How to write a strong one-line biography (with examples!)
As a blogger or content marketer, you’re spreading your content across the internet to build your name as a thought leader and to drive traffic back to your (or your client’s) website.
One of the best ways to do this is via a strong biography, where sites will often allow you to also link back to somewhere. But you need to get their interest to learn more, so you need a strong one-line biography as most sites will only allow a short biography.
Here’s how you write a strong one-line biography for your blog author page:
Write in 3rd person
Highlight your role/profession.
- Keep it short
Include a call to action
Biographies should be written in third person. Instead of “I am a serial entrepreneur…” you should write “John is a serial entrepreneur…”
Some publications may have different guidelines, in which case you should follow them, but as a general guideline always write your bio in 3rd person.
Your bio should tell readers who you are and what you do, so be sure to highlight your role or profession.
“John is a serial entrepreneur and digital marketing veteran who…”
This gives people more information about you, why you are qualified to be talking about the topic you are bylined on, and helps them decide if they want to click your link to learn more.
Don’t be afraid to brag a little bit! In our world of fake humility, finding someone who is willing to state what they’ve done can be refreshing and encourage them to click to learn more about you.
Don’t overdo it though. A quick interesting fact is usually more than enough to get them interested.
For example:
“John is a serial entrepreneur and digital marketing leader who via his company Credo has generated over a quarter billion dollars in leads for agencies since 2015.”
The lead value number is a brag, but it’s also true and lets people know that John knows what he’s doing.
Have some fun!
In today’s social media world, people want to connect with the person behind the account.
So don’t be afraid to use emojis or a bit of humor.
This advice does not carry over to a professional website like LinkedIn where people are more professional and you should present your best face to the world.
Keep it short, but readable
If you’re required to keep your biography to just one sentence, you have just 15 to 20 words on average to get your point across. You need to be succinct and make every word count.
As such, remove superlatives and flowery language that could make it harder to read. This is not the place to be cute or show off – it’s the place to communicate effectively.
Include a backlink/hyperlink
Most websites where you publish will allow you to link back to a site of your choice from your biography. Don’t be spammy and try to link back to multiple places – link to a place where people can find out more about you or your company easily.
Finally, include a call to action (CTA) if you have enough space and can work it in. At minimum, make sure you follow the above advice and include a hyperlink back to your main website where people can learn more about you or your business.
Some examples
Here are some examples of great bios.
Dan Martell (Instagram)
Dan Martell is a coach to software founders, an entrepreneur with 3 business exits, an award-winning angel investor, and a proud dad and husband.
How do we know this? Because he says so in his Instagram bio. Short and effective.
Kimberly Bryant
Kimberly Bryant is the founder of Black Girls Code , a company that “build[s] pathways for young women of color to embrace the current tech marketplace as builders and creators by introducing them to skills in computer programming and technology.” Here is her Twitter biography, which clearly states what she does and gives insight into who she is.
Chris Ducker
Chris Ducker is a UK-based entrepreneur who “helps midlife leaders and entrepreneurs build future proof businesses around their expertise” with his Youpreneur coaching program.
Pat Flynn is a serial entrepreneur, dad, and husband who also has a physical product and a Pokemon card side hustle with over 100,000 YouTube subscribers. Here’s his Instagram profile:
Rand Fishkin
Rand is also a serial entrepreneur and currently the CEO of Sparktoro, an audience insight software tool. He’s formerly the cofounder and CEO of Moz, an SEO software suite. His LinkedIn bio says succinctly what he does, and also adds a bit of personality to let you know what he believes.
John Doherty
John is the founder and CEO of Credo and EditorNinja. (Hi, I’m John writing this!). His bio tells you what he cares about (his family and Colorado), what he does and the various projects he works on as well as his accomplishments.
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27 of the Best Professional Bio Examples I've Ever Seen [+ Templates]
Published: December 20, 2023
As a writer, I have to let readers and potential clients know my expertise, my skills, and why they should work with me or be interested in what I say. So, a professional bio is a must in my industry.
Though I'm definitely familiar with professional bios, I can admit they can be challenging. What do I include? What do readers need to know?
As daunting as writing a professional bio can be, professional bios are crucial when applying for jobs, seeking new clients, or networking. A professional bio also gives the world a brief snapshot of you and your professional ideals.
If youâre at a loss for how to write a professional bio that packs a punch, Iâve got you covered. In this journey, tools like HubSpotâs user-friendly drag-and-drop website builder can be instrumental in showcasing your professional bio online with ease and style.
I will walk you through how to write a professional bio that you can proudly publish, provide professional bio templates, and show you the best professional bio examples you can get inspiration from.
What is a professional bio?
Professional bio templates, how to write a professional bio, best professional bio examples, how to write a short bio.
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A professional bio or biography is a short overview of your experience. Professional bios usually include details about education, employment, achievements, and relevant skills.
Purpose of Professional Bios
A bio tells an audience about who you are, what you've done, and what you can do. It can help potential employers, fans, or customers understand your personality and what you stand for.
Writing a bio without a clear starting point is challenging â believe me, I've tried. To ease the process, here are some templates I put together to get you started.
Iâve found itâs best to keep your professional bio honest and to the point. Too long of a bio, and you risk losing your audience's attention. After all, audiences will only read a web page for less than a minute before clicking elsewhere.
And honesty is key because most consumers and clients wonât invest in someone or something if it doesnât seem trustworthy. In fact, 67% of consumers say they must trust a brand before investing in its products or services.
Download free, editable short and long professional bio templates.
What should a professional bio say?
No one wants to work with a clone â your professional bio should be as unique as you.
When writing your bio, include important professional roles and achievements. Add your passions, interests, and how you bring your values to your work. Finally, your bio should let readers know you and reflect your personality.
Here are the elements I recommend including when writing a professional bio:
Professional Roles and Achievements
It's essential to highlight your career roles and achievements in your bio. This can include your current position, previous roles, and notable accomplishments. It will help establish your expertise and credibility and start your bio on the right note.
Passions and Interests
This might be less essential, but it will help humanize you. Remember: Bios are shared via an impersonal medium, like a screen, and can sometimes feel distant if we don't take the proper steps.
Share your passions and interests, whether or not they relate to your work or industry. That way, you can show enthusiasm and dedication outside your professional life.
Plus, you could find common ground with readers â which is always beneficial.
Take a look at this short bio by HubSpot staff writer Erica Santiago.
"Plus," she adds, "I'm always happy to talk about my cats at any given moment. You never know when a fellow cat mom could be reading."
Values and Work Approach
Your values can sometimes show your work ethic more effectively than your career path. It can also help you endear yourself to employers and colleagues who want to work with people with similar values.
So donât be shy: Share how you incorporate your values into your work. Whether itâs a commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, or ethical decision-making, explain what drives you and be enthusiastic about it.
Your Personality
Remember: Your bio should always include a taste of your personality! Your sense of humor, creativity, or collaborative nature could all give readers a sense of who you are. This helps readers connect with you on a more personal level.
Remember to tailor your bio for different platforms and audiences. Also, keep it concise and impactful while highlighting the most relevant information in each context.
First-Person Bio vs. Third-Person Bio
While first-person bios are common, third-person bios can be more effective in formal situations.
Your decision to write your professional bio in the first or third person depends on your desire to leave a more personable or assertive impression.
Both approaches work, provided you tailor them to your goals and audience. Whatâs important is to be clear and tell your story in a way that connects with your reader.
How to Write a First-Person Bio
Writing in the first person can be a great way to connect with your audience when building a personal brand. When you write a first-person bio, use "I" or "me" to make yourself relatable and approachable.
Here's one way Iâd write a first-person bio:
"I'm a freelance writer specializing in small business content. I've worked with companies in a variety of industries like home care to fine leather goods."
Speaking in the first person here connects you with a client or brand based on your experience and opinions. Put another way, writing a first-person bio is like telling your story to your audience.
Here are a few tips to make your first-person bio great:
Donât start every sentence with "I."
Showing instead of telling is a great approach.
Letâs say youâre a writer who wants to create a short professional bio. Instead of saying, "I love to write," you can say, "Writer. Bad but enthusiastic dancer."
This portrays your writing skill, shows your personality outside of writing as a dancer, and includes a little sense of humor, which is essential for a writer.
Remember, you know yourself better than anyone.
Adding a back story to your bio helps create context for the roles and successes you write about. Think of it like a case study about who you were, what you are now, and the process that got you to your current position.
Focus on valuable details.
Quick facts about you can showcase your identity and values. For example, if you're writing a bio for LinkedIn, think about how to tie your hobby into what you do.
Let's say Animal Crossing is your hobby. Does it align with your career aspirations? It can be a great addition to your bio if you want to pursue a video game career.
However, if your interests lie elsewhere, including a more relevant hobby is better.
How to Write a Third-Person Bio
Third-person bios sound more authoritative and objective. So, if youâre job searching in a formal industry, applying for grants, or trying to get published, you may want to stick to the third person.
For instance, when you write a third-person bio, you may start with:
"Jasmine Montgomery is a Senior Hiring Manager at LâOreal based in New York. She recruits across several business units to connect with the brightest talent from around the globe."
By only using your name and pronouns to speak about yourself here, you are letting your title and skill set speak for themselves.
These bios create distance between the subject of the bio (you) and the reader through a third person. This person could be anyone, but they usually speak in a tone emphasizing their expertise.
This makes third-person bios feel aloof or overly formal sometimes.
Ideally, your third-person bio should sound friendly but polished, like a message from a close colleague at work. Here are a few tips on how to write a great third-person bio.
Write from the perspective of someone you know and trust.
It can be challenging to write about yourself, so try to see yourself from the perspective of your favorite person at work or a mentor you trust. This can help you write from a position of authority without feeling self-conscious.
Show the reader why they should trust your opinion.
A professional bio often reflects a specific industry or niche. With this in mind, your text should include relevant details that professionals in your industry know. Avoid jargon whenever you can.
Remember, you're telling a story.
If you want a third-person bio, but you're used to writing in first-person, it may help to write it the most comfortable way for you.
Your professional bio is an essential piece of writing, so edit it carefully. Edit your writing from both points of view and see which works best for your target audience.
Here's how to write a professional bio, step by step.
- Create an 'About' page for your website or profile.
- Begin writing your bio with your first and last name.
- Mention any associated brand name you might use.
- State your current position and what you do.
- Include at least one professional accomplishment.
- Describe your values and how they inform your career.
- Briefly tell your readers who you are outside of work.
- Use humor or a personal story to add flavor to your professional bio.
If youâre anything like me, you probably don't think about your professional bio until youâre asked to "send one over via email."
You have one afternoon to come up with it, so you scramble together a bio that ends up reading like this:
"Rodney Erickson is a content marketing professional at HubSpot, a CRM platform that helps companies attract visitors, convert leads, and close customers.
Previously, Rodney worked as a marketing manager for a tech software startup. He graduated with honors from Columbia University with a dual degree in Business Administration and Creative Writing."
To be fair, in certain contexts, your professional bio needs to be more formal, like Mr. Erickson's up there. But there are also cases where writing a personable and conversational bio is good.
Whether you choose the formal or casual route, use the following steps to create a perfect bio.
