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How to Write a Speaker Bio for a Conference (with Examples)

Published on 28 Jul 2022

Author bios, or speaker bios, can be used for a variety of purposes. They can be included as part of your application to present at a conference or posted to an event website to introduce yourself as a presenter at the event. Bios can also be helpful to have on your profile in the participant directory of the conference management tool used for the event, so that others to know what you’re working on. 

For many, an author bio is their first introduction to their peers – sort of like a digital, written handshake. In the world of academic conferences, conference programmes and websites will include a biography of every speaker.

An interesting, engaging bio can help encourage others to participate in the event, and impact the number of people who attend your presentation, so it’s important to take your time, do your research, and write a biography that will highlight the characteristics that set you apart from the rest. 

How do you write a good short bio?

Start by taking notes of your strengths and accomplishments. Look at your CV and pull out the very basics like where you went to school and your primary area of interest, then add in the impressive details like fellowships, published pieces, or exciting collaborations.

Here are the detailed steps to take to write a bio that will inspire your peers to attend your presentation or connect with you in a breakout session.

Step 1: Find out the required length

When you’re writing a speaker bio for a specific conference, make sure you know the length of bio the organizer is looking for. Each conference will have its own guidelines, and some will even ask for two versions – a longer one for the event website and a shorter one for the printed program. 

Step 2. Write in the third person

Write your bio as if you’re writing it about someone else. Not only is this the most common format for a speaker biography, but it gives you the opportunity to add many details of your success and experiences without coming across as pompous or arrogant. Writing in the third person gives some authors more confidence to speak about themselves and their accomplishments. 

Start out with your full name, then decide whether to refer to yourself throughout using your first name or last name. For less formal events, using your first name creates an air of familiarity, while referring to yourself by your last name is more professional and formal. 

Step 3: Make a list of the basics

There are basic pieces of information that should be included in every speaker's biography.

• Your full name
• Your credentials
• Where you completed your graduate studies
• Your current position and where you work
• Your areas of interest
• How your experience is relevant and beneficial to the focus of the event
• Your most notable accomplishments - avoid building a laundry-list of published pieces, focus on the most impressive
• If you’ve published in any top peer-reviewed journals like Science, Nature, or the equivalent for your field, be sure to include this 
• List any patents you hold or any breakthrough findings
• Note any impressive research collaborations with well-known subject matter experts

Step 4: Write to your audience

Get to know your audience before you start writing. I don’t mean get to know them personally – that will happen at the event. I mean get an understanding of the demographics and areas of interest of the potential conference attendees that will be reading your bio. 

If you’re presenting at an ornithology conference and your audience is passionate about hands-on research, focus the content of your bio more heavily towards your applied experience studying birds. You can do this by highlighting the hands-on research you’ve done rather than the degrees and certifications you’ve earned. In this example, when discussing your PhD thesis, you would focus on the part of your research that led you to travel to Antarctica to study the Wandering Albatross migration. 

If your audience is made up primarily of institutional academics, highlight who funded your research and which institutions you were collaborating with when the work was being conducted. For example, focus the mention of your PhD thesis around the fact that you studied at UCLA under one of their many renowned Professors of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. 

Step 5: Add some personality

One way to set yourself apart from other speakers is to inject some fun into your bio. You want it to be interesting and engaging – that’s how you will encourage other conference attendees to read the biography from start to finish. Don’t be afraid to try out some wordplay or alliterations. While there are great bios that start out with the speaker’s primary research area, some of the most engaging bios start off with a sentence or statement that is bold, unexpected, and captures your reader’s attention. 

Examples of speakers' bio

Here are two good examples of the type of speaker’s biographies you’ll find on conference websites and programs. 

Brandon Farbstein

Brandon Farbstein’s bio is short, it’s interesting, and it opens with information that highlights the attributes that set him apart from other speakers. It gets personal and draws the reader in. Personally, if I saw this bio in a conference program I would definitely make time in my schedule to attend this presentation. 

“At just 20, Brandon Farbstein has already made a name for himself worldwide as a sought-after speaker and prominent Gen Z activist. Diagnosed with a rare form of dwarfism at the age of 2, Brandon stands at 3’9” – making his life’s journey full of adversity, strength, and impact. After feeling invisible and without a purpose for the first 15 years of his life, he discovered his calling on the TEDx stage, and suddenly realized his life’s meaning: to change the lens through which people see their world.  In just three years of speaking, over five million people across the globe have been inspired by Brandon; and his work continues to touch audiences from every walk of life.”

One notable thing lacking here is clear information about Brandon’s work. We know a lot about him personally, we know that he’s a TEDx speaker, and we know that his work has impacted millions of people, but we really don’t know what he actually does. 

Nicole Redvers

Nicole Redvers' bio starts by identifying her personal connection to her field of study, peaking the interest of readers and making it clear that she is passionate about her work. She goes on to cover her specific area of research, the institutions she’s connected with, and the advocacy works she’s involved with to advance her research in a way that will improve the lives of others. 

“Dr. Nicole Redvers, ND, MPH, is a member of the Deninu K’ue First Nation in Denendeh (NWT) and has worked with Indigenous patients, scholars, and communities around the globe her entire career. She is an assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and the Department of Indigenous Health at the University of North Dakota where she helped develop and launch the first Indigenous health PhD program. Dr. Redvers is co-founder and current board chair of the Canadian charity the Arctic Indigenous Wellness Foundation based in Yellowknife, NWT, providing traditional Indigenous-rooted Land-based wellness supports to northerners. She has been actively involved at regional, national, and international levels promoting the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives in both human and planetary health research and practice. She is author of the trade paperback book titled, ‘The Science of the Sacred: Bridging Global Indigenous Medicine Systems and Modern Scientific Principles’.”

One thing I like about this bio is that it takes the reader through a logical flow of information that ends with Redvers’ most notable accomplishments. 

A good speaker's bio is short, direct, and sparks interest. It provides the speaker with an opportunity to connect with conference attendees before the event begins, and it provides event attendees with an introduction to the speakers presenting at the event which will help them determine which presentations they want to attend.

With the instructions we provided and half an hour of your time, you’ll have a bio that stands out from the rest!

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How to Write an Academic Bio for Conferences

There are very few things as challenging as writing academic biographies (perhaps academic writing?). It seems simple, but things soon get awkward as you try to show how amazing you are without sounding arrogation or pretentious. Sophie shares her tips on writing a balanced bio…

It’s all going swimmingly until you read the Call for Papers: Please submit a proposal and brief bio.

What on earth is a bio (otherwise known as an ‘academic bio’)? And just how brief does it need to be? Writing an academic bio is a skill you can pick up like any other, and this article will take you through the basics of what to include, what to leave out, and how to craft this tricky piece of your academic arsenal.

Covering the Basics

Whatever discipline you’re working in, you’ll definitely need to include the following in your academic bio:

•  full name,
• position (i.e. PhD student; PhD candidate),
• institution.

