Is your professional bio as great as it could be?
Writing a bio that is readable — even conversational — is actually a really great factor. This means dropping that traditional format of listing your accomplishments like a robot and cramming as much professional-sounding jargon in there as you could. Here are some steps to help you write a professional bio.
1. Create an ‘About’ page for your site or profile.
Before you could publish your professional bio, you need living space for it. Here are some to think about (some of these you may already have in place):
- Facebook Business page
- LinkedIn profile
- Instagram account
- Personal site
- Personal blog
- Industry site
- Industry blog byline
As you will see in the professional bio examples below, the length and tone of your bio will differ relying on which of the above platforms you select to be on. Instagram, for instance, permits only 150 characters of bio space, whereas you could write virtually as much as you want on your personal site — or even your Facebook Business page. However, once created, this bio should represent who you’re in the eyes of your audience.
2. Start writing your bio with your first and last name.
In case your readers do not keep in mind anything else about your bio, ensure that they remember your name. For that reason, it is a great idea for your first and last name to be the first two words of your professional bio. Even if your name is printed above this bio (hint: it should), it is a rare moment where it is okay to be redundant.
For instance, if I were writing my own bio, I may begin it like this:
Lindsay Kolowich
Lindsay Kolowich is a Senior Marketing Manager at HubSpot.
3. Mention any associated brand name you might use.
Will your professional bio represent yourself, or a business you work for? Ensure that the brand you wish to be related to is mentioned in your bio. When you are a freelancer, perhaps you have a personal business name or pseudonym you advertise to your clients. Here are some examples:
- Lindsay Kolowich Marketing
- SEO Lindsay
- Kolowich Consulting
- Content by Kolowich (what do you think … too cheesy?)
Maybe you founded your own firm, and you want its name to be separate from your real name. Don’t be afraid to keep it simple: “Lindsay Kolowich is the founder and CEO of Kolowich Consulting.”
4. State your current position and what you do.
Whether you are the founder of your company or a mid-level specialist, utilize the next few lines of your bio to explain what you do in that position. Don’t assume your audience will naturally know what your job title entails. Make your primary responsibilities known for the reader, helping them paint an image of who you’re during the day and what you have to offer the industry.
5. Include at least one professional accomplishment.
Just as a business touts its client successes in the kind of case studies, your professional bio should let your own audience know what you have already achieved. What have you done for yourself — as well as for others — that makes you a valuable player in your industry?
6. Describe your values and how they inform your career.
Why do you do what you do? What may make your contribution to the market different than your colleagues? Better yet, what values do you and your colleagues share that would make your business a worthwhile investment to others? Begin to wrap up your professional bio by simply explaining what gets you up in the morning.
7. Briefly tell your readers who you’re outside of work.
Transition from describing your values in work to describing who you’re outside of work. This might include:
- Your family
- Your hometown
- Sports you play
- Hobbies and interests
- Favorite music and travel destinations
- Side hustles you are working on
People like connecting with other people. The more transparent you’re about who you’re personally, the more likable you will be to the people reading about who you’re professional.
8. Consider adding humor or a personal story to add flavor to your professional bio.
Finish your professional bio on a great note — or, more particularly, a funny note. Leaving your audience with something quirky or uniquely you could make sure they will leave your site with a pleasant impression of you.
It is essential to follow the steps above when creating your bio, however, do not obsess over anybody section. Keep in mind, the people reading your bio are suffering from info fatigue. When you do not hook ’em in the first line, you will lose them rapidly.