1. Create an 'About' page for your website or profile.
You need an online space to keep your professional bio. Here are a few to consider (some of these you might already have in place):
- Facebook Business page .
- Industry blog byline .
- Instagram account .
- Personal website .
- LinkedIn profile .
- Industry website .
- Personal blog .
As you'll see in the professional bio examples below, the length and tone of your bio will differ depending on the platforms you use.
Instagram, for example, allows only 150 characters of bio space, whereas you can write as much as you want on your website or Facebook Business page.
2. Begin writing your bio with your first and last name.
If your readers remember nothing else about your bio, they should remember your name. Therefore, it's a good idea for your first and last name to be the first two words of your professional bio.
Even if your name is printed above this bio (hint: it should), this is a rare moment where it's okay to be redundant.
For example, if I were writing my bio, I might start it like this:
Lindsay Kolowich
Lindsay Kolowich is a Senior Marketing Manager at HubSpot.
3. Mention any associated brand name you might use.
Will your professional bio represent you or a business you work for? Ensure you mention the brand you associate with in your bio. If you're a freelancer, you may have a personal business name or pseudonym you advertise to your clients.
Here are a few examples:
- Lindsay Kolowich Marketing.
- SEO Lindsay.
- Kolowich Consulting.
- Content by Kolowich (what do you think ... too cheesy?).
Maybe you founded your own company and want its name to be separate from your real name. Keep it simple like this: "Lindsay Kolowich is the founder and CEO of Kolowich Consulting."
4. State your current position and what you do.
Whether you're the author of a novel or a mid-level specialist, use the following few lines of your bio to describe what you do in that position. Refrain from assuming your audience knows what your job title entails.
Make your primary responsibilities known so readers can know you and understand what you offer to your industry.
5. Include at least one professional accomplishment.
Just as a business touts its client successes through case studies, your professional bio should let your audience know what you've achieved.
What have you done for yourself â as well as for others â that makes you a valuable player in your industry?
6. Describe your values and how they inform your career.
Why do you do what you do? What might make your contribution to the market different from your colleagues? What are the values that make your business a worthwhile investment to others?
Create a professional bio that answers these questions.
7. Briefly tell your readers who you are outside of work.
Transition from describing your values in work to defining who you are outside of work. This may include:
- Your family.
- Your hometown.
- Sports you play.
- Hobbies and interests.
- Favorite music and travel destinations.
- Side hustles you're working on.
People like connecting with other people. The more transparent you are about who you are personally, the more likable you'll be to people reading about you.
8. Use humor or a personal story to add flavor to your professional bio.
End your professional bio on a good or, more specifically, a funny note. By leaving your audience with something quirky or unique, you can ensure they'll leave your website with a pleasant impression of you.
Following the steps above when writing your bio is important, but take your time with one section. People consume lots of information daily. So ensure your bio hooks 'em in the first line, and you wonât lose them.
(P.S. Want to boost your professional brand? Take one of HubSpot Academy's free certification courses . In just one weekend, you can add a line to your resume and bio that over 60,000 marketers covet.)
Why Good Bios Are Important for a Professional
You may think, "How many people read professional bios, anyway?"
The answer: A lot. Though there's no way to tell who is reading it, you want it catchy. Your professional bio will delight the right people coming across it on multiple platforms.
Professional bios can live on your LinkedIn profile , company website, guest posts, speaker profiles, Twitter bio , Instagram bio , and many other places.
And most importantly, itâs the tool you can leverage most when youâre networking.
Bottom line? People will read your professional bio. Whether they remember it or it makes them care about you is a matter of how well you present yourself to your intended audience.
So, what does a top-notch professional bio look like? Letâs review a few sample bios for professionals like you and me. Then, weâll cover bio examples from some of the best people in the industry.
Short Sample Bios
Your bio doesn't have to be complicated. Here are five samples to glean inspiration from.
Example 1: Friendly Sample Bio
"Hey! My name is Ryan, and I'm a marketing specialist passionate about digital advertising. I have five years of experience managing various online campaigns and improving brand visibility for clients across multiple verticals. I love analyzing consumer behavior and leveraging data-driven strategies to maximize ROI. Outside work, I enjoy traveling, taking funny photos, and exploring new hiking trails."
Example 2: Mid-Career Sample Bio
"Jennifer Patel is a versatile graphic designer known for her creative approach and attention to detail. With a background in visual arts and eight years of experience, Jennifer has worked on diverse projects ranging from logo designs to website layouts. Her ability to understand and translate client needs into visually striking designs sets her apart. Jennifer finds inspiration in nature, music, and pop culture."
Example 3: Sales Sample Bio
"I'm a seasoned sales executive with a track record of exceeding targets and building strong client relationships. With a background in B2B sales, I've built a natural ability to understand customer needs and consistently exceed quota every month. I pride myself in my communication skills and strategic approaches, which have helped me thrive in highly competitive markets such as SaaS sales. Outside work, I enjoy playing basketball and volunteering at local charities."
Example 4: HR Sample Bio
"I am a dedicated human resources professional with a passion for fostering a positive workplace culture and facilitating employee development. With eight years of experience in talent acquisition and HR operations, I've played a key role in building high-performing teams. I'm known for my strong interpersonal skills and ability to create inclusive and supportive work environments. In my free time, I enjoy practicing yoga and exploring new culinary experiences."
Example 5: Software Engineer Sample Bio
"David Chang is a senior software engineer specializing in backend development. With a strong background in computer science and six years of experience, David has successfully built scalable and efficient solutions for complex technical challenges. He is well-versed in various programming languages and frameworks like C++, Java, and Ruby on Rails. In his spare time, David enjoys reading science fiction novels and playing the guitar."
Below, we've curated some of the best professional bio examples we've ever seen on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and the various places you might describe yourself.
Check 'em out and use them as inspiration when crafting your own.
- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Author
- Chima Mmeje: SEO Content Writer
- DJ Nexus: DJ
- Lena Axelsson: Marriage & Family Therapist
- Mark Levy: Branding Firm Founder
- Audra Simpson: Political Anthropologist
- Marie Mikhail: Professional Recruiter
- Wonbo Woo: Executive Producer
- Chris Burkard: Freelance Photographer
- Lisa Quine: Creative Consultant
- Nancy Twine: Hair Care Founder
- Trinity Mouzon: Wellness Brand Founder
- Alberto Perez: Co-Founder of Zumba Fitness
- Ann Handley: Writer and Marketer
1. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie : Author
Bio platform: personal website.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie begins her professional bio with an invitation to her roots.
In a few paragraphs, she describes when and where she was born, her family, her education, her honorary degrees, and the depth of her work, which has been translated into 30 languages and several publications.
She can keep readers engaged by leading with a powerful hook that aligns with her target audienceâs marketing needs.
- Thereâs clarity about who Chima serves.
- The hook is bold, catchy, and compels anyone to read further.
- Including client results makes clients visualize what they can expect.
3. DJ Nexus : DJ
Bio platform: facebook.
This New England-based DJ has single-handedly captured the Likes of over 2,000 people in and beyond Boston, MA. And even if you donât listen to the type of music he produces, itâs hard not to read his compelling Facebook bio.
For instance, consider his tagline, under "About" â " Quiet during the day. QUITE LOUD at night! " DJ Nexus tells you when he works awesomely. I got goosebumps just imagining a dance club where he might play music.
The second is the "long version," which is even more interesting than the first. Why? It reads like a story â a compelling one, at that. In fact, it gets hilarious in some parts.
The second sentence of the bio reads: "He was frightened of public school, loved playing baseball and football, ran home to watch ape films on the 4:30 Movie, listened to The Jam and The Buzzcocks, and read magic trick books."
Here's another excerpt from the middle:
It's a well-put value proposition that sets her apart from the rest of the HR industry.
Marie concludes her bio with a smooth mix of professional skills, like her Spanish fluency, and personal interests, such as podcasting and Star Wars (she mentions the latter with just the right amount of humor).
- Straight off the bat, Marie uses a story to share her experiences of how she began as a recruiter.
- It provides a subtle pitch for readers to check out her podcast.
- The bio exudes Maries approachable, fun, and playful personality.
8. Wonbo Woo : Executive Producer
Wonbo Woo is the executive producer of WIRED's video content and has several impressive credits to his name. What does this mean for his professional bio? He has to prioritize.
With this in mind, Wonbo opens his bio with the most eye-catching details first (if the image below is hard to read, click it to see the full copy ).
I wouldnât necessarily be inclined to follow Chris if his bio had simply read, "I post beautiful images." But images that inspire me to travel? Now thatâs something I can get behind.
Last, he ends on a humble, sweet note: "He is happiest with his wife Breanne raising their two sons." So inject personal information into your bio â it makes you seem approachable.
- It highlights Chrisâs achievement without bragging.
- The last sentence portrays Chris as a responsible man who loves his family.
- The well-written bio speaks to nature lovers who like the outdoors, surfing, and more. This gives them reasons to follow Chris.
10. Lisa Quine : Creative Consultant
Bio platform: portfolio website.
Creative professionals who specialize in visual art may find it challenging to balance the writing of their bio and displaying of their portfolio. Not Lisa Quine. Lisa has an exceptional balance of her professional bio and creative work.
Throughout her bio, you'll notice the number of murals she's completed and a brief timeline of her career. This helps her paint the picture of who she is as a professional.
The rest of her bio similarly focuses on Twine's strengths as someone whoâs able to take hair care "back to basics."
Mouzon effectively grips the reader's attention with this introduction and then dives into some of her impressive accomplishments â including a brand now sold at Urban Outfitters and Target.
The language used throughout Mouzon's bio is authentic, real, and honest.
For instance, in the second paragraph, she admits:
"While building a brand may have looked effortless from the outside, starting a business at age 23 with no resources or funding quickly forced me to realize that early-stage entrepreneurship was anything but transparent."
As an avid Zumba fan, I was excited to include this one. Perez styles his LinkedIn bio as a short story, starting with his background as a hard-working teen who held three jobs by age 14.
His bio tells the fun and fascinating origin story of Zumba, in which Perez, an aerobics teacher in Florida at the time, forgot his music for class and used a Latin music cassette tape instead ... "And it was an instant hit!"
His bio continues:
"Shortly after he was connected to Alberto Periman and Alberto Aghion, and Zumba was officially created ... What started as a dream now has 15 million people in more than 200,000 locations in 186 countries who take Zumba classes every week."
There's something in there for everyone.
- The last section of the bio shows Annâs warm personality â "Ann lives in Boston, where she is Mom to creatures two- and four-legged."
- Written in the third person, this bio has lots of proof (like followers), which shows Ann is a terrific marketing leader.
If you're posting a bio on a social media account or sending a quick blurb to a client, you want to keep it short and sweet while showcasing your accomplishments.
To get started, use these best practices for writing your short professional bio:
- Introduce yourself.
- State what you do.
- Add key skills or areas of expertise.
- Include a personal mission statement
- Celebrate your wins.
- Provide your contact information.
- Show them your personality.
1. Introduce yourself.
Your introduction is your first impression, so always begin by telling people who you are. You may start with a greeting like, "Hello, my name is" or "Hi! Let me first introduce myself âŚ" when sending your bio as a message.
