Why.is.it.so.hard.to.write.our.own.biography?!?!
Afterall – it’s the topic we know most about, therefore it should be the easiest thing to do! However – for most people it ends up being a daunting task that is easily put off until the last minute.
Here is a step-by-step guide to writing a great bio to make it quick and painless!
Get it on paper
Don’t stress about crafting perfect sentences just yet. Start by jotting down a list of things you want to include. Get them out of your brain and onto paper.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
- Hometown – if it’s relevant to shaping who you are today
- Education – any higher education or specific training/credentials
- Experience – relevant positions only
- Origin Story – how did you get to be where you are
- Your Why – what wakes you up in the morning
- Family – who matters most to you (pets too!)
- Hobbies – what do you do when you’re not working
Make it personal
Don’t be afraid to let yourself come through the biography. Even the most professional biographies can include some personal anecdotes that help the audience get to know you as a person. After all – people don’t do business with businesses, they do business with people.
Own your accomplishments
Pay careful attention to dates, to ensure your biography is timeless. Do not mention that you’ve been with the company for “10 years,” but rather “since 2014.” This prevents your bio from having to be updated annually.
Grammar matters
Always write in third person, as it will sound more objective. If it’s easier – write it in first person using “I” statements and then change it to third person in the revision stage.
Be detailed, but not specific
It is not braggy to include particularly interesting accomplishments – it’s part of who you are! Include media mentions, credentials, awards, nominations, etc. Be sure to describe these, especially if they are industry specific, as your audience may have no idea what these accomplishments are unless you tell them.
If you have a long list, focus a few you’re most proud of.
Aim for 250 words. Anything shorter isn’t detailed enough, anything longer is boring and no one will read it.
Consistency is key
Everyone in your organization should follow the same format in terms of biography length, depth, and tone. It is okay to have bios be personal, funny, touching, or strictly professional, but all should follow the same pattern.
Decide as a team what works best for your organization – and feel free to reach out for help if needed!
Proofread and revise
Hate to be the one to break this to you… but, your biography will never truly be done. It’s an ever-evolving document that will change – just as you do.
But – when you’re done with the initial draft, read it out loud to make sure it flows. Tweak it. Read it again to your cat. Tweak it. Read it again to your mom. Tweak it. Then hand it to someone else and have them read it. Edit it. Let your grammar-nerd friend read it and tear it apart. Take half of their suggestions and trash the rest.
It’s ok if you hate it and have to re-write it a couple of times. Once you get it right, you’ll know.