All this should go into the first sentence, so it reads something like this:

Joe Bloggs is currently a PhD candidate [meaning he’s passed his upgrade] at the University of Warwick.

You can also mention your department, although it’s not strictly necessary for most of us.

The Big Picture

The rest of your academic bio should tell the reader about your research interests. Start by setting out your broad research question , whether that’s finding new ways to create Omega 3 in algae cultures or exploring fashion statements at Charles II’s court. Then focus it further; are you looking at a specific type of algae culture, or a particular poet who was into fashion? This is the most important part of your bio: it tells other people attending the conference where you’re coming from, and may present links between your research areas.

You can end your bio here, or add another sentence situating your research within wider scholarship. Is it important to reference your specific style of criticism, or how you’re leading on from recently-published developments in the field, for example? If it’s important for the theme of the conference, you may wish to add another sentence on the future directions of your research. However, if this isn’t relevant or necessary, feel free to leave it out, especially if you’ve been asked to submit a brief bio – best to keep it brief and stick to your research interests.

What Not to Do

Inevitably, we all do things early in our career/academic life that, with hindsight, make us cringe. To avoid that uncomfortable feeling in the future, four common errors are:

• Treating your bio like a humorous essay : only include a joke if you’re sure it’s really, really funny (maybe check with a straight-talking friend).
• Getting too personal : an academic bio is a chance to make an impression pre-conference, and it may be what people remember you by, so ensure that you stay professional.
• Giving too much information : remember that an academic bio isn’t the same thing as a CV – the conference organisers don’t need to know where you did your undergrad, MA or how much you’ve won in grants.
• Using exclamation marks : your writing should be relatively formal in style, so avoid coming across as too chatty – save your engaging manners for the big presentation day!

One final tip is to use the third person. This isn’t a hard and fast rule, but at some conferences, your bio will be read out as an introduction, so personally I prefer to start a sentence like Joe Bloggs above.

What do you think about this approach?

Any more tips for writing academic bios?

Text credits: Sophie Shorland 

Sophie is a PhD student at Warwick, where she’s one of the organisers of the English Department’s annual postgraduate symposium for 2017. You can find out how to get involved in the symposium here , or check their Twitter here .  

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What a concidence. I’m sending the abstract and the bio for a conference at Warwick

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Table of Contents

How to Write a Speaker Biography for a Conference (Updated 2023)

• February 15, 2018

A gripping bio can actually convert a random browser into a conference attendee. 65% of event visitors cite professional speakers as the most important factor to encourage them to attend. In this sense, the ability to get the right message about a speaker out there has a huge impact on attendance.

Why Do You Need to Write a Speaker Biography for a Conference?

Giving a speech that wows your audience is the best introduction, you might say. Well, that’s true. However, without a strong bio, you might end up having no audience at all.

Here’s why creating a good speaker biography for a conference is vital:

• Make things easier for organizers. Event managers view event publicity as the father of event success. Accordingly, the effective presentation of the agenda on an event website, in a press kit, or on a conference brochure cover is a must. By turning your credentials and expertise into a speaker biography format, you definitely deserve a “thank you” from organizers.
• Encourage attendance. You can make your bio catchy by adding some intrigue or fun. Play with words to get your biography read through to the end and encourage people to come. Also, by posting speaker bios on your event website, you can take conversion rates sky high. To make your speakers list beautiful, you can leverage the GEVME Website Builder automation.
• Cater to the right audience. A good speaker biography for a conference is the one that attracts the target persona. Make it clear what the speech is going to be about in the speaker’s biography to gather the right audience.

Build and host conferences with multiple speaker tracks and a large number of attendees. Try Gevme for free

The top 10 best speakers bio examples

You need a personal formula to craft a beautiful speaker biography that draws crowds. The key factors that you should keep in mind are the tone, length, and relevance of the provided information. To amp up your creativity, check out this top 10 successful conference speaker bios:

Content Marketing World

What’s good? Kate lives to blow stuff up! The first statement gives a clear promise: This speaker bio isn’t dull. By catching aperuser’s attention from the first phrase, you ensure the reader will be eager to discover more. In this case, the biography also perfectly resonates with Coca-Cola branding. 130 years of Coke taglines which include “Open happiness” and “Life tastes good” demonstrate this brand appreciates juicy wordings.

What’s good? Credentials get the message across. By pointing out that Gary is a bestselling author and a founder of VaynerMedia, it makes clear this speaker can give an excellent, media-related speech.

Singapore FinTech Festival

What’s good? Adjectives add value. If it’s a must to keep you biography as formal as possible, concentrate on the details. In this sample speaker biography for a Singapore FinTech Festival, the key value-adding elements are adjectives. By describing the speaker as the creator of an integrated, long-term digital strategy, you emphasize the qualities that are super important to a digital strategist and, thereby, amplify the expertise.

B2B Marketing Exchange

What’s good? The core skill shows what you can benefit from. Phyllis Davidson, obviously, has huge experience working with content strategies in the B2B segment. Her “signature dish,” however, is storytelling, and by identifying it as her core skill, the expert provides a crystal-clear value offer.

What’s good? A topic as a priority. Instead of focusing on her general biography and experience, MozCon organizers choose to tie this speaker’s persona to the theme of the speech. Katie’s short bio is a great example of how the target audience perceives the value of a speaker in the context of a specific topic.

World Cities Summit

What’s good? Special achievements. It’s impossible to create a catchy biography if you describe a politician, you might say. Well, we must disagree. Although the tone is incredibly formal, the bio of the Second Minister of Finance for Singapore’s World Cities Summit looks quite interesting. The statement about the efforts of Mr. Wong to make Singapore Botanic Gardens recognized as UNESCO World Heritage is a special achievement that definitely attracts public interest.

What’s good? Starting with a focus question. CODELAND organizers introduce the reader to the key question or theme on which his speech has to focus. Build a link between the speaker’s personal experience and the conference agenda to help people understand how this information falls in line with attendees’ expectations.

What’s good? Explaining the speaker’s occupation. In this sample speaker biography, a reader isn’t left with the mysterious name “Sherpa,” but gets a good explanation of what this speaker actually specializes in.

 Universe

What’s good? Compare and contrast. The organizers emphasize Frank Lamar’s role at the beginning of his career and today to show the incredible progress this speaker has demonstrated. With the speech focusing on “digital transformation,” the analogy is gorgeous.

What’s good? Catering to the focus industries & organizations. As the conference focuses on business transformation, IoT Asia explores the concept of transformation in diverse contexts and industries. By emphasizing Philip Seow’s background in consulting for residential, retail, and commercial organizations, the value offer is super relevant.

