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How to Write a Killer Blog Bio (In 4 Easy Steps!)

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Creating the perfect blog bio can be a little bit tricky. With such limited space, how can you convey everything your readers need to know about your blog?

Luckily, there’s a certain formula to follow when it comes to writing a bio for your blog. And the best part is, you already have the information inside of you! You just need to pull it out and piece it together.

In this article, I walk you through 4 easy steps to create a blog biography that will engage your readers and make them want to keep reading your blog.

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Highlight your credibility, step 4: create different versions of your blog bio, why is your blog bio important.

When people search for something online, they often visit dozens of websites on the hunt for what they’re looking for. Your blog bio is important because it tells people why your website has the answers they’re seeking. Your blog bio tells readers that they’ve landed in the right place.

Whenever someone wants to learn more about a website, the first place they head is the About page. Your blog biography is so important because it gives people an impression of you and your content. With it, readers will get a general idea of why your blog exists and what they can expect from it.

Pretty heavy stuff for just a few sentences, but that’s why it’s crucial to make your blog bio count! In such a short space, you have to make a case for what sets your blog apart and why people should stay on it rather than hopping over to one of the million other options out there.

How to Write Your Blog Bio in 4 Easy Steps

You may be wondering “well, how do I write a blog bio that really stands out?”. 

Not to worry. I put together these 4 easy steps to walk you through the blog biography writing process to craft a blog “About Me” that counts.

Step 1: Brainstorm

The first step is to brainstorm what you want to include in your blog bio. This is the time to get all of your ideas out on the table and think about the pertinent information that you want to convey to your readers. 

The more the better during brainstorming!

Write down anything that pops into your head so that you have plenty to choose from when it’s time to start putting your blog bio together.

Important jumping off points to consider are:

Your Blog’s Story

What motivated you to start a blog in the first place? How did your blog come to life? Did you have a genius idea one day or were you trying to fill a gap in online knowledge? Thinking about your story may help you develop solid points for your blog biography about why your blog is worth reading.  

Your Mission or Vision

What do you hope to accomplish with your blog? What ultimate goals do you have? Did you start your blog to help people? Did you start your blog to spread knowledge or share a skill? Considering this information and conveying it to readers in your blog bio gives everyone a clear notion of the purpose of your blog.

• Cooking blog bio: “I help people create healthy nutritious no-fuss meals in 30 minutes (or less)”
• Travel blog bio: “I share all my best travel hacks, tips, and advice to help you travel in style (even on a budget!)

Your Blue Ocean

This is what sets your blog apart, so think hard about your Blue Ocean and why you’re different from other blogs. What are the points of uniqueness about your blog? What can people find on your blog that they won’t find anywhere else?

Your Blue Ocean can be a huge leveraging point in a blog bio because it gives insight as to why your blog is special and worth staying on. 

Who’s your target audience? What do they care about? Brainstorming around your reader avatar is incredibly valuable because ultimately these are the people you want to come to your blog and stay on it. If you can show in your blog about me that you have the answers your target audience is looking for, they’re much more likely to stick around to see what you have to offer.

Take some time to really think about these aspects and write down your ideas! While you don’t have to include everything you brainstorm in your blog bio, it’ll give you plenty of things to work with as you move forward. 

• Our short blog bio: “Hey, we’re Tom and Anna. We help creatives profit from their passions and achieve time freedom through blogging!”
• Fitness blog bio: “I help busy mama’s make time to stay fit and healthy through my quick workout tips and advice.”

Step 2: Select Key Information to Include in Your Blog Bio

In the next step, you have to actually choose what specific information you want to include in your blog bio. Here are 3 things to keep in mind:

Focus On the Reader

No matter what you end up settling on, the most important thing to remember is that your blog bio should focus on the reader, not you! 

To be honest, no one is reading your blog bio to find out your favorite foods or what movies you watched growing up. In fact, it’s unlikely that people are coming to your blog for you at all! 

Their visit to your blog is entirely self-motivated, and as such, it’s important to position the reader at centerstage.

Think about our blog bio from a reader’s perspective. What kind of information can you provide that will be the most engaging for them? What can you include to build trust and let your readers know that your blog is relevant to their lives? 

When crafting your blog biography, these are the most important aspects to include. Try to appeal to your reader’s emotions. Put yourself in their shoes and write about what they would want to know! What would convince you to stay on your own blog?

For example, our longer blog bio for Adventure In You highlights key questions people coming to the blog may ask like.

Check it out:

As you can see, we tried to center the reader in this section by bringing up questions they may have and letting them know that they can find the answers on our blog.

When picking out key information, try to keep your blog bio fluff-free. Remove any unnecessary tidbits and anything that won’t resonate with your reader. 

Remember, you’re aiming for something short, sweet, and straight to the point.

Don’t Forget to Include Images and Your Contact Details

Besides the key information of why your blog’s worth reading, you should also include important aspects like photos or images to bring your bio to life as well as contact details so readers can get in touch. 

On this blog biography which we have on our front page, we encourage the reader to click through and read more about us which leads to our longer about us page. The image we chose is also intentionally a “travel focused” image to convey who we are.

Speaking of images…it’s also worth noting down any information that shows you or your blog’s authority. 

Are you an expert in a certain subject? Do you have a degree in a related field? Any awards, recognitions, or features that are worth mentioning? 

For health, fitness and finance blogs, stating your professional experience if you have any makes a HUGE difference because of Google’s E.A.T ranking score .

E-A-T stands for:

• Authoritativeness
• Trustworthiness

Because these topics are very sensitive, Google gives more trust to your site when you showcase your credentials in these fields.

Tacking this information into your bio will help build credibility with readers. 

In our case, we popped the logos of the publications we’ve been featured in below our image here to subtly draw the reader’s attention to it.

At a single glance, readers can get a sense of our credibility without having a long, drawn out list.

Step 3: Put it All Together

So you’ve got all of this great information… It’s time to put it together! 

First, decide on the tone of your bio. Do you want it to be fun and upbeat? Super serious? Professional, but personal? Whatever you choose, the tone of your blog bio should be in line with your blog’s brand or voice. 

E.g.: If you have a blog about comedy movies, the last thing you want is a very somber, serious blog bio. 

After your figure out the tone of your bio, start to string the information together in a way that tells a story. Remember, you’re trying to convince your readers to stay on your blog so having a clear story with reasons why is crucial! 

When you start to actually write the bio, I highly suggest using first person so that you can weave your voice in, connect with your readers, and tell a story from your point of view. 

Along the same lines, be sure to inject your personality in there! 

Just because your blog’s bio is to the point and focused on the reader doesn’t mean you can’t add your own flair. Spice it up with words you like, phrases you’d use, and your own personal writing style.

Finally, once you’ve got all the key information down, adjust and play with your blog bio until it really sounds like you. 

Read your bio out loud. How’s the flow? Does it make sense? Is it free from fluff and filler words?

It might take some time and fiddling, but it’ll be worth it when you have a bio that’s engaging, alluring, and resonates with your readers. 

When you’re writing your blog bio, I suggest to first start with a full-length version that can be used on your About Me page. 

This will be the longest version of your blog bio, where you can get everything out on the table. While it should be inclusive of all the information you want to convey to your readers, it shouldn’t be a novel. 

Aim for the sweet spot where people can understand your story and personality and why your blog exists… without getting bored from having to read too much about you. 

From there, you can begin to extract relevant information to create variations of your blog bio.

Some places you should consider adapting your blog bio for are: 

• Your blog’s sidebar – It’s common for bloggers to have a quick bio with an image in their sidebars so that readers can understand what the blog is about as soon as they land on your homepage. This blog bio is just a couple of sentences so try to pick out the ones that will matter most to your readers!
• Guest posts – When you write a guest post for another blogger, what information do you want them to include about yourself? Pull the most engaging information from your blog bio and restructure it here! That way, you can use your bio as leverage to drive readers to your own blog. 
• Social media – All social media platforms have a space for a bio, so it’s a good idea to take the most important information (especially what makes you unique!) from your blog’s bio and make it bite-sized for social networks to let people know what your blog is about. This is just a sentence or two, but be sure it packs a punch! 
• Elevator pitch – Every single brand needs a solid elevator pitch where they can give a complete rundown of their business in roughly 30 seconds. Your bio can be adapted to create an elevator pitch for your blog as it already has the pertinent information spelled out. 

By using your main blog bio to create these variations, you’re able to build consistency with your blog’s brand and ensure that the tone and information are the same across the board. 

Blog Bio Example

No matter what direction you plan to take with your blog’s bio, make it count! The information you provide here will go a long way in keeping people on your blog, developing trust with your readers, and standing out in a sea of billions of websites.

While it may be tempting to focus on yourself in your blog bio, the most important thing to remember is that this bio isn’t for you. It’s for everyone else. 

Here’s a quick look into our own blog bio here on this blog. Although we talk about ourselves, we focus it around how this blog can help others- immediately making someone see the benefit in reading our content.

My biggest tip for writing a great blog bio is to stay true to you! Don’t be afraid to show your personality and to feature your quirkiness. Remember, people will follow you for YOU. One of the reasons why blog’s are so popular is because people form a relationship with your advice and writing so don’t be afraid to let some of that personality shine through.

If you can keep this in mind, you’re sure to have a blog biography that hooks and engages your readers and makes them come back for more.

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Free Editable Biography Templates

Design a free creative biography template. engage your students to discover the power of synthesis and learn about the lives of famous authors..

Customize  Biography templates online . Use Edit.org to customize your biographies for schools, bookstores, and libraries. Create biographies about characters from a novel quickly and in a structured way.

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At Edit.org, we have created a collection of editable biography templates that can be used by students, writers, journalists, and anyone who needs to create a biography of famous people, whether they are scientists, athletes, politicians, or singers. They contain predefined sections and fields that you can fill in as easily as in a Word document, including:

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Get spectacular designs for your biography! Use it in a school, magazine, or website . You can also use it in your bookstore, library, or cultural center .

Using our template library will save you time since you won't have to start from scratch as you will have a predefined structure. Create didactic activities in your classroom and organize biographical information in a clearer and more coherent way. Just select one of the templates we offer in this article or the final cascade, customize it with your educational proposals, and print it in high resolution.

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Why is it a good idea to make a Biography as a school activity?

There are many reasons, but here are the 4 main ones:

• Researching someone's life and gathering information about their accomplishments, personal and professional challenges, as well as their contributions, will help students develop research skills and curiosity .
• Working on a biography improves writing skills, organization of ideas, and structuring information in a clear and coherent manner.
• Promotes critical thinking : students will learn to analyze different aspects of a public figure's life and develop their objective thinking about that person, history, and society in general. It also promotes empathy.
• Learn about the lives of influential people in different fields , such as science, politics, or art, and understand how their contributions have affected the world at large.

In short, doing a biography as a school activity is a great idea! It encourages research and understanding towards different life experiences and perspectives.

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Posted on Jun 30, 2023

How to Write a Biography: A 7-Step Guide [+Template]

From time to time, nonfiction authors become so captivated by a particular figure from either the present or the past, that they feel compelled to write an entire book about their life. Whether casting them as heroes or villains, there is an interesting quality in their humanity that compels these authors to revisit their life paths and write their story.

However, portraying someone’s life on paper in a comprehensive and engaging way requires solid preparation. If you’re looking to write a biography yourself, in this post we’ll share a step-by-step blueprint that you can follow. 

How to write a biography: 

1. Seek permission when possible 

2. research your subject thoroughly, 3. do interviews and visit locations, 4. organize your findings, 5. identify a central thesis, 6. write it using narrative elements, 7. get feedback and polish the text.

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While you technically don’t need permission to write about public figures (or deceased ones), that doesn't guarantee their legal team won't pursue legal action against you. Author Kitty Kelley was sued by Frank Sinatra before she even started to write His Way , a biography that paints Ol Blue Eyes in a controversial light. (Kelley ended up winning the lawsuit, however).  

Whenever feasible, advise the subject’s representatives of your intentions. If all goes according to plan, you’ll get a green light to proceed, or potentially an offer to collaborate. It's a matter of common sense; if someone were to write a book about you, you would likely want to know about it well prior to publication. So, make a sincere effort to reach out to their PR staff to negotiate an agreement or at least a mutual understanding of the scope of your project. 

At the same time, make sure that you still retain editorial control over the project, and not end up writing a puff piece that treats its protagonist like a saint or hero. No biography can ever be entirely objective, but you should always strive for a portrayal that closely aligns with facts and reality.

If you can’t get an answer from your subject, or you’re asked not to proceed forward, you can still accept the potential repercussions and write an unauthorized biography . The “rebellious act” of publishing without consent indeed makes for great marketing, though it’ll likely bring more headaches with it too. 

✋ Please note that, like other nonfiction books, if you intend to release your biography with a publishing house , you can put together a book proposal to send to them before you even write the book. If they like it enough, they might pay you an advance to write it.  

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Once you’ve settled (or not) the permission part, it’s time to dive deep into your character’s story.  

Deep and thorough research skills are the cornerstone of every biographer worth their salt. To paint a vivid and accurate portrait of someone's life, you’ll have to gather qualitative information from a wide range of reliable sources. 

Start with the information already available, from books on your subject to archival documents, then collect new ones firsthand by interviewing people or traveling to locations. 

Browse the web and library archives

Put your researcher hat on and start consuming any piece on your subject you can find, from their Wikipedia page to news articles, interviews, TV and radio appearances, YouTube videos, podcasts, books, magazines, and any other media outlets they may have been featured in. 

Establish a system to orderly collect the information you find 一 even seemingly insignificant details can prove valuable during the writing process, so be sure to save them. 

Depending on their era, you may find most of the information readily available online, or you may need to search through university libraries for older references. 

For his landmark biography of Alexander Hamilton, Ron Chernow spent untold hours at Columbia University’s library , reading through the Hamilton family papers, visiting the New York Historical Society, as well as interviewing the archivist of the New York Stock Exchange, and so on. The research process took years, but it certainly paid off. Chernow discovered that Hamilton created the first five securities originally traded on Wall Street. This finding, among others, revealed his significant contributions to shaping the current American financial and political systems, a legacy previously often overshadowed by other founding fathers. Today Alexander Hamilton is one of the best-selling biographies of all time, and it has become a cultural phenomenon with its own dedicated musical. 

