Archive | Mar, 2010
Elements Of Great Bios For Authors
Unfortunately, the vast majority of bios are poorly written and terribly mind numbing. Crammed with unnecessary details that spill over countless pages will have your reading audience running toward the hills. Contemplating your experiences on the playground while attending grammar school isn’t the best place to begin sharing your educational achievements. Expounding on your love for unicorns and passion for rainbows isn’t going to win over any one either. Simply put, great bios are few and far between, but what makes them stand out is what they share in common.
To this day it remains a mystery as to why so many bios choose uninteresting over compelling content. Great bios stand out because they’re enjoyable to read and memorable afterward. For instance, some great bios use humor, which shows that the author doesn’t take himself/herself too seriously. It also demonstrates that the individual enjoys what he/she does. A bio isn’t an application for a job with the Federal Government, it’s an opportunity to let your personality shine through. Need some inspiration? Read attorney Kevin Gliwa’s bio for a chuckle.
A great bio will highlight a single defining moment that changed, shaped or inspired a life decision for the author. Rather than discussing countless and irrelevant details, choosing one key moment to elaborate on is like having a mini-thriller built into a bio. It captivates a readers attention and gives them insight and perspective regarding the author at the same time. Great bios that choose a significant event to share will be clear stand outs.
Great bios avoid using hyperbole. Exaggerations discredit the author, appear as misleading and read like statements made by the guy from the used car lot. When a bio is well written, it doesn’t need to rely on claims like ‘the best writer in the world’ and ‘the queen of the most self-published books’. The best bios will stick with the facts and leave embellishments at the craft store. A great bio delivers information concisely, but with a touch of personal creativity.
Take the time to gain a better understanding of the characteristics that make a bio good and those that make them bad. The Internet is an excellent place to start your hunt. You may end up finding motivation in unexpected places, as well as learn a trick or two along the way.
Want more help? See my video tutorial HELP REWRITE MY BORING BIO
How To Write A Bio With Branding In Mind
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.
Want more help? See my video tutorial HELP REWRITE MY BORING BIO
