Your bio is a powerful tool to showcase your personal brand and attract your ideal audience. Whether you are writing it for your website, social media, or a guest post, you need to use the right tone to convey your personality, values, and expertise. But how do you choose the best tone for your bio? Here are some tips to help you craft a compelling bio that resonates with your readers.
Before you start writing, you need to clarify why you are writing your bio and who you are writing it for. What is your goal? What do you want your readers to do after reading your bio? Who are your ideal clients, customers, or collaborators? How do you want them to perceive you? Your answers to these questions will help you determine the tone that suits your purpose and audience.
Keep your product or service brand message and tone in mind when writing a bio. Is your branding light and humorous or more science based? Create your bio to match the tone, purpose, and audience of your brand. Deviations may confuse your target audience and cause a loss of customers, which exactly the opposite of what a well crafted bio should do.
If you do not know what you are trying to achieve, you won't be able to optimise your bio or any other part of your profile. Your profile needs to be written to showcase to your ideal client; "this is how I can help you solve your problem". It needs to showcase your unique value proposition and attract your target audience. Why would someone choose you over other companies/providers? It’s all about what you can do for them and what you have achieved that can solve their problems. What social proof do you have which can prove this? Do you have testimonials? Do you have a 5 star rating? Have you got a 99% customer satisfaction score? Your bio needs to be relatable and also SEO friendly. Don't be afraid to add a dash of personality.
Your voice is the expression of your unique personality and perspective. It reflects your values, beliefs, and emotions. Your voice should be consistent across your bio and other content, as it helps you build trust and credibility with your readers. To choose your voice, think about how you want to sound. Do you want to be friendly, professional, authoritative, humorous, or something else? How do you communicate with your audience in real life? What words, phrases, and stories do you use to connect with them?
A tone is a facet of brand personality— it's the distinct way a person communicates with their audience. It’s how you express your unique personality and how you want your message to be received. When it comes with defining your tone of voice, you need to consider what's authentic to you; but also what your audience is going to resonate with. If your audience is CEO's and Founders, they will expect a different approach than if your audience is Graduates. In saying that, the best way to understand what tone is relevant to you, ask yourself: - Who am I speaking to - How do they want to be spoken to - What tone of voice is authentic to me - How do I want to be perceived - Which language would my audience resonate with
When you are writing a bio and your are making the case to be selected for a job or position, or consideration for a board position, picking your passion that resonates with the reader is critical. I would avoid humor because no everyone gets humor and someone may be offended that is was used in an otherwise serious tone. Also, give real world example that will resonate. In you are taking about food insecurity or a disease state i.e. HIV, heart disease, or kidney disease, be as passionate as you are comfortable being in getting the attention of the reader. Always, always close with the ongoing dedication you have to the cause or issues, or an organization and how that will always be a part of your advocacy or volunteerism wherever you are.
Your tone is the variation of your voice depending on the context and situation. It shows your attitude and mood towards your topic and audience. Your tone can change depending on the platform, format, and purpose of your bio. For example, you might use a more formal tone for a corporate website than for a personal blog. You might use a more casual tone for a social media profile than for a book cover. You might use a more confident tone for a pitch than for a testimonial. To adapt your tone, think about how you want to make your readers feel. Do you want to inspire them, educate them, entertain them, or persuade them?
Each person receives and processes information differently. You need to adapt your tone to appeal to all people. The ;eft brain is more analytical and likes numbers, facts and proof. The right brain processes information more intuitively and prefers more emotional connection and personality. Incorporate all of this into your bio to appeal a wider audience and have them thinking "this person is speaking to me". Always ensure the language used is relevant to your ideal customer regardless of how they process information, making it crystal clear on how you can help them.
The most important thing to remember when writing your bio is to be yourself. Don't try to sound like someone else or use words that don't match your personality. Don't exaggerate or lie about your achievements or qualifications. Don't be afraid to show your human side and share your passions, values, and stories. Your bio should reflect who you are and what you stand for, not what you think others want to hear. By being authentic, you will create a strong connection with your readers and make them want to know more about you.
Authenticity is rule number 1 when it comes your own personal brand. Inconsistency can lead to confusion, which then leads to your audience not knowing whether you not you are the right person to help them. Tell stories, show you are human and people will relate to you and trust you.
Once you have written your bio, don't forget to review and refine it. Read it aloud and listen to how it sounds. Does it capture your voice and tone? Does it communicate your purpose and value? Does it appeal to your audience and their needs? Does it have a clear and concise structure and flow? Does it have any grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors? Ask for feedback from someone who knows you and your target audience well. Make any necessary changes and improvements until you are happy with the result.
I found it helpful to write the bio, and come back to it with fresh eyes the next day. I also read mine in my own voice because my tone of voice online is exactly how I speak in person. You can refine consistently and I would recommend reviewing your entire profile regularly and updating as required.