Besides reading documents about your subject, research can help you understand the world that your subject lived in. 

Try to understand their time and social environment

Many biographies show how their protagonists have had a profound impact on society through their philosophical, artistic, or scientific contributions. But at the same time, it’s worth it as a biographer to make an effort to understand how their societal and historical context influenced their life’s path and work.

An interesting example is Stephen Greenblatt’s Will in the World . Finding himself limited by a lack of verified detail surrounding William Shakespeare's personal life, Greenblatt, instead, employs literary interpretation and imaginative reenactments to transport readers back to the Elizabethan era. The result is a vivid (though speculative) depiction of the playwright's life, enriching our understanding of his world.

Many readers enjoy biographies that transport them to a time and place, so exploring a historical period through the lens of a character can be entertaining in its own right. The Diary of Samuel Pepys became a classic not because people were enthralled by his life as an administrator, but rather from his meticulous and vivid documentation of everyday existence during the Restoration period.

Once you’ve gotten your hands on as many secondary sources as you can find, you’ll want to go hunting for stories first-hand from people who are (or were) close to your subject.

With all the material you’ve been through, by now you should already have a pretty good picture of your protagonist. But you’ll surely have some curiosities and missing dots in their character arc to figure out, which you can only get by interviewing primary sources.

Interview friends and associates

This part is more relevant if your subject is contemporary, and you can actually meet up or call with relatives, friends, colleagues, business partners, neighbors, or any other person related to them. 

In writing the popular biography of Steve Jobs, Walter Isaacson interviewed more than one hundred people, including Jobs’s family, colleagues, former college mates, business rivals, and the man himself.

🔍 Read other biographies to get a sense of what makes a great one. Check out our list of the 30 best biographies of all time , or take our 30-second quiz below for tips on which one you should read next. 

Which biography should you read next?

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When you conduct your interviews, make sure to record them with high quality audio you can revisit later. Then use tools like Otter.ai or Descript to transcribe them 一 it’ll save you countless hours. 

You can approach the interview with a specific set of questions, or follow your curiosity blindly, trying to uncover revealing stories and anecdotes about your subject. Whatever your method, author and biography editor Tom Bromley suggests that every interviewer arrives prepared, "Show that you’ve done your work. This will help to put the interviewee at ease, and get their best answers.” 

Bromley also places emphasis on the order in which you conduct interviews. “You may want to interview different members of the family or friends first, to get their perspective on something, and then go directly to the main interviewee. You'll be able to use that knowledge to ask sharper, more specific questions.” 

Finally, consider how much time you have with each interviewee. If you only have a 30-minute phone call with an important person, make it count by asking directly the most pressing questions you have. And, if you find a reliable source who is also particularly willing to help, conduct several interviews and ask them, if appropriate, to write a foreword as part of the book’s front matter .

Sometimes an important part of the process is packing your bags, getting on a plane, and personally visiting significant places in your character’s journey.

Visit significant places in their life

A place, whether that’s a city, a rural house, or a bodhi tree, can carry a particular energy that you can only truly experience by being there. In putting the pieces together about someone’s life, it may be useful to go visit where they grew up, or where other significant events of their lives happened. It will be easier to imagine what they experienced, and better tell their story. 

In researching The Lost City of Z , author David Grann embarked on a trek through the Amazon, retracing the steps of British explorer Percy Fawcett. This led Grann to develop new theories about the circumstances surrounding the explorer's disappearance.

Hopefully, you won’t have to deal with jaguars and anacondas to better understand your subject’s environment, but try to walk into their shoes as much as possible. 

Once you’ve researched your character enough, it’s time to put together all the puzzle pieces you collected so far. 

Take the bulk of notes, media, and other documents you’ve collected, and start to give them some order and structure. A simple way to do this is by creating a timeline. 

Create a chronological timeline

It helps to organize your notes chronologically 一 from childhood to the senior years, line up the most significant events of your subject’s life, including dates, places, names and other relevant bits. 

You should be able to divide their life into distinct periods, each with their unique events and significance. Based on that, you can start drafting an outline of the narrative you want to create.  

Draft a story outline 

Since a biography entails writing about a person’s entire life, it will have a beginning, a middle, and an end. You can pick where you want to end the story, depending on how consequential the last years of your subject were. But the nature of the work will give you a starting character arc to work with. 

To outline the story then, you could turn to the popular Three-Act Structure , which divides the narrative in three main parts. In a nutshell, you’ll want to make sure to have the following:

• Act 1. Setup : Introduce the protagonist's background and the turning points that set them on a path to achieve a goal. 
• Act 2. Confrontation : Describe the challenges they encounter, both internal and external, and how they rise to them. Then..
• Act 3. Resolution : Reach a climactic point in their story in which they succeed (or fail), showing how they (and the world around them) have changed as a result. 

Only one question remains before you begin writing: what will be the main focus of your biography?

Think about why you’re so drawn to your subject to dedicate years of your life to recounting their own. What aspect of their life do you want to highlight? Is it their evil nature, artistic genius, or visionary mindset? And what evidence have you got to back that up? Find a central thesis or focus to weave as the main thread throughout your narrative. 

Or find a unique angle

If you don’t have a particular theme to explore, finding a distinct angle on your subject’s story can also help you distinguish your work from other biographies or existing works on the same subject.

Plenty of biographies have been published about The Beatles 一 many of which have different focuses and approaches: 

• Philip Norman's Shout is sometimes regarded as leaning more towards a pro-Lennon and anti-McCartney stance, offering insights into the band's inner dynamics. 
• Ian McDonald's Revolution in the Head closely examines their music track by track, shifting the focus back to McCartney as a primary creative force. 
• Craig Brown's One Two Three Four aims to capture their story through anecdotes, fan letters, diary entries, and interviews. 
• Mark Lewisohn's monumental three-volume biography, Tune In , stands as a testament to over a decade of meticulous research, chronicling every intricate detail of the Beatles' journey.

Finally, consider that biographies are often more than recounting the life of a person. Similar to how Dickens’ Great Expectations is not solely about a boy named Pip (but an examination and critique of Britain’s fickle, unforgiving class system), a biography should strive to illuminate a broader truth — be it social, political, or human — beyond the immediate subject of the book. 

Once you’ve identified your main focus or angle, it’s time to write a great story. 

While biographies are often highly informative, they do not have to be dry and purely expository in nature . You can play with storytelling elements to make it an engaging read. 

You could do that by thoroughly detailing the setting of the story , depicting the people involved in the story as fully-fledged characters , or using rising action and building to a climax when describing a particularly significant milestone of the subject’s life. 

One common way to make a biography interesting to read is starting on a strong foot…

Hook the reader from the start

Just because you're honoring your character's whole life doesn't mean you have to begin when they said their first word. Starting from the middle or end of their life can be more captivating as it introduces conflicts and stakes that shaped their journey.

When he wrote about Christopher McCandless in Into the Wild , author Jon Krakauer didn’t open his subject’s childhood and abusive family environment. Instead, the book begins with McCandless hitchhiking his way into the wilderness, and subsequently being discovered dead in an abandoned bus. By starting in medias res , Krakauer hooks the reader’s interest, before tracing back the causes and motivations that led McCandless to die alone in that bus in the first place.

You can bend the timeline to improve the reader’s reading experience throughout the rest of the story too…

Play with flashback 

While biographies tend to follow a chronological narrative, you can use flashbacks to tell brief stories or anecdotes when appropriate. For example, if you were telling the story of footballer Lionel Messi, before the climax of winning the World Cup with Argentina, you could recall when he was just 13 years old, giving an interview to a local newspaper, expressing his lifelong dream of playing for the national team. 

Used sparsely and intentionally, flashbacks can add more context to the story and keep the narrative interesting. Just like including dialogue does…

Reimagine conversations

Recreating conversations that your subject had with people around them is another effective way to color the story. Dialogue helps the reader imagine the story like a movie, providing a deeper sensory experience. 

One thing is trying to articulate the root of Steve Jobs’ obsession with product design, another would be to quote his father , teaching him how to build a fence when he was young: “You've got to make the back of the fence just as good looking as the front of the fence. Even though nobody will see it, you will know. And that will show that you're dedicated to making something perfect.”

Unlike memoirs and autobiographies, in which the author tells the story from their personal viewpoint and enjoys greater freedom to recall conversations, biographies require a commitment to facts. So, when recreating dialogue, try to quote directly from reliable sources like personal diaries, emails, and text messages. You could also use your interview scripts as an alternative to dialogue. As Tom Bromley suggests, “If you talk with a good amount of people, you can try to tell the story from their perspective, interweaving different segments and quoting the interviewees directly.”

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These are just some of the story elements you can use to make your biography more compelling. Once you’ve finished your manuscript, it’s a good idea to ask for feedback. 

If you’re going to self-publish your biography, you’ll have to polish it to professional standards. After leaving your work to rest for a while, look at it with fresh eyes and self-edit your manuscript eliminating passive voice, filler words, and redundant adverbs. 

Then, have a professional editor give you a general assessment. They’ll look at the structure and shape of your manuscript and tell you which parts need to be expanded on or cut. As someone who edited and commissioned several biographies, Tom Bromley points out that a professional “will look at the sources used and assess whether they back up the points made, or if more are needed. They would also look for context, and whether or not more background information is needed for the reader to understand the story fully. And they might check your facts, too.”  

In addition to structural editing, you may want to have someone copy-edit and proofread your work.

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Importantly, make sure to include a bibliography with a list of all the interviews, documents, and sources used in the writing process. You’ll have to compile it according to a manual of style, but you can easily create one by using tools like EasyBib . Once the text is nicely polished and typeset in your writing software , you can prepare for the publication process.  

In conclusion, by mixing storytelling elements with diligent research, you’ll be able to breathe life into a powerful biography that immerses readers in another individual’s life experience. Whether that’ll spark inspiration or controversy, remember you could have an important role in shaping their legacy 一 and that’s something not to take lightly. 

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How To Write a Blog Bio to Look Smart

Do you know how to write a blog bio? Does your About Me on your blog need a makeover?  My author bio certainly does. This post is my  100th blog post – a milestone! It’s time to learn how to write a bio that, well, reflects who I am. Alright, Mr . DeMille, I’m ready for my closeup. 

Potentially, your ‘ About Me ‘ page could be seen by a vast audience that includes potential and existing employees, other professionals in your field, as well as friends/relatives.

Your author bio is an excellent way to show your audience who you are and why they should trust you, and subscribe to your future posts. It also serves as a means to succinctly define your expertise on why they should follow you.

It’s your opportunity to tell the world who you are and what you do, so don’t squander it.

How to Write a Blog Bio

The first thing to know: There is no “right” way to author your ‘About Me’ bio. Some read like resumes, and others read like fun stories.

Writing a professional bio can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Crafting an effective bio requires conveying that you are credible and accomplished in a few sentences. It is important to identify the context of the professional bio before beginning the writing process.

Start by introducing yourself with your name and current job title or role. Then provide some background information about your education and work experience that is relevant to your current position. Also, include any awards or accomplishments that demonstrate your expertise in the field. And don’t forget to inject a dose of what makes you an interesting human.

Obviously, the tone of the bio depends on where it will appear .

• If you are writing a guest post targeting Mom’s in business, then you might mention kids or your experience with kids or being a Mom.
• On the other hand, if writing a bio for a trade journal or a speaking engagement, your focus might be on your years of experience, expertise, and education.

Here’s a snapshot of my 5-year-old “folksy” bio desperately needing a makeover:

No matter what the audience or the tone, there are a few things to remember that will make writing your bio easier.

Identify Your Audience!

The easiest way to do this is by having a good look at your current website or blog.

• What is its voice?
• Who is it targeting?
• What is the aim of the publication?

How to Write Your Blog Bio in 9 Easy Steps

Writing a blog bio is an important step in establishing your online presence. It helps readers get to know you and understand why they should trust your content. Crafting an effective “About Me” section can be tricky, but with the right approach, it can be done in 9 easy steps.

Step 1: Brainstorm

When crafting a blog bio, it’s important to put yourself in the reader’s shoes and write about what they would want to know. Focus on highlighting key questions they may have and how they can find answers on your blog. Remove any unnecessary information and keep the bio short, sweet, and to the point.

Step 2: Select Key Information to Include in Your Blog Bio

Writing a blog bio is an essential part of creating a successful website. It gives readers an impression of you and your content, and sets your blog apart from other options. Crafting a compelling blog bio is crucial to make a case for why people should stay on your website. To create an effective blog bio, it’s important to identify the purpose of writing it in the first place.

• When crafting your blog bio, don’t forget to utilize tips and tricks that will make it stand out from the rest. Use keywords that are relevant to your topic so that search engines can easily find your website.
• Include Highlight links to social media profiles or other websites where readers can learn more about you or connect with you directly. Finally, be sure to keep your credentials visible.

Step 3: Include Images and Your Contact Details

As the Head of Finance & Operations at dlvr.it, I have a wealth of experience in social media and digital marketing. My passion for helping businesses succeed has driven me to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and strategies. I’m always looking for ways to help companies maximize their online presence and reach their goals. This is the information I need to convey to the public in a compelling way.

The bio area of a blog is an important part of any website. It can be the deciding factor in whether or not they stay on your site. A well-crafted bio can help to keep readers engaged and on the site, as it gives them an impression of you and your content. It should be concise yet informative, giving readers a quick overview of who you are and why your website has the answers they’re seeking. Be brutal – just cherry-pick the most relevant, interesting stuff and ditch the rest, especially the fluff.

Your blog biography should be unique to you and your content. You have to make a case for what sets your blog apart from others in such a short space. This means that you need to include information about yourself, such as qualifications or experience, as well as details about what makes your blog special. Additionally, it’s important to include keywords related to the topics you write about so that search engines can easily find your website when people are looking for answers online.

