Update Your Bio
Today is Update Your Bio Day! ✏️ I’m not sure why someone felt the need to make up a holiday for this, but it’s a good idea to take a look at your bio on all the different platforms you use periodically, and make sure it’s up to date. Why not today?
If your bio is tragically out of date, it’s probably better to try to write a new one from scratch, rather than patch new information into your old verbiage.
Steps to take when writing a bio:
1. Decide on your “voice.” Do you want readers to perceive you as professional, funny, formal, personable…? Will you write it in first person or third person? Be consistent.
2. Decide on the most important items to include. A good place to start is the list below.
3. Keep it brief. I find it best to write everything out, then go back and see what can be eliminated, combined, or shortened.
4. Use keywords. Every industry has words and phrases that are consistent and searchable. Incorporating these will make it more likely that people will find you.
5. Consider using AI. If you use text-based AI, such as ChatGPT, this would be a great opportunity to give it your full bio and ask it to proofread it, as well as generate different length versions. You may want 500, 200, or 100 words, depending on use.
6. Make multiple versions, each one tailored to your target audience and purpose. This will give you options, depending on the context and the platform you are using.
Items to include in your bio:
- Name, title/position, and company/organization
- Company/organization or personal mission or brand statement
- Professional background (highlights), skills, specific area(s) of expertise
- Professional achievements, accomplishments, milestones
- Awards, degrees, certifications
- Professional goals, passions, values - what motivates you?
- Professional affiliations, associations, memberships relevant to your field
- Unique selling proposition (USP): What sets you apart from the competition?
- Personal touch: Brief mention of interests or hobbies - don’t go overboard!