Creating The Perfect Bio

We should all have a bio to hand - ready and waiting on our desktop in case an opportunity arises and we need to sum ourselves up in a page or less to a potential business partner, employer, client, investor or such like.  So how do we go about ensuring we include all the relevant details without waffling on or missing anything super important and indeed what format should it take?

It takes skill to sell yourself.  In the early days of my business I found it a challenge to shout from the rooftops about my achievements, even though I had many of them and so found myself taking a more modest route to market - testimonials- letting others shout about me instead...

This was all well and good, but I soon realised that I  still needed to have the self confidence and belief to display my values to others at; for example networking events and business meetings, when pitching for business and when public speaking.  This is where I found my voice and you can too- whether verbal or on paper.  A bio is about YOU, it's your chance to shine, whether it is emailed to a prospective or nuggets of it are dropped into a conversation - having one is an absolute must...

So where might your bio be placed? 

Your Website

You have an 'about us' page on your website right?

Try this for starters or if you are a freelancer change it to an About 'Me' page- people buy people, so making it more personal will score you brownie points as people will identify with you and in turn want to know more.

Social Media Platforms- Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn etc- Keep it short and sweet for these as you only get a certain amount of character space anyway, so sum yourself and your experience up in a few words and make them count.

So what do you need to include?

Tell Your Story - The best speeches always start with a story to engage the audience, so do the same in written words in your bio, capture the attention of the reader - it doesn't need to be your life story, so focus on the relevant and interesting 'stuff',  but let the reader in on your journey bringing it right up to present day.

Career Highlights - Obviously these are a must- think of it as a CV in this section but be creative with how you document these.  Simple bullet points are acceptable, but are there any other ways you can convey your work experience - perhaps include a brief case study- evidence?

Qualifications- Not always necessary on a bio unless relevant to what you want your bio to achieve- this is not your school record of achievement (80's /90's kids will know what I mean by these) nor a CV,  but if you're actively looking to connect and build your own network within for example the theatre world and you happen to have an honours degree in theatre design then by 'eck include it!

Testimonials- Following on from your career highlights should come some hard and fast proof of those successes- so include a testimonial or two which relate to your story and experience - preferably from your biggest most successful achievements.

Photos/Videos

Include a head- shot photo of yourself- ideally one that has been professionally shot NOT under any circumstances a selfie or one you have forced your mother, brother, milkman to take of you in front of your garden shed- this will again help the viewer/reader to identify with you and help them build a picture in their mind of you overall and please make sure you show your personality in your photo- those boring corporate head-shots where everyone poses in the same drab way are not a good portrayal of you (unless you are drab and boring).

Videos are the way forward in communication in the noughties, so get with the program take a deep breath and film an introduction to yourself - this doesn't require any fancy equipment, practise makes perfect so do a few takes and get feedback from those you trust too before you use it if you're a little nervous or unsure.

Synopsis- Sum yourself up - much like the editors notes in a press release, use this section to write a couple of sentences to leave the reader wanting to know more - think impact.  This is also useful to duplicate on your social media channels in the headliners or to use as your 'pitch' (I detest that word) so let's go with 'introduction' at networking events.

Contact Details- I see so many people putting so much effort into their marketing on various platforms and then go and miss the most vital part- a call to action- how on earth can someone react to your amazing self if they can't contact you?

Fiona Duncan-Steer, RSViP

www.rsvipnetwork.co.uk