Writing the perfect pitch and crafting a compelling bio is difficult. That’s why whole industries exist to enable us to tell our stories better. Copywriters, creative directors and brand strategists like me wouldn’t exist if it was easy to articulate the essence of what we do, and communicate how and why we do it.
There’s no way around it, you need to spend some serious time and energy on your about page, because it’s probably one of the most visited pages on your website.
How To Write A Compelling About Page
1. Know who you’re talking to.
This is the most overlooked aspect of brand and business communication. Every message you craft should begin by understanding the audience it’s intended for. If you don’t know who you’re talking to how can you tell them what they want and need to hear? Start with why, but don’t forget who.
2. Don’t just lead with the facts.
People need to know more about the real you. Facts alone don’t persuade. Make your website a window and not a wall.
3. Share your values.
Tell people who you are and what you believe.
4. Show yourself.
Build trust by adding a well shot photo to your bio and about page. Your potential clients like to look into your eyes.
5. Tell the story of your professional journey.
Explain how you got to where you are today. This doesn’t have to be a chronological list. Make it interesting. Enable people to understand how you know what you know.
6. Tell people how you can help them.
Be specific, add links to products and services.
7. Demonstrate how you’ve provided solutions for others.
Link to your portfolio and list projects you’ve worked on.
8. Give a sense of what it’s like to work with you and show people why they can trust you.
Add client testimonials and stories about how you work.
9. Add a contact link.
Your about page should not only provide information and build trust, it must also encourage potential clients to get in touch.
10. Don’t make it all about you.
Share some insights about what you have in common with your audience.
*Bonus* Write like you speak.
I know it’s tempting to add words you never use but you’ll just end up sounding unlike you. If you’re having trouble with this try speaking and recording your story first, then write up the best bits.
Examples Of About Pages That Work
Matt Cheuvront
Matt manages to communicate so much in just a couple of paragraphs.
He built trust with me in just the first couple of lines by putting his values front and centre.
Ishita Gupta
I love how Ishita, paints her personal picture in the last line.
“She’s a twin (not identical), lives in New York City, and her eyes disappear when she smiles.”
Seth Godin
Notice how much information can be packed into one line.
“You can read his wikipedia bio, reviews of his seminars and what Google thinks of him.”
Eric Karjaluto
Nice and succinct, lots of proof in the first paragraph and the human touch;
“He still talks to his mom and dad almost every day.”
Mari Smith
Mari’s approachable first person tone on her Google+ profile is on brand.
What challenges have you faced when writing your bio? Do you have favourite bios and about pages to share?
Image by Looking 4 Poetry.
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