Build A Better Bio
Have you been asked to provide a bio and wondered what to include and how to craft it so it doesn't sound stale or too self-promotional? Or maybe you want to update or add to your social networking profiles. Here are some suggestions to help you find just the right blend of interesting and truthful.
Consider your audience
Who will be reading/listening to your bio and what do you want them to remember about you?
If you are presenting at a conference or event, consider the attendees’ interests and highlight information that is relevant, memorable and builds credibility. Is your target audience contemporary, traditional, creative, or conservative? You will want you bio’s style to appeal to their style as well.
Look to others for Inspiration
Starting from a blank sheet of paper can be intimidating. Here are some places to start getting ideas:
- Search LinkedIn summaries.
- Take a look at the speaker bios from conferences or speaker bureaus.
- Pay attention to author/blogger bios.
One word of caution- if everyone in your industry is writing long, seemingly boring bios, you may not want to buck the trend. However, if you want to get some creative ideas to jazz your bio up a bit, try reading the bios of marketing professionals, celebrities, startup founders, authors, or other big names. These bios are often professionally crafted or the people writing them have creative writing skills. No two people are alike, it is therefore highly unadvisable to lift someone else’s information.
Quick Tip: Enlist the help of someone who can objectively edit/wordsmith your bio!
Brainstorm Answers to These Questions
Before you start agonizing over every word, jot down the answers to these questions:
- What are your 2-3 most important qualifications?
- What makes you tick? (What inspires/motivates you?)
- What problems are you good at solving and who benefits?
- What is one major success?
- What got you where you are today?
- What words have others used to describe you?
- What key words do you want to be associated with?
Brainstorming the answers to these questions can help you decide what is important for you to include and focus in on. You may not use all of this information, but perhaps thinking the answers through will offer you greater insight.
Quick Tip: Remember to use the information your audience will feel is most importantfirst.
The Long and Short Versions
You probably don't need to include your entire work history. Most people will never read your full bio if it is too long. There is a fine line here between divulging too much information and establishing trust by providing enough information for people to feel they know you.
So what is the ideal length? There is a growing trend towards shorter bios. Some online bios limit the number of characters you can use, such as Twitter, to 160 characters. In these instances, shorten your bio using the most valuable key words.
Quick Tip: Having a longer version and a shorter version saves time in the long run.
What Now?
Begin spreading the word by updating your online profiles. Any place you have the opportunity to post your bio, do it! Update your LinkedIn Summary. Don’t forget to include the bio in your about section on Facebook., When you use the same wording consistently, it improves your ability to build an online presence. If you don’t have a Google profile, now would be a good time to create one. It is a great way to own some digital terrain.
More Tips
- Use the right key words to focus your message.
- Linkedin and other social networking profiles increasingly include the words “I,” “me,” and “my”, rather than the stuffy third-person.
- Use the same version of your name across all bios for improved search engine results.
- Add a fun fact about you to grab attention.
- Always include contact information and links to most prominent social networks.
Use this check list to create branded bios across social media channels.
Quick Tip: To see a full list of social profiles and whether you “own” your name, check these two sites: Namechk.com and Knowem.com.