Writer's Workshop: 5 Steps To Writing The Perfect “About Me” Bio
Background Artwork: René Gruau, 1964
Whether it’s for a social media profile, a professional site, or a cooking blog, when it comes to writing the dreaded About Me blurb there are a few key things to keep in mind before you publish. Follow these 5 easy-ish guidelines, and that About Me bio of yours will be as catchy as they come.
1. Consider your audience
To start with, consider the purpose of your account. Who are you speaking to? Why do you have the site or account in the first place? If your account exists for strictly professional purposes, then – depending on your industry – you may want to keep it conservative. If your account is personal, or if you work in a more relaxed industry, feel free to have some fun and give your About Me bio a fun feel. Think about the audience you’re speaking to and the intention of your site or account before you do anything.
2. Keep it real
This is a dedicated piece of internet real estate that’s all about you. Make sure your About Me bio expresses who you are as a person and a professional in an authentic way, both in terms of content and in terms of your writing style.
3. Tell your story
Whether you’re a writer, designer, or work in another creative field, you know that being able to accurately tell the story of a person, place, or brand is an extremely valuable skill to have these days. Don’t settle when it comes to your story. Getting a little personal in your bio will help potential followers, clients, employers, and readers relate to you. Your story is the thing that separates you from the crowd. Don’t forget to tell it.
4. Keep it concise
As much as your readers, followers, and prospective clients want to know about you, it’s easy to become long winded when writing about yourself. (We’re all a little bit narcissistic, don’t you think?) If you’re having a hard time writing an About Me bio that’s concise, ask a friend or someone you know and respect in your industry to give your draft a read and suggest edits.
5. Don’t overthink it
This is ultimately the most important step in writing your About Me. Remember that writing a bio for your blog, social media account, or portfolio site isn’t the end of the world – it’s your online bio. So while it needs to be accurate, fit with your style, and serve a purpose, everyone out there knows that it’s impossible to sum yourself up in just a few words. When you relax, the words will come to you easier. Trust me.
Satisfied with the copy? You’re not done yet. Don’t forget to accompany that shiny new About Me bio of yours with the following:
- Photo: Include a photo of yourself that fits with the general vibe and tone of your content. The best profile and About Me photos are fun and have a personal feel while still remaining professional. If you don’t have any photos that fit the bill, ask a local photographer to snap a few shots of you on a Saturday afternoon.
- Location: You don’t need to get specific, but if you’re comfortable listing the city or region which you live in I would highly recommend it. As an expat, listing “London” as my location on my social media channels has started more than a few conversations and working partnerships – it gives your readers and followers something to relate to, as well as a peek into your world.
From Jess: Thank you Robin! I absolutely hate writing bios, and this is so so helpful!
ROBIN REETZ
I’m Robin – a freelance digital journalist with about seven years working in media. My primary experience lies in fashion, lifestyle and design writing, and I've worked at places like Teen Vogue and Refinery29. In addition to my work, I also write about the independent fashion community (which I love) and chronicle my experiences as an expat on my blog.
I've worked in many sides of the industry – from magazines to agencies to e-commerce. I'll be sharing what I've learned about writing and digital communication both from my professional experience, and from the experience I've gained as a blogger.