If youâre writing a bio for an online platform, stating your name at the beginning works as well.
Leading with your name â even as a question â is important for recognition and building relationships.
2. State what you do.
Give people an idea of what you do daily and where you work. Your job title is how the people put you into context and consider whether your profession relates to their industry.
So detail your most relevant work in your short bios, like CEO, professor, and author.
Take a cue from Angela Duckworth , who specifies what she does in her LinkedIn bio:
3. Add key skills or areas of expertise.
If you send a bio to a client or potential employer, highlight your most valuable skills. For instance, if your expertise is in social media marketing and content creation, like Ivanka Dekoning , list these skills.
- A joke. "Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. At least thatâs what I learned when I createdâŚ"
- Mention a hobby. "Iâll be honest: for me, tennis is life â Go Nadal!"
- A fun fact. "Every year, I watch 100 new films! Iâm a cinephile and love every movie genre."
- A few emojis related to your interests. "đśđ¤đžđŹđ"
Whichever way you choose to get personal, give people a glimpse into who you are as an individual.
When writing a short bio, it can be tempting to pack in as much relevant information about yourself as possible â but this isnât the most effective approach.
Instead, focus on including the details that you and your audience care about most and leave out the fluff.
Let's dive into a few examples of short professional bios.
Short Professional Bio Examples
- Tristen Taylor: Marketing Manager
- Lianna Patch: Copywriter
- Precious Oboidhe: Content Strategist and Writer
- Rebecca Bollwitt: Writer
- Megan Gilmore: Cookbook Author
- Bea Dixon: Feminine Care Founder
- Tammy Hembrow: Instagram Influencer
- Dr. Cody: Chiropractor
- Larry Kim: Founder
- Dharmesh Shah: Founder and CTO
- Lily Ugbaja: Content Strategist
- Ian Anderson Gray: Marketer
- Van Jones: Political Commentator, Author, and Lawyer
1. Tristen Taylor: Marketing Manager
Bio platform: blog byline.
Tristen Taylor is a Marketing Manager here at HubSpot. She's written content for HubSpot's Marketing, Sales, and Customer Service blogs; her blog author bio is one of my favorites.
What I love most about Tristen's bio is that itâs a great example of how to deliver information about yourself that is relevant to your work while also sharing fun details that audiences will find relatable.
Her bio reads:
"Building from her experience with GoCo.io and Southwest Airlines, Tristen's work has been recognized by Marketing Brew and BLACK@INBOUND. She lives in Washington, DC, attending anime conventions and painting in her free time."
Gilmore further includes a CTA link within her Instagram bio that leads followers to free, ready-to-use recipes. You might think, " Why would she do that since it discourages people from buying her book?"
But that couldn't be further from the truth.
By giving her followers the chance to try out her recipes, she's slowly turning leads into customers. After I tried a few of her Instagram recipes and loved them, I bought her book, knowing I'd like more of what she offered.
- The bio is short and direct.
- The CTA link includes an invitation for people to join her newsletter. Meaning, she can build her email list.
6. Bea Dixon : Feminine Care Founder
Bea Dixon, Founder and CEO of The Honey Pot Company, efficiently uses the space on her Instagram profile to highlight who she is as a well-rounded human â not just a businesswoman.
For instance, while she highlights her girl boss attitude with a tiara emoji, she equally calls attention to her fashion interests (Free People), her pets, Boss and Sadie, and her love for ramen noodles.
What more do you need to know?
Ian doesn't take his bio too seriously but uses every character to highlight everything about him.
He includes his skills as a marketer and podcast host, who he is outside work as a dad, and what he can help you do. His smiles also give the bio a sense of humor and realness.
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3 stand-out professional bio examples to inspire your own
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Whatâs a professional bio?
How to write a professional bio, professional bio examples to inspire your own, promote with pride.
Opportunities to self-promote can arise when you least expect them. Whether you exchange LinkedIn profiles at a networking event , receive an invite to submit a resume , or share your personal website with a potential client, branded materials that effectively describe you are crucial to making a great first impression .
A professional biography (bio) is more than a simple self-introduction or opportunity to boast â although you should promote your skills and accomplishments with pride . With such little space and so much to say, you may struggle to find the perfect words.
After all, who you are and what you do extends far beyond a couple of sentences. But conciseness is possible â it just requires a little self-reflection and guidance.
Letâs explore different strategies for writing a bio that's engaging, adaptable, and, most importantly, encapsulates your professional values and identity. With these tips and professional bio examples to guide your process, youâll learn how to write a bio about yourself that shows off your best side.
A professional bio is a brief but impactful blurb that introduces who you are and what you do. Ranging from a few sentences to several paragraphs, it sums up your area of expertise, talents, and professional background.
Think of your professional bio as an opportunity to expand your personal brand statement , which uses marketing strategies like punchy and emotion-provoking language to sell you in a few choice sentences. Your bio includes additional information and personal touches to create a fuller picture of your professional accomplishments and future aspirations .
You never know who scans your social media profiles, company website, or resume. A thoughtful bio is adaptable and provides consistent messaging regardless of the platform and audience. Whether itâs a recruiter , client, or collaborator checking out your branded materials, your professional bio works around the clock to promote your personal brand .
Wherever you network, job search , or show off your work are all great places to include a bio. That may include:
The âAboutâ section on your personal website, YouTube channel, or podcast , giving insight to visitors about the person behind the work
Your LinkedIn profile's summary section , providing a personal touch to the career achievements and skills highlighted in your work experience section
Promotional materials or event programs , like for a workshop, speaking engagement, or training webinar
On the team page of your organizationâs website , showcasing your unique role and contributions to your team
In an author bio for blog posts and articles , establishing your trustworthiness and providing context to readers
In the bio sections of social media profiles used to promote your personal brand , adding personality to reflect your professional identity
Within a cover letter , letter of intent , or letter of interest , connecting your unique value to a potential employerâs needs
In a grant or proposal submission , lending credibility when applying for funding or pitching a project
On your online or physical portfolio , helping people connect more deeply with your work as a creative
On a book jacket, author page, or academic journal , highlighting your expertise, background, or focus areas
Adapting your professional bio template to fit different platforms helps you paint a consistent and engaging picture of yourself for varying audiences. You can control the narrative that surrounds your professional identity and reputation.
And clarity across platforms acts as a powerful call to action â the more your target audience understands what you represent, the more likely theyâll want to connect with you.
A great bio shows off your unique value, reflects your goals, and displays your personality . But, despite its highly personalized nature, you can still use templates or follow frameworks to write your own. Here are a few guidelines for writing different bio types.
How to write a short bio
A short professional bio offers your reader a quick snapshot, making it best suited for professional situations requiring brevity, like a cover letter or social media platform with character limits.
And a well-written short bio captures attention and entices your audience to follow through, carefully reading an attached resume or scrolling your LinkedIn profile.
Here are some general guidelines:
- Start with the basics: Explain who you are, what you do, and your current work. Keep it as brief as possible and focus on essential information that reflects your identity and current professional situation.
- Establish credibility: Share valuable professional triumphs to give readers insights about your unique value and credibility. Descriptors like âAward-winningâ or âWith 10 years of experienceâ are concise ways to express the breadth of your experience.
- Be personal but appropriate: Add personal touches to make your bio feel more authentic and relatable , remembering to consider context. âAdventure-loving mechanical engineerâ may suit an Instagram bio, whereas â Innovation-seeking mechanical engineerâ is better suited for a professional portfolio . Each conveys a sense of personality and aligns with the goals of the medium.
How to write a long bio
A long bio offers your audience a more comprehensive understanding of who you are and what you stand for. Theyâre best suited for professional situations requiring a more in-depth intro, like an author page, âAbout Meâ section, or funding proposal.
A well-crafted long bio doesnât just illuminate key experiences and skills. It humanizes you, showing off professional goals and personal interests that capture reader attention and build trust .
Here are some general tips:
Introduce yourself: Just like you do in a short bio, the first sentence should clearly establish who you are and the work thatâs most important to you. Consider mentioning your current position and clarifying your responsibilities .
Go in-depth on your values: In a long bio, you can elaborate beyond short descriptors and action verbs . Depending on the medium, tell a fuller story that adds depth to your personal values and professional pursuits.
Mixing the personal with the professional, like mentioning your alma mater and describing your first roles, adds nuance and richness to your character representation. This creates a sense of closeness and understanding with your reader.
Detail your professional journey: While the focus should be on your current job title and area of expertise, readers can build a deeper connection when they learn more about your professional story.
Consider highlighting career milestones, including certifications, notable successes, and work experience. But describe yourself with humility . Bragging about your skills and accomplishments may come off as arrogant instead of confident , a misunderstanding that might put the reader off.
General guidelines
Regardless of format, a successful professional bio follows a few basic rules, like:
Keep it fresh: Your career is never stagnant, and your personal bio shouldnât be, either. Regularly update your bio to include new achievements, professional skills , and shifts in your career focus.
Keeping your LinkedIn bio, portfolio website, and other materials current ensures that potential employers and collaborators have access to the most relevant information about you, avoiding misunderstandings and missed opportunities.
Provide a call-to-action: Youâve captured your target audience's attention â now what? Invite readers to connect, engage, and start a conversation . Clarity can help direct the kind of engagement you want.
Something like âFor consulting inquiries or collaborations, contact me at [email]. For copyright requests, contact my publisher at [email].â is appropriately clear and direct.
Proofread for consistency: Like any professional communication, always double-check for grammar and spelling mistakes. Hiring managers and clients may interpret poor writing skills as a lack of clear thinking or attention to detail , discouraging them from following up with you.
And choose a point of view (first person âIâ or third person full name), staying consistent to ensure a better reading experience. You want your reader to focus on the content without bad mechanics distracting them.
Now that you have the basic rules down, here are some bio examples to help you write yours. Pay attention to flow and content, and edit them to meet your needs.
Short bio examples
Hereâs a short bio for an events brochure for a graphic designer leading a workshop:
[name] is a speaker, graphic designer, and UX engineer who builds performant branding strategies with an eye for accessibility. [name] helps brands of all sorts, from startups to multinationals, transform how they tell stories through visual design and cutting-edge technologies that focus on sustainable, inclusive engagement.
And hereâs a data analystâs work bio example for LinkedIn:
Iâm a certified data analyst with a natural curiosity for transforming complex data into action. With more than 10 years of experience, Iâve developed expertise in statistical modeling and predictive analysis.
Currently, Iâm a project manager at TechBiz focused on enhancing business strategies through data optimization. Iâve been instrumental in driving growth for several Fortune 500 companies and was recognized in 2022 as one of âAmericaâs Innovatorsâ by Women in Data.
Why they work: Both bios concisely illustrate current job roles, career focus, and unique character traits. Small details like âeye for accessibilityâ and ânatural curiosityâ show personality and professional values, illustrating what theyâll be like to work with.
Long bio example
Hereâs a freelance writer example for their portfolio website:
Iâm a Mexico City-based freelance writer by way of Louisville, Kentucky. My weekly newsletter on sustainability, policy, and culture â Sustainability Now â has been mentioned by the LA Times, The Nation, and Vogue London and has over 20,000 subscribers.
