You’re staring at a blinking cursor. It’s mocking you. Whether it’s for a Twitter profile, a "Meet the Team" page, or a guest post, figuring out how to write a small biography about yourself feels weirdly like trying to tickle your own arm. It just doesn't work naturally. Most people default to a stiff, third-person narrative that sounds like an obituary written by a legal clerk. It’s boring. Honestly, it’s forgettable.
The goal isn't just to list where you went to school. That’s what LinkedIn is for. A small bio needs to act as a handshake. It should tell people why you’re worth talking to in under 150 words. If you can do it in 50, even better.
People think they need to sound "professional." Usually, that just means "dry." But in 2026, where every second person is using generative tools to spit out generic summaries, having a pulse is your biggest competitive advantage. You need a mix of credibility and personality.
Why the first sentence is your only real chance
You have about three seconds before someone scrolls past. If your first sentence is "John Doe is a marketing professional with ten years of experience," you’ve already lost. We know you’re a professional; you’re on a professional site.
Start with the impact or the obsession.
Instead of saying you’re a designer, say you’re a designer who’s spent a decade trying to make healthcare apps feel less depressing. See the difference? One is a job title. The other is a mission. Specificity beats generality every single time. It gives the reader a hook.
Figuring out how to write a small biography about yourself for different platforms
Context is everything. You wouldn't wear a tuxedo to a backyard BBQ, and you shouldn't use your corporate board bio as your Instagram "About Me."
For social media, brevity is king. You’ve got limited characters. Stick to the "Title + One Achievement + One Weird Fact" formula. For example: "Copywriter for SaaS brands. Built a $1M agency from a coffee shop. High-key obsessed with vintage synthesizers." It’s punchy. It’s human.
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Professional websites allow for more breathing room. Here, you can lean into the third person if the site design demands it, but don't let it get cold. Mention real-world results. Did you save a company money? Did you write a book? Use those milestones as anchors. Ann Handley, a renowned digital marketing expert, often talks about "the pathological desire to be interesting." She’s right. If you aren't interesting to yourself, you won't be to anyone else.
The "So What?" Test
Every sentence in your bio needs to pass the "So What?" test.
- "I love dogs." So what? (Unless you're a vet, leave it out or make it a tiny footnote).
- "I’ve managed million-dollar budgets." Okay, that matters. - "I believe in hard work." Everyone says that. Delete it.
Be brutal with your adjectives. Words like "passionate," "innovative," and "dynamic" have been used so much they've lost all meaning. They are linguistic white noise. If you are innovative, describe a problem you solved in a way no one else could. Show, don't tell. It’s a cliché for a reason.
Breaking the third-person wall
There is a long-standing debate about whether to use "I" or "He/She/They."
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Generally, if you’re writing for your own website, use "I." It’s your house. Talk to your guests. If you’re being featured on a conference lineup, "He/She/They" is standard. It makes the organizers look like they’re introducing a big deal. But even in the third person, keep the tone warm. Use your name early so Google knows exactly who the page is about. This helps with your Personal Knowledge Panel.
The "Personal" part of the bio
Don't be afraid to mention that you’re a mediocre marathon runner or that you make a mean sourdough. These "useless" facts are actually conversation starters. They make you a three-dimensional human being. When someone reaches out to hire you or collaborate, they’ll often lead with that small personal detail because it’s the easiest way to break the ice.
I once saw a CEO’s bio that ended with: "Can recite the entire script of The Princess Bride from memory." Guess what everyone talked to him about at networking events? It wasn't his quarterly earnings.
Formatting for Google Discover and Search
If you want this bio to actually show up when people search your name, you need to think about structure. Use your full name in the first paragraph. Use a clear, high-quality headshot with "Your-Name-Bio.jpg" as the alt-text.
Google likes entities. Link to your most important work or your social profiles. This creates a digital map that tells search engines, "This person is an authority in this specific niche." If you’ve been mentioned in the press, link to those articles. It’s not bragging; it’s providing "social proof."
The "Micro-Bio" (The Under 280 Characters Version)
Sometimes you only have a sliver of space. In these cases, focus on your "Only-ness." What is the one thing only you do?
- "The only CPA who specializes in the tax codes of nomadic goat herders."
- "Helping introverted engineers become keynote speakers."
Find that niche. Own it.
Common traps to avoid
Many people try to include their entire life story. Nobody cares that you were the captain of the debate team in 2004 unless you’re applying for a job as a debate coach. Your bio should be a curated museum, not a cluttered attic.
Avoid the "Alphabet Soup" of certifications unless they are legally required for your job. Having "MBA, PMP, ABC, XYZ" after your name in a short bio looks desperate. Pick the most prestigious one and move on.
Putting it all together: A loose template
Don't follow this exactly, but use it as a scaffold.
- The Hook: Your name and the big problem you solve.
- The Proof: One or two major wins (numbers help here).
- The Philosophy: Why you do what you do (keep it brief).
- The Human Element: One quirky or personal fact.
- The Call to Action: Where can people find you?
If you’re struggling, try recording yourself talking to a friend. Tell them what you do for a living. Often, the way we speak is much more engaging than the way we write. Transcribe that conversation and polish it. You’ll find the tone is much more natural and lacks the "corporate speak" that kills most bios.
Actionable next steps for your biography
- Audit your current bios: Go through your LinkedIn, Twitter, and website. Are they all different? They should be, but they should share the same "voice."
- Cut the fluff: Delete every instance of the word "passionate." Replace it with an action verb.
- Update your photo: A bio with a 10-year-old photo creates a "trust gap" when people meet you in person or on Zoom.
- Check your links: Make sure your "Call to Action" link actually works and leads to a page that is ready for visitors.
- Ask a colleague: Send your draft to someone you trust and ask, "Does this sound like me, or does it sound like a robot wrote it?"
Writing about yourself is never truly finished. As you grow, your bio should grow. Revisit it every six months. If you’ve achieved something bigger, swap out an old "win" for the new one. Keep it lean, keep it honest, and for heaven's sake, keep it human.