Step 4: Highlight Unique Qualities

When writing a blog bio, it’s important to include keywords that will help search engines and potential readers find you. Take five minutes to make your blog better by updating the short bio in your site’s sidebar with relevant information about yourself and what you do. A strategically written bio should be concise yet descriptive, highlighting the unique qualities that make you stand out from the crowd.

Your bio should be tailored to your target audience so they can immediately recognize that they are in the right place when they land on your page. Even the most professional short bios should include something that shows you are a real person .  

Your industry recognition can help prove your expertise in your chosen field. Google’s E-A-T ranking score (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) is especially important for health, fitness, and finance blogs. You can draw attention to these credentials without a long list by displaying logos or images related to them.

You should also share popular blogs you’ve been published on, books you’ve written, and certifications you have.  Showcasing the famous brands you’ve worked with and the big results you’ve got in the past will also help prove your authority.

However, listing awards, accomplishments, medals, blue ribbons, trophies, and honorary titles that make you look accomplished in your field can have an unwanted effect on your audience – they might not know what any of these awards actually mean. Can listing your accolades seem like “bragging”? Well, yes. The balance is finding the line between asserting your knowledge, while also writing in a language that they will understand.

Step 5: Give Yourself a Time Limit

Once your fingers hit the keyboard, and you start writing the bio, you should be able to write a short one within 30 minutes, and a longer one in an hour. A time limit will make you write from the heart, which is where the best bios live. Then put it aside for an hour or so before a final proofread and edit before sending. Don’t sit on it too long or it will never finish.

Step 6: Write in the First Person

There are two sides to this argument: When thinking about how to write a bio, should you write your bio in the  first person or in the  third person ?

Unfortunately, there are downsides to both.

• If you write in the first person, you can’t really brag about yourself, because it can come across as conceited.
• If you write in the third person, that can get weird, too… especially if the rest of your blog or website is in the first person. Because then people know you’re bragging about yourself and that you just wanted to disguise the fact that you were doing it by pretending someone else wrote it.

So, what do you do? Ultimately, this comes down to personal preference and your audience. In my opinion, the first-person point of view is the most intimate way to write you bio.

Step 7: Include Contact Details

Well, duh, but in all the stress this is sometimes forgotten. And don’t forget any social media profiles.

Now for the unveiling. Here’s what I came up with by following these eight steps:

About Debra Garber

Head of Finance & Operations at dlvr.it . Slipped a writing sample under the CEO’s door and now, happily sharing my experiences traversing the wilds of social media. Backyard chicken farmer. Will trade social media tips for organic eggs.

Step 8: Get a Second Opinion.

Ask several people  – colleagues, co-workers, family members, and friends – to review your author bio and provide feedback. After you receive the feedback, edit your bio as needed. Why ask friends? Because they’ll be honest with you.

Thankfully for me, my daughter and son-in-law, both writers, arrived just in time to open a bottle of wine, ask some great questions and slash away at my blog bio.

Version 3. We’ll go with this one for now:

Take a deep breath.

Unfortunately, you are not done!

LAST STEP (this may be the most important one): Include an Amazing Photo

Yes, investing in a good headshot is worth every penny.

Think about all the times you’ve read a great blog author bio and then squinted at the blurry, green-toned, unflattering image of the person it described. Doesn’t it kind of dampen your enthusiasm and admiration for them? NOT because of the way they look, but because they clearly didn’t make the effort.

The Quality of the Image Does Matter!

And, whether you like or not, people’s first impressions can be significantly affected by the quality of your photo.

Here’s a must read:    The Anatomy of a Picture Perfect Profile Image on Social Media

After following this guide, I uploaded a much better image, and voila…

Summary – How To Write a Blog Bio to Look Smart

A blog bio is an essential part of any website or blog. It is the first thing readers will look at to decide if your content is right for them. Your blog bio should be short and concise, providing a jumping-off point for other social media platforms. It should give readers an idea of what your website has to offer and why they should stay on it. And, it needs to inform them why they should come back regularly to read from YOU.

Your blog bio is important because it tells readers why your website has the answers they’re seeking. It gives people an impression of you and your content and sets your blog apart from other options. Writing a compelling blog bio is crucial to make a case for why people should stay on your website and become subscribers, as well as clients or customers. A good blog bio will include information about yourself, what topics you cover, and how often you post new content. Additionally, it should provide links to other social media accounts so that readers can easily find more information about you and your work. And not only that, but make it fun, interesting, and engaging. That’s what will catch their eye, and keep them coming back.

Debra Garber

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BUSINESS STRATEGIES

How to write a professional bio (with examples and templates)

• Rebecca Strehlow
• 11 min read

Which three words would you use to describe yourself? Most of us have been asked this question, and many of us have fumbled through it awkwardly.

Coming up with a personal description can be daunting. But there are times when it’s essential - whether we’re updating our LinkedIn profiles, blogging for Medium or creating a business website of our own.

In this post, we’ll go over how to write a bio, step by step. To help guide you, we’ve also included a handy template, along with some professional bio examples for your inspiration. With these resources, you’ll find that writing a bio, as part of making a website , is much easier than you might think.

What is a bio?

Before you learn how to write a bio, you should have a clear understanding of what it is and why you need it.

In the world of literature, a personal biography can span the length of an entire novel, like Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom or Malala Yousafzai’s I Am Malala . In the online world, however, a bio is a short paragraph in which you introduce yourself. Typically, people place bios on the About Us page of their professional website, as well as on their social media pages and other networking platforms.

What to include in a bio

Depending on your audience and goals, your bio can highlight your personal interests, your professional achievements or a mix of both. Here are some of the elements a bio might include:

Job title or workplace

University degree and other qualifications

Hometown or city of residence

Personal or professional goals

Mission statement and values

Skills and expertise

Interests and hobbies

The goal of writing a bio is to provide people with a snapshot of who you are. This is important for a variety of reasons, whether it’s drawing people toward your personal website or promoting your blog, attracting clients and business partners to your brand, or highlighting your achievements for job interviews.

How to write a short bio

The most effective online bios are both professional and concise. Here’s how to write a short professional bio that suits your website or brand:

Introduce yourself

State your company or brand name

Explain your professional role

Include professional achievements

Discuss your passions and values

Mention your personal interests

01. Introduce yourself

Begin your bio by stating your first and last name. If you’re writing in the third person, these should be the first two words of the paragraph. This makes your name easy for your audience to identify and remember. Your bio is a huge part of your personal branding efforts, and should start with a strong intro to make a positive impact.

02. State your company or brand name

Think about whether you want your bio to represent yourself on a personal level, or whether you’d like it to come across as more professional. If you have a personal brand or business - for example, a blog, freelance business or eCommerce site - be sure to mention your brand name at the beginning of your bio. Don’t be afraid if the name sounds simple or redundant. It’s perfectly fine, for instance, to say Mary Smith is the founder and CEO of Smith Digital.

Likewise, feel free to mention the name of another company or brand that you work for if you’d like to associate it with your professional accomplishments - e.g., Mary Smith is a consultant at Google and the founder and CEO of Smith Digital.

03. Explain your professional role

Next, briefly explain your current position. This is relevant whether you’re the founder of a company, a high-level specialist or a beginner in your field, and it can be similar to the description you have on your resume. Your website visitors won’t necessarily know what your job involves, so elaborating on your primary responsibilities helps paint a picture of who you are and what you have to offer. This can also be used, if needed for employment and recruitment opportunities. If you're a freelancer a strong bio can make all the difference in how successful sourcing work can be.

04. Include professional achievements

In addition to explaining what your job entails, highlight milestones that make you stand out. Even if you haven’t won an award or gained external recognition, you can discuss ways in which you’ve contributed to your professional role and touch on new ideas or approaches that you bring to the table.

05. Discuss your passions and values

Once you describe what you do and how you contribute to your role, you’ll need to explain the why . This is one of the most important elements to focus on as you consider how to write a bio.

Think about the values and passions underlying your work, as well as your professional philosophy. What gets you up in the morning? What’s the driving force behind what you do?

You can also think of this part of your professional bio as a kind of mission statement. Perhaps your mission is to serve others, contribute to society, grow your expertise or learn new skills. Whatever your reasons, expanding upon these ideas can help your audience get a better understanding of what truly matters to you. Don't be afraid to deploy storytelling in this part of creating your bio. Explore your narrative and then convey it.

06. Mention your personal interests

The most effective short bios will not only focus on your professional experience, but will also touch on what you like to do in your spare time. Consider mentioning:

Your family

Your hometown

Your hobbies

Side projects you’re working on

Transitioning to a more casual discussion of who you are outside of work is a great way to conclude your bio. This will present you as a more well-rounded person while making you relatable for your audience.

Professional bio template

As you go through the steps on how to write a bio, this handy template will help you get started:

Sentence 1: [Name] is a [job title] who [job description].

E.g., Lisa Green is an English teacher who teaches beginning to advanced literature courses for 10th and 11th grade students at Bloomfield High School.

Sentence 2: [Name] believes that [why you do the work you do].

E.g., Lisa believes that written and analytical skills are not only a fundamental part of academic excellence, but are also the building blocks of critical thinking in high school and beyond.

Sentence 3: [Name/pronoun] has [mention your achievements].

E.g., In addition to managing the English curriculum for the school, she runs an after school program where she works one-on-one with students.

Sentence 4: [Name/pronoun] is a [mention any relevant awards, training or honors].

E.g., She has also been nominated Teacher of the Year for two consecutive years.

Sentence 5: [Name/pronoun] holds a [insert degree] in [field of study] from [university].

E.g., Lisa holds a BA in Creative Writing and a Master’s Degree in Teaching from the University of Michigan.

Once you’ve filled in this template, put it all together into a single paragraph to create an initial framework for your professional biography. Note that you can shorten or expand upon this bio according to your unique needs.

Professional bio examples

Now that you know the basics of writing a professional bio, here are some short bio examples to inspire you. You can use these examples as additional templates for guidance as you craft your own personal biography.

Like the creators of these examples, you can place your bio on your personal or professional website and, later, revise the structure for other online platforms.

01. Bristol Guitar Making School

Of all the professional bio examples, Alex Bishop’s content exudes passion. Strategically placing the bio on the About page of his small business website , he highlights his skills and explains why he finds his work meaningful. In particular, we love his description of why he chose to pursue guitar making:

“​My passion as a guitar maker comes from a life-long obsession with making things. From a young age I have always tried to manipulate objects and materials in order to create something entirely different. I find that working with wood is a way for me to connect with nature. The simple act of shaping wood to make something functional or beautiful brings me endless satisfaction.”

He also lists his accomplishments and awards, adding credibility to his business and building trust among prospective clients.

02. Alexandra Zsigmond

As someone who has served as art director for both The New York Times' opinion section and The New Yorker , it's no surprise that Alexandra Zsigmond's bio is thorough and detailed. Providing statistics or reflections on the things she achieved in her career is a clever way to demonstrate her value without saying so directly. As she explains:

"She has collaborated with a roster of over 1000 artists worldwide and art directed over 4000 editorial illustrations. She is known for greatly expanding the range of visual contributors to the Times, drawing equally from the worlds of contemporary illustration, fine art, animation, and comics."

03. Amanda Shields Interiors

Amanda Shields provides us with another effective bio example on her interior design website. Importantly, she spices up her bio by explaining how home decor aligns with her personal life and why it’s so close to her heart as a mother and entrepreneur:

"After working as a product designer for numerous retailers over the years, and after I had my first child, I decided to take the plunge and start my own home staging business…. Coincidentally, a month later I discovered I was pregnant with my second child. I loved the new challenges I faced as a new entrepreneur and mom and it didn't take long for me to discover that this was my calling…. I felt the need to expand my business and launch Amanda Shields Interiors as its own entity to focus specifically on residential interiors and design."

By placing this content on her website’s About page, she provides potential clients with insights into her expertise and professional experience. She expands upon the choices she made along her career path, strategically making note of her achievements and acquired skills along the way.

Tips for writing a bio

As you write your bio using the professional template above, make sure to keep the following tips in mind:

Keep it concise: Your bio should be sufficiently explanatory, but it should also be short and to the point. A good rule of thumb is to keep each element of your bio - from your job description to your mission statement and hobbies - to about 1-2 sentences. That way, you’ll end up with a brief paragraph that holds your readers’ attention without rambling on.

Consider your audience: The voice and tone you choose for your biography largely depends on your audience and personal goals. If you’re looking for a job and are writing primarily for recruiters, you’ll want to use a serious, professional tone. On the other hand, if you’re creating an Instagram bio , consider using more casual, conversational language that reflects your personality.

Add humor: Relatedly, consider adding humor when appropriate. This is especially valuable if you’ve founded your own business or created your own website , as it can give you a distinct brand identity while helping your audience build a stronger sense of connection with your brand.

Link to your website: When writing a bio for a platform other than your own website - a social media page, another company page, or a guest blog or publication - remember to include a link to your website. This will help you promote your website while highlighting your professionalism and authority.

Adapt for different platforms: You’ll most likely need to adapt the length and writing style of your biography to suit different platforms. For example, you may place a longer bio on your website’s About page and a shorter one on your LinkedIn page. In these cases, use the same main principles for writing a bio while scaling down the most important elements.

By following these tips, you can create a powerful bio that helps you stand out in your field and allows your audience to get to know you better.

How to write a bio in four sentences or less

Really need to create a super short bio? We'd suggest following some of the tips above, just condensing them into less word for a short bio that still makes impact.

But if we really had to choose we'd say focus on - you, your professional role and company. That condenses everything that matters for bio into three sentences. Humor, creativity and uniqueness still all matter - just use fewer words to convey them.

Creating a bio for your website

As we’ve noted in the examples above, one of the most strategic places to put your bio is on your website - so be sure to consider it within your web design plans. Whether the goal of your site is to start and promote your business , showcase your design portfolio or display your resume, including a bio gives your audience a glimpse into the person behind your content. It can also kickstart your professional growth . Show the world what you do, how you do it and why it matters, and people will be drawn to your passion and inspired by your experience.

