I've been through this rabbit hole so let me give you a thorough answer.
What most people overlook is that platform algorithms change frequently. What worked three months ago may actively hurt you now.
Things that have actually helped me:
- First photo should be clear, well-lit, and show your face without heavy filters
- Bio should answer 'what makes you worth messaging' in under 150 characters
- Prompts should be specific — generic answers get generic engagement
- Activity windows matter — be online when your target demographic is active
Take what's useful — everyone's situation is a bit different.