Do you have a bio? While it can feel daunting, it’s simply a way to tell people who you are and what you do. Follow these 6 steps for a great bio.
By: Sara Urquhart; Photos by Brooke Dennis and Justin Hackworth for Alt Summit
Writing a great bio can feel daunting, but it’s simply a way to let people know:
- who you are
- what you do
The heart of your compelling bio is directly related to what you blog about and why you blog—because you have a unique perspective, because you love fashion, because you enjoy gathering and sharing ideas. These are all interesting ways to introduce yourself to readers.
Is your bio getting a little stale? Did you know you should be updating it about once a year? Follow this tip and five others to craft a great bio that represents you well.
Decide what you like in a bio by looking at a handful of bios of bloggers you admire and keep an eye out for similarities in content and length.
Consider Barbara Sundquist’s easy template for a great bio: I’ve been a _______ (your hobby or profession) for ___ (number) years. My specialty is _______. Simple, right? See more of her bio templates here.
Keep the tone of your bio consistent with the tone of your blog, whether it’s funny, warm, professional, or personal. And don’t worry if you don’t have a major accomplishment or accolade to tout. Trust that you’re an interesting person with a distinctive outlook. If you’re confident in that, others will be, too. Ask friends or colleagues for insight on your strengths and talents.
Focus on your relevance and expertise as it relates to your blog. Resist the temptation to fill your bio with a long list of unrelated interests and activities to highlight your well roundedness. A focused, succinct description will be both more readable and more compelling.
When submitting your bio for conferences or guest posts, edit to acknowledge the audience in question. Include your expertise that is most relevant for that particular event.
As in everything we do online, make sure your bio isn’t static. Look for ways to keep it fresh—again, asking for help from friends and colleagues when you need to—and update it about once a year.
