profile and tap Edit.
  2. 2Switch to the Products tab.
  3. 3Tap Add product and fill in the name, price (optional), and a short description.
  4. 4Upload a product image. Real photos of your work perform better than generic images.
  5. 5Add at least 3–5 products to give visitors a clear picture of your capabilities.

Best practices

  • Use real photos of work you have actually done. Screenshots of past projects, photos of physical products, or mockups of designs all work.
  • Price your services competitively. If you are unsure, check what similar providers charge on Plugr.
  • Write a one-sentence description for each product that explains what the client gets.

Avoid these

  • Adding products with no images. Visual content gets far more engagement.
  • Listing products you cannot actually deliver on. Only showcase work you can reproduce consistently.
  • Using stock photos instead of your own work. Clients can tell the difference.

Keeping your profile current

An outdated profile sends the wrong signal. If your location, skill, or availability has changed, update it. Profiles that are updated regularly tend to rank higher in search results because the platform interprets recent activity as a sign of an active, available provider.

  1. 1Review your profile every 2–4 weeks to make sure all details are accurate.
  2. 2Update your location if your schedule or campus area has changed.
  3. 3Add new products or remove ones you no longer offer.
  4. 4Refresh your bio if your skill set or focus has evolved.

Was this article helpful?

Related articles

🚀

Getting started with Plugr

Create your account, complete verification, and make your first impression count.

⭐

How credibility scoring works

A complete breakdown of the 0–100 scoring system, what each range means, and how to build your score over time.

Can't find what you're looking for?