Intro
No ma&er which side of the divide you fall on, chances are you’ll need to write a bio at some point.
• In a small business, you’re not just selling a brand, you’re selling yourself! • Giving your clients a face and a name to connect to the business builds trust. • If you have a blog, you’ll need to have a bio for the bo&om of your posts.
Writing a bio is NOT difficult!
A bio is more than just a list of your accomplishments – it’s not a resume or a CV. To help you write the best bio possible, remember this:
Just like your kindergarten teacher said, YOU are unique. There’s something in everybody that makes them their own special snowflake; you don’t want to be just another CEO, or writer, or accountant. You want to be YOU. The good news? At least you don’t have to do any research on the subject!
It’s not all about work.
A bio is supposed to be a snippet of who you are as a person, and who you are goes beyond your work.
A great way to start with this is to think about polite cocktail conversaPon. The conversaPon might start with work, but generally branches out into more topical subjects. You don’t want to go on and on about your hobbies, but a sentence or two goes a long way.
• What do you do on weekends? • Do you have a family? • Where do you live? • Do you have any unusual hobbies?
Keep it Uniform
Bios can be wri&en in first person or third person as you like. Just remember to keep it uniform across all bios featured on your site.
If you are uncomfortable with promoPng yourself, third-‐person allows you to put more “distance” between yourself and the subject (which is you). First person is more conversaPonal and is generally assumed to have been wri&en by the subject (again, you), so be careful with the bragging!
No ma&er which you choose, make sure that your bio and your colleagues’ bios are all wri&en in the same tense, otherwise it looks unprofessional.
Watch your adjecPves
AdjecPves make a difference in the way your bio is perceived. Two bios with the same content yet different adjecPves can be very different, indeed!
Be parPcularly careful with adjecPves if you are wriPng in first-‐person, as too many of the bombasPc variety can come across as pig-‐headed. No ma&er what tense you’re using, avoid “the best” or “the most,” since these are adjecPves that are impossible to quanPfy.
On the other hand, don’t avoid adjecPves altogether – like with most kinds of wriPng, adjecPves make sentences interesPng to read. You wouldn’t speak without adjecPves; don’t write without them!
Update. Update. Update.
Life changes. Things move around. People evolve. Make sure you take the Pme to update your bio at least once a year for best results.
This is parPcularly true if you include things like interview links or references to awards in your bio. Of course, if you win a Nobel Peace Prize, that’s an ageless award, but generally it’s best to keep menPons of awards on a two-‐year basis unless they’re seminal.
Even if you don’t include interviews/awards, it’s a good idea to freshen things up at least once a year. Doubtless, something has changed in your life over the span of a year!
Use a picture.
No, you might not be photogenic. However, people do have a trust reacPon when they can see the face of the business owner they’re working with.
The disadvantage of online business is that you don’t physically interact with the client, and it’s enPrely possible you’ll never stand face-‐to-‐face. Trust factor goes up when customers can see a human face.
It’s best if you can get your picture taken professionally with high-‐quality equipment. Consider going to a studio or finding a freelance photographer for best results – you don’t want your professional bio to be accompanied by a grainy photo.
Get an outside opinion.
Write your bio. Show it to your friends. This might be the most important step of the process.
Yes, it might be awkward to admit to your friends and family that you sat around for an hour and slaved over five sentences about yourself, but assuming that you have friends and family that know your personality and accomplishments, the advice they’ll give will be invaluable.
Your friends can tell you whether you need to tone it down, pump it up, or add more personality. Don’t be shy, now.
Don’t overthink it.
A bonus Pp: if you’re sidng around for three hours sweaPng blood, you’re thinking about it too hard.
RealisPcally, a “long” bio shouldn’t be over 200 words, unless you have some incredibly compelling reason to write a novel. WriPng 200 words shouldn’t take you more than an hour – it might help to set a Pmer to keep you on track.
Of course, once the Pmer goes off, stop.