Pro tip: You can add a bio to many different types of websites, so using templates can help you create yours faster. For example, if you're creating a portfolio website , explore portfolio website templates to help you get started.

Creating a bio for social media

Crafting a professional bio for social media is vital as it introduces you or your brand, and it builds credibility and trust. A well-written bio establishes your expertise, attracts the right audience, and fosters engagement. It helps maintain a consistent brand image, optimizes search and discovery, and opens doors to networking and career opportunities. A compelling bio delivers a concise, informative snapshot of who you are, what you do, and the value you bring, leaving a lasting impression on visitors and potential collaborators alike.

You may need to edit your bio depending on which social media platform you plan to use it on. Some of the most popular ones include Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Focus on getting your bio right on the platforms you plan to focus your personal or brand social media marketing efforts on.

Writing a bio with AI

If you're looking to write your bio fast while creating your website, consider using an AI text generator to build your draft. You'll still need to make sure it goes through. an intensive editing process, so that it really captures the essence of who you are and your professional skills. A bio is about much more than just basic information, so don't forget to include the storytelling too. Build a website with Wix and you can make use of the in-built AI text generator within its Editor .

Why good bios are important for a professional

In a world where first impressions matter, a well-crafted bio can make a significant impact in establishing trust and credibility with potential clients, employers or collaborators. It also offers insight into your personality and values, helping to forge authentic connections with your audience. It acts as a powerful tool for personal branding, allowing you to differentiate yourself in a competitive landscape and leave a memorable impression.

A strong bio also serves as a gateway to opportunities, whether it's securing new clients, landing job interviews or establishing partnerships. It acts as a professional introduction, allowing you to showcase your expertise. A polished and impactful bio is essential for you to effectively communicate your professional identity and stand out in your field.

Writing a bio without experience

Writing a bio when you don't yet have experience can be challenging, but it's an opportunity to showcase your potential and aspirations.

Begin by highlighting your educational background, skills and any relevant coursework or projects you've completed. Focus on your passions, interests and personal qualities that make you unique. Consider including volunteer work, internships or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your commitment and initiative. Emphasize your eagerness to learn and grow in your chosen field and express your future goals and aspirations. Don't be afraid to be honest about your current stage and your willingness to gain experience and develop professionally.

If you don't know what to write in your bio, start by brainstorming your key experiences, achievements, skills and personal attributes. Consider what sets you apart and what you want others to know about you. Look for inspiration from other bios or profiles in your field, and consider seeking feedback from friends, mentors or colleagues. Don't hesitate to highlight your passions, interests and goals, as well as any unique experiences or perspectives you bring to the table. Remember to keep it concise and engaging, and don't be afraid to revise and refine your bio until it accurately represents you.

How to write a bio FAQ

What is a short bio.

A short bio, short for biography, is a concise summary of a your life or professional background. It provides a brief overview of your key achievements, qualifications, experiences, and relevant details. Typically written in the third person, a short bio is often used in various contexts, such as professional profiles, social media accounts, introductions for speaking engagements, author descriptions, and other situations where a brief introduction is required. The length of a short bio can vary, but it's generally kept to a few sentences or a short paragraph to provide a snapshot of the person's background and expertise.

How do I write a bio about myself?

What should i include in a short bio, how do you write a fun bio for work, how do i make my bio stand out, related posts.

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How To Write An Author Bio (With Examples And Templates)

So you've written a book or started a blog and now need to craft an author bio to help readers get to know you. An author bio is one of the most important parts of establishing your writing platform, but it can also be one of the hardest to write. How do you condense your life's story and writing experience into a few short paragraphs? How do you make yourself sound accomplished yet approachable?

Don't worry, we've got you covered. In this article, we'll walk you through how to write an engaging author bio from scratch. We'll provide examples and templates to get you started, tips for choosing the right tone and perspective, and advice for including the key details that help connect you to your readers. By the end, you'll have all the tools you need to craft an author bio you can be proud to share. Writing about yourself doesn't have to be awkward or intimidating. With the right mindset and approach, you can make it fun and help your unique author voice shine through.

What Is an Author Bio and Why Is It Important?

An author bio is a short biography of yourself that accompanies your written work. Whether you're publishing a book, starting a blog, or pitching to media, an author bio helps establish your credibility and connect with your audience.

As an author, your bio is one of the first things people will read to get a sense of who you are. It should highlight your relevant experience, accomplishments, and qualifications in an authentic yet compelling way.

An author bio is an important part of your platform as a writer. It helps build credibility with your readers and establishes you as an authority in your niche. Keep your bio concise yet compelling, focusing on your most significant accomplishments and credentials. Use an authentic and friendly tone to connect with your audience on a personal level. Update your bio regularly to keep it current. With a strong author bio, you'll make a great first impression on anyone who reads your work.

Elements to Include in Your Author Bio

An author bio allows readers to quickly glimpse who you are and your background. The elements you include can help establish your credibility and connect with your audience. Here are some of the key things you’ll want to incorporate into your author bio:

1. Your name

Include your full name so readers know exactly who you are. You can also include any credentials or titles you may have. For example, “John Doe, Ph.D.”

2. A brief bio

Give readers a short 1-2 sentence bio summing up who you are and what you do. For example, “John Doe is a freelance writer and marketing consultant.” Keep this high level without too many details.

3. Your areas of expertise

Mention 1-3 areas you have expertise or experience in. For example, “John Doe specializes in content marketing, email marketing, and social media strategy.” This helps establish your credibility and lets readers know what topics you can knowledgeably write about.

4. A personal detail

Adding a personal detail or fun fact can help humanize you and connect with readers. But keep it light and avoid anything too controversial. For example, “When he's not writing, John enjoys hiking, cooking, and spending time with his family.”

5. Social media links

If you have social media profiles related to your writing or area of expertise, include links to them in your bio. For example:

Twitter: @johndoe

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johndoe

An author bio is a key part of your online presence as a writer. Keep it concise yet compelling, highlight your experience and expertise, and make a personal connection with readers. Follow these tips and you'll be crafting an author bio that represents you well in no time!

How to Write an Author Bio in 5 Easy Steps

Writing an author bio is an important way to connect with your readers and build your credibility as a writer. Here are five easy steps to craft an engaging author bio:

Step #1 Choose a Style and Perspective

Decide if you want to write your bio in first or third person. First person (“I have been writing for 10 years”) tends to be more personal while third person (“John Doe has been writing for 10 years”) sounds more professional. Think about your audience and writing style to determine which perspective fits best.

Step #2 Share Some Background

Give the reader a sense of your background and qualifications. Mention your areas of expertise, degrees or certifications, and years of experience. Keep this high-level without too many specific details. For example, “Jane Doe has over 20 years of experience as a content writer and has developed expertise in health and wellness topics.”

Step #3 Discuss Your Writing

Talk about your writing experience, style, and any publications or accomplishments. For example, “John Doe has published over 200 articles on Medium covering a range of productivity and lifestyle topics. His writing is known for its simple yet engaging style and actionable advice.” You can also mention any awards or recognition you’ve received.

Step #4 Share Some Personal Interests (Optional)

Include some of your personal interests and pursuits to give readers a more well-rounded sense of who you are. For example, “When not writing, Jane enjoys yoga, cooking, and spending time with family.” This part of the bio is optional but helps to humanize you and build a personal connection with readers.

Step #5 Review and Refine

Read through your draft bio and look for any areas that could be improved. Get feedback from others as well. Refine and edit your bio to ensure the tone and content are aligned with your brand and goals. Keep your bio to 2-3 short paragraphs for the best results.

With these steps, you'll be able to craft an author bio that highlights your experience, expertise, and personality. Your bio is a key part of your online presence as an author, so take the time to get it right!

Dos and Don'ts for Your Author Bio

When crafting your author bio, there are a few dos and don'ts to keep in mind:

• Do keep it short and sweet. Your bio should be 3 to 4 sentences at most. Any longer and readers may lose interest. Stick to the essentials about your background and experience.
• Do focus on your credentials and qualifications. Mention any relevant degrees, certifications or areas of expertise that make you an authority on your subject matter. For example, “John Doe has a PhD in Psychology from Harvard University and over 10 years of experience as a practicing therapist.”
• Do include a fun fact. Adding an interesting personal detail helps to humanize you and build a connection with readers. For instance, “When he’s not writing, John enjoys hiking with his two dogs and learning to cook Indian cuisine.”
• Don’t exaggerate or misrepresent yourself. Be authentic and honest. Lying or stretching the truth will only damage your credibility and reputation in the long run.
• Don’t get too personal. While a fun fact is fine, avoid oversharing details about your family life, health issues, religious views or other topics that don’t relate directly to your work. Your bio should maintain a sense of professionalism.
• Don’t use clichés or meaningless adjectives. Phrases like “passion for writing” or “expert communicator” are overused and ineffective. Show your expertise through concrete facts and examples instead.

Author Bio Examples

Writing an engaging author bio can be challenging. Here are 10 examples to model your own after:

1. The Humble Expert

"John Smith has over 20 years of experience as a business consultant. He has helped over 500 companies improve efficiency and increase profits. Outside of work, John enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with family."

This bio highlights the author's experience and expertise while remaining humble and personable. The details about hobbies and family make him relatable.

2. The Aspiring Authority

"Jane Doe is the founder of ABC Company and an aspiring authority on leadership and management. She frequently blogs and speaks on topics like improving company culture, effective communication, and the habits of high-performance teams."

This bio establishes the author as an aspiring expert in her field who is actively working to build her authority through content creation and public speaking.

3. The Lifelong Learner

"Mike Johnson has been a lifelong learner and educator. He has degrees in Psychology, Education, and Leadership. Mike has spent over 15 years teaching personal development skills to students around the world. He writes to share the life lessons and wisdom gained from his diverse experiences, adventures, failures, and continued learning."

This bio highlights the author's passion for continuous self-improvement and sharing knowledge with others. The tone is inspiring and reflective.

4. The Relatable Role Model

"Sara Williams is a mother of three, marathon runner, and health coach. She knows firsthand the challenges of balancing family, fitness, and a career. Through her writing and coaching, Sara aims to motivate and inspire women to pursue their goals and dreams despite obstacles or setbacks."

This bio establishes the author as a relatable role model for readers by highlighting shared life experiences and values. The uplifting and empowering tone is appealing.

5. The Quirky Character

"When Jack isn't writing or daydreaming up his next story, he enjoys woodworking, stargazing, and birdwatching—though not usually at the same time. Jack lives with his wife, two kids, and an energetic border collie in the Pacific Northwest. He likes pizza, craft beer, and all things retro."

This playful bio gives readers a glimpse into the author's quirky personality and varied interests with personable details. The lighthearted and humorous tone creates an instant connection with readers.

6. The Multifaceted Creative

"Emily Clark is a true creative at heart, with a passion for photography, painting, and writing. Her artistic endeavors serve as a means of self-expression and allow her to explore the world through different mediums. Emily's work often captures the beauty of everyday life, showcasing the extraordinary in the ordinary."

This bio introduces Emily as a versatile artist who finds inspiration in various forms of creativity. Her ability to capture the essence of everyday moments and transform them into art is a testament to her unique perspective and talent.

7. The Globetrotting Explorer

"Alex Rodriguez is an avid traveler and adventurer, always seeking new experiences and connections around the globe. From climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to diving in the Great Barrier Reef, Alex's wanderlust has taken him to breathtaking destinations. Through his writing, he shares captivating stories and insights gained from his journeys."

This bio showcases Alex as an intrepid explorer who embraces the thrill of discovering new cultures and landscapes. His travel experiences enrich his storytelling, offering readers a glimpse into the wonders of the world.

8. The Tech Guru

"Sarah Thompson is a tech enthusiast and expert, passionate about the latest advancements and their impact on society. With a background in computer science, Sarah has a deep understanding of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain. Through her writing, she simplifies complex concepts, making them accessible to readers of all backgrounds."

This bio positions Sarah as a knowledgeable authority in the ever-evolving world of technology. Her ability to bridge the gap between technical jargon and everyday readers makes her an invaluable resource for those seeking clarity in the digital age.

9. The Advocate for Change

"Michael Nguyen is a dedicated advocate for social justice and equality. Through his writing, he sheds light on pressing issues such as racial discrimination, gender inequality, and environmental sustainability. Michael's powerful words aim to inspire individuals to take action and create a more just and inclusive world."

This bio highlights Michael's commitment to raising awareness and driving positive change. His passion for justice resonates throughout his writing, empowering readers to become agents of transformation in their communities.

10. The Historical Storyteller

"Elizabeth Turner is a captivating historical storyteller, bringing the past to life with her vivid narratives and meticulous research. With a passion for uncovering forgotten tales and exploring different eras, Elizabeth transports readers to bygone worlds, immersing them in the rich tapestry of history."

This bio paints Elizabeth as a masterful weaver of stories, skillfully intertwining facts with imagination to create a mesmerizing journey through time. Her unwavering dedication to historical accuracy ensures that readers not only enjoy her narratives but also gain a deeper understanding of the past.

Author Bio Templates

Whether you're publishing a book or starting a blog, an author bio is an important way to connect with your readers and build your credibility as a writer. The good news is, author bios follow a pretty standard template you can use to craft your own.

Here are some examples to get you started:

Short Bio (50-100 words)

Use this for a quick intro on your blog, social media profiles, or the back of your book:

• [Your name] is a [your profession] and [other relevant info, e.g. award or accomplishment]. [He/She] lives in [location] with [his/her] [family member(s)]. [His/Her] [hobby or interest] include [activity 1], [activity 2], and [activity 3].

Medium Bio (100-150 words)

This provides a high-level overview of your background and credentials:

• [Your name] is a [your profession] and [other relevant info, e.g. award or accomplishment]. [He/She] has over [X] years of experience [in your field or relevant experience]. [His/Her] work has appeared in [publications or media outlets].
• Outside of work, [he/she] enjoys [hobby 1], [hobby 2], and [hobby 3]. [He/She] lives in [location] with [his/her] [family members]. [His/Her] latest [project or work] is [book title or blog name].