How to write a personal biography for a conference

To guide you through the process of speaker biography development, we’ve prepared some working tips for you:

• Keep it brief, but informative. 75-100 words are perfectly adequate to describe the speaker’s credentials, occupation, and a value promise.
• Keep it relevant. You only need to talk about those achievements which resonate with the topic a speaker is going to discuss at the conference.
• Keep it in a great format. Use an effective website development system and photoshop technologies to make it magnetic on your conference website.

Even if you’re super confident you can get the message across, explore the most effective speaker biography examples to maximize conversions. With a powerful website development software and a good arsenal of examples of speaker bios, you can make it work for you.

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How to Write a Good Academic Biography (Part 1)

When your journal article gets accepted or you are preparing for a public presentation, you will often be asked for a short academic biography. For many people, these academic bios are more difficult to write than a dissertation. How do you sum up yourself and your work in 3-5 sentences? What do you need to include? What should you leave out?

What You Should Do

• Start with your full name followed by your current position, your general interests, and your current project, keeping them all very brief.
• If you are within a year of receiving a prestigious award, mention that as well.
• Finally, finish with a sentence that’s personal: add a hobby, a pet’s name, the city you live in—whatever you are comfortable with that is personal but not too private.

What You Should Avoid

• Avoid speaking in the first person, i.e., don’t use “I.”
• Don’t divulge details beyond your current position.
• In a longer bio of multiple paragraphs, you may add more awards and information about your master’s and bachelor’s degrees, but not in a short bio. Moreover, don’t add anything that happened before grad school—including your place of birth. For example:

Hi! My name is Scott. I was originally born in Vermont and now I’m a professor at North Yankee University in Fargone, New York (in upstate New York). I study antelopes’ migration patterns and their impact of native grain growth. My interest in antelopes began as a teenager when I first saw one in the wild. I did my undergrad degree in biology at SUNY and my masters and UCLA and my PhD in Forestry at Hunter College.

Related: Finished drafting your academic biography and heading for an international conference? Check out this post now!

The above example is far too casual and Scott’s work and current position are overshadowed by all the other random details. This can be written in a much better way:

Scott Sampson is a professor of Wildlife Biology at North Yankee University. His work focuses specifically on the migration patterns of antelope and their impact on the growth of native grain. His favorite place to do research in his backyard, which opens to the Akron National Forest.

This improvised version is concise, relevant, and makes Scott’s bio appear professional while giving a short description of his personal details.

Longer Bios

For longer bios, follow the same basic rules, but go into a bit more depth about your work, your education, and your future projects or interests. You may also consider adding a line about your immediate family. But as always, leave the personal details for a short and friendly mention at the end of the bio.

Mostly, your bio will be used by someone to introduce you at a conference or public event so if you write your bio using these tips, you will help them give a smooth and accurate introduction. Remember that the bio is the first thing that people know about you so pack it full of the most important things about yourself!

If you would like to know more about different formats of academic biography, read the next article in this series!

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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.

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Hypotenuse AI's author bio generator 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 an Author Bio (Examples Included)

You’ve written a book that’s about to be published or an article that’s going live online. Congratulations!

But although this is a big accomplishment, your job isn’t done: You also need to write a short author biography — otherwise known as an author bio– so your readers can get to know you.

An  author bio  shares relevant information about your education and experience. This proves your credibility, showing that you know what you’re talking about. It also allows your readers to connect with you as a person.

Crafting your own bio can sometimes be a difficult task. These  author biographies  need to be short, yet engaging, so it can be hard to know what to include. After all, your bio may be one of the first things potential readers see when they pick up and open your book.

This blog post breaks down how to write an author bio and what to say in your short bio to connect best with your readers.

Author Bios: What They Include and Why to Write One

An author bio is a short paragraph that shares information about you, such as your education, your experience, and your personal life. Author bios are usually placed next to a professional photo or headshot of the author to further help humanize you, the writer.

While there’s no set word count on a bio, you’ll want to keep things short — think a paragraph or two.

The goal of an author bio is to provide a brief background about you, the author, and to show why you were qualified to write your book or article in order.

Essentially, an engaging author bio gives you credibility with your readers and allows you to connect with potential readers so you can encourage them to read more of your work.

For example, when you describe your past education, work experience, and skills in your author bio, you’re proving that you know what you’re talking about and that you are an expert in your field.

Another benefit of a well-written, short bio is that it humanizes you. Your bio should add personality and communicate to your readers who you are as a person.

For example, your author bio may include a sentence about how many books you’ve written in the past. Then, you may add another sentence about why you began writing in the first place.

Finally, you might share a bit about your family, passions outside of writing, and any formal education, awards, or certifications you’ve achieved in your writing career, like once being named a New York Times Bestselling Author.

You don’t have to be a master of creative writing to craft a well-written bio. The goal of your author bio should simply be to convince readers that you’re more than just an author or some faceless person who wrote an online article — you’re a person.

Who Needs an Author Bio?

The short answer: Every writer!

You might think author bios are only for authors — people who write novels or nonfiction books.

Whether you’ve written ten books or this is your first novel or piece of written work, you should at least have a generic bio that explains to your prospective readers a little more about who you are.

But the truth is, you don’t have to be a bestselling author to have a well-written author bio. Almost everyone who wants to publish their writing will need an author bio at some point.

This is true if you write blog posts, poetry, science fiction, short stories, thought leadership articles, or just about anything else.

There are only a couple of exceptions to this rule. The first is  ghostwriting . As the name suggests, ghostwriters are anonymous writers who don’t get credit for their work.

A ghostwriter writes a work for the author. The author’s name is the only one on the cover of the book even though they didn’t actually write it.

If you are a ghostwriter, you won’t get your own author bio.

Second, some writers may want to remain anonymous, using a pen name or no name at all.

You might choose to use a pseudonym if you don’t want your boss at your day job to know about your writing, if you’re writing something controversial, or if your name is common and there are other authors out there with the same name.

If you use a pen name, you may or may not have an author bio. That choice is up to you.

When To Write Your Author Bio

You should write your author bio after you write the meat of your book. It can take a long time to write a book — months or even years.

The information that you’ll put in your author bio (such as your career details or where you live) could change during that time.

So don’t write your author bio too soon.

This is something you can leave until the end of the process of publishing a book.

However, if you’re feeling stuck with your book and you need to focus on something else, this could also be a good time to write your author bio.

It can be more inspiration and helpful to flex your writing muscles with something different.

Then you can jump back into your book or another writing project with a fresh perspective.

How to Write an Author Bio

Many people hate talking about themselves and find author bios difficult to write. Sometimes we also struggle with bios because they’re so short.

Often, the shorter something is, the harder we think it is to write. For instance, how long did it take you to  write your book title ?

Because of this, some authors outsource the writing of their bio to a  freelance writer  or work with a creative consultant so they can focus on their book sales and complete the publishing process.

However, self-publishing authors and those who prefer to control the writing process don’t necessarily need a freelance writer to whip up a killer author bio.

If you know the general formula for how to use your best writing and craft a full bio, creating your own bio isn’t as daunting of a task as you may think. Take a look at these tips to help you write a good author bio.

