Why you need your bio basics sorted

29 June

If you’re keen to get proactive about your profile, sorting your bio is a key foundational piece of the PR puzzle.

It might not feel like the most glamorous task, but trust me, having your biography ready to go will save you loads of time and energy.

Whether you’re pitching to podcasts, entering awards, submitting media articles or getting invited to speak, your bio is going to be one of the first things people ask for. And the more polished and up-to-date it is, the better the impression you’ll make.

Making a good first impression.

Your bio isn’t just a boring blurb. It’s a chance to clearly and confidently communicate who you are, what you do, who you do it for, and why you’re brilliant at it. It’s your opportunity to position yourself as the expert in your field, quickly and effectively.

Yet so many people are caught scrambling at the last minute, trying to pull something together that feels ‘good enough’. Sound familiar?

Build your bio bank.

One of my top tips is to have a few versions of your bio ready to go. I recommend:

50 words: for podcast intros, speaking events or short-form promo
100 words: great for awards submissions or media call-outs
200–500 words: for your website or guest articles

Keep it personal.

Not sure where to start? This is where tools like ChatGPT can be your friend. AI can help do the heavy lifting, especially if you’re struggling with a blank page. Drop in some of your background and achievements, give it guidance on your preferred tone, and let it create a draft to work from.

Just remember: AI can sound a bit robotic unless you inject some of your personality. It’s a great starting point, but always polish it up so it actually sounds like you.

Add some sparkle.

Don’t be afraid to drop in a few specifics. Have you won an award? Been featured in a national publication? Helped clients achieve epic results? Then say so in your bio.

These details not only build credibility but they can help you stand out. And remember, you can (and should) customise your bio depending on the context. A parenting podcast might want to know you’ve got three kids, but a professional panel might be more interested in your extensive career. Tweak and edit accordingly.

Bio best practices.

A few other bio best practices:

Make it easy to read aloud especially if it’s being used in podcast intros
Add a link to your website or LinkedIn so that it’s more likely to be included
Include a recent photo and be sure to have a few quality headshots ready to go

And if you’re submitting anything to the media or applying for something then I recommend you include your bio (and photo) upfront. It makes it much easier for your content to be uploaded and shared.

Your turn…

So, is your bio sorted? Or is this the nudge you needed to dust it off and give it a refresh?

Whether you’re writing from scratch or updating what you’ve already got, just start. You don’t need to be fancy. You just need to be ready.

This blog was inspired by a recent episode of my PR with Purpose podcast, you can listen to it in full here.