If you’ve ever wondered how to make a killer first impression online, Bree Noble from the Profitable Musician Show has some game-changing advice for you. In her recent solo episode, she dives deep into the importance of curating the first nine posts on your Instagram profile—your “9 grid”—and why it’s more powerful than a run-of-the-mill Linktree or even a regularly updated feed.
Listen to the episode here
Your Digital “Most Valuable Player”
As Bree Noble points out, “in our business as musicians, we have these most valuable players for us that we have deployed out there in the world… your landing page, your website, or certain posts you put up on social media, or your music on Spotify.” But she realized we also need to think about our “most valuable posts” (MVPs), especially on social media, since those first few seconds when someone finds you are critical.
She challenges every artist: “If you don’t have your stuff together on places where people are immediately going to land, that’s going to create a certain first impression” (Bree Noble).
Why Your Instagram 9 Grid Matters
While musicians often rely on Linktree or a website to direct fans, Bree Noble argues that “with a link tree or a website, you’re kind of just dropping them off and hoping that they find their way… You’re not telling them what to do, you’re not leading them through a journey.” In contrast, your Instagram profile—especially those first nine posts—offers a unique opportunity to guide new listeners through who you are, what you do, and why they should care.
“I love the Instagram 9 grid,” Bree Noble shares. “Those first nine posts on your Instagram profile… When people find you, they land there. And the first thing they’re really gonna dig into are those first nine posts.”
Stop Leaving First Impressions to Chance
Until recently, Bree Noble admits she left her grid “up to chance,” with new followers seeing a random mix of whatever she’d posted most recently. “It can be a complete hodgepodge of things… the problem is it’s not thought out and it’s totally random depending on when people show up” (Bree Noble). Most musicians, she explains, are missing out by not being strategic about what that first impression says.
The Strategic 9 Grid Framework
So, how do you create a 9 grid that wows potential fans? Bree Noble breaks it down:
- First Row: “What needs to hook them in.” Use these posts to instantly communicate your vibe, energy, and who you are—whether “serious, crazy, fun loving, silly, very academic and straight laced, or off the wall.”
- Second Row: Build credibility, without being arrogant. Show previous successes, features, awards, or things that make you different. “This is not about being braggy. This is about showing your worth, showing that you have a lot to offer and showing them why they should care.”
- Third Row: Connection and invitation. “Now you want to deepen that relationship with these posts. Give behind the scenes stuff, stories, testimonials, maybe even an invitation to join your email list or website.”
Real Results
Since implementing her own curated 9 grid, Bree Noble has seen her engagement skyrocket: “Almost every post there is getting anywhere from 1 to 3,000 views. And that’s about 10x what my average views are for a post… these posts are doing the front end work for me.”
And here’s the kicker: “If you have to take a break from social media, it’s still there doing the work.”
Give Your Digital First Impression a Makeover
Ready to try it? “[Open your profile and pretend that you’re a stranger. In five seconds, answer: who is this person? What do they sound like or stand for and what should I do next? If you can’t do that, then I highly recommend that you work on your 9 grid” (Bree Noble).
Important Links Mentioned In This Episode
- For more on the 9 Grid, check out the Instafan 9 Grid Connection System.
- Join the Female Musician Accelerator or Profitable Musician Show community for upcoming Get It Done weeks.
- To submit your own 9 grid or connect, emailBree Nobleat bre@femusician.com.
