Impress with Less: How to Write an Author Bio

Are you creating great content but can’t quite figure out how to write about yourself? If this is you, don’t worry–you aren’t alone. The good news is that with some simple advice, it’s not hard to write an author bio that is sure to impress.

Why Writing an Author Bio Matters

A well-written author bio can serve as a powerful marketing tool. Readers want to know who you are and what is unique about what you can deliver. This is your chance to market your experience, knowledge, and writing skills.

Follow the steps below to discover how to write an awesome bio about yourself. Try to be creative and show your best writing skills.

How to Write an Author Bio

1- Speak in the third person.

The most important advice when writing an author bio is using the third person. It can seem weird to write about yourself in anything but the first person. However, writing in a third person tone seems more objective, and will earn you the confidence of your reader.

For example, write “John is a content writer who graduated from Yale University” instead of “I am a content writer. I graduated from Yale University”.

2- Tell facts, not dreams

The readers want to know facts about you that are pertinent to your ability to create wonderful conflict. They are not interested in superfluous information. Thus, provide them with information about your experience or studies. Consider including information about courses and training that have qualified you to write on certain topics.

3- Keep it short

It can be tempting to write about all of your adventures, but, sorry to say, most readers may not be interested. Accordingly, keep your author bio as short as possible. A good length is around 300 words, as long as you are able to include all vital information. Additionally, you should keep sentences concise.

4- Impress the reader

You want people to remember you and to be excited to read your new articles. Impress them by presenting skills that are unique to you, that distinguish you from your peers. If you have a heavily-trafficked blog or a widely-shared article, include it! Hold a degree from a prominent college? Highlight it!

5- Show your value

Almost employers are selfish insofar as they want to know what values you could add to their enterprise. Therefore, use your author bio to tell readers how you specifically can help them.

6- Always relate to the topics

Your experience and other information should be related to what you write about. Accordingly, you must be concise. If you have a literature degree but you want to write for medical websites, you need to convince potential employers of your competence in the medical field. Speak about any relevant experience you have that compensates for what may be seen as lacking.

7- Add a call to action (CTA)

The call to action is a very important tool in marketing. As you are marketing yourself in your author bio, you need to add a call to action (CTA). A CTA summarizes the next steps the potential employer can take after reading your bio. This may include following you on social media or exploring your website. For this reason, make sure you add your important links in the bio.

8- Stay away from the word “freelance”

Freelancing is a great way to work. Many statistics project that it will be the dominant form of employment in several fields in the future. However, sometimes the word “freelance” can worry employers, as they may see it as indicative of tendency to be flighty and leave projects after a period of time. So, if you are a freelance writer, don’t phrase it as such in your bio.

9- Add your personal touch

This bio is about more than selling your credentials; your personality should also shine through it. For example, if you write with a sense of humor in your articles, then you can use it in your bio. Just remember to keep it short, informative, and don’t turn it into a joke.

In conclusion, writing an author bio isn’t something to fear. You just need succinctly convey your qualifications while also being memorable and honest. People want to know who you are. This is your chance to let them!

What is an author bio?

The author bio is the section where the author initiates a connection with potential readers. It’s where he/she establishes himself/herself as an author to be read for.

What should an author’s bio include?

An author’s bio should include personal information about himself/herself. That could include academic background, achievements or previous work.

How do I write a bio about myself?

Introduce yourself in the third person, talk about your education and mention any notable degrees you’ve earned. Then, mention your achievements and previous work, if available, and end with a closing statement.

Where does the author bio go in a book?

Typically, the author bio, where the book’s writer gives a brief about him/herself and a background about previous work, is either on the cover or on the last page of the book on the side.

Ureed Editorial Team

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