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Writing a professional bio can be hard. I remember a few years ago, someone asked me to send her my professional bio for a project. I didn’t have one written down, but I figured it wasn’t a big deal and told her I would send it to her in thirty minutes. I started to write and then got stuck. No, it wasn’t writer’s block. I just didn’t know how much information to put down , what areas of my life and career would interest my audience and I was also dealing with the thin line between bragging and just stating facts ( I think there was also some impostor syndrome going on there!).
But the truth is professional bios seem like they are easy to write and this is how writing one can easily become a trap if left until the last minute. So my first recommendation is write that professional bio now, whether you think you need it or not – because you will need it at some time in your professional career. Professional bios are also particularly important now with everything going online. People now read about you before they even meet you. When you write a great bio, you control exactly how you present yourself to the world at large and it’s an opportunity to leave a lasting impression.
Before I go ahead to share these useful tips, it is important to know what a professional bio is. Simply put, a professional bio is a description or summary of a person’s professional and educational history, skill set, and/or achievements. Professional bios can take different forms depending on where they are to be published e.g. LinkedIn, Company Website, Newspapers etc.
To create a good professional bio, you need to do the following:
Tip #1: Keep it Short
I will always recommend short bios because people have short attention spans. Not everyone likes to read, especially when they don’t know you. Always imagine that they have only 60 seconds to read about you, so ensure you give them something worthwhile to read. The typical length for a professional bio is between five to ten sentences. I know it can be tempting to add impressive facts to make your bio longer, but err on the side of brevity. Audiences are more likely to read shorter and more relevant bios than longer, drawn-out paragraphs. Take a look at Tim Cook’s bio for instance.
https://www.apple.com/ng/leadership/tim-cook/
Tip #2: Write in First Person or Third Person
If the bio is going on your blog, website or LinkedIn Page, then it is advisable to write in first person. That way, you can create a connection as naturally and effortlessly as possible. Think about it this way, if you were at an event and had to introduce yourself, you will introduce yourself in the first person.
But if you are speaking at an event or a contributor to a magazine or blog, then a bio in third person definitely appears more professional. Kemi Onabanjo’s bios on various platforms provide some clarity.
https://www.kemionabanjo.com/about-me/
https://yali.state.gov/meet-the-fellows-catherine-oluwakemi-onabanjo/
Tip #3: Stay Professional but Give it Some Personality
It is a “professional bio,” so it should be written as such. That said, please express your personality in a way that is appropriate for your industry. While Tiger Woods bio is quite long and I would not advise that it should be adopted, the first thing you see when you open the bio-page on his website is quite striking and full of personality.
https://tigerwoods.com/biography/
Tip #4: Briefly Tell your Audience Who you are Outside of Work
Transition from describing who you are at work to describing who you are outside of work. This may include, your family, hometown/country, sports you play, hobbies and interests, favourite music and travel destinations and even side hustles you are working on.
You all know I had to slide in my bio *wink* wink * – (albeit dated) in this post. Just focus on the last sentence of the bio which gives a sneak peek into who I am outside of legal practice.
https://acas-law.com/people/50
Tip #5: State your Current Position and What you Do
This goes without saying. Whether you’re the founder of your company or a mid-level specialist, use a few lines of your bio to describe what you do in that position. Don’t assume your audience will naturally know what your job title entails. Make your primary responsibilities known to your audience and help them paint a picture of who you are professionally and what you have to offer your industry.
Tip #6: Include at Least One Professional Accomplishment.
Your professional bio should let your 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? See how Trevor Noah’s accomplishments are splashed all over the first two paragraphs of his bio. No impostor syndrome there!
https://www.trevornoah.com/about
Tip#7: Describe your Values and how they Inform your Career.
Why do you do what you do? What might make your contribution to the market different than your colleagues? Start to wrap up your professional bio by simply explaining what gets you up in the morning. Kunbi Odubogun’s bio on her website is a good example.
Tip #8: End your Professional Bio on a Good Note
Consider adding humor or a personal story to add flavor to your professional bio. Leaving your audience with something quirky or uniquely you can ensure they’ll leave your website or page with a pleasant impression of you. Some sectors are more conservative than others, so bear this in mind. I love how Arese Ugwu did this with her bio.
https://smartmoneyafrica.org/about-arese/
Tip #9: Remember Your Worth
Writing a bio on can be daunting because there are already so many fantastic bios (and people!) out there. But don’t fall prey to bio comparison! Your story is only yours to tell, and it has value. Focus on staying authentic to your truth, and don’t worry about others.
Tip #10: When in Doubt, Borrow
Bios can be repetitive, sometimes even tedious. So, if you find a structure you like and think sounds unique, borrow it! You should never copy a person’s bio word for word- after all, it’s their story, not yours – but you can mimic the structure if you’re feeling stuck.
Bonus Tip!!!: Who will Read your Bio? What Do they Need to Know and What is in it for Them?
Write your professional bio with your audience in mind. It is advisable to write one bio per target audience. Also, remember to clearly state the problem or goal your audience can accomplish with your expertise. In short, communicate what makes you different, and tell your audience what you can do for them.
It’s important to follow the tips I have outlined when creating your bio, but don’t obsess over any one tip. Remember, the people reading your bio are suffering from information fatigue. If you don’t hook them in the first line, you’ll lose them quickly.
Finally, your bio should evolve as you do. If you start looking for jobs in different industries, have a new exciting accomplishment or if you just feel ready to update it, then go for it!
