Bio Basics
/Writing your own bio can be one of those painful tasks to do. You second-guess every word, and then panic and procrastination sets in. It can be easier for someone else to write your bio. As a result, Blu Pagoda does a lot of bio work for our clients!
We’re here to share our secret (or not-so-secret) sauce for writing a great bio — every single time. Our formula can be used whether you’re charged with writing your own bio or if you’ll pass it off to someone else for polishing.
Collect all your documentation – Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, past performance reviews, old bios...it all helps. As you’re going through various files and documents, highlight those areas that showcase outstanding projects with clear results that can be easily communicated, such as percentage increases, revenue generated, etc.
What are you passionate about? – What do you bring to the table that makes you shine? What do you really care about when it comes to approaching a project or leading a team? What are you known for? The answers to these questions are more subjective and nuanced and speak to the heart of you as an individual. For example, did you go into a startup environment because you like to work at a fast pace with constant changes and the opportunity to wear many hats? Do you like working in investments because of the thrill you get seeing your ideas turn into dollars?
Get started by Introducing yourself – (Your full name) is a (title) at (company name) with (more than X) years of experience working in (primary roles) for (primary industries). Follow this up with writing about what you’re passionate about in relation to your present role at the company and your approach to working with clients, partners, etc.
Relay relevant work experience – Here, you’ll talk about your skills and how they benefited your past employers. For example: Before joining Ace Corporation, Ben spent 12 years as a field representative for Budget Wires in their East Coast office, where he increased the client base by 15% within his first year, and he became vice president of US sales, managing a 100-person team. His team consistently beat annual revenue projections by double-digits under his leadership. You can add a few of these lines for past employment, or bundle under several employers by outlining a few key achievements. Keep it simple.
Mention relevant education and certifications when you have them – List any formal education by bachelor’s degree, area of study, and name of the university or college; you can also include any honors received. If you continued your education, follow up with the master’s degree, area of study, and name of the university. Wrap up this paragraph to include any job-related certifications or professional groups you’re active with or serve as a board member.
Conclude with a favorite pastime or hobby – How do you spend your free time? If you’re working remotely, you may want to include your city or region:
Ben lives in Dallas, his hometown. He lived in South America for a few years and is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. When he’s not working, Ben enjoys fly-fishing vacations and coaching his son’s little league team.
You have all the bio basic tools you need to get started! A great bio only needs to be two to four short paragraphs to put a spotlight on who you are and what you bring to the table. If you’re short on time or have too much on your plate already, Blu Pagoda is here to help you out, whether it’s a bio update or developing a bio from scratch for a new employee. Email talent@blupagoda.com for more information on how we can assist with bios, or for any of your marketing and communication projects.
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