Writing a Bio That Will Promote Your Personal Brand

Writing a bio for a website, online profile or networking site seems to stump or hold up a lot of people from making an online appearance.  In some cases, a network display page is just about “fill in the blank” – but for the times when you need something in paragraph form, we’d like to make 5 suggestions that should help you along the way.

You don’t need to be a marketer, a professional author or an editor to create a bio that will explain who you are, what you do and why someone else should care.  Keep these five tips in mind and you’ll be well on your way to creating a piece of work you can use again and again to support your personal brand and place yourself ahead of the pack.

1.  First of all, remember, you don’t have to write War and Peace – this is not about making a long dissertation.  Make your points, share some salient information and then tie it to the things you do via links if possible.

2.  Answer Who? What? When? Where? Why? – and How? – answer the simple questions of the journalist or communications Bible – Who are you?  What Have You Done?  (What Else Do You Like to Do?)  When Do/Did You Do It?  Where in the World Have Your Worked, Lived, Played?  Why is it Relevant to Others (Why Should They Hire You?) and How Do They Connect With or Contact You?

3.  Write the piece, then sleep on it.  Nothing is best as a first draft.  Don’t get discouraged if after reading your initial effort, it doesn’t seem to flow.  Relax.  Take A Deep Breath.  (somewhere my mother is laughing right now as I dispense that advice!)  Now, take a second to think what exactly didn’t work?  Where did you get “stuck” reading the copy?  Revise from there.  Repeat as needed.

4.  If you have to stop writing, always stop writing in mid-sentence.  This helps avoid writer’s block and helps you pick up a thought you had flowing to get started again, instead of trying to form the next thought cold.  It is a sure fired cure to any type of writer’s block.

5.  Remember – this bio is supposed to “toot your horn” a little bit.  If you have trouble writing a bio from that perspective, consider hiring a professional.  You need to have some flair and some promotion in the bio – unless you are trying to cure your readers of insomnia.  Pick out the two or three things you’re the proudest of and mention them in the body of the bio.  It is really that simple.  Try to find things people will identify with and that will seperate you from the pack.

oh, and one bonus tip:

6.  Remember, bio’s do not have to be simply written – they can be in video format as well.  If that is easier for you – do that instead.

Andy “Google Me” Greider is a marketing consultant and new business director with Carroll/White and radio show host of business growth solutions show, Uniqueness is Power. Andy is also Brand Manager with qAlias, plus he is a Self Promotion maven, serial entrepreneur, author, blogger, and inventor of the Gorelephant, first eImpressions and networthing.