This article was originally posted on Growmap on September 18, 2016.
Professional bios are one of the most powerful marketing tools in a blogger’s toolbox. What makes them powerful? You.
A bio is your professional story. It speaks to who you are, what you do, whom you serve, and what you’ve accomplished. Details about your blogging life, accomplishments, community service and hobbies are just a few things your bio should include.
Whether you are a full-time blogger, part-time blogger or sometime blogger, you should have a bio. The following five elements will help you add power to yours.
Your Blogging Story
Every blogger has a story, and it begins with your “why.” Why did you start your blog? What was happening in your life when you started it? What did you set out to achieve through your site?
I’ve started several blogs at different times in my life for different reasons. I started Marcie Writes out of the necessity to establish an online presence and make it easier for editors to find my published works.
Shorty: Your Chicago South Side Resource grew out of my frustration with the city’s blatant disregard and disrespect for my side of town. I documented findings from my roller skating research on Real Skate Stories.
In addition to telling your blogging story, you can provide information about the actual site.
Your Blog’s Story
Share your blog’s mission and vision, as well as your audience, topics you cover and the problems you solve.
Check out the first paragraph of GrowMap’s About page, which could be included in Gail Gardner’s bio:
Every Web site or business – online or off – can benefit from growing and could use a map to get there. Each user of a map travels a different path to growth, so this blog will provide multiple customized routes to generating more business, sales, leads, or visitors for different types of Web sites and businesses.
Gardner clearly states the audience she helps (Web site owners and businesses) and how she helps them (providing a map to help them grow). She also states the site’s mission (this blog will provide multiple customized routes to generating more business, sales, leads, or visitors).
Your Accomplishments
Speak to the opportunities that have resulted from your blogging. These include, but are not limited to:
- Brand partnerships and joint ventures with other bloggers
- Books published and programs you’ve created
- Publications and sites where you’ve been published
- Speaking opportunities and trainings you’ve conducted
- Media and press coverage you’ve received
- Awards, recognitions and other accolades
Additionally, make it easy for people to find your work by linking to your blog, published works, books and programs, media coverage and other relevant pages.
Your Contact Information
In your bio include your phone number, website or blog address, email address and links to all of your social networking sites. You don’t want to miss any opportunities because people cannot reach you.
Additional Information
The following information gives people a look at your life outside your blog.
- Professional associations, civic organizations and meetups to which you belong
- Leadership positions held
- Community service
- Hobbies
One last thing that you can add to your bio is an image. It can be a professional head shot or your blog’s header. Which one you choose is completely optional.
For tips on how to write a powerful blogger bio, purchase How to Write a Powerful Professional Bio and read How to Write a Captivating Bio.