My work recently appeared in Foreign Policy, the New York Times, and Mother Jones, where Iâve written about sustainability in cities, business, and consumption. And Iâve also contributed to Politico and Dissent and won an award for my story on the history of natural wine for MOLD.
Iâm a firm believer that positive environmental change is powered by conscientious consumption. Since 2018, Iâve consulted content marketing teams of startups and branding agencies to transform how their businesses and consumers engage with our planet through storytelling.
I have a bachelorâs degree in environmental science with a minor in journalism from Boston University. I also have completed Googleâs SEO Fundamentals and UC Davisâ Content Marketing Strategy course.
In my spare time, you can find me hiking through the national parks surrounding CDMX with my dog, Mole, when we arenât looking for the cityâs perfect vegan taco.
For business consulting, please contact me at [name]@gmail.com. For editorial inquiries and media work, please contact my agent at [name]@talentcorp.com.
Why it works: This bio is comprehensive and focused on professional goals while listing key achievements, recognitions, and core principles to establish credibility and align the reader with her values.
And personal details and a touch of humor add warmth and authenticity that resonate and illustrate a well-rounded individual.
A successful professional bio covers all the bases, letting your reader know what youâre about and what itâd be like to work with you. Clarity and conciseness require nuance and careful curation, but the extra work pays off.
With these tips, professional bio examples, and a little self-reflection about your accomplishments and aspirations, youâll soon write a bio like a natural wordsmith.
Understand Yourself Better:
Big 5 Personality Test
Elizabeth Perry, ACC
Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.
Writing an elevator pitch about yourself: a how-to plus tips
How to make a presentation interactive and exciting, 18 effective strategies to improve your communication skills, 6 presentation skills and how to improve them, reading the room gives you an edge â no matter who you're talking to, how to give a good presentation that captivates any audience, how to write a speech that your audience remembers, professional development is for everyone (weâre looking at you), 10 personal brand statements to put all eyes on you, personal branding 101: how to showcase your unique value, the significance of written communication in the workplace, 7 tips to make your resume stand out and get that job, tips for how to write a linkedin summary and examples, heat up your networking with a better cold connect (try these examples), answer âwhatâs your greatest accomplishmentâ with ease, 3 essential traits for leaders in turbulent times, how to write a memo: 8 steps with examples, stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..
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How to Write a Biography: A Step-by-Step Guide
By Hannah Yang
Table of Contents
What is a biography, a step-by-step guide to writing a biography, tips for how to write a great biography, conclusion on how to write a biography.
Writing a biography can be a rewarding endeavor, but it can also feel a bit daunting if youâve never written one before.
Whether youâre capturing the life story of a famous person, a family member, or even yourself, creating a compelling biography involves a mix of thorough research, narrative skill, and a personal touch.
So, how exactly do you write a successful biography?Â
In this guide, weâll break down the essentials to help you craft a biography thatâs both informative and engaging, as well as our top tips for how to make it truly shine.
A biography is a detailed account of someoneâs life.
A well-written biography needs to be objective and accurate. At the same time, it needs to depict more than just the basic facts like birth, education, work, relationships, and deathâit should also portray the subjectâs personal experience of those events.
So, in addition to being a good researcher, a good biographer also needs to be a good storyteller. You should provide insights into the subjectâs personality, motivations, and impact on the world around them.
Whatâs the Difference Between a Biography, a Memoir, and an Autobiography?
Understanding the distinctions between different genres of life writing is crucial for both writers and readers. Hereâs a quick breakdown of the key differences between a biography and other related genres.
Biography: a detailed account of a personâs life, usually written in the third-person POV and supported by extensive researchÂ
Autobiography: a self-written account of the authorâs own life, usually written in the first person POV and following a chronological orderÂ
Memoir: a collection of memories that an individual writes about moments or events that took place in their life, usually in the first person POV and in an introspective and personal way
Narrative nonfiction: a book that tells true stories using the techniques of fiction writing, such as character development, narrative arc, and detailed settings
Best Biography Examples to Study
The best way to learn how to write well is to read other successful books within the genre youâre writing.Â
Here are five great biographies to add to your reading list. For a longer list, check out our article on the 20 best biographies to read .Â
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand: the incredible true story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympian and World War II hero.
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson: a comprehensive and engaging account of the Apple co-founderâs life.
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow: the biography that inspired the hit musical, providing a deep dive into Hamilton â s life and legacy.
Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay by Nancy Milford: a nuanced story that uncovers the family connection between the three Millay sisters and their mother.
Barracoon by Zora Neale Hurston: the story of Cudjo Lewis, one of the last-known survivors of the Atlantic slave trade.
As with writing any book, writing a biography is a marathon, not a sprint. Itâs easier to think of it as a series of smaller steps than as one big challenge to tackle.Â
Letâs break down the process step by step.
1. Choose Your Subject
Decide who you want to write about. It could be a well-known celebrity, a historical figure, or someone close to you.
In addition to figuring out who youâre writing about, this is also the step where you figure out why you want to write about them. Why is this a story worth telling, and what makes you interested in it?Â
Maybe the subject of your biography overcame major hardships in life to achieve success, and that story will inspire others facing similar struggles. Or maybe they made a really unique contribution to the world that not enough people know about, and you want to shine a bigger spotlight on that impact.
Knowing why youâre telling this story will help you make the right decisions about how to research, outline, draft, and edit your biography.
2. Identify Your Target Audience
Understanding your target audience is a crucial step in writing a good biography. You should tailor your biography to the interests and knowledge level of your audience.
A biography for a general audience will differ from one written for experts in a particular field. For example, two biographies about Emily Dickinson would be vastly different if one is written for young children and the other is written for adult poets.Â
3. Conduct Research
Dive deep into your research. Use a variety of sources to get a well-rounded view of your subjectâs life. Take detailed notes and organize your findings.
Gather as much information as you can about your subject. This includes primary sources like interviews, letters, and diaries, as well as secondary sources such as books, articles, and documentaries.
Here are some primary sources to look for:Â
Letters and diaries: These provide intimate insights into the subjectâs thoughts, feelings, and daily life, and can often be found in family archives, libraries, and historical societies.
Birth, marriage, and death certificates: These documents can provide crucial dates and familial relationships.
Census data: Census records can provide demographic information and track changes over time.
Property records: These can reveal where the subject lived and owned property.
Employment and school records: These records offer formalized insights into the subjectâs education and career.
Military records: If applicable, military records can provide information on service, ranks, and honors.
Photos and videos: Look for photographs and videos in public libraries, historical societies, online databases like the Library of Congress, and family photo albums.
Historical newspapers: Access archives of local and national newspapers for articles, interviews, and obituaries related to the subject.
Digital archives: Use online resources like ProQuest, Chronicling America, and newspaper databases available through public libraries.
You can also look for secondary sources, which provide more context and perspective, such as:
Existing biographies: Search for existing biographies and books about the subject or their era. How does your project stand out from the crowd?Â
Academic articles and papers: Access journals through university libraries, which often have extensive collections of scholarly articles.
Documentaries and biographical films: You can often find these on streaming services or public television archives.
Websites and blogs: Look for reputable websites and blogs dedicated to the subject or related fields.
Social media platforms: The things people say on social media can offer insights into public perception about your subject.
Finally, you can also conduct your own interviews. Talk to the subject if theyâre still alive, as well as their friends, family, and colleagues. You can ask them for personal anecdotes to add more color to your book, or more information to fill in any gaps in your knowledge.Â
4. Ask Engaging Questions
Great biographers start from a place of curiosity. Before you start writing, you should know the answers to the following questions:Â
What makes your subjectâs story worth telling?
What was your subjectâs childhood like?Â
What were your subjectâs early interests and hobbies?
What level of education did your subject achieve and where did they study?
What was your subjectâs personality like?
What were their beliefs and values?Â
How did your subjectâs personality and beliefs change over time?
What were the major turning points in your subjectâs life?Â
How was your subject affected by the major political, cultural, and societal events that occurred throughout their life? Â
What did their career path look like?
What were their major accomplishments?Â
What were their major failures?Â
How did they contribute to their field, their country, or their community?
Were they involved in any major controversies or scandals?
Who were the most important people in the subjectâs life, such as friends, partners, or mentors?
If the subject is no longer living, how did they pass away?
What lasting impact did the subject leave behind?Â
5. Create an Outline
An outline helps you structure your biography. You can write an extensive outline that includes every scene you need to write, or you can keep it simple and just make a list of high-level bullet pointsâwhatever works best for your writing process.Â
The best structure to use will depend on the shape of the story youâre trying to tell. Think about what your subjectâs life looked like and what core messages youâre trying to leave the reader with.
If you want to keep things simple, you can simply go in chronological order. Tell the story from the birth of your subject to the death of your subject, or to the present day if this person is still living.Â
You can also use a more thematically organized structure, similar to what you would find on a Wikipedia page. You could break your book down into sections such as major life events, personal relationships, core accomplishments, challenges, and legacy.
Or, if you want to be more creative, you can use a nonlinear story structure, jumping between recent events and older flashbacks based on which events feel thematically tied together.Â
6. Write Your First DraftÂ
Now that you have an outline, itâs time to sit down and write your first draft.
Your opening chapters should hook the reader and give a preview of whatâs to come. Highlight a compelling aspect of the subjectâs life to draw readers in.
In your middle chapters, cover all the key events you need to include about your subjectâs life and weave in themes and anecdotes that reveal their personality and impact.
In your final chapters, wrap up your biography by summarizing the subjectâs legacy and reflecting on their overall significance. This provides closure and leaves the reader with a lasting impression.
Remember that itâs okay if your first draft isnât perfect. Your goal is simply to get words down on the page so you have something to edit.Â
7. Make Developmental Revisions
Now that youâre done with your first draft, itâs time to make big-picture revisions.
Review your biography for coherence and organization. Does the overall structure make sense? Are there any arcs or themes that arenât given enough attention? Are there scenes or chapters that donât need to be included?Â
8. Make Line Edits
Once youâve completed your developmental edits, itâs time to make smaller line edits. This is your time to edit for grammar, punctuation, and style.
Make sure you keep a consistent voice throughout the book. Some biographies feel more conversational and humorous, while others are serious and sophisticated.Â
To get through your editing faster, you can run your manuscript through ProWritingAid , which will automatically catch errors, point out stylistic inconsistencies, and help you rephrase confusing sentences.Â
Donât be afraid to ask others for feedback. No good book is written in a vacuum, and you can ask critique partners and beta readers to help you improve your work.
What makes a great biography stand out from the rest? Here are our best tips for how to take your manuscript to the next level.
Tip 1: Focus on Key Themes
Identify the central themes or patterns in the subjectâs lifeâthe ones that will really make readers keep thinking about your book. These could be related to the subjectâs struggles, achievements, relationships, or values.
Tip 2: Balance Facts and Narrative
A good biography should read like a story, not a list of facts.
Use narrative techniques like imagery, character development, and dialogue to create a compelling and coherent story.