Longer Bio (200-500 words)

Use this on your website or in proposals to give readers a comprehensive sense of your experience and qualifications:

• [Your name] is a [your profession] and [other relevant info, e.g. award or accomplishment] with over [X] years of experience. [He/She] is passionate about [your work or area of expertise] because [reasons and motivations].
• [His/Her] work has appeared in [publications or media outlets]. [He/She] has written [X] books including [book title 1], [book title 2], and [book title 3]. [His/Her] latest [project or work] is [book title or blog name].
• Outside of work, [he/she] enjoys [hobby 1], [hobby 2], and [hobby 3]. [He/She] lives in [location] with [his/her] [family members].

Using these templates, you can craft an author bio that gives readers a well-rounded sense of who you are and builds your credibility.

Use Hypotenuse AI to Write Your First Author Bio

You've come this far, so why not take it all the way? Writing your author bio doesn't have to be difficult or time-consuming. Using a tool like Hypotenuse AI can help make the process fast and painless.

Hypotenuse AI is designed specifically to help authors craft compelling author bios . All you have to do is provide some basic details about yourself and your writing, and the AI will generate a draft bio for you. You can then easily review and revise the draft to ensure it captures your unique voice and story. Give it a try and let artificial intelligence help craft your compelling author bio!

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How to Write a Biography (Examples & Templates)

A biography is a written account of a person’s life that details their life in chronological order. Another person usually writes this detailed account, and it contains reports of their childhood, career, major life events, relationships, and social impact. It also details their relationships with their family, children, and life accomplishments.

The best way to find out more about a popular figure is through reading their biographies, so you need to make sure you get the correct information. Before writing a biography, you need to do a lot of research and interviews to represent a person’s life accurately.

Types of Biography

A biography is the story of someone’s life as written by another writer. Most biographies of popular figures are written years, or even decades, after their deaths. Authors write biographies of popular figures due to either a lack of information on the subject or personal interest.

A biography aims to share a person’s story or highlight a part of their life.

There are different types of biographies, depending on the story. Some biographies are written true to the story, while some are written as fictional works. Biographies can give you true understanding of a person on an internal as well as external level along with a lot of life lessons.

Autobiography

An autobiography is different from a biography because it is written by the subject of the story, themselves. The author writes in the first-person narrative, and it flows step-by-step like a story of their life. Autobiographies contain personal accounts of the subject’s life, along with their perspectives and opinions on events in their life.

How To Write a Biography

Pick a subject.

Picking a subject is the first step in writing a biography. You can pick an already famous person or a relatively unknown person with a great life story. If you already have a few in mind, you can start by asking yourself some questions such as;

• What has the subject accomplished that makes them a good subject?
• Have they had an impact on society?
• Is the subject a celebrity or a well-known personality?
• Will the biography appeal to a wide audience?

Get Permission

When you pick a subject, the next thing to do is to get permission from them or their family or rights owners. Although, with some historical figures, there may not be any need for permission. Getting permission from your subject makes it easier for you to get stories to put into your book. You can get the chance to obtain additional personal stories and anecdotes that will make your book more interesting by doing so as well.

Do The Research

Research is the most important part of a biography’s process as the entire content of the book is dependent on it. Irrespective of what you know about the subject, you need to carry out as much research as possible to get the story’s facts precisely.

Biography research comes from various sources, depending on the book’s subject. Firsthand reports from family, friends, or personal accounts from the subjects are primary sources. They are usually the most accurate and reliable, and they are crucial for a biography. Secondary sources come from other sources like magazines or documentaries.

Pick a Format

Biographies come in various formats, with each of them having their pros and cons. A typical biography will start at the beginning, usually with the birth and childhood of the subject. Yet, if the biography’s theme involves a different event in their life, the author may want to explore the flashback option or one with concurrent events from different times.

Usually, biographies have a theme or a general life lesson at the center. The author’s role is to tell the subject’s story leading up to the major event.

Which-ever format you choose should place the theme at the center, with the other events detailing the journey.

Create a Timeline Of The Story

Since a biography takes place in chronological order, there needs to be a timeline of the events in the right order. The timeline should contain the key events in the subject’s life, in the order the author plans on revealing them. A great way to declutter the story and keep it interesting is to use flashbacks . This way, the author can introduce past events and explain later events excluding the element of monotony.

Add In Your Thoughts

The good thing about biographies is that you don’t have to stick to the hard facts only. As the author, you can share your opinions and emotions in writing. The author has the freedom to do this by commenting on a significant action by the subject in a manner that describes why they feel the subject may have done what they did.

The author can also include commentary on events depicted in the biography – how it was influenced society or its impact on the lives around them. Recounting these events through a different perspective can make the biography more relatable and interesting to read.

FAQ’s

Why is a biography template important.

A biography template has an outline that makes the writing easier for the author. Biography templates usually contain a sample timeline, format, and questions that provide more information about the subject. With a great biography template, you can cut your writing time in half and spend less time coming up with an outline.

How are biographies better in comparison to autobiographies

Since a different person writes biographies, they tend to be more objective and somewhat accurate than autobiographies. An autobiography tells things from the author’s perspective, so their views and perspective cloud it. Thus, a biography will likely tell a more factual story.

These are the important steps you need to take to help you write a great biography. Now, to make things easier for you, we have a free customizable autobiography and biography template that you can use to start your first book. Get the template and start writing today

What are some of the most important elements to keep in consideration while writing a biography?

Any author looking to write a biography must consider the factors below. They aren’t the only important factors, but a biography isn’t complete without them. • Date and place of their birth • Academic background • Professional expertise • Death, if deceased • Facts and anecdotes about the person • Main accomplishments • Detailed accounts of their child and adult life

Biographies tell the untold stories of some incredibly relevant people in the world. But biographies are not always strictly accurate. So, every biographer needs to follow the necessary steps to provide a biography with all the requirements.

Related Documents

27 of the Best Professional Bio Examples I've Ever Seen [+ Templates]

Published: December 20, 2023

As a writer, I have to let readers and potential clients know my expertise, my skills, and why they should work with me or be interested in what I say. So, a professional bio is a must in my industry.

Though I'm definitely familiar with professional bios, I can admit they can be challenging. What do I include? What do readers need to know?

As daunting as writing a professional bio can be, professional bios are crucial when applying for jobs, seeking new clients, or networking. A professional bio also gives the world a brief snapshot of you and your professional ideals.

If you‘re at a loss for how to write a professional bio that packs a punch, I’ve got you covered. In this journey, tools like HubSpot’s user-friendly drag-and-drop website builder can be instrumental in showcasing your professional bio online with ease and style.

I will walk you through how to write a professional bio that you can proudly publish, provide professional bio templates, and show you the best professional bio examples you can get inspiration from.

What is a professional bio?

Professional bio templates, how to write a professional bio, best professional bio examples, how to write a short bio.

80+ Professional Bio Templates & Examples

Create a compelling professional narrative for a proper, attention-grabbing introduction.

• LinkedIn Summaries
• Speaker Intros
• Website Bios
• Professional Profile

You're all set!

Click this link to access this resource at any time.

Tell us a little about yourself below to gain access today:

A professional bio or biography is a short overview of your experience. Professional bios usually include details about education, employment, achievements, and relevant skills.

Purpose of Professional Bios

A bio tells an audience about who you are, what you've done, and what you can do. It can help potential employers, fans, or customers understand your personality and what you stand for.

Writing a bio without a clear starting point is challenging — believe me, I've tried. To ease the process, here are some templates I put together to get you started.

I‘ve found it’s best to keep your professional bio honest and to the point. Too long of a bio, and you risk losing your audience's attention. After all, audiences will only read a web page for less than a minute before clicking elsewhere.

And honesty is key because most consumers and clients won‘t invest in someone or something if it doesn’t seem trustworthy. In fact, 67% of consumers say they must trust a brand before investing in its products or services.

"Plus," she adds, "I'm always happy to talk about my cats at any given moment. You never know when a fellow cat mom could be reading."

Values and Work Approach

Your values can sometimes show your work ethic more effectively than your career path. It can also help you endear yourself to employers and colleagues who want to work with people with similar values.

So don‘t be shy: Share how you incorporate your values into your work. Whether it’s a commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, or ethical decision-making, explain what drives you and be enthusiastic about it.

Your Personality

Remember: Your bio should always include a taste of your personality! Your sense of humor, creativity, or collaborative nature could all give readers a sense of who you are. This helps readers connect with you on a more personal level.

Remember to tailor your bio for different platforms and audiences. Also, keep it concise and impactful while highlighting the most relevant information in each context.

First-Person Bio vs. Third-Person Bio

While first-person bios are common, third-person bios can be more effective in formal situations.

Your decision to write your professional bio in the first or third person depends on your desire to leave a more personable or assertive impression.

Both approaches work, provided you tailor them to your goals and audience. What’s important is to be clear and tell your story in a way that connects with your reader.

How to Write a First-Person Bio

Writing in the first person can be a great way to connect with your audience when building a personal brand. When you write a first-person bio, use "I" or "me" to make yourself relatable and approachable.

Here's one way I’d write a first-person bio:

"I'm a freelance writer specializing in small business content. I've worked with companies in a variety of industries like home care to fine leather goods."

Speaking in the first person here connects you with a client or brand based on your experience and opinions. Put another way, writing a first-person bio is like telling your story to your audience.

Here are a few tips to make your first-person bio great:

Don’t start every sentence with "I."

Showing instead of telling is a great approach.

Let’s say you’re a writer who wants to create a short professional bio. Instead of saying, "I love to write," you can say, "Writer. Bad but enthusiastic dancer."

This portrays your writing skill, shows your personality outside of writing as a dancer, and includes a little sense of humor, which is essential for a writer.

Remember, you know yourself better than anyone.

Adding a back story to your bio helps create context for the roles and successes you write about. Think of it like a case study about who you were, what you are now, and the process that got you to your current position.

Focus on valuable details.

Quick facts about you can showcase your identity and values. For example, if you're writing a bio for LinkedIn, think about how to tie your hobby into what you do.

Let's say Animal Crossing is your hobby. Does it align with your career aspirations? It can be a great addition to your bio if you want to pursue a video game career.

However, if your interests lie elsewhere, including a more relevant hobby is better.

How to Write a Third-Person Bio

Third-person bios sound more authoritative and objective. So, if you’re job searching in a formal industry, applying for grants, or trying to get published, you may want to stick to the third person.

For instance, when you write a third-person bio, you may start with:

"Jasmine Montgomery is a Senior Hiring Manager at L’Oreal based in New York. She recruits across several business units to connect with the brightest talent from around the globe."

By only using your name and pronouns to speak about yourself here, you are letting your title and skill set speak for themselves.

These bios create distance between the subject of the bio (you) and the reader through a third person. This person could be anyone, but they usually speak in a tone emphasizing their expertise.

This makes third-person bios feel aloof or overly formal sometimes.

Ideally, your third-person bio should sound friendly but polished, like a message from a close colleague at work. Here are a few tips on how to write a great third-person bio.

Write from the perspective of someone you know and trust.

It can be challenging to write about yourself, so try to see yourself from the perspective of your favorite person at work or a mentor you trust. This can help you write from a position of authority without feeling self-conscious.

Show the reader why they should trust your opinion.

A professional bio often reflects a specific industry or niche. With this in mind, your text should include relevant details that professionals in your industry know. Avoid jargon whenever you can.

Remember, you're telling a story.

If you want a third-person bio, but you're used to writing in first-person, it may help to write it the most comfortable way for you.

Your professional bio is an essential piece of writing, so edit it carefully. Edit your writing from both points of view and see which works best for your target audience.

Here's how to write a professional bio, step by step.

• Create an 'About' page for your website or profile.
• Begin writing your bio with your first and last name.
• Mention any associated brand name you might use.
• State your current position and what you do.
• Include at least one professional accomplishment.
• Describe your values and how they inform your career.
• Briefly tell your readers who you are outside of work.
• Use humor or a personal story to add flavor to your professional bio.

If you’re anything like me, you probably don't think about your professional bio until you’re asked to "send one over via email."

You have one afternoon to come up with it, so you scramble together a bio that ends up reading like this:

"Rodney Erickson is a content marketing professional at HubSpot, a CRM platform that helps companies attract visitors, convert leads, and close customers.

Previously, Rodney worked as a marketing manager for a tech software startup. He graduated with honors from Columbia University with a dual degree in Business Administration and Creative Writing."

To be fair, in certain contexts, your professional bio needs to be more formal, like Mr. Erickson's up there. But there are also cases where writing a personable and conversational bio is good.

Whether you choose the formal or casual route, use the following steps to create a perfect bio.

1. Create an 'About' page for your website or profile.

You need an online space to keep your professional bio. Here are a few to consider (some of these you might already have in place):

• Facebook Business page .
• Industry blog byline .
• Instagram account .
• Personal website .
• LinkedIn profile .
• Industry website .
• Personal blog .

As you'll see in the professional bio examples below, the length and tone of your bio will differ depending on the platforms you use.

Instagram, for example, allows only 150 characters of bio space, whereas you can write as much as you want on your website or Facebook Business page.

2. Begin writing your bio with your first and last name.

If your readers remember nothing else about your bio, they should remember your name. Therefore, it's a good idea for your first and last name to be the first two words of your professional bio.

Even if your name is printed above this bio (hint: it should), this is a rare moment where it's okay to be redundant.

For example, if I were writing my bio, I might start it like this:

Lindsay Kolowich

Lindsay Kolowich is a Senior Marketing Manager at HubSpot.

3. Mention any associated brand name you might use.

Will your professional bio represent you or a business you work for? Ensure you mention the brand you associate with in your bio. If you're a freelancer, you may have a personal business name or pseudonym you advertise to your clients.

Here are a few examples:

• Lindsay Kolowich Marketing.
• SEO Lindsay.
• Kolowich Consulting.
• Content by Kolowich (what do you think ... too cheesy?).

Maybe you founded your own company and want its name to be separate from your real name. Keep it simple like this: "Lindsay Kolowich is the founder and CEO of Kolowich Consulting."