Write in the Third Person

Typically, author bios are written in the third person, not the first person, point of view. You want your bio to sound like someone else wrote it about you.

Don’t use “I” — just use your name and last name. For example, instead of saying:

“I’m an author and I live in Chicago, Illinois.”

“John Doe is an author who lives in Chicago, Illinois.”

Writing your author bio in the third person sounds more professional and authoritative to most readers.

Third-person can sometimes run the risk of sounding impersonal, but you can avoid this by adding a brief detail about your life experience at the end.

Explain Your Credentials

What qualifies you to write this book or article?

Your author bio is the place to explain. Whether you have special skills, work experience, or professional certifications, here is where you’ll include them.

Don’t talk about what you would like to do in the future; this is a waste of space and doesn’t help establish credibility. Instead, talk about what you already have done.

If your educational experience is relevant to the subject matter you’re writing on, mention your degree(s) in your bio.

If you don’t have any degrees or the degrees are in a completely different field, don’t add them — save that space for something else.

You should also mention any recognition you’ve received. What awards have you won? Have you been recognized for your fiction writing anywhere?

Sharing your writing accomplishments lets your target audience know they can trust your writing skills. Adding things like if you are a Wall Street Journal or New York Times Bestseller, have won any national magazine awards, or even achieved your bachelor’s degree in some form of writing field are all great accomplishments to list in your bio.

Here’s an example of the first sentence in an author bio that explains the author’s credibility to help you understand how to write your own credibility into your bio.

“John Doe has a master’s degree in history and 15 years of experience working as an archivist. His first book,  A History of Modern Japan , won a prestigious reader’s choice award.”

List Your Other Work

In addition to your work history, awards, and credentials, list a few other  well-known works you’ve written

Think of this as in-book marketing or free space to share more ways for the readers to find your work.

Someone may even read your author bio and realize they’ve already read your other work, creating a feeling of trust.

If your author bio is being published online, you can include hyperlinks to your author website or to any online stores where people can publish your other books.

If you don’t have any other work to include, that’s okay. Skip this part and focus more on other parts of your bio, such as your education or any relevant experience.

On the flip side, if you have a lot of other work, don’t list everything you’ve ever published — stick to just a few of the ones that are most impressive, most relevant, or most recent.

Get Personal

When written correctly, your author bio has the potential to help you connect to readers on a deeper level.

Don’t stop with a dry list of your degrees or past positions — add some personal details to help your readers get to know you.

For example, where do you live? Do you have a spouse, children, or a pet? What hobbies do you enjoy when you aren’t working or writing?

These are simple details, but sharing a glimpse into your life experience goes a long way in helping readers remember that you’re human, too. This could sound something like this:

“John Doe lives in Chicago, Illinois with his wife and three children. He enjoys playing tennis and going on bike rides with his dog.”

Don’t mention any topics that could be divisive. Stick to hobbies that are pure fun — nothing that involves controversial topics or reflects your political views (that is, unless you’re a politician writing a political book).

Keep It Short

Your author bio needs to be short. People have already spent a good chunk of their time reading your book or your article.

They aren’t going to read a long author bio, too. The shorter your author’s bio, the higher the chance that people will actually read it.

The ideal length for an author bio is around 50-100 words. This is about 3-5 sentences.

Consider dedicating one sentence to your education and experience, another sentence to your other published work, and the final sentence to your personal life.

Be Willing to Tweak

Your author bio will change over time. As you continue publishing new writing and advancing your career, you’ll have more published works, on-the-job experience, and awards to add to your bio.

That said, make sure you aren’t married to the final version of your author bio — be willing to tweak it in the future as needed.

Your author bio also might need to sound a little different for different platforms. Many publishers and websites have guidelines for how long an author bio should be and what it should include.

Even if you’re free to write whatever you wish, you may want to highlight certain parts of your experience or overlook others.

For instance, maybe John Doe felt his experience working as an archivist in London wasn’t important enough to include in his main author bio. But for a publication that circulates in the United Kingdom, it would be the perfect detail to add in.

At the end of the day, your goal is to come up with an author bio that you can use as a template.

Save this general author bio and use it to work off of any time you have a new piece of writing published. In the future, you won’t have to start from scratch — you can simply use this predefined template and add or subtract information as necessary.

Your base author bio might sound something like this:

“John Doe has a master’s degree in history and 15 years of experience working as an archivist in London. His first book,  A History of Modern Japan , won a prestigious reader’s choice award. John currently lives in Chicago, Illinois with his wife and three children, where enjoys playing tennis and going on bike rides with his dog.”

Examples of Engaging Author Bios

Here are a few different examples of author bios found on Amazon:

Brian Tracy

Helps individuals and businesses achieve goals through his expertise gained from consulting for over 1,000 companies and addressing millions of people globally. With 30 years of experience in various fields, he is a bestselling author with over 70 books translated into many languages.

Brian delivers talks on personal and professional development, leadership, sales, and success psychology to corporate and public audiences, driving immediate and lasting changes. His background includes successful careers in sales, marketing, real estate, and consulting, with extensive international experience.

Jack Canfield

America’s #1 Success Coach, is the co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series, which includes forty New York Times bestsellers, and coauthor with Gay Hendricks of You’ve GOT to Read This Book!

An internationally renowned corporate trainer, Jack has trained and certified over 4,100 people to teach the Success Principles in 115 countries. He is also a podcast host, keynote speaker, and popular radio and TV talk show guest. He lives in Santa Barbara, California.

Tony Robbins

An international entrepreneur, #1 New York Times bestselling author, and philanthropist. Worth magazine recognized Robbins as one of the top 100 most influential people in global finance for two consecutive years.

Accenture honored Robbins as one of the “Top 50 Business Intellectuals in the World.” Robbins is a leader called upon by leaders: He’s consulted and coached some of the world’s greatest athletes, entertainers, Fortune 500 CEOs, and four US presidents.

Author of the best-selling See You at the Top is an internationally renowned speaker and authority on high-level performance. His I CAN course is taught in more than 3,000 schools, and hundreds of companies and businesses utilize his tapes, books, and videos to train their employees effectively.

He has taught his biblically-based principles for becoming a more effective persuader and person to sales organizations, church groups, schools, and businesses. He has addressed thousands more through numerous television and radio appearances and his films. His Sunday school class held at first Baptist church, Dallas, is broadcast each Sunday morning, via satellite.

Grant Cardone

Owns and operates seven privately held companies, and a private equity real estate firm, Cardone Capital, with a multifamily portfolio of assets worth over $5 Billion. He is one of the Top Crowdfunders in the world, raising over $880 million in equity via social media. He is featured on Season 2 of Discovery Channel’s Undercover Billionaire, where he takes on the challenge of building a million-dollar business in 90 days.