Tip 3: Add Your Own Perspective
Biographies need to be objective, but that doesnât mean the author has to be entirely invisible. Including your own perspective can make the biography relatable and engaging.Â
Letting your voice shine can help illustrate the subject â s character and bring their story to life. It will also help make your biography stand out from the crowd.Â
Tip 4: Create a Timeline
Organize the key events of the subjectâs life in chronological order. This will help you see the bigger picture and ensure you cover all important aspects.
Tip 5: Be Considerate
Because biographies are about real people, you should be mindful of who will be impacted by the story youâre telling, especially if your subject is still alive or still has living family members.
If the subject is still alive, ask them for permission to tell their story before you start writing. This also helps ensure that you donât get sued.Â
Writing a biography is a journey of discovery, not just about the subject, but also about the craft of storytelling.
By combining thorough research, a clear structure, and engaging narrative techniques, you can create a biography that not only informs but also inspires and captivates your readers.Â
Donât forget to run your manuscript through ProWritingAid so you can make sure your prose is as polished as possible.Â
Now, pick your subject, gather your resources, and start writingâthereâs a fascinating story waiting to be told.
Good luck, and happy writing!
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Love writing? ProWritingAid will help you improve the style, strength, and clarity of your stories.
Hannah Yang
Hannah Yang is a speculative fiction writer who writes about all things strange and surreal. Her work has appeared in Analog Science Fiction, Apex Magazine, The Dark, and elsewhere, and two of her stories have been finalists for the Locus Award. Her favorite hobbies include watercolor painting, playing guitar, and rock climbing. You can follow her work on hannahyang.com, or subscribe to her newsletter for publication updates.
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How to Write a Bio Like a Pro: The Do’s & Don’ts (+ Examples)
by Mel Wicks
on Jul 21, 2023
Writing a good bio is hard.
You have to knock âem dead with two or three dazzling sentences that show youâre a likable, credible, and accomplished expert.
When readers read your bio (aka byline), they must believe youâre the answer to their prayers â a superhero who will swoop in and solve the big problem keeping them awake at night.
(And if you’re a freelance writer , your short professional bio should make a potential client want to hire you on the spot.)
No pressure, right?
Here’s the good news:
Learning how to write a compelling bio that dazzles readers doesn’t require feats of strength or the ability to leap tall buildings in a single bound.
And, best of all, it’s a process that works whether you’re doing a professional bio, a personal bio, an author bio, or a Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram bio.
Let’s dive in.
But first, we’ll look at a few short bio examples that make readers run for the exits…
The 6 Common Bio Blunders That Make You Look Like an Amateur (And What to Do Instead)
1. making it all about you.
Thanks for sharing, Jill. But do I really care? Nah.
Itâs confusing, I know. âBioâ is short for biography, which suggests it should be all about you. Â But the main purpose of your author bio is to show your audience how you can help them solve their problem with the professional skills you bring to the table, all within a short paragraph.
So, itâs not about you, Jill. Itâs about them.
What to Do Instead:
In this post on sensory words , using almost the same number of words as Jill, Kevin gives us just enough information about himself to tell us what he does and how he helps his audience.
Itâs clear, precise, and focused on the outcome, not on Kevin. He uses powerful words and phrases like âhone their writing skills,â and âstand out from the crowd,â which directly target the deep-rooted desires of aspiring writers . He speaks their language.
Hereâs another tip: Itâs usually best to write in the third person, as Kevin does in the above bio example. Itâs more professional.
2. Writing a Condensed Resume, or a Laundry List of Accomplishments
Your professional biography is not a dumping ground for your career path, job titles, and qualifications. Itâs a tiny elevator pitch thatâs selling you as a credible solver of your readerâs problems.
So donât list every degree you have or talk about your first job out of school. Readers donât really care. They only care whether or not you have the solutions they are looking for.
Your should only include details about yourself that directly relate to your intended audienceâs problem.
Think about your career accomplishments, education, and skill set, and then carefully select the most pertinent facts that are going to impress the audience you are writing for. Like this :
Jessi tells us the most important thing about herself (that she is a book editor), and what she can do for her audience (get their books into print ), while establishing her credibility (âbest-selling,â âeditor-in-chiefâ).
Everything she mentions is designed to appeal to the audience sheâs trying to reach.
3. Sharing Irrelevant Details or Stuff You Think Your Audience Should Care About
This sample bio is from someone whose expertise is content and affiliate marketing , although he hides it well.
Much like your degrees and career path, your audience doesnât care about your hobbies, passions , and personal details either, unless they directly impact the problem theyâre trying to solve.
As mentioned earlier, only share the details that your audience will find relevant â not every little thing about you is a super-duper important detail your target audience will care about.
If youâre mad keen on knitting and youâre writing for an arts and crafts blog , then go ahead and mention your passion. Itâs relevant. But donât tell them about your cat, unless Fluffy can knit too.
4. Trying to Cram Too Much In
Okay, so youâve managed to include only relevant details about yourself, so youâre safe. Right?
Not if you included too many of them.
Like this one from Jo. Sheâs had an impressive career with many accomplishments, but her bio feels endless:
This is way too much information.
Writing your own bio can be hard. Sometimes youâre too close to the subject matter to realize whatâs important and what can be left out. But your bio isnât the place to share your entire life story and every single notable accomplishment, and it certainly shouldn’t have an endless word count. You need to be picky.
With some careful pruning, the real gems hidden away in Joâs personal biography can be given center stage:
Go through your bio word by word and ask yourself, âDoes this bit of information make any difference to my audience?â
If the answer is no, take it out, and limit your bio to two or three sentences.
5. Being Overly Formal (a.k.a. Boring)
If youâre anything like me, you had to read this bio more than once to get a sense of what Joe does. Itâs way too formal. Most people will just glaze over this.
Instead of using stilted words and phrases like âmaximize their online real estateâ and âengender business growthâ, Joe missed a great opportunity to showcase his personal brand and make himself stand out from the crowd.
Perhaps he could have started with something like:
Do you see how that might grab a few more eyeballs, cut through the noise, and make an impact with his target audience of doctors?
6. Being Vague (or Overly Woo-Woo)
Hands up, whoever doesnât have a clue what this person is talking about. What does she do? How does she help solve my problem? Why should I be interested in her?
You need to avoid ambiguous phrases and boring metaphors like âinspiration for growthâ and âfind their way through the dark.â These phrases might have a nice ring to them, but they mean very little to your reader. Theyâre too open to interpretation.
You donât have time to beat around the bush in your bio. Get straight to the point. Like this:
In two sentences, Cecile tells me everything I need to know about what she does and how she can help me. No fluff , no messing about, and a juicy opt-in bribe to seal the deal.
How to Write a Bio That Begs to be Clicked
- Introduce Yourself with a Bang
- Call Out Your Audience and Say How You Help Them
- Offer an Irresistible Reason to Click
So now you can see where you mightâve gone wrong with your bio after you started your blog , and youâre dying to write a new version of it. But how do you ensure your next bio wonât commit the same blunders?
Easy. Just follow these three simple writing tips for pumping out a professional bio that your ideal readers canât resist clicking.
1. Introduce Yourself with a Bang
This is where you tell the audience who you are and what makes you different (while avoiding the common blunders weâve just discussed). You need to spark their interest and curiosity and get them to say, âTell me more.â
Letâs start with this example from a blogger in the personal development niche.
This tells me what Sue does, but itâs rather dull and same-y in a sea full of personal development blogs. For a first sentence, it’s too bland. Thereâs nothing here to set her apart or pique our interest.
Letâs give it a twist:
That sounds a bit more interesting. Sue manages to appeal to her audience on different levels by sounding educated, professional, and personable at the same time. Describing herself as an âagony auntâ downplays the more clinical âsocial scientist.â
Iâm curious to know more, and it certainly makes her distinctive.
But thereâs another angle Sue could take:
Now, this one is more similar to the first example, but the difference is that it adds more credibility â âcertified psychologistâ sounds much more credible than âhas a degree in,â which suggests sheâs fresh out of college â but it also sets her apart more.
She has a specialty, which gives her ideas on the topic more weight than others. If you suffer from social anxiety, youâd want to listen to the expert on it, right?
Compare also:
This version goes even further in establishing Sue’s credibility. Not only has she published multiple books on the topic of social anxiety, but sheâs even been featured on some well-known media channels, adding social proof to her expertise.
Weâve talked before about not delivering a laundry list of accomplishments, but if you have specific accomplishments that make you stand out, those are worth including.
Hereâs an excellent author bio example that both offers a point of interest and adds credibility:
Jessica doesnât just say sheâll help you write a business plan, she mentions she has an âoutside-the-box approach,â which immediately makes you curious what that approach is. Then she steps it up even more by mentioning her approach has collectively raised $50 million in financing. Thatâs nothing to sneeze at and creates instant credibility.
Itâs an killer bio that will absolutely pique her audienceâs interest.
2. Call Out Your Audience and Say How You Help Them
Remember, this isnât about you, itâs about what you can do for your audience. So you need to define who they are and what problem of theirs (their key fear or desire) you can solve.
You should aim for both a logical and emotional connection. Â Itâs tough, but do-able.
Letâs take a look at Kim , a blogger from another highly-competitive writing niche , parenting:
By using language most parents will relate to and zeroing in on their fears, Kim makes a strong emotional connection. At the same time, thereâs no mistaking the practical (logical) solution Kim offers.
Note: Of course, Kimâs bio would be even further improved if she had a call to action that linked to an incentive rather than her homepage. More on that in the next step!
Hereâs another example :
Jessica clarifies immediately who she helps (busy people) and how she helps them (by re-energizing them through food, yoga, and wellness strategies).
You must be absolutely clear about this. If readers canât identify themselves in your bio and see you have the solution theyâre looking for, they will move on.
3. Offer an Irresistible Reason to Click
Youâve told your audience who you are, what you do, and how you can help them. Youâve impressed them with your credentials and sparked their curiosity.
Theyâre ready to move to second base, but they need that last push. An irresistible reason to click through to your site and sign up. You need to offer an incentive.
Take a look at this bio :
Boom! In 46 personality-packed, carefully curated words, Henneke tells us who she is, what she does, how she can help, and then gives us a gold-plated reason for parting with our email address .
Her free report is 16 parts, but itâs âsnackable,â which makes it sound very easy to digest. And itâs for âbusy people,â which shows Henneke understands her audience. She promises results and cleverly relates this back to her own blog, Enchanting Marketing.
Unfortunately, we canât all steal Hennekeâs near-perfect bio, but we can use it as a fine example of how to write our own.
Ready to Write Your Best Bio Ever?
Writing a bio like a superhero is simple, but it’s not easy, so give your bio the time it requires. You should brainstorm several options for each of the steps.
Whether they’re concluding an article you’ve written or they’re inside your Instagram bio (or Twitter bio, Facebook bio, LinkedIn profile, or, heck, any other social media profile), a great bio is hard to craft. But, they are also one of the most effective pieces of marketing you can create when you get it right.
You now know how to write a bio your audience will love. Theyâll want to know more and they wonât be able to resist your free offer.
Theyâll see you as a credible, personable problem-solver. Their problem-solver.
And theyâll click through to your personal website, ready and willing to hand over their email address to their new blogging superhero.
