Writing your bio is hard. (You’re not imagining it.)
I know because I just rewrote my own to better reflect my focus on strategic advising around mission-driven communications and local community-building. (And because I’ve written, edited, and audited hundreds for clients and peers.)
I’ve tinkered with my “elevator pitch” and LinkedIn About section a few times over the years, but the “official” bio I had on file has been sitting there since 2023. A lot has changed. And also, sort of not? (I’m still me, right?)
And then once you re-write your bio, there’s the condensed version for when conferences or platforms ask for the 150-word version. There’s your LinkedIn profile, headline, and the little blurb you tack onto the end of each post. There’s your other social platforms with even fewer character counts. And your email signature, in-person elevator pitch, website.
The whole can of biographical worms, if you will.
It all needs to be consistent. But not necessarily verbatim. And that fuzzy line between “feels the same but doesn’t sound exactly the same” can be really confusing when you’re not a messaging and marketing person. (Or even sometimes when you are…it feels really personal, right? And we care about a lot. And we’ve DONE a lot. And we want to do a lot more. The stakes feel high.)
A Few Tips
1️⃣ When talking about yourself and your work, outside perspective goes a long way. (I got some from Sam of Nomad Copy via her Copy On Demand membership*. Get to know her POV better via our podcast convo together.)
And it doesn’t even necessarily have to be feedback you agree with or from someone who knows you well. The gut check alone is useful.
2️⃣ Having a firm deadline (artificially imposed, or leading up to a big visibility event you actually have on the calendar) is also useful.
Because you have to hit publish on your bio eventually. And a slightly incomplete bio is way better than an utterly outdated (or completely blank) one.
But keep in mind that you can change it tomorrow, or the next day, or next year—whenever feels right. Thoughtful edits are always welcome. Endless overthinking tinkering is not.
3️⃣ Also, quick reminder (as someone who just sifted through dozens of screenshots and blurbs): you should be collecting client/partner/speaking/thought leadership/personality testimonials.
Add them to a personal hype folder AND be sure to share them publicly. Incorporate some of that language into your public-facing copy too, where it feels aligned with your voice. (Because messaging magic happens in the middle of the venn diagram between how “your people” talk/what they care about and how YOU speak/what you care about.)
Categorize all that feedback by client, by area of expertise/offer (retainer, speaking, a specific event you host, etc.), and/or by “result” or skill type (giving confidence, being an expert, team player, etc). Even better if you do some sort of matrix system where you can cross reference these lists.
4️⃣ Bonus tip: Make a free copy of the About Page Architect here. It’s reflection questions and frameworks to write and update your about page or bio or anything else that’s tripping you up.
📍And if you’re entering your visibility era, or cleaning up your business backend, or just want a tune-up, consider hopping into our About You Audit on Sept 10.
It’s super low-cost to receive a first-impressions review of anything you use to introduce yourself. Or you can attend for free and soak in the insights from other people’s audits. It’s recorded and shared with you either way!
Toward purpose & progress,
Ashlee
This is an excerpt from Toward Purpose & Progress, my newsletter where I share business tips, good news, shoutouts to Founder Friends, and other juicy snippets. Subscribe here for more rants, reflections, and resources.