Grant is also a New York Times bestselling author of 11 business books, including The 10X Rule, which led to Cardone establishing the 10X Global Movement and the 10X Growth Conference, now the largest business and entrepreneur conference in the world. Cardone uses his massive 15 million plus following to give back via his Grant Cardone Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to mentoring underprivileged and troubled youth in financial literacy.

Write Your Author Bio Today

It turns out that learning how to write an author bio isn’t so hard after all. By following these simple tips, you can craft a bio that’s short, snappy, and helps you connect with your readers.

And if you’re still stuck, consider using an author bio template or some of the examples listed in this blog to inspire you on how to write your own author bio.

However, it goes without saying that before you can write an author bio, you need to have written a book or other piece of writing.

If you’re still in the main writing phase or have simply thought about writing and haven’t acted on it yet, my Book Writing Template can help. My system shows you how to map out your story and then piece it all together to write the best book that you can. Click here to download the template and start writing your book today.

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About Brian Tracy — Brian is recognized as the top sales training and personal success authority in the world today. He has authored more than 60 books and has produced more than 500 audio and video learning programs on sales, management, business success and personal development, including worldwide bestseller The Psychology of Achievement. Brian's goal is to help you achieve your personal and business goals faster and easier than you ever imagined. You can follow him on Twitter , Facebook , Pinterest , Linkedin and Youtube .

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How to Write a Bio For A Conference – 8 Easy Steps

• October 10, 2023
• 10 min read

Table of Contents:

How to write a bio for a conference step by step, 1- find out the required length., make a list of the basics., example: , 2- identify your audience, 3- start with your name: , 4- include what you do and your current position, 5- describe your core values and philosophy, 6- share your professional accomplishments, 7- add some personality, 8- decide on a tone of voice for your bio., conclusion: .

A bio or a biography is a small paragraph allowing you to introduce yourself to potential employers or clients. Say as it is a small content written to describe you as a person or worker. 

However, when you write a bio for a conference, there are many things that you have to keep in mind, partly because a bio will help you make a good impression and boost your professional development. 

So writing a bio for a conference may seem like a big deal, but it may not be too hard for you if you have a command of English. Just follow the steps below to write a bio for a conference . However, if you feel that you cannot write it yourself, you can always hire an autobiography writing service to help you. But still, even if you plan on hiring an autobiography writing services provider, we suggest you go through this guide. It is because it will also help you understand what to ask any service provider.

When invited to speak at a conference, the organizers will probably ask you to write a bio. So the first and most important thing you must do when you write a bio for a conference is to find out how long your bio must be. This is a short description of your background and expertise, and it will be used to introduce you to the audience.

So make sure that the length of your bio will vary depending on the conference you are attending. Some conferences ask for a short bio of just a few sentences, while others may ask for a longer bio of up to a paragraph.

So to write a good and concise bio that will include everything, you must first make a list of the basics that you must include in it. Following are some of them. 

When writing a conference bio, you should include some basic things. These are:

• Your full name
• Your credentials, like your degrees and any professional certifications you have
• Where you complete your graduate studies
• Your current position and where you work
• Your areas of interest
• How your experience is relevant to the focus of the event
• Your most notable accomplishments

You don’t need to list everything you’ve ever done but focus on the most impressive things. If you’ve published in any top peer-reviewed journals, be sure to include that. 

You can also list any patents or breakthrough findings you’ve made. And if you’ve collaborated with any well-known subject matter experts, mention that too.

Here is an example of a bio for a conference:

• [Your name] is a [your title] at [your company or organization]. They have over [number] years of experience in [your areas of expertise]. They have spoken at [number] conferences and have been awarded the [award or honor].
• [Your name] is passionate about [your passion]. They believe that [your belief].

The next thing that is very important in anything you do is to write according to your audience. Similarly, when you Write A Bio For A Conference, you have to think about who will the audience be, What are they interested in…. and more. 

Once you know your audience, you can tailor your bio to their interests. You may highlight who funded your research if your audience comprises institutional academics. Or you can tell them which institutions you collaborated with when the work was conducted. 

By tailoring your bio to your audience, you’ll ensure their interest in what you say. 

You also need to ensure the audience understands what you are saying. If you are in the presence of an academic, then using the intermediate level of English might be suitable. However, if you are also talking to students and academics at a conference, you need to ensure that your language is appropriate. 

Now that you have researched your audience let’s begin with how to actually write a bio for a conference and format it accordingly. When you’re starting a bio for a conference, it’s important to introduce yourself clearly and concisely.

 You should start with your full name and your job title. You can also include any other details you want to emphasize, such as your industry, certifications, or training.

For example, you could start your bio like this:

• My name is Peter, and I’m a certified financial planner. I’ve worked in the financial industry for over 10 years and want to help people achieve their financial goals.

You could start your bio with your educational qualifications if you want a job. 

For example:

• I’m a recent graduate with a bachelor’s in economics. I’m looking for a challenging position in the financial industry where I can use my skills and knowledge and be an asset to the firm.

If you have a business or brand name, you should also state them in this section. For example:

• I’m the founder and CEO of [business name]. We’re a leading provider of financial services and are passionate about helping people achieve their financial dreams.

Starting your bio with a clear and concise introduction will help your reader remember you and understand what you’re all about.

When you write a bio for a conference, it’s important to describe your primary duty and responsibility. This will help your audience understand what you do and how you can add value to their organization.

If you’re currently employed, you can identify your employer. This will help your audience understand the context of your work and how your experience is relevant to their interests.

For example,

 you could say something like, 

• “I’m a software engineer at Google, where I work on developing new machine learning algorithms. I’m passionate about using technology to solve real-world problems.”

You can still describe your primary duty and responsibility if you’re not currently employed. You could say something like, 

• “I’m a freelance professional bio writer  who specializes in writing about technology. I have over 10 years of experience writing for various publications, and I’m passionate about using my writing to educate and inform people about the latest trends in technology.”

You’ll help your audience understand what you do by describing your primary duty and responsibility. This will make you a more attractive candidate for speaking engagements and job opportunities.

In addition to describing your role and responsibility, you can include a mission statement explaining your core values and what motivates you. This will help your audience understand what matters to you and why you do what you do.

For example, you could say, “I’m passionate about caring for others. I believe everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect, and I’m committed to improving the world.”

Or you could say something like, 

• “I believe in maintaining peace and order. I’m committed to working for a world where everyone can be safe and secure.”

Including your philosophy in your bio will help your audience connect with you on a personal level. It will also show them you’re more than just a collection of skills and experience. You’re a person with a passion for making a difference in the world.

After describing your role, philosophy, and goals, you can include one or two of your most significant professional achievements. This will help your audience understand your track record of success and what you can achieve.

Your professional achievements could include awards, honors, or publications. They could also include specific projects or tasks you’ve completed that have positively impacted your organization or the world.

