If someone were to say over the phone, “Send me your biography,” would you be ready to do so? Most people don’t give much thought to their biography until they are asked for one. Rather than scrambling to put one another (and potentially missing out on an opportunity), be ready to send a biography that you are proud of.
Luckily, writing a credible biography isn’t as hard as it seems. You hold the information, so the key is to present yourself in a fun and professional way. Below I share my favorite tips for crafting an effective bio that people enjoy reading.
Create an ‘About’ Page on Your Website or Profile
Not everyone is going to ask you for a bio, but many people will want to read one. For this reason, it’s a good idea to have a living space for your biography, aside from the folders on your computer. If you have a website, you can place your biography on the ‘About’ section. Other places for your bio are:
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Facebook Business page
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LinkedIn profile
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Instagram account
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Personal blog
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Personal website
Include Your Name and Associated Brand
Don’t be shy about your name and the brand it’s associated with. If you’re a freelancer, you may go by your name only or a pseudonym that is used for advertising purposes. You can also separate your name from the company you work for or founded. Either way, be clear about your name and associated brand for networking purposes.
State Your Position and Responsibilities
Once you’ve shared your name and the company you are affiliated with, it’s time to state your position and what you are responsible for. Use the next few lines to do this, and be specific without going overboard. You don’t need to bore your audience, but you also don’t want to assume that they know what you do every day.
Include a Professional Accomplishment
Share something from your work experience that makes you a valuable individual in your industry. Rather than listing out a bunch of small accomplishments, focus on one or two big things you’ve achieved, such as raising a company’s revenue or growing a business by a certain percentage of customers.
Describe What Values are Important
Give readers some background info on why you do what you do. What values do you have to offer that other people and companies don’t? What gives you the motivation to get up and out of bed in the mornings? People like to know that by working with you, your values will rub off on them.
Share Some Personal Info
Finally, add a few details about who you are as a person. You can usually transition to this as you wrap up your values and why you do what you do. Give readers an idea of the type of person you are by sharing the people in your family, your hobbies and interests, the sports you play or your favorite travel destinations.
It’s a good idea to review your biography every so often and update it with new information. Unlike your resume that has to be sent by you, your biography is something that can be read on your website or social profiles. If someone is interested in working with you, your bio could be the thing that makes or breaks their decision to contact you. So, make your bio worth reading.