This trick works for just about any bio, really — LinkedIn, Twitter, your resume, your blog About page or a conference speaking bio. And it boils down to adding credible endorsements (recognizable names and brands).
Nike. Google. Stephen King. Adobe. New York Times. Mashable.
Of course you have to be honest. But even if you got a pat on the back from Sergy Brin or got a scant mention in NY Times — stick it in your bio. Those brand mentions will separate you from the pack.
Think about how you feel when you are looking at the blurbs on the cover jacket of a book you want to buy (some of us still do that, you know). A few high-powered names changes the value of that book drastically. Unfamiliar names, on the other hand, and the value drops.
This works on a regional level, too. Add names and brands that people in your community will recognize and respect and you immediately enhance your bio.
Scott Berkun argues that impressive people have a short bio. Here’s the example he shares:
The thing is impressive people have short bios because they have the credentials. If Professor Smith hadn’t won the Nobel Prize, invented air, or landed a sweet position at an even sweeter university his short bio would’ve been vapid at best.
You don’t need a stellar history, however. You just need some connection to notable brands. And if you don’t have them then work towards getting them. What other tricks do you use to beef up a bio?
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Looking to your left (the viewers right) will help draw people into reading your listing when they see your site in the search results.
I’m not following, Ben.
Demian,
In your picture, if you’re looking at the listing, the viewers’ eyes will be drawn toward your listing. For example, your avatar on here is looking directly at your name.
Mine on the other hand appears to be looking slightly down and to the right but mostly at the viewer. My avatar doesn’t lead people to look where I want them to look when they are searching in Google.
Ah, thought you were going in that direction, but wasn’t sure. Thanks for clarifying.
So, by following this train of thought, I should make my photo a profile, looking in the correct direction, of course.
Demonstrate how a book works?! Impressive! and funny…
Great post. I implemented it right away :). I won’t spam your site with my links, so you can go to my about page to take a look.
Okie dokie. You may want to beef up the introduction so it and the Occupation section doesn’t sound the same. 😉
If you don’t have impressive contacts, join a professional organization. Then you can at least make mention of that in your bio, and you may just meet an impressive contact!