A bio is not your life story. It is a quick answer to one question: why should this person care who you are? The trick is to be specific and to stop early.
A formula that works
Who you are, what you do, who you do it for, one proof point, and one human detail. That order, kept short, covers almost any bio you will need.
Write the length the page needs
- One line for a byline or a profile tagline.
- About 50 words for a website or a speaker page.
- About 100 words when you have room to add proof and personality.
First or third person?
Match the context. A personal site or LinkedIn reads better in the first person. A conference programme or a company page usually wants the third. Write one, then switch the pronouns; the content is the same.
Example
Dave is a product designer who helps small teams ship software that older, non-technical people can actually use. He spent six years at a fintech making complex flows feel simple, and now builds practical tools on the side. He lives in Edinburgh and makes a poor but enthusiastic coffee.
Common mistakes
- Listing every job. A bio is highlights, not a CV.
- No specifics. “Passionate professional” tells the reader nothing.
- No personality. One human line is what people remember.