Professional Bio. Ugh.
How can something so short be so difficult to write? Well, mostly because it’s so short. The less you write, the more pressure there is on each word.
And when you’re writing a short bio (for a blog post, an offer on your website, an article, a professional association, or a social media page, just to name a few places you need one of these pesky pieces of writing), you’re not only trying to squeeze good writing into a small space. You’re trying to squeeze your entire professional existence into a small space.
The Power of Writing Recipes and Frames
The answer to your bio blues is a recipe plus sentence frames. Sentence frames are like those paint-by-numbers art kits from when you were a kid. The tell you what to put where so that you end up with something that looks really good.
Actually, sentence frames are even better. Because no two kits contain the same picture. I’ll end up with a lovely lighthouse, and you’ll get a unique unicorn. Even if we both use the same recipe and frame, our bios will still be our own because they will be about us and in the language we naturally use.
So really, writing recipes and sentence frames are more like butlers: they bring you exactly what you need for the situation and make you look like a boss while the fade into the background, out of sight.
Had enough similes? Should we get down to business? OK, let’s do it!
What’s a bio for, anyway?
A short-form bio…
- Summarizes who you are and whom you help
- Gives some examples of the results you get for your clients
- Makes you stand out from your competitors
- Shows your dedication and passion
- Helps readers see themselves as your potential clients
Now that you know the reasons for writing a bio, let’s go through exactly how to do it, step by step. I’m going to start with a big-picture view so that you’ll be able to orient yourself and see the purpose of each step.
Bio: Big-Picture View
Sentence 1: Big Picture Statement
Sentence 2: Point A to Point B Statement
Sentence 3: Best Person for the Job Statement
Sentence 4: Passion Statement
Sentence 5: Reader in the Picture Statement
That’s all a bit abstract, though. So here’s my own paint-by-numbers example:
I’m Megan Barnhard, a writing coach for entrepreneurs and creatives who want to make an impact. I provide custom how-to recipes so you can write with more success and less stress. Whether you want to write books, blogs, or business content, I’ll help you find your voice and your process. As a life-long procrastinator and a reformed perfectionist, I know what it’s like to want to punch writing in the face. My approach is fun, positive, and customized to your needs. I’m committed to helping big thinkers wrangle their words and finish those important projects they’ve been putting off. Do you have a story to tell and a passion to share? Let’s set up a free consultation so I can help you bring your writing into the world.
Take a minute to match up my sentences with the Big-Picture View. So far so good? By the way, the sentences in the actual bio and in the the Big-Picture View match up with the bullet points above, so if the titles of the sentences aren’t doing it for you, try looking at their goals.
Bio: Step-by-Step View
When you’re ready to create your own bio, go through these steps in order with an experimental attitude. Try out a few different frames in each step to give yourself options. Hold off on judging (or deleting) your ideas until you get to Step 6.
Step 1: Big Picture Statement
Goal: Summarize who you are and whom you help.
Big Picture Statement = You + Your Clients + Your Clients’ Challenges + Your Clients’ Outcomes
Frames to try:
- I’m [your name], a [describing word] [title] who loves helping [clients] [challenges] [outcome].
- I’m [your name], a [describing word] [title] dedicated to helping [clients] [challenges] [outcome].
- I’m [your name], a [title] specializing in helping [clients] [challenges] [outcome].
Pro Tip: Try several different describing words, clients’ challenges, and outcomes within each frame.
Need some inspiration for how to fill in those brackets? Check out the lists below.
Your Title
| coach teacher practitioner facilitator specialist leader mentor artist guru wizard therapist |
Describing Yourself
| dedicated passionate uncompromising mindful caring no-nonsense driven committed fanatical avid intuitive big-hearted relentless die-hard dyed-in-the-wool fun-loving compassionate |
Naming Your Clients
| newly-divorced men pregnant women busy professionals pro athletes families with special-needs children cancer survivors active seniors small business owners high-achieving students overworked moms |
Naming Your Clients’ Challenges
| with who struggle with who feel who wish they could stop who are afraid they’ll never be able to who worry they’ll who are stuck who feel stuck in/at who worry about who are tired of who can’t seem to who can’t seem to stop who want who are ready to who are done |
Your Clients’ Outcomes
| learn understand see feel choose reach their realize make peace with know how to become transform |
Step 2: Point A to Point B Statement
Goal: Offer readers some examples of the results you get for your clients
Point A to Point B Statement = Where Your Clients Start + Where They End Up
Frames to try:
- I show people how to stop [Action A] and start [Action B].
- I teach people the skills they need to go from [Feeling A] to [Feeling B].
- I take people from [Mental State A] to [Mental State B].
- I guide people from [Condition A] to [Condition B].
- Whether they want to [Action / Feeling 1], [Action / Feeling 2], or [Action / Feeling 3], I give people the tools they need to [Outcome].
- Whether they want help with [Problem 1], [Problem 2], or [Problem 3], I offer people the support they need to [Outcome].
Step 3: Best Person for the Job Statement
Goal: Stand out from your competitors.
Best Person for the Job Statement = Your Experience or Background + Your Special Insight or Approach
Frames to Try:
- With extensive experience in… I help clients finally get to the root of…
- With specialized training in… I offer my clients the absolute best support for…
- With my diverse background in… I help people understand…
- With over [# of years] experience as a… I know how to get my clients big results.
- After years of struggling with… I know exactly how my clients feel when…
- As a former / current… I know firsthand what it’s like to…
Step 4: Passion Statement
Goal: Show your dedication and passion.
Passion Statement = Your Fire + Reiteration of Your Clients’ Results
Frames to try:
- I’m committed to helping my clients… so they can…
- I’m passionate about getting my clients real results so they can…
- I love to see when my clients… because I know it means they’ll be able to…
- I know I’ve done my job when my clients…
- Nothing brings me greater joy than seeing my clients…
Step 5: Reader in the Picture Statement
Goal: Help readers see themselves as your potential clients.
Reader in the Picture Statement = Your Big Picture Statement + Your Reader + Immediacy!
This sentence very naturally introduces a call to action. You can place it right before a “Schedule a Free Consultation” button or a “Check out how I help people just like you!” link.
Frames to try:
- If you’re ready for…I’m here to help!
- If you’re ready to stop… and start…, I’m here to help!
- If you’re tired of being let down by… and ready for real results that let you…, I’m here for you!
- If you’re ready for the guidance that will take you from… to…, I’m here for you!
- If you’re done… and ready to…, I’m here to help you!
Step 6: Putting It All Together
Now you can turn up your judgment a bit as you look back at all your experiments. But don’t be too harsh; after all, these sentences are rough drafts.
Look for the sentences from each step that you liked the best. Start pasting sentences together in order from one to five. Mix and match your different outcomes until you like what you have.
And then get in there and make adjustments. Listen to how it flows. Tweak and refine.
It Doesn’t Have To Be Perfect
Don’t worry about getting your bio perfect. As your business or practice evolves, you’ll return to your bio again and again. Maybe you’ll start offering different services. Maybe your target audience will change. Maybe you’ll just want a change of tone.
You can use this same template wherever you go in your professional life. Whether you work for a big company, a small start-up, or for yourself, you can use this template to let people know just how fantastic you are at what you do.