For example, you could say something like,

• “I was awarded the ‘Employee of the Year award in 2022 for my work on the company’s new marketing campaign. The campaign was a success, and it helped to increase sales by 15%.”

Or you could say something like,

• “I published a paper in the Journal of Applied Psychology that was cited over 1,000 times. The paper explored the relationship between stress and performance in the workplace.”

Including your professional achievements in your bio will help you to stand out from the competition. It will also show your audience that you’re a valuable asset to any organization.

One very important thing people tend to forget when writing a conference bio is to sprinkle some personality. One way to stand out from other speakers is to add a touch of fun to your bio. This will make your bio more interesting and engaging and encourage people to read it from start to finish.

You can do this by using wordplay or alliteration. 

For example, you could say something like, 

• “I’m a software engineer who loves to solve problems. I’m always up for a challenge and never afraid to get my hands dirty.”

You can also start your bio with a bold, unexpected statement. This will capture your reader’s attention and make them want to read more. 

• “I’m a doctor who believes laughter is the best medicine.”

Adding a touch of fun to your bio will make you more memorable and engaging. It will also show your audience that you’re a creative and interesting person. 

When you write a bio for a conference, you must decide whether to write in the first or third person.

The first person is most effective when writing informal or personal bios. This is because it allows you to connect with your audience personally. You can use words like “I” and “me” to share your story and experiences.

The third person is more formal and is often used for bios published on company websites or academic journals. This is because it gives your bio a more objective tone. You can use your name and pronouns like “he” or “she” to describe your work and accomplishments.

The voice you choose should represent your personality and the purpose of your bio. If you’re a creative person who wants to connect with your audience personally, the first person might be your best choice. If you’re a more formal person who wants to present your work professionally, the third person might be a better choice.

It may appear not a big deal, but writing for a conference is a big deal. And we understand your worries about writing the perfect bio. 

With this article, we hope you can write just the perfect bio for your conference. 

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How to Write a Bio for a Conference?

A conference bio is an essential aspect of any professional conference. It introduces you and your work, giving the audience a snapshot of your background, achievements, and expertise. Writing a conference bio can be challenging, especially if you are not used to summarizing your professional achievements concisely and compellingly. So, how to write a bio for a conference?

When writing a bio for a conference, you’ll need to highlight your expertise, accomplishments, and relevance to the event. Keep the bio concise, engaging, and include relevant contact information.

In this guide, we will discuss the key elements of a conference bio, including how to craft a compelling introduction, highlight your achievements and expertise, and tailor your bio to the conference audience.

Key Takeaways

• A conference bio is important to introduce yourself and your work, establish credibility, and build a personal brand.
• Crafting a compelling introduction that captures the audience’s attention with a story, anecdote, or thought-provoking question is crucial.
• The bio should highlight your achievements and expertise, but not be arrogant or boastful.
• Tailor the bio to the conference audience, including relevant work experience, education, affiliations, and experience related to the conference topic.

Purpose of a Conference Bio

If you plan for a conference, you should think about writing a bio. A conference bio aims to provide a concise and informative overview of a speaker’s background and expertise, allowing the audience to connect with the speaker and gain insight into their potential contributions to the conference.

In general, a conference bio is an essential component of a conference, as it allows the audience to understand the context of a speaker’s presentation and the relevance of their expertise to the overall conference theme.

Moreover, a conference bio serves as a tool for any well-known conference organizers to attract attendees and showcase the diversity of perspectives and experiences of the speakers.

To write a compelling conference bio, understand the importance of context. The bio should highlight the speaker’s qualifications and experience and provide insight into their background, interests, and accomplishments.

Identifying Key Information to Include in Your Bio

Identifying essential details to incorporate into one’s professional biography is comparable to piecing together a complex puzzle, with each component contributing to the overall picture of the speaker’s expertise and achievements.

Crafting content for a conference bio requires careful consideration of the conference’s theme, audience, and speaker’s goals. The bio essentials typically include the speaker’s name, job title, relevant work experience, and notable accomplishments or awards. This bio won’t only be helpful for physical conferences but also beneficial for virtual conferences. However, if you’re thinking about organizing a virtual conference , you’ll need to ability to engage with the audience with well-written bio.

The speaker’s educational background and professional affiliations may also be included, as well as their publications or speaking engagements. In addition to these standard components, the bio should highlight the speaker’s unique perspective or approach to their field of expertise. This can be accomplished by incorporating specific details about the speaker’s research, projects, or initiatives.

Crafting a Compelling Introduction

Crafting a compelling introduction requires careful consideration of the audience, the speaker’s goals, and the overall theme of the presentation to engage and captivate the listeners.

The introduction serves as the hook that draws the audience in and sets the tone for the entire presentation. Remember that the audience usually attends the conference to learn and gain new insights, so crafting an engaging tone is crucial to keeping their attention.

One effective way to craft a compelling introduction is to use a story or anecdote related to the presentation’s theme. This can be a personal experience or a relevant example from the speaker’s expertise.

Using a story, the speaker can capture the audience’s attention and create an emotional connection. Another approach is to ask a thought-provoking question or make a bold statement that challenges the audience’s preconceptions.

This can pique their curiosity and encourage them to participate in the presentation actively. The key to crafting a compelling introduction is to be creative and intentional to create a strong foundation for the rest of the presentation.

Highlighting Your Achievements and Expertise

Flaunting one’s accomplishments and area of expertise can be likened to adding fuel to the fire, igniting the audience’s interest, and establishing credibility. When writing a bio for a conference, showcase your achievements and expertise.

By highlighting your accomplishments, you can effectively communicate your contributions to your field and establish your authority. This can also help you stand out among other presenters and attract potential collaborators.

Moreover, an expertise showcase can help the audience understand your unique perspective and what you can offer to the conference. You can highlight your professional experience, relevant publications, and any awards or recognitions you have received.

However, strike a balance and not come across as arrogant or boastful. Instead, provide relevant information to help the audience understand your qualifications and expertise.

Apart from writing a bio, you should also consider citing a conference paper . This will help attendances acknowledge the authors’ contributions toward the particular research area.

Writing Your Bio to the Conference Audience

Customizing your profile to cater to the audience’s interests and expectations is crucial to maximizing your impact during the conference. Therefore, if you plan to attend a conference , one effective way to achieve this is by tailoring your bio to the conference audience. Customizing the tone of your bio can make a significant difference in how your message is received.

Here are some additional tips for tailoring your bio to the conference audience:

• Highlight experience that is relevant to the conference topic. Doing so demonstrates your expertise and commitment to the conference theme.
• Use language that resonates with the audience. For example, if the conference is geared towards beginners, avoid using technical jargon that may be intimidating.
• Emphasize your unique perspective. Consider what differentiates you from other speakers or attendees and showcase that in your bio.
• Keep the bio concise. While it’s important to highlight your achievements, be mindful of the audience’s attention span and keep your bio brief and to the point.
• Include a call to action. End your bio with a clear message encouraging attendees to engage with you, such as ‘I look forward to connecting with you during the conference.’

