Last weekend I decided to start reworking my bio and create an About Me page. (I'm sure many of you are way ahead of me!)
Anyway, I quickly realized it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be, so I decided to do some research before jumping in.
I came across a really helpful post at BlogHer, which gave me a kick-start.
Then I started skimming the bio sections blogs I admire, and enjoy.
Here are a few:
I'm still working on mine, but I wanted to share what I learned to encourage you to write or re-work your bio/About Me pages!
What I'm taking away from my research:
1. Be concise. If a visitor is stopping by for the first time they may not want to read a novel--they just want to figure out who you are and what your blog is about. If you want, have a short bio on the front page and link to a longer bio for curious folks.
2. Be able to define your blog and audience, and share it in a clear way. I write about a few primary topics so I will share those things in my bio.
3. Be genuine, winsome, (& witty if it works)--but most of all, be yourself! a bio page that doesn't sound like you/your blog, doesn't work.
4. An extended "About me" page should include a photo or two, and links to some favorite or popular posts that describe what you and your blog are about. Also, any features, awards or recognitions you'd received as a blogger.
5. Provide a way for readers to contact you! Whether its in your bio or elsewhere on the blog, have an email address or contact form available.
Hope that helps some of you! I'll be working with the amazingly talented Joy of How Joyful Designs (who designed my blog) to make some of these changes over the next few weeks.
Do you have any other thoughts or advice (something you like to read in bloggers' bios?) Is it time for you to rework yours?
7 comments:
My bio sucks--I really need to redo it! It's super short, I just threw something up there when my blog got redesigned.
I'm working on making pages for my blog as well. Thanks for the tips!
Thanks for the shout-out! Admittedly, the "about me" link is the first one I click when I'm visiting a new blog. I know yours will be great!
Excellent post and great idea to update bios. I really need to do that, I haven't really updated mine since I started blogging 3 years ago. Thanks for all the helpful tips and suggestions!
I was working on my bio the other night... this is a good list. I think I ended up deciding to come back to it another day.
I definitely need to change/update/fix my About Me page. Great tips, though!
Oh, this is SUCH perfect timing because I've been attempting to rework all my stuff too! (Hence all the messed up code on my page ... since J started tinkering and I don't know how to fix it and he's been busy.) And THANK YOU for the shoutout! That seriously made my day! I always liked your little bio, too--I love knowing where people are/where they're from right off the bat.
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