4. State your current position and what you do.

Whether you're the author of a novel or a mid-level specialist, use the following few lines of your bio to describe what you do in that position. Refrain from assuming your audience knows what your job title entails.

Make your primary responsibilities known so readers can know you and understand what you offer to your industry.

5. Include at least one professional accomplishment.

Just as a business touts its client successes through case studies, your professional bio should let your audience know what you've achieved.

What have you done for yourself — as well as for others — that makes you a valuable player in your industry?

6. Describe your values and how they inform your career.

Why do you do what you do? What might make your contribution to the market different from your colleagues? What are the values that make your business a worthwhile investment to others?

Create a professional bio that answers these questions.

7. Briefly tell your readers who you are outside of work.

Transition from describing your values in work to defining who you are outside of work. This may include:

• Your family.
• Your hometown.
• Sports you play.
• Hobbies and interests.
• Favorite music and travel destinations.
• Side hustles you're working on.

People like connecting with other people. The more transparent you are about who you are personally, the more likable you'll be to people reading about you.

8. Use humor or a personal story to add flavor to your professional bio.

End your professional bio on a good or, more specifically, a funny note. By leaving your audience with something quirky or unique, you can ensure they'll leave your website with a pleasant impression of you.

Following the steps above when writing your bio is important, but take your time with one section. People consume lots of information daily. So ensure your bio hooks 'em in the first line, and you won’t lose them.

(P.S. Want to boost your professional brand? Take one of HubSpot Academy's free certification courses . In just one weekend, you can add a line to your resume and bio that over 60,000 marketers covet.)

Why Good Bios Are Important for a Professional

You may think, "How many people read professional bios, anyway?"

The answer: A lot. Though there's no way to tell who is reading it, you want it catchy. Your professional bio will delight the right people coming across it on multiple platforms.

Professional bios can live on your LinkedIn profile , company website, guest posts, speaker profiles, Twitter bio , Instagram bio , and many other places.

And most importantly, it‘s the tool you can leverage most when you’re networking.

Bottom line? People will read your professional bio. Whether they remember it or it makes them care about you is a matter of how well you present yourself to your intended audience.

So, what does a top-notch professional bio look like? Let‘s review a few sample bios for professionals like you and me. Then, we’ll cover bio examples from some of the best people in the industry.

Short Sample Bios

Your bio doesn't have to be complicated. Here are five samples to glean inspiration from.

Example 1: Friendly Sample Bio

"Hey! My name is Ryan, and I'm a marketing specialist passionate about digital advertising. I have five years of experience managing various online campaigns and improving brand visibility for clients across multiple verticals. I love analyzing consumer behavior and leveraging data-driven strategies to maximize ROI. Outside work, I enjoy traveling, taking funny photos, and exploring new hiking trails."

Example 2: Mid-Career Sample Bio

"Jennifer Patel is a versatile graphic designer known for her creative approach and attention to detail. With a background in visual arts and eight years of experience, Jennifer has worked on diverse projects ranging from logo designs to website layouts. Her ability to understand and translate client needs into visually striking designs sets her apart. Jennifer finds inspiration in nature, music, and pop culture."

Example 3: Sales Sample Bio

"I'm a seasoned sales executive with a track record of exceeding targets and building strong client relationships. With a background in B2B sales, I've built a natural ability to understand customer needs and consistently exceed quota every month. I pride myself in my communication skills and strategic approaches, which have helped me thrive in highly competitive markets such as SaaS sales. Outside work, I enjoy playing basketball and volunteering at local charities."

Example 4: HR Sample Bio

"I am a dedicated human resources professional with a passion for fostering a positive workplace culture and facilitating employee development. With eight years of experience in talent acquisition and HR operations, I've played a key role in building high-performing teams. I'm known for my strong interpersonal skills and ability to create inclusive and supportive work environments. In my free time, I enjoy practicing yoga and exploring new culinary experiences."

Example 5: Software Engineer Sample Bio

"David Chang is a senior software engineer specializing in backend development. With a strong background in computer science and six years of experience, David has successfully built scalable and efficient solutions for complex technical challenges. He is well-versed in various programming languages and frameworks like C++, Java, and Ruby on Rails. In his spare time, David enjoys reading science fiction novels and playing the guitar."

Below, we've curated some of the best professional bio examples we've ever seen on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and the various places you might describe yourself.

Check 'em out and use them as inspiration when crafting your own.

• Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Author
• Chima Mmeje: SEO Content Writer
• DJ Nexus: DJ
• Lena Axelsson: Marriage & Family Therapist
• Mark Levy: Branding Firm Founder
• Audra Simpson: Political Anthropologist
• Marie Mikhail: Professional Recruiter
• Wonbo Woo: Executive Producer
• Chris Burkard: Freelance Photographer
• Lisa Quine: Creative Consultant
• Nancy Twine: Hair Care Founder
• Trinity Mouzon: Wellness Brand Founder
• Alberto Perez: Co-Founder of Zumba Fitness
• Ann Handley: Writer and Marketer

1. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie : Author

Bio platform: personal website.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie begins her professional bio with an invitation to her roots.

In a few paragraphs, she describes when and where she was born, her family, her education, her honorary degrees, and the depth of her work, which has been translated into 30 languages and several publications.

She can keep readers engaged by leading with a powerful hook that aligns with her target audience’s marketing needs.

• There’s clarity about who Chima serves.
• The hook is bold, catchy, and compels anyone to read further.
• Including client results makes clients visualize what they can expect.

3. DJ Nexus : DJ

Bio platform: facebook.

This New England-based DJ has single-handedly captured the Likes of over 2,000 people in and beyond Boston, MA. And even if you don‘t listen to the type of music he produces, it’s hard not to read his compelling Facebook bio.

For instance, consider his tagline, under "About" — " Quiet during the day. QUITE LOUD at night! " DJ Nexus tells you when he works awesomely. I got goosebumps just imagining a dance club where he might play music.

The second is the "long version," which is even more interesting than the first. Why? It reads like a story — a compelling one, at that. In fact, it gets hilarious in some parts.

The second sentence of the bio reads: "He was frightened of public school, loved playing baseball and football, ran home to watch ape films on the 4:30 Movie, listened to The Jam and The Buzzcocks, and read magic trick books."

Here's another excerpt from the middle:

It's a well-put value proposition that sets her apart from the rest of the HR industry.

Marie concludes her bio with a smooth mix of professional skills, like her Spanish fluency, and personal interests, such as podcasting and Star Wars (she mentions the latter with just the right amount of humor).

• Straight off the bat, Marie uses a story to share her experiences of how she began as a recruiter.
• It provides a subtle pitch for readers to check out her podcast.
• The bio exudes Maries approachable, fun, and playful personality.

8. Wonbo Woo : Executive Producer

Wonbo Woo is the executive producer of WIRED's video content and has several impressive credits to his name. What does this mean for his professional bio? He has to prioritize.

With this in mind, Wonbo opens his bio with the most eye-catching details first (if the image below is hard to read, click it to see the full copy ).

I wouldn‘t necessarily be inclined to follow Chris if his bio had simply read, "I post beautiful images." But images that inspire me to travel? Now that’s something I can get behind.

Last, he ends on a humble, sweet note: "He is happiest with his wife Breanne raising their two sons." So inject personal information into your bio — it makes you seem approachable.

• It highlights Chris’s achievement without bragging.
• The last sentence portrays Chris as a responsible man who loves his family.
• The well-written bio speaks to nature lovers who like the outdoors, surfing, and more. This gives them reasons to follow Chris.

10. Lisa Quine : Creative Consultant

Bio platform: portfolio website.

Creative professionals who specialize in visual art may find it challenging to balance the writing of their bio and displaying of their portfolio. Not Lisa Quine. Lisa has an exceptional balance of her professional bio and creative work.

Throughout her bio, you'll notice the number of murals she's completed and a brief timeline of her career. This helps her paint the picture of who she is as a professional.

The rest of her bio similarly focuses on Twine's strengths as someone who’s able to take hair care "back to basics."

Mouzon effectively grips the reader's attention with this introduction and then dives into some of her impressive accomplishments — including a brand now sold at Urban Outfitters and Target.

The language used throughout Mouzon's bio is authentic, real, and honest.

For instance, in the second paragraph, she admits:

"While building a brand may have looked effortless from the outside, starting a business at age 23 with no resources or funding quickly forced me to realize that early-stage entrepreneurship was anything but transparent."

As an avid Zumba fan, I was excited to include this one. Perez styles his LinkedIn bio as a short story, starting with his background as a hard-working teen who held three jobs by age 14.

His bio tells the fun and fascinating origin story of Zumba, in which Perez, an aerobics teacher in Florida at the time, forgot his music for class and used a Latin music cassette tape instead ... "And it was an instant hit!"

His bio continues:

"Shortly after he was connected to Alberto Periman and Alberto Aghion, and Zumba was officially created ... What started as a dream now has 15 million people in more than 200,000 locations in 186 countries who take Zumba classes every week."

There's something in there for everyone.

• The last section of the bio shows Ann’s warm personality — "Ann lives in Boston, where she is Mom to creatures two- and four-legged."
• Written in the third person, this bio has lots of proof (like followers), which shows Ann is a terrific marketing leader.

If you're posting a bio on a social media account or sending a quick blurb to a client, you want to keep it short and sweet while showcasing your accomplishments.

To get started, use these best practices for writing your short professional bio:

• Introduce yourself.
• State what you do.
• Add key skills or areas of expertise.
• Include a personal mission statement
• Celebrate your wins.
• Provide your contact information.
• Show them your personality.

1. Introduce yourself.

Your introduction is your first impression, so always begin by telling people who you are. You may start with a greeting like, "Hello, my name is" or "Hi! Let me first introduce myself …" when sending your bio as a message.

If you’re writing a bio for an online platform, stating your name at the beginning works as well.

Leading with your name — even as a question — is important for recognition and building relationships.

2. State what you do.

Give people an idea of what you do daily and where you work. Your job title is how the people put you into context and consider whether your profession relates to their industry.

So detail your most relevant work in your short bios, like CEO, professor, and author.

Take a cue from Angela Duckworth , who specifies what she does in her LinkedIn bio:

3. Add key skills or areas of expertise.

If you send a bio to a client or potential employer, highlight your most valuable skills. For instance, if your expertise is in social media marketing and content creation, like Ivanka Dekoning , list these skills.

• A joke. "Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. At least that’s what I learned when I created…"
• Mention a hobby. "I’ll be honest: for me, tennis is life — Go Nadal!"
• A fun fact. "Every year, I watch 100 new films! I’m a cinephile and love every movie genre."
• A few emojis related to your interests. "🎶🤖🎾🎬🎭"

Whichever way you choose to get personal, give people a glimpse into who you are as an individual.

When writing a short bio, it can be tempting to pack in as much relevant information about yourself as possible — but this isn’t the most effective approach.

Instead, focus on including the details that you and your audience care about most and leave out the fluff.

Let's dive into a few examples of short professional bios.

Short Professional Bio Examples

• Tristen Taylor: Marketing Manager
• Lianna Patch: Copywriter
• Precious Oboidhe: Content Strategist and Writer
• Rebecca Bollwitt: Writer
• Megan Gilmore: Cookbook Author
• Bea Dixon: Feminine Care Founder
• Tammy Hembrow: Instagram Influencer
• Dr. Cody: Chiropractor
• Larry Kim: Founder
• Dharmesh Shah: Founder and CTO
• Lily Ugbaja: Content Strategist
• Ian Anderson Gray: Marketer
• Van Jones: Political Commentator, Author, and Lawyer

1. Tristen Taylor: Marketing Manager

Bio platform: blog byline.

Tristen Taylor is a Marketing Manager here at HubSpot. She's written content for HubSpot's Marketing, Sales, and Customer Service blogs; her blog author bio is one of my favorites.

What I love most about Tristen's bio is that it’s a great example of how to deliver information about yourself that is relevant to your work while also sharing fun details that audiences will find relatable.

Her bio reads:

"Building from her experience with GoCo.io and Southwest Airlines, Tristen's work has been recognized by Marketing Brew and BLACK@INBOUND. She lives in Washington, DC, attending anime conventions and painting in her free time."

Gilmore further includes a CTA link within her Instagram bio that leads followers to free, ready-to-use recipes. You might think, " Why would she do that since it discourages people from buying her book?"

But that couldn't be further from the truth.

By giving her followers the chance to try out her recipes, she's slowly turning leads into customers. After I tried a few of her Instagram recipes and loved them, I bought her book, knowing I'd like more of what she offered.

• The bio is short and direct.
• The CTA link includes an invitation for people to join her newsletter. Meaning, she can build her email list.

6. Bea Dixon : Feminine Care Founder

Bea Dixon, Founder and CEO of The Honey Pot Company, efficiently uses the space on her Instagram profile to highlight who she is as a well-rounded human — not just a businesswoman.

For instance, while she highlights her girl boss attitude with a tiara emoji, she equally calls attention to her fashion interests (Free People), her pets, Boss and Sadie, and her love for ramen noodles.

What more do you need to know?

Ian doesn't take his bio too seriously but uses every character to highlight everything about him.

He includes his skills as a marketer and podcast host, who he is outside work as a dad, and what he can help you do. His smiles also give the bio a sense of humor and realness.

Don't forget to share this post!

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How to Write a Simple, Effective Resume (+20 Examples)

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27 of the Best Professional Bio Examples We've Ever Seen [+ Templates]

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Create a compelling professional narrative for your summary, bio, or introduction.

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Writing a Biography with LivingWriter: Easy as Pie

A biography can be deceptively easy to write — after all, you just need to narrate how a person lived their life, right? However, when you start to pull out pen and paper and start to write, you’d run into multiple roadblocks.

What information should I include? How specific should this biography be? How do I break a biography into logical sections?

As one of the more common pieces that people write, LivingWriter makes writing a biography a breeze with its Biography template. Let’s take a dive on the Biography template and see how it can make your writing process easier.

