How to Write a Winning Bio that Gains Attention

Quick question:

What’s the difference between your bio and your resume?

Answer: Your resume is an outline of your career, a list of bullets that if done right conveys your accomplishments in an easy-to-read manner.

Your bio is shorter, more personal and engaging. It doesn’t include a laundry list of your jobs. Think of it more as your elevator pitch. Short, pithy and memorable.

How do you write a bio that’s both informative and engaging and doesn’t put someone to sleep?

• Start with a strong opener. Don’t begin by simply stating your title. You might want to begin with a brief story that explains how you got to where you are today. You might for example say that you never expected to be an entrepreneur but after being downsized from a corporate job you reconnected with your passion of helping people live healthier lives through a money-back guarantee five-step program.
• Be specific and measurable.?Don't just list your job titles and responsibilities. Instead, focus on your accomplishments and the impact you've made. Who cares for example that you were a project manager? That by itself means little. What counts is: What did you accomplish? What value did you deliver? How did you make a difference??
• Be accessible. Don’t clutter your bio with jargon or technical language especially if you’re speaking to a more general audience. One way to be more engaging is to write in the first person. This makes someone feel as if you’re talking just to them. If, however, you bio appears in a publication, for instance, a more formal third person style is usually more appropriate.?
• Be found. Use keywords throughout your digital bio.?This will help your bio show up in relevant search results. When choosing keywords, think about the terms that potential employers or clients are likely to use when searching for someone with your skills and experience. You can use a keyword research tool to help you identify the right keywords.
• Use active voice. Use strong verbs like increased, produced, transformed. Avoid wishy-washy words like managed, helped, aided.?
• Proofread carefully.?Typos and grammatical errors will make you look unprofessional. Take the time to proofread your bio before you hit publish.

Want more inspiration?

Here’s an example of a bio I wrote for a business consultant.

I've walked in your shoes overwhelmed and afraid I wasn't going to right a business. But I discovered the system and processes to change that. During my 25+-year career, I’ve run businesses on Wall Street, growing one from scratch to $500mm in annual revenue and to a team of 53 people. I’ve helped finance and coach hundreds of companies that scaled up. Whether raising capital, finding and retaining the right people, building a team, clarifying processes or growing profits, I have the system and experience to take your leadership team from angst to victory.

By following these tips, you can write a bio that will be memorable and engaging. What have you found works best for your bio? Please add in the comments.

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