Getting your bio right can make a huge difference to your earning potential. Here are some top tips to help you craft a bio that will pull in as many potential clients as possible.
Be specific
When you are identifying what it is that you do, it is far more effective to be specific. If you cast a broad net then you won’t really appeal to anyone. For example, just saying that you are a writer isn’t likely to get much interest. After all, what sort of writing do you do? Be clear. Are you a copywriter, a technical writer, a ghostwriter?
If you need to, make more than one profile for each of the niches you work in.
Have a one-sentence summary
Make sure that the first sentence of your bio is a standalone summary of you. This first sentence is your chance to hook your clients, or your chance to lose them. It needs to be smart and to the point.
Include your qualifications
If you have relevant professional qualifications, then include them in your bio. It will make you stand out and give your bio a bit of gravitas.
Include a professional picture
If you can include a smart, professional-looking headshot. By adding a picture, you make your bio more approachable. You are more than just words on a page; you become a real person. Make sure that it looks like a corporate headshot, not a dating profile picture. This is your first impression after all.
Show a bit of personality
You might be tempted to make your bio all business. However, this can make for a very dry read. When managers are hiring people, even freelancers that work remotely, they want to know that they are hiring someone that is a fit for their company. No one wants to work with someone who is dry and unapproachable.
To help inject some life into your bio, write it in the first person. Try and think about what you might be asked in a job interview and include that information in your bio, e.g. hobbies and interests.
Maintain your profile
Once your bio is done you might be tempted just to post it and be done. However, you should make a point of keeping it up to date. If you get a new qualification, or you have some more current examples of your work to share you should get this onto your bio. Once you’ve made your great bio, it just needs a little maintenance to keep it working for you.
