Aspire Magazine: Inspiration for a Woman's Soul.(TM) Feb/March 2018 Aspire Mag Full Issue: Inner Prospe | Page 91

So, how do you cut through the mumbo-
jumbo to reveal the real you? Let’s be
honest, connecting with a person through a
bio can be a tough task if it bores you to
tears from the get-go. On the other hand,
if you can build on a strong opener, you
may be able to grab that short MTV-induced
attention span for just a little bit longer.
Here are a few guidelines to follow to make
your bio shine. The KISS principle (Keep It
Simple Sally – for those uninitiated) applies
here. Keep your bio brief and leave your
reader wanting more.
1. Welcome, Stranger!
Invite your readers in with an intriguing
question or statement, or even a bit of self-
depreciating humor that tickles their curiosity
and gives them insight into your personality.
Think of your bio as the door into your home
— you want your readers welcomed warmly.
That way the right people will trust you and
want to work with you. Start your bio in a
way that has your readers saying, “Hey, I
must work with her.”
2. A
 void Corporate-
Speak
Be real and share a tidbit of what inspires
you. Try to explain that warm, fuzzy feeling
of satisfaction you get when a plan comes
together or your client’s eyes light up
overseeing the fruits of her labor. Be real! If
you’re the kind of person who regularly drops
the f-bomb in your speech, don’t write as
though you’re part of the royal family. In terms
of blue language, a little goes a long way.
3. K
 eep it
Conversational
Create a comfort level and entice your reader
to learn more. You don’t want to speak
above the reader, so bring your bio down-
to-earth. If a future client or strategic partner
were sitting in your living room drinking tea,
what would you say about yourself? Tweak
the tone and hone your message.
Think of your bio
as the door into
your home — you
want your readers
welcomed warmly.
4. 
Share a
Philosophy or
Value
People appreciate people who can see the
bigger picture. Share a philosophy or value
that shows you understand life, why things
91
If you’ve come from the corporate world, it’s
likely that your bio may sound rather stilted and
résumé-like (that’s code for uninteresting).
Non-corporate types may also suffer from the
résumé-style bio. We’ve been conditioned to
justify our experience by listing our degrees,
certifications, and accomplishments. I’m here
to say that it’s time to “wash that stuff right out
of your head.”