Is your professional bio as good as it could be?
In this article, I will cover some points that will help you design a simple personal bio that will get your message across to those looking for fast info on you and your services. Remember your bio is a living breathing document that needs to be changed and updated regularly, you should compare yours to others and look for the right words to describe yourself to interested parties.
Most people don’t think about their professional bio until they are suddenly asked to “shoot one over via email,” and have approximately one afternoon to come up with it. That’s when we scramble, and our bio ends up reading like this:Tom Reynolds is the owner of Toms Martial Arts, a martial arts school located in our City’s shopping strip. We help kids and adults of all ages become better people by training in our martial arts. Tom has trained with Kung fu Kevin, BJJ Bill, Taekwondo Tom and Judo John, all who are world leaders in martial arts. Tom Reynolds has completed many courses and holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business management and diploma in sports coaching for martial arts.
Whop! How dull was that! Are you still with me? I swear, not even adding a bit about being able to break boards would liven this bio up.
To be fair, in certain contexts, your professional bio does need to be more formal, like Mr. Reynold’s up there. But in many cases, writing a bio that is readable — even conversational — is a good thing. That means dropping that traditional format of listing your accomplishments like a robot and cramming as much professional-sounding jargon in there as you can.
How to Write a Bio!
1. Begin writing your bio with your first and last name and your status or ranking if it’s for martial arts.Example: Tom Reynolds is a 3rd Dan Black belt in Karate.
2. Mention any associated brand name you might use together with your title or position and what you do.Example: Sensei Tom Reynolds (Sensei meaning teacher) is the chief instructor for Tom’s Karate Academy. Sensei Tom is a professional karate instructor who has been delivering quality karate training to the local community for over 5 years.
3. Include at least one professional accomplishment.Sensei Tom has a long history of training in karate, he first began training in 1985 under the tutelage from instructors at the local YMCA. Tom was introduced to competition soon after and for the next 10 years became one of the region’s top competitors winning over 10 Championships.
4. Describe your values and how they affect your career.Example: Sensei Tom has experienced first-hand the profound difference, Karate training has made to his life, not just the obvious physical changes but other changes such as the ones that have improved him as a human being both socially and professionally. Tom Reynolds now has a mission to change the lives of others for the better.
5. Briefly tell your readers who you are outside of work.Example: In his personal time Tom Reynolds is committed to health and fitness and enjoys cross country skiing in the winter and surfing in the warmer months. Tom believes that one’s life was not just meant to be meaningful; it was meant to be enjoyed.
Your finished bio should look something like this!
Tom Reynolds is a 3rd Dan Black belt in Karate.
Sensei Tom Reynolds (Sensei meaning teacher) is the chief instructorof Tom’s Karate Academy.
Sensei Tom is a professional karate instructor who has been delivering quality Karate training to the local community for over 5 years.
Sensei Tom has a long history of training in karate, he first began training in 1985 under the tutelage instructors from local instructors at the local YMCA. Tom was introduced to competition soon after and for the next 10 years became one of the region’s top competitors winning over 10 Championships.
Sensei Tom has experienced first-hand the difference, Karate has made to his life, not just the obvious physical changes but other changes such as the ones that have improved him as a human being both socially and professionally. Tom Reynolds now has a mission to change the lives of others for the better.
In his personal time Tom Reynolds is committed to health and fitness and enjoys cross country skiing in the winter and surfing in the warmer months. Tom believes that one’s life was not just meant to be meaningful; it was meant to be enjoyed.
Bio Mistakes
Unfortunately, too many people waste time putting together a bio telling the world about who you know, or who you have trained with. This is nice, but worth little to those who want to hire your or find out more about you as a professional.
So, forget the name dropping and focus your bio on YOU, no one else!
Profile Picture – The profile picture should be a clear head and shoulders pic (cropped square) of you looking into the camera smiling. Wear clothing or uniform that represents your discipline.
ExperienceWork experience, awards, certifications, should not be detailed in the initial bio text; it becomes too cluttered. Instead list your work experience and your awards and certifications separately and in chronological order.
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