What your Personal Bio is Really Saying About you...

Catchy, sharp, witty, formal...there are so many options. To say we are all small fish in a ridiculously large pond is a gross understatement. Yet somehow we need to lure potential and existing customers, impress recruiters, colleagues, managers and (let's be honest) friends with our creative, attractive, original personal biography.
It is your moment to impress, be unique and get your message across. There are a few important questions to ask yourself before you put your proverbial pen to paper that will guide the process and induce a better outcome.

1. Who is your audience?
2. What are you trying to achieve?
3. What would you like your audience to think and do after reading?
4. What pivotal information would you like to divulge?
5. What tense should you write in, in order to support your objective?
6. How concise is your bio (be ruthless here, you don't have long)?
7. Have you said the most important thing first?
8. Is your bio authentic and consistent; does it sound like you?
9. Have you included all critical information and contact details, making it easy for your reader to get in touch?
10. Have you proofread your bio (this one is so important that I debated slotting it in at #1)?

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It can be tempting to inject some humour, however, I would advise caution here. Don't go over the top. What is funny to you could alienate someone considering you for a great job role. Sometimes the humble bio (in a misplaced attempt to get noticed) may say things like, "awesome Ninja who will make you money." It is of course down to personal preference, but I am not convinced by these tactics. Blunt does not equal impressive.

Are you using your bio to sell your company, sell yourself, or as more of a CV? The answer to this question will very much dictate how it needs to be written. Are you writing for a particular audience or is your bio a general introduction?

You are your own brand and your bio can make or break it. Writing isn't everyone's cup of tea, but asking the above questions will guide you along the right path. Say what you want to say and be authentic. I have remained quite formal and corporate in the past as I thought that was the ‘done thing’, but there is nothing wrong with allowing your personality to shine. In doing so you will attract potential business suitors who are like-minded and a good cultural fit.

Adding a testimonial or references boost credibility and remember to 'show' not 'tell'. Linking to further resources or web pages will help your audience, boost SEO and potentially attract business. Throughout the writing process always remember who you are writing for and what you are trying to achieve - this keeps your bio on the right track. Copy with an angle directs your content and brings your subject matter to life.

Lastly, I recommend keeping your bio up-to-date and adding a good profile photograph. Be open, go wild and smile - that sort of thing.

A lot of people find it really hard writing about themselves. I have written copy for an internationally acclaimed, New York Times best-selling author. About an hour into our first meeting, having been gaily chatting away, I said to this person (who I was slightly in awe of), "I have to ask: why am I writing your website? Why wouldn't you just write it yourself?" The response was, "oh no, I can't write about myself."
Enough said.

If you would like some help articulating your appeal, please get in touch for a competitive quote.

Warmest regards,
Claire