The real-person approach to writing a business bio

In my experience, even articulate people can become phobic when trying to write their own biography for a pitch, presentation or online blurb. Especially if the bio needs to venture outside the box.

Here’s a simple strategy that might get you started or take your writing in a new direction.

• Step away from the keyboard, and grab a good pen and a stack of Post-It notes.

• Brainstorm your life’s highlights and achievements. Go fast, one per Post-It. Don’t edit or organize yet. Write down your role as a blade of grass in Grade 2 right after your time in the Oval Office.

• Group common things together on separate sheets of paper (Post-Its are handy for this). Don’t discount the blades of grass out of hand – they might be part of a trend.

• Look at what you have. Can you shuffle them into a logical story? What is most meaningful to your direction now? What makes you stand out? What has most credibility? What suggests focus?

• If you feel these examples and results don’t demonstrate your talents, go back to the first step. This time, brainstorm with someone you trust who knows you well.

• Get excited about yourself, for heaven’s sake.

• Draft it. Think verbs and nouns, not adjectives.

• Make it clear. Does it speak meaningfully to people both inside and outside your industry?

• Make it simple. Stick to the essence. The blade of grass might still matter if it was your first stage appearance – and it relates to what you’ve achieved since. Your next role as a toad may not.

• Break all the rules and inject your personal style. Say it in your own words, not something people imagine to be proper business-ese.

Good writing, and good luck!