Instagram Tips & Strategies

How to Start a Fan Account on Instagram

By Spencer Lanoue
November 11, 2025

Creating a passionate fan account is one of the best ways to connect with a community that shares your love for a specific artist, show, team, or hobby. It’s a space to share your creativity, stay on top of the latest news, and make friends from all over the world. This guide provides a complete roadmap for starting and growing a successful fan account on Instagram, covering everything from choosing a name to building an engaged community.

Choose Your Fandom &, Your Name

Before you do anything else, you need a solid foundation. This starts with defining your niche and picking an unforgettable name that fans can easily find and remember.

Find Your Focus

The first step is deciding exactly what - or who - your account will be about. While "musician fan account" is a start, getting more specific will help you stand out. Instead of a general account for a band, maybe you focus on a specific member. Instead of a show, you might focus on a particular character or relationship ("ship").

Getting specific helps in two ways:

  • It narrows your audience: You attract hardcore fans who are just as passionate about that specific niche as you are. This leads to higher engagement.
  • It simplifies content creation: You won't feel pressured to cover everything. Your focus gives you clear direction on what kind of content to create.

Brainstorm the Perfect Username

Your username is your identity on Instagram. A good one is memorable, easy to spell, and clearly related to your fandom. Here are a few formulas to get you started:

  • [Subject] + [Keyword]: Examples like @SwiftieCentral, @PotterUpdates, or @MarvelVerse are clear and direct.
  • Play on Words or Inside Jokes: Clever names that other fans will immediately get can create an instant connection. Think about song lyrics, iconic quotes, or memorable moments. @ATaylorSwiftASong is a brilliant example.
  • Aesthetic or Simple: Sometimes, a simple, clean name does the trick. You can use periods, underscores, or abbreviations to secure a name that’s close to your ideal. @daily.hermione or @the1975.vibes. Learn how to choose the best Instagram username for your account.

Pro-Tip: Before you commit, do a quick search on Instagram to see if the name (or something very similar) is already taken. You want to avoid confusing your future followers.

Set Up Your Profile Like a Pro

Your profile is the front door to your fan account. It needs to look professional, tell people exactly what you’re about, and convince them to click that "follow" button in seconds.

A well-optimized profile is key to attracting and retaining followers. Discover how to improve your Instagram profile for maximum impact.

The Profile Picture

Choose a high-quality, clear, and recognizable image. This could be a favorite photo of the celebrity, a logo from the show, or a custom graphic you create. Avoid blurry or pixelated images. Your profile pic is tiny, so make sure it's visually distinct and easy to recognize even when small.

The Perfect Bio

You have 150 characters to make an impression. Don't waste them! A strong bio should include:

  • What the Account Is: State it clearly. For example, "Your daily source for 'Stranger Things' edits, news, and theories."
  • Keywords: Use relevant names and terms. Someone searching for "Harry Styles updates" is more likely to find you if those words are in your bio.
  • A Touch of Personality: Add a favorite quote, an emoji, or a fun fact to show you’re a real fan.

Spencer's spent a decade building products at companies like Buffer, UserTesting, and Bump Health. He's spent years in the weeds of social media management—scheduling posts, analyzing performance, coordinating teams. At Postbase, he's building tools to automate the busywork so you can focus on creating great content.

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