Writing a Good Bio for Your Website

 Most writers crave attention, not so much personally, but for their writing.  Many authors shy away from the personal bio.  They either go overboard with their life story, or they do not give enough of the "right" information.  A bio should be tight, contain clips/credits and list what has been published.

A bio is a marketing tool.  The bio should not give information not pertinent to the writer's branding.  If a writer is a technical writer, there is no need for the fact she loves puppies and spring showers in the bio.  A bio does tell people about the author, but what people?  Most writers want to lasso publishers, whether they be magazine publishers or book publishers.  Authors also want to attract agent's attention as well as editors.

These are the people authors are most interested in, so authors should address their bios to them.  Items to include in a bio are: education and business backgrounds, writing credits and clips, and anything the writer has published.  Be specific and attempt to not use dates.  Dates can become stale and need to be updated to keep the author from appearing out of work or not a go-getter.

The author must show they are a writer and not a wannabe.  The writer should  Let people know what they've accomplished; where they were educated and where they worked (if it's related to their brand or writing ability).

Brand?  Yes.  Remember, every writer needs to brand themselves.  Like Green Giant or Coca Cola, a writer should have an area of 'expertise' or specialization.  This does not mean the author cannot write in other areas, but he/she should be known for a particular spot on the writing spectrum.  The bio must reflect that branding.

The website bio of a writer should be tight, to the point, and put forward the information pertaining directly to their writing career.  Education, work experience, credits/clips and publication information.  This type of bio makes editors, agents and publishers very happy.  Even more important, it may grab their attention since they don't have to wade through the writer's outside activities.