By customizing your bio to the conference audience, you can increase your chances of making a lasting impact and connecting with like-minded individuals.

Wrapping Up

As the saying goes, ‘A picture is worth a thousand words ,’ and your bio should paint a vivid picture of who you are and what you bring to the table. So, you have a good understanding of the purpose of your bio, and identifying key information to include is crucial to crafting a compelling introduction.

Highlighting your achievements and expertise can help establish credibility and impact the audience. Writing your bio to the conference audience can also significantly affect how well it’s received. Remember to avoid personal pronouns and use a concise, clear, and engaging writing style to keep your audience’s attention.

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Table of Contents

Understanding the purpose of a speaker bio, how to write a speaker bio for a conference, how to use artificial intelligence to write speaker bios, 3 examples of effective speaker bios, free speaker bio template, unlock the power of speaker bios, how to write a speaker bio for a conference (with examples).

A well-crafted speaker bio is a great way to create a strong first impression with event attendees and generate buzz. Not only can a solid bio establish credibility for your event and pique the audience’s curiosity, but it also can accelerate event promotion efforts.

Keep reading to learn more about why speaker bios matter, discover how to write a bio for a conference, and view speaker bio examples that should give you a better idea about what a strong bio looks like.

Speaker bios play a pivotal role in effective event marketing strategies . By populating your event website with speaker bios, you can showcase your event’s content caliber while creating interest and engagement. Once speaker bios are live, you can repurpose this content — for example, by creating graphics, sharing them on social media, and tagging the speakers.

The best speaker bios include the following elements:

• The speaker’s name and title
• Their current affiliation (e.g., CEO of Acme Corp.)
• Relevant experience and expertise
• Accomplishments and achievements (e.g., awards or publications)
• Education and qualifications
• Information about previous speaking engagements
• A personal touch that describes the speaker’s hobbies, interests, or passions outside of their professional life
• Contact information

Effective speaker bios begin with a compelling opening line that grabs the reader’s attention. At a high level, speaker bios should showcase the speaker’s expertise, credentials, and achievements. They should also highlight relevant industry experience and accomplishments. 

Now that we’ve got the basics down, consider these five tips for writing winning speaker bios.

1. Tailor the Bio to the Conference Theme and Audience

Since every event is different, ensuring that your speaker bios align with the conference theme and resonate with the target audience is essential. 

For example, if you’re hosting an event catering to executives, you must ensure each speaker’s bio highlights their executive experience. Incorporate language and keywords that resonate with the audience. In this example, you may want to include leadership qualities, board appointments, and examples of driving innovation, digital transformation, and return on investment.

2. Structure the Speaker Bio Effectively

Organize the speaker bio logically and concisely so readers can quickly determine what each speaker is about. Pay attention to the structure, too. Using bullet points and short paragraphs can make the bios more accessible, improving readability. Generally speaking, bios should be 300 words at maximum.

3. Include Social Proof and Credibility

Incorporate testimonials, endorsements, and other accolades from previous speaking engagements to demonstrate the accomplishments of your speakers. Mention notable publications, awards, and recognitions.

For example, if a particular speaker was named CEO of the Year, ensure their bio conveys that information. At the same time, share relevant statistics or achievements demonstrating expertise (e.g., grew ARR 250% in two years). 

4. Add a Personal Touch 

At the end of the day, we’re all people, and your speakers are more than the sum of their professional accomplishments. Compelling speaker bios include personal anecdotes about their lives or experiences related to the event’s theme. 

After reading a bio, audience members should know precisely why each individual was invited to participate in the event. To humanize speakers, include a sentence or two about their interests outside of work.

5. Review and Refine the Bio

Once you’re done writing a bio draft, proofread it to ensure there aren’t any typos and that the content is grammatically correct. Double-check your work to ensure that the bio is tight and free of unnecessary details. Run the bio by a trusted colleague for a second opinion if possible, and then get the stamp of approval from the professional who is featured. 

Lean events team? You can use generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT to jumpstart the process of writing speaker bios. Here’s an example of what you could ask ChatGPT to pump out a high-quality speaker bio. 

Here are some additional prompt ideas you can use to write your conference speaker bios:

• Full speaker bio: Can you write a comprehensive speaker bio for [Speaker’s Name], who will speak at our upcoming [Event Name]?
• Key accomplishments: Write a speaker bio highlighting the most important accomplishments of [Speaker’s Name].
• Professional background: Provide a brief overview of the professional background of [Speaker’s Name] for their speaker bio.
• Relevant experience: Write a bio emphasizing [Speaker’s Name]’s relevant experience and expertise in [Industry/Topic].
• Thought leadership: Create a bio that showcases [Speaker’s Name]’s thought leadership and unique insights in the field of [Industry/Topic].
• Notable contributions: Write a speaker bio outlining the notable contributions that [Speaker’s Name] has made to the [Industry/Field].
• Presentation Style: Provide a bio that captures [Speaker’s Name]’s engaging presentation style and ability to connect with diverse audiences.
• Innovative approach: Write a speaker bio highlighting [Speaker’s Name]’s innovative approach to [Industry/Topic] and their impact on the field.
• Audience takeaways: Create a bio communicating the practical takeaways attendees can expect from [Speaker’s Name]’s presentation.
• Upcoming speaking engagement: Write a brief speaker bio for [Speaker’s Name] for their upcoming presentation at [Event Name, Date, and Location].
• Education and credentials: Provide a speaker bio with the educational background and relevant credentials of [Speaker’s Name].

Feel free to mix and match these prompts or provide specific details about the speaker’s background and accomplishments and the event they will be speaking at to get a tailored and impactful speaker bio. Just know that you must fact-check the output because the information may not be up-to-date or accurate. 

What exactly does this look like in practice? Here are three speaker bio examples that should get you thinking in the right direction.

Bio Example for a Tech Conference Speaker

Derek Jeter’s bio for INBOUND 2023 keeps it short and sweet, likely because most people are familiar with this baseball powerhouse. 

Here is the text of that bio:

Derek Jeter

Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, and National Baseball HOF Inductee

The Baseball Hall of Famer and business leader shares what his leadership experience on and off the field has taught him about business. 

Bio Example for a DE&I Conference Speaker 

Here is the bio for Charisse Kosova, who will be speaking at the 26th annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conference . This event serves as a platform for accomplished DE&I practitioners worldwide to showcase their work and engage in dialogues about critical subjects such as race, social justice, neurodiversity, women’s health, disability, allyship, and other themes.