Note: For a handy visual reminder of the six bio blunders you can download or share on your own website, check out the image below:
Embed This Infographic On Your Site:
<!—– Copy and Paste This Code Into Your Post —-><a href=”https://smartblogger.com/how-to-write-a-bio/”><img src=”https://smartblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/6-common-blunders-v3.png” alt=”The 6 Common Bio Blunders That Make You Look Like an Amateur (And What to Do Instead)” width=”700px” class=”noa3lazy”/></a><br></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <p><a href=”https://smartblogger.com/how-to-write-a-bio/”>The 6 Common Bio Blunders That Make You Look Like an Amateur (And What to Do Instead) from SmartBlogger.com</a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <p>
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How to Write a Biography in 8 Steps (The Non-Boring Way!)
Compelling biographies help us better connect with others while fostering empathy and understanding. Discover the steps to write one that captivates your audience!
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Have you ever been captivated by someoneâs life story? From the ancient tales of great conquerors to the modern accounts of influential figures, biographies have enchanted readers and viewers for centuries.
The stories of real people’s lives not only entertain and educate but also provide a unique window into the human experience. In fact, according to research 1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8796048/ , human stories like biographies can help us better connect with others while fostering empathy and understanding.
In this article, letâs dive into how to write a compelling biography, from the research phase to delivery.
What Are the Key Elements of a Biography?
The key elements of a well-written biography bring characters to life. They include thorough research, relevant interviews, clear structure, captivating prose, compelling themes, and a balance between objectivity and empathy.
- Thorough research: Helps create an accurate portrayal of your subject
- Relevant interviews: Insights help provide a deeper understanding of your subject
- Clear structure: Helps you outline your ideas for a compelling narrative
- Captivating prose: Provides descriptive language to paint a picture of your subject
- Compelling themes: Showcases the motivations and desires behind your subject
- A balance between objectivity and empathy: Keeps biases in check and allows your subject to shine for who they are
As you develop your biography, remember that these stories hold an enduring appeal because they offer people an opportunity to explore the depths of the human psyche, unravel extraordinary accomplishments, and discover the vulnerabilities and triumphs of individuals who have left their mark on the world.
Here are the topics a biography typically covers:
- Early life and background : Provide context about the subject’s upbringing, family, and cultural influences.
- Achievements and milestones: Highlight notable accomplishments, contributions, and significant events throughout their life.
- Challenges and struggles: Explore the obstacles they faced, the lessons learned, and how they overcame adversity.
- Personal characteristics: Describe their personality traits, values, beliefs, and motivations that shaped their actions and decisions.
- Impact and legacy: Discuss the lasting influence and contributions of the subject, both during their lifetime and beyond.
Ready to start crafting your biography? Find greater success with this helpful goal-setting resource!
How To Set Better Goals Using Science
Do you set the same goals over and over again? If youâre not achieving your goals â itâs not your fault! Let me show you the science-based goal-setting framework to help you achieve your biggest goals.
Letâs look at the six key elements of a well-written biography more closely and the steps you can follow to develop your own.
How to Write a Biography in 8 Steps Using Key Elements
Choose your presentation format.
Presenting your biography can take on various forms, the most traditional being written form. The basis for this article assumes you’re writing a conventional biography; however, this foundation can also help you create a multimedia presentation or website as well.
Consider these various formats to present your biography:
- Traditional Written Biographies: This classic approach provides a comprehensive account of a person’s life through the written word. Traditional biographies can be published in print or ebooks , allowing readers to engage deeply with the subject’s story.
- Multimedia Presentations: In the digital age, multimedia presentations offer a dynamic way to present biographies. Incorporate audio, video, photographs, and interactive elements to enhance the audienceâs experience.
- Online Platforms: Online platforms, such as blogs or dedicated biography websites, provide accessible avenues for sharing biographies. They allow for easy updates, reader engagement, and the incorporation of multimedia elements.
Choose your subject and conduct research
To create a vivid and accurate portrayal of a person’s life, conduct extensive research. Dive into archives, read letters, examine diaries, explore photographs, and immerse yourself in the historical and cultural context surrounding your subject. This will help you unearth the small details that breathe life into your biography.
Whether youâre writing a biography about a historical figure, contemporary icon, or everyday individual, youâll want to consider the different factors to focus on. Here are some examples of three types of individuals and the kind of research that will be most helpful.
- Historical Figures: When writing about historical figures, immerse yourself in their era. Understand the social, political, and cultural forces that shaped their lives. I recommend visiting your local library and connecting with a research librarian for support. Otherwise, other tools for historical research include Google Scholar. Analyze primary sources and multiple perspectives to present a well-rounded account.
- Contemporary Icons: Biographies of modern icons offer a chance to delve into their ongoing impact. Conduct interviews or gather insights from their close associates to understand their present-day influence. Stay current with the latest developments, and be prepared to update your work as the subject’s story unfolds.
- Everyday Individuals: Biographies need not be reserved for the famous. Every day individuals possess stories that can be just as compelling. Uncover the extraordinary within the ordinary, highlighting the struggles, triumphs, and personal growth of individuals who might otherwise remain unsung.
- Yourself! Want to write a biography on yourself? Autobiographies are a great way to explore who you are. Get ready to do some serious self-reflection with the steps below.
Pro Tip: Compile your research digitally using helpful cloud filings systems like Google Drive , OneDrive , or Dropbox . Organize your files by category, including information about their youth, family, achievements, and life lessons. You may also choose to write down research references or collect paper clippings on note cards, categorizing your physical files of research along the way.
Develop compelling themes and motifs
Identify overarching themes or motifs that emerge from the subject’s life. These could be resilience, ambition, love, or societal change. Weave these elements into the narrative, highlighting their significance and impact on the person’s journey. Here are some examples:
- Overcoming Adversity: These biographies feature perseverance, resilience, and determination. Examples include Helen Keller, Nelson Mandela, and Malala Yousafzai.
- Pursuit of Excellence: These biographies highlight people who have worked tirelessly to achieve their goals. Examples include Steve Jobs, Serena Williams, and Michael Jordan.
- Quest for Knowledge: These biographies focus on the curiosity that led to significant contributions to our world. Examples include Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, and Charles Darwin.
- Personal Transformation: These biographies explore a change in beliefs, values, or priorities. Examples include Malcolm X, Oprah Winfrey, and Maya Angelou.
- Legacy and Impact: These biographies examine a body of work that made a lasting contribution to society. Examples include Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, and Mahatma Gandhi.
Conduct relevant interviews
Whenever possible, seek firsthand accounts from those who knew or interacted with the subject. Conduct interviews with family members, friends, colleagues, or experts in the field. Their insights and anecdotes can provide a deeper understanding of the person’s character and experiences.
When conducting interviews for a biography, consider the following tips to ensure a productive and insightful conversation:
- Familiarize yourself with the interviewee’s background and accomplishments.
- Develop a list of well-thought-out questions that cover key aspects of their lives and experiences, including questions about your subjectâs youth, family, achievements, and life transitions or struggles.
- Begin the interview by establishing a comfortable and friendly atmosphere to put the interviewee at ease.
- Show genuine interest in their story and listen actively to their responses.
- Ask open-ended questions encouraging detailed and reflective responses.
- Avoid yes/no questions and ask for their insights, memories, and personal perspectives.
- Some topics you might consider for your questions include early life, achievements, challenges, motivations, values, relationships, lessons learned, and advice.
- Pay close attention to the interviewee’s answers, body language, and tone of voice.
- Ask follow-up questions to clarify or delve deeper into specific topics.
- Show empathy and understanding, creating a safe space for the interviewee to share personal or sensitive information.
- Remain flexible during the interview, allowing the conversation to flow naturally.
- Be prepared to deviate from your prepared questions if unexpected but relevant topics arise.
- Respect the interviewee’s boundaries and be mindful of any topics they may not wish to discuss.
- Take thorough and organized notes during the interview to capture important details.
- Consider recording the interview (with permission) to ensure accurate quotes and references.
- Ask for permission to follow up with additional questions or for clarification.
- Doing a biography on yourself? Ask yourself deep questions to harvest new stories and anecdotes.
Remember, the goal of the interview is to gather valuable information and personal perspectives that will contribute to the authenticity and depth of your biography. Approach the interview process with sensitivity, respect, and genuine curiosity about the interviewee’s life and experiences.
Develop a clear structure
Outline your biography, ensuring a logical and engaging narrative flow. Consider the chronological order, significant milestones, and turning points in the subject’s life. Organize your gathered information to capture the essence of their journey while maintaining a compelling rhythm throughout.
A good outline for a biography can vary depending on the specific subject and the desired structure of the narrative. However, here’s a general outline that can serve as a starting point:
A. Introduction
a) Hook or engaging opening to capture the reader’s attention
b) Background information (birthplace, date, family, etc.)
c) A brief overview of the subject’s significance or why they are worth exploring
B. Early Life and Background
a) Childhood and upbringing
b) Influences, such as family, education, or cultural factors
c) Formative experiences or events that shaped the subject’s character or interests
C. Major Achievements and Milestones
a) A chronological exploration of the subject’s notable accomplishments, contributions, or milestones
b) Focus on key moments or achievements that highlight their impact or significance.
c) Provide context and details to paint a vivid picture of their achievements
D. Challenges and Obstacles
a) Discussion of the challenges, setbacks, or adversities the subject encountered
b) How they overcame obstacles or grew through difficult experiences
c) Insights into their resilience, determination, or problem-solving abilities
E. Personal Life and Relationships
a) Exploration of the subject’s relationships, such as family, friends, or romantic partners
b) Insights into their personal joys, struggles, or transformative experiences
c) How their personal life intersected with their professional or public achievements
F. Legacy and Impact
a) Examination of the subject’s lasting influence, contributions, or impact on society
b) Discuss how their work or actions continue to resonate or shape the world today
c) Reflection on their legacy and the lessons we can learn from their life story
G. Conclusion
a) Summarize the key aspects of the subject’s life and their significance
b) Provide a final reflection or insight on their overall journey or impact
c) Leave the reader with a lasting impression or call to action
Pro Tip: Looking for help drafting an outline to get you started? Use free tools like ChatGPT to jumpstart your outline by putting in a prompt request like, âWrite an outline for a biography about X, including any relevant details on the subject that should be included.â
Craft captivating prose
Employ descriptive language to transport readers into the subject’s world. Paint vivid portraits of their physical appearance, mannerisms, and surroundings. Use sensory details to evoke emotions and create a strong connection between the reader and the subject.
Here are some examples:
- “She was a force of nature, with a fierce determination and an unwavering commitment to justice.” (Ruth Bader Ginsburg)
- “His piercing blue eyes seemed to look right through you, and his voice had a commanding presence that demanded attention.” (Winston Churchill)
- “She moved with a grace and elegance that belied her inner strength and resilience.” (Audrey Hepburn)
- “His rugged features and piercing gaze made him a natural leading man, but it was his depth and vulnerability that set him apart.” (Marlon Brando)
- “She had a contagious energy and a magnetic personality that drew people to her like a moth to a flame.” (Princess Diana)
- “His quiet intensity and unwavering dedication to his craft made him one of the greatest artists of his time.” (Leonardo da Vinci)
Action Step: While writing descriptive prose takes some practice, it’s an art you can master with little creative writing skills. To help you write descriptive prose, practice closing your eyes and imagining your subject.
