> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://helpdesk.smaply.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://helpdesk.smaply.app/personas/how-to-create-a-persona.md). # How to create a persona Build a structured profile for a customer archetype you can assign to journey map cards, use in emotion charts, and filter your maps by. {% hint style="warning" icon="list-check" %} #### Prerequisites You need Editor or Admin access in the workspace to create personas. {% endhint %} #### How to create a persona from scratch Personas live at the workspace level. Create one from the **Personas** list in the workspace sidebar. {% stepper %} {% step %} **Open Personas in your workspace** In the workspace sidebar, click **Personas**. The list shows every persona in the workspace.

The Personas list in a workspace, showing two personas named 'Priya the household financial juggle' and 'Andre the early-career professional', with columns for Name, Updated, Updated by, Created, Creator, Tags, and Used in. Personas is selected in the workspace sidebar. A + Create persona button sits in the top right. — Workspace > Personas

{% endstep %} {% step %} **Click + Create persona** In the top right, click **+ Create persona**. The **Customize persona** modal opens with a suggested name, a layout picker, and the template card checklist.

Customize persona modal

{% endstep %} {% step %} **Name the persona** Type a name in the **Name** field, replacing the suggested one. A name your team will recognize reads better on a card than "Persona 1", so something like "Sofia the first-time saver" works well. {% endstep %} {% step %} **Pick a layout** Under **Layout**, choose how the persona page splits into two columns. All three are starting points; you can change the layout later from the editor. * **Thin/Thick** - A narrow left column and a wide right column. Selected by default, and a good fit for short cards (image, name) on the left with longer-form content (bio, goals) on the right. * **Equal/Equal** - Two columns of the same width. * **Thick/Thin** - A wide left column and a narrow right column. {% endstep %} {% step %} **Choose your template cards** Under **Template cards**, check the cards you want added to the new persona. The nine recommended cards are checked by default; uncheck any you don't need, or check **Motivations** and **Demographics** to include them. See [What each template card covers](#what-each-template-card-covers) below for a description of each one. {% endstep %} {% step %} **Click Create** Click **Create** at the bottom right of the modal. Smaply opens the new persona in the full-page editor with your layout and template cards in place. {% endstep %} {% step %} **Fill in the cards** Click any card to add its content. Add a photo or avatar from the **Image** card with **Add image**, set the name and tagline on the name card (shown as "Persona Name" until you fill it in), drag the **Personality** slider, and write into **Bio**, **Quote**, and **Goals**. Changes save as you type. Template cards aren't the only way to add content. Click **+ Quick add** in the header for more template cards, or use the card-type picker to add any supported card type: Image, Text, Slider, Icons, Embed, Metric, or Planning. See [How to edit a persona](/personas/how-to-edit-a-persona.md) for the full set of editing options.

The persona editor for 'Sofia the first-time saver'. The header shows a colored persona icon, the name, an info icon, counters, a layout toggle, and a + Quick add button. The left column holds Image, Persona Name, Journey Stage, and Channels cards; the right column holds Bio, Quote, Personality, and Goals cards. — Persona editor, ready to fill in

{% endstep %} {% endstepper %} {% hint style="info" icon="compass" %} You can also create a persona while working in a journey map. Open a card, and in its **Personas** section click **+ Create new persona**. See [How to assign a persona to a card](/personas/how-to-assign-a-persona-to-a-card.md). {% endhint %} *** #### What each template card covers Template cards are pre-built sections Smaply can drop into a new persona so you start with structure instead of a blank page. Nine arrive checked (badged **Recommended**); the last two are off by default. | Template card | What it holds | Pre-selected | | ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------- | | Profile picture | An image or avatar to humanize the persona | Yes | | Name with tagline | A fictional but representative name with a tagline | Yes | | Needs | Unmet requirements or expectations | Yes | | Channels | Preferred communication or engagement platforms | Yes | | Journey Stage | Current stage in the buying process | Yes | | Bio | A brief story about their background, work, and lifestyle | Yes | | Quote | A direct quote reflecting their perspective or mindset | Yes | | Personality | Key traits that influence their behavior and decision-making | Yes | | Goals | Primary objectives they want to achieve | Yes | | Motivations | What drives them to take action or make decisions | No | | Demographics | Key attributes such as age, location, education, and background | No | You don't have to settle the full set at creation. Anything you skip is one click away later from **+ Quick add** in the editor. *** #### What happens after you create a persona The persona lands in the workspace **Personas** list and is ready to use wherever personas appear: * Assign it to journey map cards so each card shows which persona it applies to. See [How to assign a persona to a card](/personas/how-to-assign-a-persona-to-a-card.md). * Filter a journey map by persona to focus a map on one persona's experience. See [How to filter a journey map by persona](/personas/how-to-filter-a-journey-map-by-persona.md). * Use it as a line in an emotion chart lane to plot that persona's sentiment across the journey. *** #### Related topics

Title	Description	Target
Assign a persona to a card	Tag specific cards on a journey map with one or more personas.	/pages/42b6nVolnvr4VE3kfJ6s
Filter a map by personas	Narrow a journey map to the cards relevant to one persona at a time.	/pages/zxwopszZeIAP89VtDjFI
Create a journey map	Start a new journey map with Smaply AI, from scratch, or from a template.	/pages/LfyJzQKJ0Sv9rMnQYKEQ

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