Everything you need to stand out and get booked.

What travellers see

• Your verified first name is displayed publicly on your profile and in search results
• Your last name is kept private — it is only shared with a traveller once a booking is confirmed
• You will be asked to verify your name during the profile verification process

Why this matters

Travellers are spending a day with a stranger in an unfamiliar city. A real, verified name is one of the most immediate signals that they're in safe hands.

• Trust — travellers respond more confidently to real names than usernames or aliases
• Authenticity — it aligns with the genuine, personal experience Find A Local promises
• Safety — real names create accountability on both sides of every booking

Privacy protection for locals

We understand that displaying your full name publicly isn't always comfortable — and we've designed the system with that in mind. Your last name is never shown to people you haven't confirmed a booking with. If you have concerns about privacy in your specific situation, please contact our support team.

Setting your name

• Enter your real first name as it appears on your ID
• You may add a middle name or shortened version if that's what you go by (e.g. 'Alejandro' → 'Alex')
• Usernames, nicknames unrelated to your real name, or business names are not recommended

Your Main Profile Photo

This is the photo travellers see first when browsing. It should be clear, welcoming, and instantly communicate that you're a friendly and knowledgeable guide.

What makes a great main photo:

• Head and shoulders or upper body — face clearly visible
• Natural light, ideally outdoors in your city
• Genuine smile — approachable, not posed
• You as the subject, not a group or a landmark
• High resolution — at least 800 × 800 px

Arjun

4.9 (24)

Delhi, India

€25/hour

Request tour

DO

• Bright, natural outdoor lighting
• Clear view of your face
• Smile and relaxed, natural expression
• Taken in your city — adds context
• Plain or softly blurred background

Arjun

4.9 (24)

Delhi, India

€25/hour

Request tour

DON'T

• Dark, blurry or heavily filtered photos
• Sunglasses that hide your face
• Group shots where it's unclear who you are
• Formal ID-style or passport photos
• Logo, artwork or text as your profile image

Jamie

3.2 (4)

Delhi, India

€25/hour

Request tour

Additional Photos

Additional photos tell the story of what an experience with you looks like. Think of them as a preview of your tour — each one should answer the question: what will I see and do?

Recommended photo slots:

TIP Not sure what to photograph? Walk your most popular route with your phone. Capture the spots you'd point out to a traveller — those are your best photos.

Technical Requirements

• Recommended dimensions: 1000 × 1000 px (square, 1:1 ratio)
• Minimum resolution: 800 × 800 px
• Format: JPG or PNG
• Maximum file size: 10 MB per image
• Aspect ratio: Square (1:1) — photos are displayed and cropped square both in search thumbnails and on your profile page. Landscape or portrait photos will be cropped automatically, so make sure your subject is centred.
• No text overlays, watermarks or heavy filters

TIP Before uploading, crop your photo to a square yourself — this way you control exactly what appears, rather than letting the platform crop it for you.

Structure of a Strong Bio

Consider breaking the bio field into guided sub-sections in the profile editor: 'About you', 'What you'll show me', 'Languages spoken'. This makes it easier for locals to write well and for travellers to scan. Alternatively, show a character count and prompt with example text.

A good bio covers three things:

• Who you are — your background, personality, and connection to your city
• What you'll show — specific areas, highlights, or types of experience you offer
• Why you — what makes your perspective unique, and what travellers say about you

Example Bios

Compare a generic bio with one that feels personal and specific — notice the difference in detail, voice, and invitation.

Bio Tips

• Write in first person — 'I' not 'He/She'
• Mention at least one specific street, market, neighbourhood or dish
• Avoid generic phrases: 'the best', 'hidden gems', 'authentic experience'
• Aim for 100–200 words — long enough to feel real, short enough to be read
• End with an invitation: 'I'd love to show you...' or 'Message me and we'll plan it together'

Video upload is available on the Premium plan only. If you're on Basic or Plus, you'll see a clear plan badge and upgrade prompt in your profile editor.

What to Include

• Introduce yourself — your name, your city, and one thing you love about it
• Show a brief glimpse of your city — walk a street, show a market, point at a skyline
• Mention what kind of experience you offer — food, history, photography, etc.
• Keep it conversational — talk to the camera as if you're greeting a traveller
• End with a clear invitation — 'I'd love to show you around' or similar

Technical Specs

• Length: 30–60 seconds
• Format: MP4 or MOV
• Resolution: minimum 720p (1080p preferred)
• Audio: clear voice — film somewhere quiet, not a busy street
• Orientation: horizontal (16:9) — not vertical/portrait

Filming Tips

TIP You don't need a professional camera. A modern smartphone in good light is completely sufficient. The most important thing is that your personality comes through.

Respond quickly

Travellers often contact several locals at once. A fast, friendly response dramatically improves your chances of securing the booking. Aim to reply within a few hours.

Share your profile

Share your Find A Local profile link on your social media — Instagram, Facebook, local expat groups. Even one share can bring several enquiries.

Browse other local profiles in your city to see the going rate. If you're just starting out, pricing at or slightly below the average for your city is a sensible way to get your first bookings and reviews.

You can change your rate at any time

As your reviews grow and your reputation builds, increase your rate accordingly. Many experienced locals review and adjust their pricing every few months.

How to get reviews

• Complete every tour professionally — punctuality, enthusiasm and local knowledge matter
• After the tour, send a short message thanking the traveller and inviting them to leave a review
• Find A Local sends an automatic review prompt by email after each completed tour