How to Use the Biography Template

When you open LivingWriter, press Templates at the top-right area of the template gallery. This will expand the gallery and show you all the available templates. We know, they’re a lot, and we are still looking into adding more of these.

For now, though, we will deal with the Biography template. Go ahead and click it.

A dialog box will appear after you click the template. You’ll be asked to enter the title of your biography. You can’t proceed if you don’t provide the title, so make sure that you fill this field first.

Of course, you can still change this title later on, so you don’t have to think hard for now.

The Description and Author fields are optional, so you can skip it for now. The last option is a toggle that enables a quick tutorial on LivingWriter and its rich feature set.

If you’re new to LivingWriter, we highly recommend you keep this option on so that you can be guided on how to use LivingWriter to the fullest.

After pressing the Create button, you will be led into the main interface of LivingWriter. You will see in the left side of your screen the predefined chapters of a biography.

Clicking on any of them pulls its respective section at the middle, where you do the actual writing, and its properties at the right side, where you can store descriptions of the chapter, and even some of your notes to guide you on your writing.

You can see that LivingWriter has pre-filled the description boxes for the chapters, and you can freely add more sections in the properties sidebar if you so desire.

If you want to see the overview of the outline before going straight to writing, you can press the Childhood and Early Life section on the left, which will show you a detailed view of the outline, with each chapter and its description laid out in boxes.

Although we recommend this outline, you can freely modify this outline and move around and add more chapters if you feel the need to do so. This is especially true for the Adulthood and Current Life and Impact chapters, where you might feel that you will need more than just a single chapter to write about that point of life.

The Parts of the Biography Template

The first outline provided in the template is the Childhood and Early Life outline. It contains five predefined chapters: Birth Details, Parents or Guardians, Childhood Location, Schooling, and Upbringing . We’ll go through each section one by one and how you can go around writing them.

• The Birth Details chapter is where you would begin to introduce the person, including their birth date and place of birth. If you have information on details around their birth aside from their birthday, such as complications during pregnancy or other postnatal information that may be important in their later life, you can write them here. 
• The Parents or Guardians chapter would talk mostly about, well, the person’s parents and/or guardians. You can also talk about their second-degree relatives who might be worth mentioning in this chapter. 
• The Childhood Location chapter would deal with describing where the person grew up for the entirety of their childhood. If that person frequently moved from place to place, this is a good place to talk about the reasons for their move and the descriptions of their neighborhood or house.
• The Schooling chapter is where you explore the educational background of the person. You can talk about the person’s schools from primary to tertiary education, and mention their scholastic achievements and other significant information related to their education. This section can also include the special classes that they took, such as music or dance lessons.
• The Upbringing chapter would deal with the intangible aspects of the person’s early life. Their religion, socioeconomic status, and culture, among others, would primarily fill this chapter.

Adulthood is provided only as a chapter, but feel free to expand on this or even make it into an outline similar to the Childhood and Early Life one. At this point, you can start making your own chapters and defining them according to the person you’re writing about.

Whether you keep this as a single chapter or a section of chapters, Adulthood would typically continue from where you stopped in Childhood and Early Life (usually life after their education), sectioning them according to the major arcs or events of that person’s life.

Same with Adulthood, Current Life and Impact is only given as a single chapter. This time, since you would primarily talk about the person’s current status, it can be left as is.

For living persons, this chapter can serve as a conclusion to the biography, narrating their current endeavors. For dead people, this would be where you would talk about the impact of that person to the people around him.

For historically significant figures, you might want to divide it into sections that detail that person’s impact on different people or fields.

Writing a Biography Has Never Been Easier

It can be unnerving to write a biography, since you have to represent someone’s life into a single document. With LivingWriter , you can rest easy that you got all bases covered, and if it’s not enough, remember that the template we provide is simply a starting point.

You can easily modify the outline to suit your specific needs. Of course, if you need to write something other than a biography, LivingWriter offers other templates that you might want to look into, such as the 27 Chapter Method and the Seven Point Story Structure .

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InBio Blogger Template

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InBio Blogger Template contains a highly understandable design with a lot of amazing features that are going to serve you best. You can achieve a good ranking on different search engines because of its fast nature. It is user-friendly and contains social plugins ready. The multiple sections help in displaying the content in the best possible way. It is super easy to perform changes in the code and make it according to your requirements. It works perfectly with every screen size. It provides different customization options so that every person can make their own required portfolio blogs. It is good for those who want to create a one-pager portfolio layout in different niches. Slideshow, Fast Loading, Browser Compatibility, No Sidebars, Business, Business and organization, Portfolio, Photography, Ads Ready, Seo Ready, 1 Right Sidebar, Clean, Magazine, Free Premium, Right Sidebar, Post Thumbnails, Responsive, Social Bookmark Ready, Drop Down Menu, 3 Columns, WhatsApp Sharing, Google, Grid, Black, White, AMP.

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Home » Templates » Blogger Templates » SingEra – Portfolio & Biography Blogger Template

SingEra – Portfolio & Biography Blogger Template

This Portfolio & Biography Blogger Template has a completely elegant, modern, and clean design. There are many built-in features to help you create an incredible website. We know singing is a creative job and you would need a website that can easily show your talent, artform, and portfolio to potential customers. So that you can reap maximum benefits from your website. Showing your Upcoming Events, Existing Albums, Upcoming Albums, and your future plans to entertain your audiences will be quite simple with the help of a website. This Blogger template is fully responsive in nature, compatible with cross-browsers, and provides support for multiple languages. With the ability to customize color, typography, and each element according to your needs and requirements, you can customize your website however you like it. Furthermore, the social share buttons enable you to share your website on various different social media platforms and increase your conversion.

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08 April 2024

Android Studio uses Gemini Pro to make Android development faster and easier

As part of the next chapter of our Gemini era, we announced we were bringing Gemini to more products . Today we’re excited to announce that Android Studio is using the Gemini 1.0 Pro model to make Android development faster and easier, and we’ve seen significant improvements in response quality over the last several months through our internal testing. In addition, we are making this transition more apparent by announcing that Studio Bot is now called Gemini in Android Studio .

Gemini in Android Studio is an AI-powered coding assistant which can be accessed directly in the IDE. It can accelerate your ability to develop high-quality Android apps faster by helping generate code for your app, providing complex code completions, answering your questions, finding relevant resources, adding code comments and more — all without ever having to leave Android Studio. It is available in 180+ countries and territories in Android Studio Jellyfish .

If you were already using Studio Bot in the canary channel, you’ll continue experiencing the same helpful and powerful features, but you’ll notice improved quality in responses compared to earlier versions.

Ask Gemini your Android development questions

Gemini in Android Studio can understand natural language, so you can ask development questions in your own words. You can enter your questions in the chat window ranging from very simple and open-ended ones to specific problems that you need help with.

Here are some examples of the types of queries it can answer:

How do I add camera support to my app? Using Compose, I need a login screen with the following: a username field, a password field, a 'Sign In' button, a 'Forgot Password?' link. I want the password field to obscure the input. What's the best way to get location on Android? I have an 'orders' table with columns like 'order_id', 'customer_id', 'product_id', 'price', and 'order_date'. Can you help me write a query that calculates the average order value per customer over the last month?

Gemini in Android Studio remembers the context of the conversation, so you can also ask follow-up questions, such as “Can you give me the code for this in Kotlin?” or “Can you show me how to do it in Compose?”

Code faster with AI powered Code Completions

Gemini in Android Studio can help you be more productive by providing you with powerful AI code completions . You can receive suggestions of multi-line code completions, suggestions for how to do comments for your code, or how to add documentation to your code.

Designed with privacy in mind

Gemini in Android Studio was designed with privacy in mind. Gemini is only available after you log in and enable it. You don’t need to send your code context to take advantage of most features. By default, Gemini in Android Studio’s chat responses are purely based on conversation history, and you control whether you want to share additional context for customized responses. You can update this anytime in Android Studio > Settings at a granular project level. We also have a custom way for you to opt out certain files and folders through an .aiexclude file. Much like our work on other AI projects, we stick to a set of AI Principles that hold us accountable. Learn more here .

Build a Generative AI app using the Gemini API starter template

Not only does Android Studio use Gemini to help you be more productive, it can also help you take advantage of Gemini models to create AI-powered features in your applications. Get started in minutes using the Gemini API starter template available in the canary release – channel for Android Studio – under File > New Project > Gemini API Starter . You can also use the code sample available at File > Import Sample > Google Generative AI sample .

The Gemini API is multimodal, meaning it can support image and text inputs. For example, it can support conversational chat, summarization, translation, caption generation etc. using both text and image inputs.

Try Gemini in Android Studio

Gemini in Android Studio is still in preview, but we have added many feature improvements — and now a major model update — since we released the experience in May 2023. It is currently no-cost for developers to try out. Now is a great time to test it and let us know what you think, before we release this experience to stable.

Stay updated on the latest by following us on LinkedIn , Medium , YouTube , or X . Let's build the future of Android apps together!

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Java 22 and IntelliJ IDEA

Java 22 is here, fully supported by IntelliJ IDEA 2024.1 , allowing you to use these features now!

Java 22 has something for all – from new developers to Java experts, features related to performance and security for big organizations to those who like working with bleeding edge technology, from additions to the Java language to improvements in the JVM platform, and more.

It is also great to see how all these Java features, release after release, work together to create more possibilities and have a bigger impact on how developers create their applications that address existing pain points, perform better and are more secure.

This blog post doesn’t include a comprehensive coverage of all the Java 22 features. If you are interested in that, I’d recommend you to check out this link to know everything about what’s new and changing in Java 22, including the bugs.

In this blog post, I’ll cover how IntelliJ IDEA helps you get started, up and running with some of the Java 22 features, such as, String Templates , Implicitly Declared Classes and Instance Main Methods , Statements before super() , and Unnamed variables and patterns .

Over the past month, I published separate blog posts to cover each of these topics in detail. If you are new to these topics, I’d highly recommend you check out those detailed blog posts (I’ve included their links in the relevant subsections in this blog post). In this blog post, I’ll cover some sections from those blog posts, especially how IntelliJ IDEA supports them. Let’s start by configuring IntelliJ IDEA to work with the Java 22 features.

IntelliJ IDEA Configuration

Java 22 support is available in IntelliJ IDEA 2024.1 Beta . The final version will release soon in March 2024.

In your Project Settings, set the SDK to Java 22. For the language level, select ‘22 (Preview) – Statements before super(), string templates (2nd preview etc.)’ on both the Project and Modules tab, as shown in the below settings screenshot:

If you do not have Java 22 downloaded to your system yet, don’t worry; IntelliJ IDEA has your back! You could use the same Project settings window, select ‘Download JDK’, after you click on the drop down next to SDK. You’ll see the below popup that would enable you to choose from a list of vendors (such as Oracle OpenJDK, GraalVM, Azul Zulu and others):

With the configuration under our belt, let’s get started with covering one of my favorite new features, that is, String Templates.

String Templates (Preview Language feature) The existing String concatenation options are difficult to work with and could be error prone; String templates offer a better alternative, that is, String interpolation with additional benefits such as validation, security and transformations via template processors.

Please check out my detailed blog post on this topic: String Templates in Java – why should you care? if you are new to this topic. It covers all the basics, including why you need String Templates, with multiple hands-on examples on built-in and user defined String processors.

IntelliJ IDEA can highlight code that could be replaced with String Templates Let’s assume you defined the following code to log a message that combines string literals and variable values using the concatenation operator:

The output from the preceding code could be an issue if you miss adding spaces in the String literals. The code isn’t quite easy to read or understand due to multiple opening and closing double quotes, that is, " and the + operator, and it would get worse if you add more literals, or variable values to it.

You could replace the preceding code with either StringBuilder.append() , String.format() or String.formatted() method or by using the class MessageFormat (as shown in my detailed blog post on this topic), but each of these methods have their own issues.

Don’t worry; IntelliJ IDEA could detect such code, suggest that you could replace it with String template, and do that for you, as shown below. It doesn’t matter if you are not even aware of the syntax of the String templates, IntelliJ IDEA has your back 🙂

Embedded expressions in String Templates and IntelliJ IDEA The syntax to embed a remplate expression (variable, expressible or a method call) is still new to what Java developers are used to and could be challenging to use without help. Don’t worry, IntelliJ IDEA has your back!

Each embedded expression must be enclosed within \{}. When you type \{, IntelliJ IDEA adds the closing ‘}’ for you. It also offers code completion to help you select a variable in scope, or any methods on it. If the code that you insert doesn’t compile, IntelliJ IDEA will highlight that too (as a compilation error), as shown in the following gif:

Using String Templates with Text Blocks Text blocks are quite helpful when working with string values that span multiple lines, such as, JSON, XML, HTML, SQL or other values that are usually processed by external environments. It is common for us Java developers to create such string values using a combination of string literals and variable values (variables, expressions or method calls).

The example below shows how IntelliJ IDEA could detect and create a text block using String templates for multiline string values that concatenates string literals with variable values. It also shows how IntelliJ IDEA provides code completion for variable names within such blocks. When you type in \{ , IntelliJ IDEA adds } . As you start typing the variable name countryName , it shows the available variables in that context:

Language injection and String Templates You could also inject a language or a reference in string values that spans single line or multiple lines, such as, a text block. By doing so, you get comprehensive coding assistance to edit the literal value. You could avail of this feature temporarily or permanently by using the @Language annotation, as shown below:

You can check out this link for detailed information on the benefits and usage of injecting language or reference in IntelliJ IDEA.

Predefined Template Processors With the String templates, you get access to predefined processors like the STR , FMT and RAW . I’d highly recommend you to check out my detailed blog post on String templates for multiple hands-on examples on it.

Custom Template Processor

Let’s work with a custom String template that isn’t covered in my previous blog post.

