If you write online for a site like Suite101, you have the opportunity to create a profile page. A profile page is meant to give readers a bit of information about the writer, what their interests are, and what their topic of preference or expertise is, among other things. Many writers probably wonder what information they should add to their profile - what's too much and what isn't enough?
One thing you definitely don't want to do is leave your profile blank or add just a few vague lines of writing. As soon as you begin writing for a site, the first thing you should do is create your profile so that people who come upon your writing get to know a bit about you and your background. If a reader is interested in a writer, they're more likely to take an interest in their writing and read their articles.
Things you want to include in your online writing biography
- Information about your background in writing. How long have you been writing? How long have you been writing professionally? Where has your work been published, if anywhere? Have you written any books? Did you study writing or journalism in college or university, or take any courses or seminars on writing? Do you have certificates, diplomas or degrees in writing? You can include any or all of this information.
- If you're a freelance writer, state this fact in your bio. You never know when someone might encounter your writing and want to hire you for a freelance job. If you only do a certain type of freelance work, include that information, as well as your contact information so that prospective clients can get in touch with you.
- If you're a niche writer and you write mostly about a particular subject, what makes you an authority on that subject? For example, someone who has been in the wedding industry as a wedding planner and consultant for the last several years and writes mainly about weddings could be seen as an authority on the subject. Or a stay-at-home mom who writes about activities for kids or families that she has tried and perfected with her own children could be considered an authority. If writing isn't your career and your day job is related to what you write about, tell your readers in your profile page what your occupation is. This is another place you can talk about certificates, diplomas and degrees if they relate to your writing. For example, if you have a degree in child psychology and you write about issues surrounding child psychology, include that information.
- You could include articles you're particularly proud of, or articles that got some recognition online or in print. Have you been published in a print magazine or newspaper? Did an editor or publisher come across your online writing and want one of your articles for their publication? Do you have a piece that received an editor's choice award or something similar? These are all things that many writers hope for and aspire to, and they're worth sharing.
- Some sites discourage or prohibit back-linking from other sites within your article, but don't have a problem with you linking to off-site pages on your profile, so take advantage. Your profile page is where you can include things like other sites you write for, and where else on the web you can be found, like Facebook, Twitter, your blog(s), etc. Other sites don't discourage these links, but frown upon a writer being overly promotional within their articles. These same sites often don't have a problem with you promoting yourself on your profile - after all, that's what it's for, right? So take advantage and put all pertinent information on your profile page and let people know where else on the internet they can find you.
- Include your personal interests and hobbies, especially if you write about them. If you love to travel and write about your travels, include that on your profile. If you love to cook, bake, and create and share new recipes, tell your readers about it.
- If the sites you write for offer a referral program where you get extra money for recruiting new members, post the link on your profile page. To avoid this looking purely like a plug, write a few lines about why you love writing for that site and why you would recommend it to other online writers. Be genuine and honest so it doesn't seem like you're trying to recruit other writers just for the boost in revenue it will provide you.
How much information is too much and what you shouldn't include in your bio
You want the bio on your profile page to look professional, while at the same time pull readers in and get them interested. Writing online is as much about marketing as it is the actual writing. You want to sell yourself to the reader in the hopes that they will take an interest in your writing. But how much information is too much information?
- As stated before, including relevant hobbies is fine; it shows people that you have some personal knowledge and experience with the topic. There's nothing wrong with including hobbies you don't plan to write about, but keep the list short. Aim to include a mixture of hobbies you write about and those you don't. If you have a long list of hobbies, pick the ones you enjoy the most and leave the others out.
- You don't want your writing profile to read like a bio on an online dating site. Avoid adding information that's too personal or inappropriate. You want to give your reader a small glimpse at your life, not your entire life story. If it's something you wouldn't be willing to tell a stranger, don't include it in your profile. Similarly, if it's something you personally wouldn't want to read in another writer's bio, don't include it.
When it comes down to it, it's completely up to you what to include in your writer's profile. The majority of online writing sites don't have guidelines for profiles, most likely because everyone is different and has different backgrounds and experience. If a site does have guidelines or rules, be sure to work within them to avoid getting banned. Visit a number of other writer's profiles on a number of different sites, take the elements that you like best and incorporate them into your own profile. For people who haven't had any formal training or don't have prior writing experience or training, don't worry - if you write with passion and you write well, that will come across to your reader.
Marie Landry - Marie Landry is a freelance writer who lives and works in Ontario, Canada. She received a college-level diploma in print publishing from ...
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