Tell Me About You...

How do you feel about writing about yourself?

For so many, they can easily talk about themselves or their business, but then struggle to write it down in a concise way. That’s why people often turn to a copywriter.

And I’ll admit, it’s not an easy skill to be able to translate years of knowledge and expertise into 100 words or less, but it’s possible.

I have been lucky enough to work with some incredible business owners, people who know not only everything about their business but the industry too. Talking to those kinds of people is genuinely one of the best things I do. I love seeing people’s faces fill with passion as they tell me their stories – how they got started, their successes, their failures, and their dreams for the future.

But that look of passion and excitement is often replaced with fear when they’re asked to write down what they’ve just told me…in a couple of hundred words.

It’s certainly a hard skill, but not an impossible one. I want to show you how you can easily write about yourself in 200 words or less – making it perfect for an introductory section on a website or an introduction to a new connection in real life.

Of course, your tone of voice (how you speak to people and portray yourself) will be individual to you, but if you break it down into these little prompts then it should become a lot easier.?

1.?????? Introduce yourself and what you do. Imagine someone has given you 10 seconds or less to do this. For example – “Hi, my name’s Gareth and I’m the Owner and Lead Copywriter at Cloud Nine Writing .” In that one line, with 15 words I’ve covered two important points, who I am and what I do. That starts you off nicely if it’s written or eases you into a conversation.

2.?????? Next, quantify your experience. Let people know why they should work with you owing to your years of honing your craft. You may even throw in a couple of bigger names you’ve worked with to add some gravitas to your offering. So for me, that would read like so: “I’ve been writing professionally for 16 years, and I’ve worked with the likes of Apple, MuscleSquad Limited , and Sainsbury's Argos writing everything from product descriptions and marketing copy to blogs and press releases.” I know that seems like cramming a lot into a small space but you’re covering a few questions and showing off your expertise and what type of work you’ve done previously.

3.?????? If you can, this may be the place to add in a fact with some statistics, something that shows people not only that you know your stuff, but also that the work or service you provide will help them if they use it. Mine is a cracker and one I spent a while researching. “Did you know that 74% of people pay attention to the spelling and grammar on a business’ website, and 59% would avoid using a company that didn’t pay attention to it? Don’t lose more than half of your potential clients by not making your communications perfect.”

4.?????? Now, you want to tell people who you love working with and how you can help them. That way people can understand what they will get from you and if you will be a good match for each other. For me that would sound like: “I love taking your vast knowledge and creating wonderful words to help elevate you and your business, saving you valuable time by taking that writing task from the bottom of your to-do list and putting it at the top of mine.” There I’m simply telling people that they have the knowledge inside them – I just ask the right questions to extract it, and that I can help them elevate their business and get them noticed while saving them time.

5.?????? Although people might just be reading it, I always like to include a sign-off. However, make it positive, confident, and direct. There’s no need to be passive here; people have already got this far into your intro, and they’re likely interested in some capacity. “Want to hear more? Get in touch through the link below. I look forward to hearing from you/working with you.” That way you’re not saying, ‘Maybe you’d like to work with me,’ it’s a more direct and positive message, one that will spread positivity to potential customers.

Of course, you can use this in any order, and it really is just a starter to get you thinking about the important questions that people may ask ahead of potentially working with you, but remember, you know this stuff, so don’t be scared of it. Just relax, tell your story, and don’t overthink it. You’re amazing, now it’s time to prove it.

Oh and FYI – that text all added together is 154 words.