Writing your own bio can be challenging, but making it a true branding piece that showcases your talents can be downright intimidating. It's tough to talk about yourself and make it marketable at the same time. Being a gifted writer doesn't necessarily make the task any more simple. A successful bio that doubles as a branding tool doesn't have to be hard to compose. Incorporating a few essentials will make the difference between ho-hum and home run.
First and foremost, always write a bio in the third person. Not only does it appear more professional, but it gives credibility to what's being shared because it reads as if it were coming from an outside source. So pack up the first person voice and send it on vacation. If creating a bio in third person is too taxing, consider having a friend or colleague write the first draft. It just might be the push needed to get things moving in the right direction.
Second, practice enforcing the KISS principle for this branding project. An acronym that means 'keep it simple silly', KISS will help maintain focus and keep your bio on track. In other words, sharing too much detail and you'll end up derailing. The difference between a bio and a biography boils down to length. Bios are succinct, small pieces on a single page, whereas a biography has the potential to shame Tolstoy's famed work.
The third bio branding tip relates to overall content. For starters, create a hook to draw in readers. You want them craving for more, not thinking you're such a bore. Give your bio a marketing edge by incorporating an endorsement from a colleague, celebrity or industry expert. Avoid fancy, flowery language. Instead, convey a sense of personality through words and simple English. Tell a story about the brand You using action words and anecdotes.
Your bio can be a powerful tool if it's built correctly. Make it work to your advantage. Keep the tone upbeat, fresh and interesting. A bio doesn't have to be boring, but it does need to verbally present your brand identity. Save jargon and clichés for a rainy day and start marketing yourself as the expert that you are.
Technorati Tags: bio, Branding, public relations
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