Imagine you’d like to create an instance of a record, say, WeatherData , that stores the details of the JSON we used in the previous section. Assume you define the following records to store this weather data represented by the JSON in the previous section:

You could create a method to return a custom String template that would process interpolated string, accept a class name ( WeatherData for this example) and return its instance:

Depending on the logic of your application, you might want to escape, delete or throw errors for the special characters that you encounter in the the JSON values interpolated via template expressions, as follows (the following method chooses to escape the special characters and include them as part of the JSON value):

You could initialize and use this custom JSON template processor as below. Note how elegant and concise the solution is with a combination of textblocks and String templates. The JSON is easy to read, write and understand (thanks to text blocks). The template expressions make it clear and obvious about the sections that are not constants and would be injected by the variables. At the end, the custom template processor WEATHER_JSON would ensure the resultant JSON is validated according to the logic you defined and returns an instance of WeatherData (doesn’t it sound magical?) :

Do not miss to check out my detailed blog post on this topic: String Templates in Java – why should you care? to discover how you could use the predefined String templates like FMT , to generate properly formatted receipts for, say, your neighborhood stationery store, or, say encode and decode combinations like :) or :( to emojis like 🙂 or ☹️. Does that sound fun to you?

Implicitly Declared Classes and Instance Main Methods (Preview language feature)

Introduced as a preview language feature in Java 21, this feature is in its second preview in Java 22.

It would revolutionize how new Java developers would get started learning Java. It simplifies the initial steps for students when they start learning basics, such as variable assignment, sequence, conditions and iteration. Students no longer need to declare an explicit class to develop their code, or write their main() method using this signature – public static void main(String []) . With this feature, classes could be declared implicitly and the main() method can be created with a shorter list of keywords.

If you are new to this feature, I’d highly recommend you to check out my detailed blog post: ‘HelloWorld’ and ‘main()’ meet minimalistic on this feature. In this blog post, I’ll include a few of the sections from it.

Class ‘HelloWorld’ before and after Java 21

Before Java 21, you would need to define a class, say, HelloWorld , that defined a main() method with a specific list of keywords, to print any text, say, ‘Hello World’ to the console, as follows:

With Java 21, this initial step has been shortened. You can define a source code file, say, HelloWorld.java, with the following code, to print a message to the console (it doesn’t need to define a class; it has a shorter signature for method main() ):

The preceding code is simpler than what was required earlier. Let’s see how this change could help you focus on what you need, rather than what you don’t.

Compiling and executing your code

Once you are done writing your code, the next step is to execute it.

On the command prompt, you could use the javac and java commands to compile and execute your code. Assuming you have defined your code in a source code file HelloWorld.java, you could use the following commands to run and execute it:

Since Java 11, it is possible to skip the compilation process for code defined in a single source code file, so you could use just the second command (by specifying the name of the source code file, as follows):

However, since instance main methods and implicit classes is a preview language feature, you should add the flag --enable-preview with --source 22 with these commands, as follows:

Sooner or later, you might switch to using an IDE to write your code. If you wish to use IntelliJ IDEA for creating instance main methods, here’s a quick list of steps to follow. Create a new Java project, select the build system as IntelliJ (so you could use Java compiler and runtime tools), create a new file, say, HelloWorld.java with your instance main method and set the properties to use Java 22, before you run your code, as shown in the following gif (It could save you from typing out the compilation/ execution commands on the command prompt each time you want to execute your code):

Are you wondering if it would be better to create a ‘Java class’ instead of a ‘File’ in the ‘src’ folder? The option of selecting a Java class would generate the body of a bare minimum class, say, public class HelloWorld { } . Since we are trying to avoid unnecessary keywords in the beginning, I recommended creating a new ‘File’ which wouldn’t include any code.

What else can main() do apart from printing messages to the console?

As included in my detailed post on this topic , I included multiple hand-on examples to show what you could achieve via just the main() method:

• Example 1. Variable declarations, assignments and simple calculations
• Example 2. Print patterns, such as, big letters using a specified character
• Example 3. Animating multiline text – one word at a time
• Example 4. Data structure problems
• Example 5. Text based Hangman game

The idea to include multiple examples as listed above is to demonstrate the power of sequence, condition and iteration all of which can be included in the main() method, to build good programming foundations with problem solving skills. By using the run command or the icon to run and execute their code in IntelliJ IDEA, new programmers reduce another step when getting started.

Changing an implicit class to a regular class

When you are ready to level up and work with other concepts like user defined classes, you could also covert the implicit classes and code that we used in the previous examples, to regular classes, as shown below:

What happens when you create a source code file with method main(), but no class declaration?

Behind the scenes, the Java compiler creates an implicit top level class, with a no-argument constructor, so that these classes don’t need to be treated in a way that is different to the regular classes.

Here’s a gif that shows a decompiled class for you for the source code file AnimateText.java:

Variations of the main method in the implicit class

As we are aware, a method can be overloaded. Does that imply an implicit class can define multiple main methods? If yes, which one of them qualifies as the ‘main’ method? This is an interesting question. First of all, know that you can’t define a static and non-static main method with the same signature, that is, with the same method parameters. The following method are considered valid main() methods in an implicit class:

If there is no valid main method detected, IntelliJ IDEA could add one for you, as shown in the following gif:

Educators could use this feature to introduce other concepts to the students in an incremental way

If you are an educator, you could introduce your students to other commonly used programming practices, such as creating methods- that is delegating part of your code to another method and calling it from the main method. You could also talk about passing values vs. variables to these methods.

The following gif shows how to do it:

Statements before super() – a preview language feature

Typically, we create alternative solutions for tasks that are necessary, but not officially permitted. For instance, executing statements before super() in a derived class constructor was not officially allowed, even though it was important for, say, validating values being passed to the base class constructor. A popular workaround involved creating static methods to validate values and then calling these methods on the arguments of super() . Though this approach worked well, it could make the code look complicated. This is changing with Statements before super() , a preview language feature in Java 22.

By using this feature, you can opt for a more direct approach, that is, drop the workaround of creating static methods, and execute code that validates arguments, just before calling super() . Terms and conditions still apply, such as, not accessing instance members of a derived class before execution of super() completes.

An example – Validating values passed to super() in a derived class constructor Imagine you need to create a class, say, IndustryElement , that extends class Element , which is defined as follows:

The constructor of the class Element misses checking if the atomicNumber is in the range of 1-118 (all known elements have atomic numbers between 1 to 118). Often the source code of a base class is not accessible or open for modification. How would you validate the values passed to atomicNumber in the constructor of class IndustryElement ?

Until Java 21, no statements were allowed to execute before super() . Here’s one of the ways we developers found a workaround by defining and calling static methods (static methods belong to a class and not to instances and can be executed before any instance of a class exists):

Starting Java 22, you could inline the contents of your static method in the constructor for your derived class, as shown in the following gif:

Here’s the resultant code for your reference:

Where else would you use this feature? If you are new to this feature, I’d recommend that you check out my detailed blog post, Constructor Makeover in Java 22 , in which I’ve covered this feature in detail using the following examples:

• Example 2 – base class constructor parameters that use annotations for validations
• Example 3 – Transforming variable values received in a derived class constructor, before calling a base class constructor.
• Example 4 – Executing statements before this() in constructor of Records
• Example 5 – Executing statements before this() in Enum constructors
• Example 6 – Executing statements before this() in classes

How does it work behind the scenes? The language syntax has been relaxed but it doesn’t change or impact the internal JVM instructions. There are no changes to the JVM instructions for this new feature because the order of execution of the constructors still remains unchanged – from base class to a derived class. Also, this feature still doesn’t allow you to use members of a derived class instance, until super() executes.

Let’s access and compare the instruction set of the constructor of class IndustryElement , before and after its modification – one that can execute statements before super() and the one that doesn’t. To do so, use the following command:

Here’s the instruction set for the constructor that doesn’t explicitly execute statements before super() and calls static methods to validate range of atomic number:

Here’s instruction set for the constructor that explicitly executes statements before super() to validate range of atomic number:

The most important point to note here is that in both the cases, the constructor of the base class, that is, Element is called, after the execution of all other statements. Essentially, it means, you are still doing the same thing, it is just packaged in a way that makes things easier for you.

I understand it is difficult to remember what each of these instruction codes means. Access the following link and search for the instruction code and following the above instructions set would be a breeze:

https://docs.oracle.com/javase/specs/jvms/se21/html/jvms-6.html#jvms-6.5.aload_n

Can you execute ‘any’ statements before calling super()?

No. If the statements before super() try to access instance variables or execute methods of your derived class, your code won’t compile. For example, if you change the static checkRange() method to an instance method, your code won’t compile, as shown below:

Unnamed Variables and Patterns

Starting Java 22, using Unnamed Variables & Patterns you can mark unused local variables, patterns and pattern variables to be ignored, by replacing their names (or their types and names) with an underscore, that is, _ . Since such variables and patterns no longer have a name, they are referred to as Unnamed variables and patterns. Ignoring unused variables would reduce the time and energy anyone would need to understand a code snippet. In the future, this could prevent errors :-). This language feature doesn’t apply to instance or class variables.

Are you wondering if replacing unused variables with _ is always a good idea, or do they imply code smells and should you consider refactoring your codebase to remove them? Those are good questions to ask. If you are new to this topic, I’d recommend you to check out my detailed blog post: Drop the Baggage: Use ‘_’ for Unnamed Local Variables and Patterns in Java 22 to find out answer to this question.

Since this is not a preview language feature, set Language Level in your Project Settings to ‘22 – Unnamed variables and patterns’ on both the Project and Modules tab, as shown in the below settings screenshot:

A quick example

The following gif gives a sneak peek into how an unused local variable, connection, is detected by IntelliJ IDEA, and could be replaced with an underscore, that is, _ .

The modified code shown in the preceding gif makes it clear that the local variable defined in the try-with-resources statement is unused, making it concise and easier to understand.

Unused Patterns and Pattern variables in switch constructs

Imagine you defined a sealed interface, say, GeometricShape , and records to represent shapes, such as, Point , Line , Triangle , Square , as shown in the following code:

Now assume you need a method that accepts an instance of GeometricShape and returns its area. Since Point and a Line are considered one-dimensional shapes, they wouldn’t have an area. Following is one of the ways to define such method that calculates and returns area:

In the previous example, the patterns int x , int y , Point a and Point B (for case label Line) remain unused as detected by IntelliJ IDEA. These could be replaced by an _ . Also, since all the record components of the case Point remain unused, it could be replaced as Point _ . This could also allow us to merge the first and second case labels. All of these steps are shown in the following gif:

Here’s the modified code for your reference:

In the preceding example, you can’t delete the pattern variables even if they are unused. The code must include the cases when the instance passed to the method calcArea() is of type Point and Line , so that it could return 0 for them.

Unused Patterns or variables with nested records

This feature also comes in quite handy for nested records with multiple unused patterns or pattern variables, as demonstrated using the following example code:

In the preceding code, since the if condition in the method checkFirstNameAndCountryCodeAgain uses only two pattern variables, others could be replaced using _ ; it reduced the noise in the code too.

Where else can you use this feature? Checkout my detailed detailed blog post: Drop the Baggage: Use ‘_’ for Unnamed Local Variables and Patterns in Java 22 to learn more about other use cases where this feature can be used:

• Requirements change, but you need side effects of constructs like an enhanced for-loop
• Unused parameters in exception handlers; whose signature can’t be modified
• Unused auto-closeable resources in try-with-resources statements

It isn’t advisable to use this feature without realising if an unused variable or pattern is a code smell or not. I used these examples to show that at times it might be better to refactor your code to get rid of the unused variable instead of just replacing it with an underscore, that is, _ .

• Unused lambda parameter
• Methods with multiple responsibilities

Preview Features

‘String Templates’, ‘Implicitly Declared Classes and Instance Main Methods’ and ‘Statements before super()’ are preview language features in Java 22. With Java’s new release cadence of six months, new language features are released as preview features. They may be reintroduced in later Java versions in the second or more preview, with or without changes. Once they are stable enough, they may be added to Java as a standard language feature.

Preview language features are complete but not permanent, which essentially means that these features are ready to be used by developers, although their finer details could change in future Java releases depending on developer feedback. Unlike an API, language features can’t be deprecated in the future. So, if you have feedback about any of the preview language features, feel free to share it on the JDK mailing list (free registration required).

Because of how these features work, IntelliJ IDEA is committed to only supporting preview features for the current JDK. Preview language features can change across Java versions, until they are dropped or added as a standard language feature. Code that uses a preview language feature from an older release of the Java SE Platform might not compile or run on a newer release.

In this blog post, I covered four Java 22 features – String Templates , Implicitly Declared Classes and Instance Main Methods , Statements before super() , and Unnamed variable and patterns .

String Templates is a great addition to Java. Apart from helping developers to work with strings that combine string constants and variables, they provide a layer of security. Custom String templates can be created with ease to accomplish multiple tasks, such as, to decipher letter combinations, either ignoring them or replacing them for added security.

Java language designers are reducing the ceremony that is required to write the first HelloWorld code for Java students, by introducing implicitly declared classes and instance main methods. New students can start with bare minimum main() method, such as, void main() and build strong programming foundation by polishing their skills with basics like sequence, selection and iteration.

In Java 22, the feature Statements before super() lets you execute code before calling super() in your derived class constructors, this() in your records or enums, so that you could validate the method parameters, or transform values, as required. This avoids creating workarounds like creating static methods and makes your code easier to read and understand. This feature doesn’t change how constructors would operate now vs. how they operated earlier – the JVM instructions remain the same.

Unnamed variables are local to a code construct, they don’t have a name, and they are represented by using an underscore, that is, _ . They can’t be passed to methods, or used in expressions. By replacing unused local variables in a code base with _ their intention is conveyed very clearly. It clearly communicates to anyone reading a code snippet that the variable is not used elsewhere. Until now, this intention could only be communicated via comments, which, unfortunately, all developers don’t write.

Happy Coding!

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Trump keeps attacking judges—including the one who will preside over his first criminal trial set to begin Monday. Robin Rayne/ZUMA

With less than 24 hours until his first criminal trial kicks off, Donald Trump is doing what you’d probably expect: attacking the judge presiding over the case.

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Trump describes himself as "perhaps the most honest guy almost in the world." He goes on trial for fraud Monday. pic.twitter.com/6KWM7fArzu — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 13, 2024

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