Use These Simple Steps to Create Your Best Writer's Bio

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Most writers struggle with writing a bio. And yet we all need one

I hate doing it. It feels either like I'm talking about how great I am or that I'm so uninteresting no one will want to engage. But it's like learning how to use a computer, word program or the Internet. It's something we all have to do and do well. 

It doesn't matter whether you're multi-published, just starting out or working as a freelance writer. Every writer needs a bio. And just like writing a query letter, a proposal, or a synopsis—writing a bio is something almost every writer struggles with. So today I'm going to share some simple steps to help you create your best writer's bio.

I said you need ONE bio, but actually, you need THREE (or even more). 

I have a word file on my computer where I keep my bios. Every time I create—or even tweak an existing bio—I include it here. My file has been ongoing since approximately 2013 and is now 37 pages long. And it’s one of my most valuable resources as a writer.

So here are the basics of what you need:

• A small one, 25-50 words
• A medium length one, approximately two paragraphs
• A full page one, in depth

Many times this written bio is the first introduction someone in this business (think editor or event coordinator) or a consumer (reader or attendee) will have of you. This, with your message, can mean the difference between making the sale or not.

Your bio should reflect, through words, exactly who you are. It should boil down the essence of your personality. It should always be written in third person, as if you were talking about someone else.

A bio must be

• Relevant
• Timely—this means you need to update your bio frequently
• When you have a new book contracted and/or published
• When you win an award
• When you change your hairstyle or look (like moving from contacts to glasses) 
• When an industry position change occurs

It must give you

• Personality
• Credibility

It should NOT include

• Wording that is negative
• I didn’t attend college but…
• I don’t read this genre but…
• My self-published book only sold 45 units…
• Information unrelated to the person reading the bio
• Exaggeration
• Words that cause readers to stumble

Below are some (not all) of the instances where a bio will be necessary.

• Cover letter (to an editor, agent or event coordinator)
• Book Proposal
• Query Letter
• Your website
• Social Media
• Inside your book or on the jacket
• Publicity for a personal appearance 
• In a publication (web or print) after an article

It’s important that you have control over your bio. Which means planning now. It will, in effect, be a part of your personal brand. It gives you credibility, whether you are speaking or writing. As such it should contain only things pertaining to your credibility and identity. For example, if you’re not speaking on sales, it’s not important to mention your job fifteen years ago as an outside sales person. Think relevant when you’re composing your bio.

Here are some steps to help you write an engaging author bio:

Step One: ask yourself a few questions.

• What are some of my passions?
• Why am I pursuing this craft of writing and/or speaking?
• What value do I present my audience?
• What are some of my strengths?
• What impression do I leave with most people?

Don’t worry about sounding like an egomaniac when you answer, no one but you will see your rough draft. After answering those questions, try to come up with a one-sentence statement about yourself. Use active verbs and vivid adjectives.

Step Two: more questions.

• What is my experience in this field?
• What experience(s) in other fields are relevant to this field?
• What aspects of my personality give me credibility?
• What study(s) give me credibility?
• What life experience gives me credibility?

Step Three: get the order right.

Now begin to put the above information in order of importance. This isn’t the time to build up to the point. Think about who the bio is for and put the information that is most important for them to know FIRST. 

Step Four: flesh it out.

Build a word pool. From the questions above you’ll begin to see a trend. Use it. Amplify it by trading on words that bring your essence to mind. If you need help with this, ask those who know you to share four or five individual words that describe you. Example: teacher, loving, encouragement. Then look through the answers to see which ones show up most often.

Step Five: wrap it up.

Put it all together. It’s time to assemble the information you’ve gathered into your full-page bio. If you’re having problems pulling it together, this is the time to get some feedback from close friends.

Step Six: refine it. 

Now that you have your full-page bio it’s time to sift through it and boil it down, first reduce it two paragraphs (try to keep it at no more than 200 words). Then cut it further to 25-50 words.

Additional Thoughts

• Don’t forget to include your name in your bio. Not just your first name—the entire name you write under. If your byline is Susan H. Simpson, include that middle initial in your bio.
• Always hyperlink familiar words (like Twitter, Facebook, Website). Don’t use cluttered links unless specifically requested. A cluttered link for my Facebook page is this: https://www.facebook.com/ediemelsonauthor. Instead embed the link in the word Facebook. 
• Organize your material logically. For example, don’t jump from encouraging women and speaking to teaching writing and then back to speaking.
• Use correct formatting for books & series (italicize book titles). 
• When writing out your website, capitalize your name so it’s easier to read. Like this: EdieMelson.com instead of ediemelson.com. 
• If you’re going to mention specific networks (like Facebook), go ahead and link to your profiles.
• If you mention websites and publications where you are a vital team member, it’s good to link to them. I’m a board member of AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Association) and mention that in my bio so I link to the AWSA website.
• Remember to tell us about yourself FIRST, not about where you live.

To help you, I've created a bio worksheet. I'm going to share it with you here as a PDF download:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12u64jvhgTuBTU_FOb36oZOnV4Jm9Ydo0/view?usp=sharing

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Use These Simple Steps to Create Your Best Writer's Bio, tips from @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. No matter whether she’s talking to writers, entrepreneurs, or readers, her first advice is always “Find your voice, live your story.” As an author, blogger, and speaker she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her numerous books reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives. Connect with her on her website, through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Featured Image: Photo by Lauren Mancke on Unsplash