- What expression is on their face?
- How are they dressed?
- What does their body language express?
- How do they smell?
- How do they make you feel?
- How do they make others feel?
- Whatâs in their surroundings?
- What are they doing with their hands?
- What do you imagine they’re thinking about?
With questions like these, youâll start to use descriptive language to bring your subject to life.
Build a balance of objectivity and empathy
Strive for an objective portrayal while infusing empathy and understanding into your writing. Remain aware of biases and preconceived notions, giving your subject the space to shine in their unique light.
To check yourself, filter your writing and interviewing with these tips:
- Verify Information: Cross-reference information from various sources to ensure accuracy. Use tools like Fact Check Explorer to fact-check claims, dates, and events to avoid errors or inaccuracies that could skew the narrative.
- Multiple Perspectives: Seek out different viewpoints on the subject. This includes interviewing or reaching out to people with significant interactions or relationships with the subject. Incorporating diverse perspectives can counterbalance biases and provide a broader understanding.
- Empathetic Listening: During interviews or conversations, practice active listening and empathize with the interviewee’s experiences and emotions. This allows you to understand the subject’s perspective and incorporate their insights and feelings into the narrative.
- Contextualize Emotions: When sharing the subject’s emotional experiences or personal struggles, provide sufficient context and background. This helps readers understand the motivations and circumstances behind their actions and allows for empathetic understanding without veering into excessive sentimentality.
- Credible Interpretation: While interpreting the subject’s thoughts, motives, or intentions, be clear about what is factual and what is speculative. Clearly distinguish between evidence-based information and your interpretations to maintain objectivity.
- Respect Boundaries: Be mindful of the subject’s privacy and any requests they may have regarding sensitive or personal information. Respecting their boundaries shows empathy and allows for a respectful portrayal while maintaining the necessary level of objectivity.
- Acknowledge Limitations: Recognize that achieving complete objectivity in a biography is challenging. Biases can inadvertently seep into the narrative. However, by being aware of your biases and consciously presenting a fair and balanced account, you can mitigate their influence.
Respect truth, privacy, and sensitivity
Remember, writing biographies carries ethical responsibilities. It’s important to maintain accuracy through credible research and gain consent while being sensitive to controversial or difficult topics. Here are some considerations:
- Accuracy: Maintain a commitment to truth and accuracy. Verify facts and corroborate information from multiple sources to ensure the reliability of your narrative. Cite your sources and be transparent about any uncertainties or gaps in knowledge.
- Privacy and Consent: Respect the privacy of living individuals mentioned in your biography. Seek consent when sharing personal details or sensitive information. Balance the subject’s right to privacy with the importance of honesty and transparency.
- Sensitivity: Approach sensitive or controversial topics with care and empathy. Consider the potential impact of your words on the subject’s loved ones or affected communitiesâpresent differing perspectives without sensationalism or bias.
Writing a Biography FAQs
The length of a biography can vary greatly, depending on the subject and the depth of exploration. Some biographies span a few hundred pages, while others extend to multiple volumes. Focus on capturing the subjectâs lifeâs essence rather than strictly adhering to a predetermined length.
Some common mistakes to avoid when writing a biography include the following: Lack of thorough research or reliance on a single source. Inaccurate or misleading information. Excessive personal bias or projection onto the subject. Neglecting to verify facts or failing to cite sources. Poor organization or a disjointed narrative flow. Neglecting to balance objectivity with empathy. Overloading the biography with irrelevant details or digressions. Failing to respect privacy or ethical considerations.
While chronological order is commonly used in biographies, it is not required. Some biographers employ a thematic approach or explore specific periods or events in the subject’s life. Experiment with different structures to find the most engaging way to tell your subject’s story.
The purpose of writing a biography is to capture and share an individual’s life story. Biographies provide insights into a person’s experiences, achievements, and challenges, offering readers inspiration, knowledge, and understanding. They preserve the legacy of individuals, contribute to historical records, and celebrate the diversity of human lives.
When choosing a subject for your biography, consider someone who inspires you, interests you, or has significantly impacted society. It could be a historical figure, a contemporary icon, or even an everyday individual with a remarkable story. Choose a subject with sufficient available information, access to primary sources or interviews, and a narrative that resonates with you and potential readers.
Key elements to include in a biography are: Early life and background: Provide context about the subject’s upbringing, family, and cultural influences. Achievements and milestones: Highlight notable accomplishments, contributions, and significant events throughout their life. Challenges and struggles: Explore the obstacles they faced, the lessons learned, and how they overcame adversity. Personal characteristics: Describe their personality traits, values, beliefs, and motivations that shaped their actions and decisions. Impact and legacy: Discuss the lasting influence and contributions of the subject, both during their lifetime and beyond.
Including personal anecdotes can add depth and humanize the subject of your biography. However, be selective and ensure that the stories are relevant, contribute to understanding the person’s character or experiences, and align with the overall narrative. Balancing personal anecdotes with factual information is critical to maintaining accuracy and credibility.
Conducting research for a biography involves exploring a variety of sources. Start with primary sources such as personal papers, letters, journals, and interviews with the subject or people who knew them. Secondary sources such as books, articles, and academic papers provide additional context and perspectives. Online databases, archives, libraries, and museums are valuable resources for finding relevant information.
Consult a wide range of sources to ensure a comprehensive and accurate biography. Primary sources, such as personal documents, letters, diaries, and interviews, offer firsthand accounts and unique insights. Secondary sources provide broader context and analysis, including books, articles, scholarly works, and historical records. Remember to evaluate the credibility and reliability of your sources critically.
Organize the information in your biography logically and engagingly. Consider using a chronological structure, starting with the subject’s early life and progressing through significant events and milestones. Alternatively, adopt a thematic approach, grouping related information based on themes or significant aspects of their life. Use clear headings, subheadings, and transitions to guide readers through the narrative flow.
Writing Biographies Key Takeaways
In summary, take note of these ideas and tips before you start writing your biography:
- Biographies hold enduring appeal, offering a glimpse into the human experience across time.
- Thorough research, interviews, and captivating prose are essential for crafting compelling biographies.
- Ethical considerations, such as accuracy, privacy, and sensitivity, are crucial when writing about real people’s lives.
- Choose subjects that genuinely inspire and resonate with you.
- Immerse yourself in the subject’s world to understand their motivations and challenges.
- Develop strong research skills and utilize a wide range of sources.
- Craft a compelling narrative that engages readers from the very first page.
- Seek feedback from trusted sources to refine your writing and storytelling abilities.
- Continuously explore new biographies to broaden your understanding of different styles and approaches.
- Embrace the unique voice and perspective you bring to the storytelling process.
Writing a biography book? Check out this helpful article, How to Write a Book: 10 Questions to Ask Before You Start Writing !
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Posted on Jun 30, 2023
How to Write a Biography: A 7-Step Guide [+Template]
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About Dario Villirilli
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From time to time, nonfiction authors become so captivated by a particular figure from either the present or the past, that they feel compelled to write an entire book about their life. Whether casting them as heroes or villains, there is an interesting quality in their humanity that compels these authors to revisit their life paths and write their story.
However, portraying someoneâs life on paper in a comprehensive and engaging way requires solid preparation. If youâre looking to write a biography yourself, in this post weâll share a step-by-step blueprint that you can follow.Â
How to write a biography:Â
1. Seek permission when possibleÂ
2. research your subject thoroughly, 3. do interviews and visit locations, 4. organize your findings, 5. identify a central thesis, 6. write it using narrative elements, 7. get feedback and polish the text.
FREE RESOURCE
Biography Outline Template
Craft a satisfying story arc for your biography with our free template.
While you technically donât need permission to write about public figures (or deceased ones), that doesn't guarantee their legal team won't pursue legal action against you. Author Kitty Kelley was sued by Frank Sinatra before she even started to write His Way , a biography that paints Ol Blue Eyes in a controversial light. (Kelley ended up winning the lawsuit, however). Â
Whenever feasible, advise the subjectâs representatives of your intentions. If all goes according to plan, youâll get a green light to proceed, or potentially an offer to collaborate. It's a matter of common sense; if someone were to write a book about you, you would likely want to know about it well prior to publication. So, make a sincere effort to reach out to their PR staff to negotiate an agreement or at least a mutual understanding of the scope of your project.Â
At the same time, make sure that you still retain editorial control over the project, and not end up writing a puff piece that treats its protagonist like a saint or hero. No biography can ever be entirely objective, but you should always strive for a portrayal that closely aligns with facts and reality.
If you canât get an answer from your subject, or youâre asked not to proceed forward, you can still accept the potential repercussions and write an unauthorized biography . The ârebellious actâ of publishing without consent indeed makes for great marketing, though itâll likely bring more headaches with it too.Â
â Please note that, like other nonfiction books, if you intend to release your biography with a publishing house , you can put together a book proposal to send to them before you even write the book. If they like it enough, they might pay you an advance to write it. Â
Book Proposal Template
Craft a professional pitch for your nonfiction book with our handy template.
Once youâve settled (or not) the permission part, itâs time to dive deep into your characterâs story. Â
Deep and thorough research skills are the cornerstone of every biographer worth their salt. To paint a vivid and accurate portrait of someone's life, youâll have to gather qualitative information from a wide range of reliable sources.Â
Start with the information already available, from books on your subject to archival documents, then collect new ones firsthand by interviewing people or traveling to locations.Â
Browse the web and library archives
Put your researcher hat on and start consuming any piece on your subject you can find, from their Wikipedia page to news articles, interviews, TV and radio appearances, YouTube videos, podcasts, books, magazines, and any other media outlets they may have been featured in.Â
Establish a system to orderly collect the information you find ä¸ even seemingly insignificant details can prove valuable during the writing process, so be sure to save them.Â
Depending on their era, you may find most of the information readily available online, or you may need to search through university libraries for older references.Â
For his landmark biography of Alexander Hamilton, Ron Chernow spent untold hours at Columbia Universityâs library , reading through the Hamilton family papers, visiting the New York Historical Society, as well as interviewing the archivist of the New York Stock Exchange, and so on. The research process took years, but it certainly paid off. Chernow discovered that Hamilton created the first five securities originally traded on Wall Street. This finding, among others, revealed his significant contributions to shaping the current American financial and political systems, a legacy previously often overshadowed by other founding fathers. Today Alexander Hamilton is one of the best-selling biographies of all time, and it has become a cultural phenomenon with its own dedicated musical.Â
Besides reading documents about your subject, research can help you understand the world that your subject lived in.Â
Try to understand their time and social environment
Many biographies show how their protagonists have had a profound impact on society through their philosophical, artistic, or scientific contributions. But at the same time, itâs worth it as a biographer to make an effort to understand how their societal and historical context influenced their lifeâs path and work.
An interesting example is Stephen Greenblattâs Will in the World . Finding himself limited by a lack of verified detail surrounding William Shakespeare's personal life, Greenblatt, instead, employs literary interpretation and imaginative reenactments to transport readers back to the Elizabethan era. The result is a vivid (though speculative) depiction of the playwright's life, enriching our understanding of his world.
