How you describe yourself.
WHERE THEY APPEAR
Your website Professional networks Speaker introductions Author bios
HOW TO ASK
"Write a professional bio of [length] for [context]. Here is my background: [supply it]. Third person. Plain, not promotional."
LENGTHS TO HAVE READY
One line, for introductions Fifty words, for most purposes Two hundred words, for a website page
Having all three prepared saves writing one under pressure.
WHAT MAKES THEM WORK
What you actually do, plainly Relevant credentials Something specific
WHAT MAKES THEM FAIL
Adjectives about yourself Vague claims of passion Length Third-person self-praise
WHAT NEVER TO GENERATE
Qualifications, positions held, dates, achievements.
Supply those. A bio containing an invented credential is a serious problem when discovered.
THE TEST
Would a colleague recognise you from this?
