Alright, so by now you’ve watched the awesome Chris Rene video, and learned about the importance of storytelling to land better job and business opportunities.
Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty stuff and talk about the key ingredients of a good bio that will help you get others to believe in you and what you’re offering.
Watch my video for tips, take down notes if you want, and start changing up your bio right now.
Ready for more? Get “The New About Me” Course, for just $297.
So much in 7 minutes!
I saw you speak at Blogworld, you inspired me then, inspire me now.
I’m just starting to get familiar with your blog and site, Is The New About Me course where I should start or do you have another course I should start with?
Thanks for the work you do. Refining and depending on my good story is
exactly what I need at this point in my career!
Hey Kyle – Thanks, I try to share as much as I can. The New About Me is definitely the course to start with, because it all flows from your personal story. I’m designing a 9-12 month program for 2012 that will expand into tribe building for your brand, cause, or product but hard to do without first knowing your own story.
M…I have used your tips form time to time and I am glad to know that you understand to give is to get!!!
At any rate, I will try again to do what you have suggested so that I can tell my story. Thanks soooooo much for all you do!
I live to see people find their story. Always happy to share. And would love it if you can pay it forward.
I love this video. Thank you Michael! I think the best thing to do is use your template to rewrite my own bio, starting now!
1) HOOK: I connect entrepreneurs in Chile, China, California, and beyond, especially through translation, training, trade, and tourism.
2) ANGLE: I grew up in Silicon Valley, as the daughter of two serial startup veterans. I believe in building new companies, products, projects and more. I prefer burritos and hot pot over meat and potatoes. I believe that anyone can become an entrepreneur — you don’t need lots of money or a fancy degree or family connections — to get started all you need is an entrepreneurial mindset. The best way to learn is by getting started with something small and simple, and getting feedback from early users and customers to build things they really want.
3/4) BACKSTORY and TWISTS + TURNS: After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in Latin American Studies, I took the most obvious step: I moved to China to teach English at a university near Shanghai. For four of the next five years, I gained experience in many industries, including advertising, consulting, corporate social responsibility, and education — all while learning Chinese. In mid-2011, I was ready to pursue my interest in Latin America again, and a great opportunity arose. I moved to Chile to take part in Start-Up Chile, a government-sponsored entrepreneurship program…
5) EXTERNAL VALIDATORS: I have given speeches in Spanish all over Chile, including at the Viña del Mar Meetup, World Entrepreneurship Day Iquique, INACAP La Serena, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, USACH, and many more. I have been featured in media outlets such as Conexo, El Boyaldia, and USACH del dia. I have provided specialized translation and interpretation services to clients in Chile’s energy and mining sectors. (I also have a number of testimonials, which might fit here or in a sidebar)
6) HUMANIZING DETAILS: Halloween has always been my favorite holiday, because I love costumes and candy, and more broadly I love reinventing myself.
7) CALL TO ACTION: Subscribe to my blog, follow me on Twitter, email me, and sign up to my (soon to be created) mailing list.
What do you think? Yeah, it’s a bit rough. But I think it’s more convincing that what I currently have on my site: http://www.leslieforman.com
Good exercise! I’ll recommend it to my friends.
Best,
Leslie
Hey Leslie – you’ve done a remarkable job out of the gate with bringing your bio story to greater life.
In your About the Author, above, I’d like to hear who you serve. THIS WAS A GREAT TUTORIAL THAT I LISTENED TO SLOWLY, TOOK NOTES, AND DEFINITELY WILL BENEFIT FROM HAVING WATCHED. Thank you for sharing!! (I’m sending you a draft of my new & improved bio!)
ROCK ON!
That’s a good point. Maybe my author signature could use some updating! Glad you got some good stuff out of the tutorial.
I updated my About page! Thanks! http://mommytheorist.wordpress.com/about/
Nice quick update, Michelle. You’re also one of the most gregarious maven/connectors I know – and you love to connect people together. You have to find a way to include that in your story. Plus you obsess over the little details of syntax, grammar, etc…which is a godsend as an editor.
Once again, you’ve inspired me to get to work. We’re on the next leg of a new, updated website look ~ making “old” pages fresh and, of course, updating “Who We Are”. So, once again, perfect timing, Michael Margolis. You are the master!! Thank you.
valarie
Hey Valarie – grateful the timing works so well, and glad to be of help.
Once again, you’ve inspired me to get to work. We’re on the next leg of a new, updated website look ~ making “old” pages fresh and, of course, updating “Who We Are”. So, once again, perfect timing, Michael Margolis. You are the master!! Thank you.
valarie
Michael – I love this and hopefully have taken good enough notes to go and re-vamp my own bio. I have also shared this on my LinkedIn update. Great angle on formatting your bio/about me page to really stand out and resonate. Thanks for the tip!
Anytime David. If you want more detailed structure and guidance on the process, check out our comprehensive program http://www.thenewaboutme.com
I needed this really bad. Just created a profile at about.me. Will definitely use this. Thanks Michael!!
Rock on Leon! Congrats on the new profile.
Very fun! Now I know where to put my Sexiest Woman of the Year award. 🙂 Super helpful.
Definitely lead with that. 😉
Michael does your course spend any time on structuring the BIO Story to strengthen its authenticity? I’ve seen two types of stories where story “A” was true but because of the uniqueness of the writer’s life events it becomes difficult for the reader to believe in the story. And story “B” is totally fabricated but extremely well written to the point where the reader is totally fooled. What measures can the writer of story “A” take to strengthen the story’s authentication?
Hey Sharon – yes, the course goes in great detail to discuss issues of believability and authenticity. Ultimately, it’s our responsibility to make our story approachable and relatable to others. Just because its “true” doesn’t mean people will care or connect. That’s the heart of this curriculum.
Michael, This is a super approach to bios. I love it! Do you find it applicable to C-level suite as well, or more for the individual entrepreneur?
Great question Katie. The principles are fundamentals of relationship and connection. So they can apply to anyone from a CEO to a recent college grad. Of course, the details, tone, and point of view will be different depending on the context.
And yes, in fairness, I designed the curriculum with entrepreneurs in mind – especially authors, speakers, experts, coaches, consultants, business owners, etc…because their perceived worth and value is directly linked to their personal story. It’s why people hire them.
Thanks mike…let me listen to myself again.
THANKS!
Michael,
This are excellent and MEANINGFUL tips! (I’m sharing the embed with my Brandergy.com members, ok?)
Thanks!
+Vincent Wright