Many readers enjoy biographies that transport them to a time and place, so exploring a historical period through the lens of a character can be entertaining in its own right. The Diary of Samuel Pepys became a classic not because people were enthralled by his life as an administrator, but rather from his meticulous and vivid documentation of everyday existence during the Restoration period.
Once youâve gotten your hands on as many secondary sources as you can find, youâll want to go hunting for stories first-hand from people who are (or were) close to your subject.
With all the material youâve been through, by now you should already have a pretty good picture of your protagonist. But youâll surely have some curiosities and missing dots in their character development to figure out, which you can only get by interviewing primary sources.
Interview friends and associates
This part is more relevant if your subject is contemporary, and you can actually meet up or call with relatives, friends, colleagues, business partners, neighbors, or any other person related to them.Â
In writing the popular biography of Steve Jobs, Walter Isaacson interviewed more than one hundred people, including Jobsâs family, colleagues, former college mates, business rivals, and the man himself.
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When you conduct your interviews, make sure to record them with high quality audio you can revisit later. Then use tools like Otter.ai or Descript to transcribe them ä¸ itâll save you countless hours.Â
You can approach the interview with a specific set of questions, or follow your curiosity blindly, trying to uncover revealing stories and anecdotes about your subject. Whatever your method, author and biography editor Tom Bromley suggests that every interviewer arrives prepared, "Show that youâve done your work. This will help to put the interviewee at ease, and get their best answers.âÂ
Bromley also places emphasis on the order in which you conduct interviews. âYou may want to interview different members of the family or friends first, to get their perspective on something, and then go directly to the main interviewee. You'll be able to use that knowledge to ask sharper, more specific questions.âÂ
Finally, consider how much time you have with each interviewee. If you only have a 30-minute phone call with an important person, make it count by asking directly the most pressing questions you have. And, if you find a reliable source who is also particularly willing to help, conduct several interviews and ask them, if appropriate, to write a foreword as part of the bookâs front matter .
Sometimes an important part of the process is packing your bags, getting on a plane, and personally visiting significant places in your characterâs journey.
Visit significant places in their life
A place, whether thatâs a city, a rural house, or a bodhi tree, can carry a particular energy that you can only truly experience by being there. In putting the pieces together about someoneâs life, it may be useful to go visit where they grew up, or where other significant events of their lives happened. It will be easier to imagine what they experienced, and better tell their story.Â
In researching The Lost City of Z , author David Grann embarked on a trek through the Amazon, retracing the steps of British explorer Percy Fawcett. This led Grann to develop new theories about the circumstances surrounding the explorer's disappearance.
Hopefully, you wonât have to deal with jaguars and anacondas to better understand your subjectâs environment, but try to walk into their shoes as much as possible.Â
Once youâve researched your character enough, itâs time to put together all the puzzle pieces you collected so far.Â
Take the bulk of notes, media, and other documents youâve collected, and start to give them some order and structure. A simple way to do this is by creating a timeline.Â
Create a chronological timeline
It helps to organize your notes chronologically ä¸ from childhood to the senior years, line up the most significant events of your subjectâs life, including dates, places, names and other relevant bits.Â
You should be able to divide their life into distinct periods, each with their unique events and significance. Based on that, you can start drafting an outline of the narrative you want to create. Â
Draft a story outlineÂ
Since a biography entails writing about a personâs entire life, it will have a beginning, a middle, and an end. You can pick where you want to end the story, depending on how consequential the last years of your subject were. But the nature of the work will give you a starting character arc to work with.Â
To outline the story then, you could turn to the popular Three-Act Structure , which divides the narrative in three main parts. In a nutshell, youâll want to make sure to have the following:
- Act 1. Setup : Introduce the protagonist's background and the turning points that set them on a path to achieve a goal.Â
- Act 2. Confrontation : Describe the challenges they encounter, both internal and external, and how they rise to them. Then..
- Act 3. Resolution : Reach a climactic point in their story in which they succeed (or fail), showing how they (and the world around them) have changed as a result.Â
Only one question remains before you begin writing: what will be the main focus of your biography?
Think about why youâre so drawn to your subject to dedicate years of your life to recounting their own. What aspect of their life do you want to highlight? Is it their evil nature, artistic genius, or visionary mindset? And what evidence have you got to back that up? Find a central thesis or focus to weave as the main thread throughout your narrative.Â
Or find a unique angle
If you donât have a particular theme to explore, finding a distinct angle on your subjectâs story can also help you distinguish your work from other biographies or existing works on the same subject.
Plenty of biographies have been published about The Beatles ä¸ many of which have different focuses and approaches:Â
- Philip Norman's Shout is sometimes regarded as leaning more towards a pro-Lennon and anti-McCartney stance, offering insights into the band's inner dynamics.Â
- Ian McDonald's Revolution in the Head closely examines their music track by track, shifting the focus back to McCartney as a primary creative force.Â
- Craig Brown's One Two Three Four aims to capture their story through anecdotes, fan letters, diary entries, and interviews.Â
- Mark Lewisohn's monumental three-volume biography, Tune In , stands as a testament to over a decade of meticulous research, chronicling every intricate detail of the Beatles' journey.
Finally, consider that biographies are often more than recounting the life of a person. Similar to how Dickensâ Great Expectations is not solely about a boy named Pip (but an examination and critique of Britainâs fickle, unforgiving class system), a biography should strive to illuminate a broader truth â be it social, political, or human â beyond the immediate subject of the book.Â
Once youâve identified your main focus or angle, itâs time to write a great story.Â
While biographies are often highly informative, they do not have to be dry and purely expository in nature . You can play with storytelling elements to make it an engaging read.Â
You could do that by thoroughly detailing the setting of the story , depicting the people involved in the story as fully-fledged characters , or using rising action and building to a climax when describing a particularly significant milestone of the subjectâs life.Â
One common way to make a biography interesting to read is starting on a strong footâŚ
Hook the reader from the start
Just because you're honoring your character's whole life doesn't mean you have to begin when they said their first word. Starting from the middle or end of their life can be more captivating as it introduces conflicts and stakes that shaped their journey.
When he wrote about Christopher McCandless in Into the Wild , author Jon Krakauer didnât open his subjectâs childhood and abusive family environment. Instead, the book begins with McCandless hitchhiking his way into the wilderness, and subsequently being discovered dead in an abandoned bus. By starting in the middle of the action  in medias res, Krakauer hooks the readerâs interest, before tracing back the causes and motivations that led McCandless to die alone in that bus in the first place.
You can bend the timeline to improve the readerâs reading experience throughout the rest of the story tooâŚ
Play with flashbackÂ
While biographies tend to follow a chronological narrative, you can use flashbacks to tell brief stories or anecdotes when appropriate. For example, if you were telling the story of footballer Lionel Messi, before the climax of winning the World Cup with Argentina, you could recall when he was just 13 years old, giving an interview to a local newspaper, expressing his lifelong dream of playing for the national team.Â
Used sparsely and intentionally, flashbacks can add more context to the story and keep the narrative interesting. Just like including dialogue doesâŚ
Reimagine conversations
Recreating conversations that your subject had with people around them is another effective way to color the story. Dialogue helps the reader imagine the story like a movie, providing a deeper sensory experience.Â
One thing is trying to articulate the root of Steve Jobsâ obsession with product design, another would be to quote his father , teaching him how to build a fence when he was young: âYou've got to make the back of the fence just as good looking as the front of the fence. Even though nobody will see it, you will know. And that will show that you're dedicated to making something perfect.â
Unlike memoirs and autobiographies, in which the author tells the story from their personal viewpoint and enjoys greater freedom to recall conversations, biographies require a commitment to facts. So, when recreating dialogue, try to quote directly from reliable sources like personal diaries, emails, and text messages. You could also use your interview scripts as an alternative to dialogue. As Tom Bromley suggests, âIf you talk with a good amount of people, you can try to tell the story from their perspective, interweaving different segments and quoting the interviewees directly.â
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These are just some of the story elements you can use to make your biography more compelling. Once youâve finished your manuscript, itâs a good idea to ask for feedback.Â
If youâre going to publish your own  biography, youâll have to polish it to professional standards. After leaving your work to rest for a while, look at it with fresh eyes and edit your own manuscript eliminating passive voice, filler words, and redundant adverbs.Â
Then, have a professional editor give you a general assessment. Theyâll look at the structure and shape of your manuscript and tell you which parts need to be expanded on or cut. As someone who edited and commissioned several biographies, Tom Bromley points out that a professional âwill look at the sources used and assess whether they back up the points made, or if more are needed. They would also look for context, and whether or not more background information is needed for the reader to understand the story fully. And they might check your facts, too.â Â
In addition to structural editing, you may want to have someone copy-edit and proofread your work.
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Importantly, make sure to include a bibliography with a list of all the interviews, documents, and sources used in the writing process. Youâll have to compile it according to a manual of style, but you can easily create one by using tools like EasyBib . Once the text is nicely polished and typeset in your writing applications , you can prepare for the publication process. Â
In conclusion, by mixing storytelling elements with diligent research, youâll be able to breathe life into a powerful biography that immerses readers in another individualâs life experience. Whether thatâll spark inspiration or controversy, remember you could have an important role in shaping their legacy ä¸ and thatâs something not to take lightly.Â
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How do you write a strong one line biography? Here are examples from some of the world's most recognized names in tech.
Your professional bio gives the world a brief snapshot of you and your ideals. Learn how to write a powerful bio and find inspiration from these examples.
A professional bio is a brief but impactful blurb that introduces who you are and what you do. Ranging from a few sentences to several paragraphs, it sums up your area of expertise, talents, and professional background.
1. How to write a bio about yourself that checks all the boxes. When it comes to writing a personal or professional bio, there are a few items that are standard to include. While a bio may not have all of these things, if any of the following apply to you, then they should be included.
Whether you want to start writing a biography about a famous person, historical figure, or an influential family member, it’s important to know all the elements that make a biography worth both writing and reading.
In this guide, we’ll break down the essentials to help you craft a biography that’s both informative and engaging, as well as our top tips for how to make it truly shine. What Is a Biography? A biography is a detailed account of someone’s life. A well-written biography needs to be objective and accurate.
Writing about who you are and what you've accomplished is a great way to generate ideas for a biography. Learn more about writing a bio, with examples.
Writing a good bio is hard. You have to knock ’em dead with two or three dazzling sentences that show you’re a likable, credible, and accomplished expert. When readers read your bio (aka byline), they must believe you’re the answer to their prayers — a superhero who will swoop in and solve the big problem keeping them awake at night.
The key elements of a well-written biography bring characters to life. They include thorough research, relevant interviews, clear structure, captivating prose, compelling themes, and a balance between objectivity and empathy.
1. Seek permission when possible. 2. Research your subject thoroughly. 3. Do interviews and visit locations. 4. Organize your findings. 5. Identify a central thesis. 6. Write it using narrative elements. 7. Get feedback and polish the text. đ¤ Obsessed about someone's life enough to want to write their biography? Here's how you do it in 7 steps.