Charisse Kosova 

Director, DEI Learning & Development 

McDonald’s Corporation 

Charisse Kosova is director of DEI L&D at McDonald’s Corporation, working to drive the success of McDonald’s DEI learning journey at all levels of the organization. Before McDonald’s, she was the head of Global Training & Development at Shure Incorporated, where she built the first centralized learning function and advised the D&I council on global learning strategy. As director of Global Talent Development for IOR Global Services, she consulted with multinational corporations to build greater intercultural leadership and management skills across culturally diverse teams. Over time this work of bridging “otherness,” combined with her own commitment to social justice, led to a more focused expertise in DEI. Charisse has lived and worked in Ethiopia, Morocco, Japan, and the UK, and has seen first-hand how continuous learning in a diverse, inclusive environment leads not only to greater employee productivity and engagement, but also to increased professional and personal well-being.

Bio Example for a Fintech Conference Speaker

Stephanie Yu’s bio page for FinovateFall — the world’s premier fintech showcase — is outstanding, partly because it includes the sessions at which she’ll speak. Check it out:

Stephanie Yu

Director of Product Management

Stephanie Yu, director of Product Management at Uplift. Uplift is the enterprise Buy Now, Pay Later solution for the world’s leading travel, retail, and e-commerce brands.

Stephanie leads the core product development at Uplift. As a product leader, she has led the business to over 200% revenue growth in 2022.

Prior to Uplift, Stephanie held various leadership roles at Moody’s. She started out as a research data analyst at Moody’s and expanded into product management, leading market research and driving innovative product development like the Data Contribution Portal at Moody’s Commercial Real Estate line of business ⸺ resulting in improved workflows for 200 property researchers, and “Pulse” AI-powered commercial real estate market news feed.

Former Bizzaboer Rachel Heller , who is now GitHub’s senior content program manager of events, uses a helpful template for writing conference speaker bios:

• Something descriptive about what you do (not just your title and company)
• Why are you credible
• Your role and/or any previous relevant roles 
• Any extracurricular professional accolades or organizations you’re part of
• Something personal that humanizes you

Here is her 99-word bio using this formula:

Rachel Heller is an event content professional with over a decade of experience working on events ranging from 50 to 50,000 attendees. Currently, she is the senior content program manager for events at GitHub. Rachel is a member of the Event Content Council and previously held event content strategy roles at Sage Intacct and PTC. She is passionate about diverse, equitable, and inclusive presenter lineups, and when she’s not thinking up new session format ideas or searching for the best speakers, Rachel enjoys hiking, restoring furniture, and trying to beat her fastest time solving the NYT crossword puzzle.

What would your bio look like using this template?

Although many event marketers might underestimate their importance, speaker bios can profoundly impact event success. By creating concise, compelling bios that interest your target audience, you can gin up excitement, sell more tickets, and ensure your next event is the best yet.

As you begin creating speaker bios for your next event, keep this blog’s tips in mind. And remember to lean into generative AI tools to speed up the process!

But wait, did you know you can use generative AI to supercharge your event planning and promotion efforts? It’s true, and we’ve built a guide to help: 100+ chatbot prompts for event professionals .

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Effective Conference Speaker Bios: 9 Examples That Stand Out

• Carolyn Manion Kinnie
• January 16, 2024

Table of Contents

When you land your first big speaking gig, one of the first things your event planner will ask for is a headshot and bio. Composing a bio for a conference is an important way to attract audience members to your talk. It also contributes to marketing for the event itself. Are you worried about coming up short when faced with this task? That’s why we’ve gathered a variety of great conference speaker bio examples just for you. Use these bios drawn from our own students and coaches at The Speaker Lab for inspiration as you get ready for your next speaking engagement!

Event bios can be tricky because you often have a word limit, whereas on your speaker website you have free reign to pick and choose how much and what information you include. Furthermore, if you offer a variety of options on your speaker menu, the bio you use for one talk/audience might not be well suited to the others. 

If the program will be appearing online ahead of the event, your conference speaker bio also plays a role in event promotion. Helping draw attendees to an event with your effective bio will endear you to conference event planners and gain you a positive reputation in the speaking world. While that may seem like a secondary concern, it plays an important role in building your network . 

What Makes a good Conference Speaker Bio?

As a refresher, we covered the ins and outs of writing a solid speaker bio here. And we’ve provided several templates for different kinds of speaker bios here . (Remember: we always recommend maintaining a longer “master bio” which you can edit and pare down to make shorter bios for conferences, speaker proposals, social media, and more.)

The most important factor that makes or breaks any speaker bio is your audience. Always keep your audience (and the event) in mind when you write a speaker bio for a conference. Are they professionals, creatives, executives, parents, entrepreneurs? Is this a connection and community oriented conference or one focused on presenting data-driven research without all the fluff? Even if you keep the same basic info, subtle adjustments to tone and the order you present information can make a huge difference! Our examples cover a variety of industries and event types so you can get a feel for how to change things up based on your client and audience. 

Before we get on to our conference speaker bio examples, let’s review our open-ended template. 

Conference Speaker Bio Template

• Open with a positioning statement aligned with the conference theme that establishes your expertise.

[Name] is a [seasoned expert] who [does interesting and important things in your industry].

• List the career highlights that are relevant to your talk. 

[Name] has [X years, decades] of experience doing [what your audience does or wants to do]. 

• Include a taste of your mission and vision –your “why”–to pique the audience’s interest.

During [life or career experience], [Name] realized that [thing that made you decide to speak]. Now, [Name] does [what you do for a living] to [transformation you hope to achieve].  

• If relevant: end with a personal fact relatable to your audience. (Leave this out if the conference atmosphere is particularly academic, data-driven, or otherwise impersonal).

[Name] enjoys trying new foods, like [signature dish of the city hosting the conference]. 

The conference speaker bio examples we’ve shared below are from students, alumni, and coaches of our TSL programs. You can listen to even more testimonies from our students and friends who have made their mark on the speaking industry on our podcast . 

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1. Dominique Luster

 2. Dr. Peggy DeLong

3. David Palmiter

Dr. David Palmiter’s bio for a medical society conference is credential-oriented and to the point. He hones in on his psychological expertise after describing his jack-of-all-trades career. Given the serious topic of his panel on substance abuse, an emphasis on professional qualifications is necessary and appropriate. But this conference bio isn’t entirely dry and technical, as it includes how Dr. Palmiter’s interest in magic connects to his desire to change people’s lives. Dr. Palmiter shared some of his magician’s wisdom on our podcast–listen here.

4. Chris Failla  

This profile for a networking event is a great example of a conference bio that combines brevity and thoroughness. Chris elucidates his credentials in the field and specifies the transformation he has wrought that is similar to what attendees will be looking for. He finishes with some personal notes, appropriate for an event that includes lunch and a happy hour where lots of small talk will be happening. While it’s short and to-the-point, you can tell from Chris’s bio that he’s a mission-driven guy, as he shared on our podcast .

5. Shailesh Ghimire  

This conference speaker bio from TSL alum Shailesh Ghimire is a great example of how to pack quite a punch with as few words as possible. In three sentences, Shailesh lets attendees at this dental industry continuing education event know exactly what they can expect to gain from his marketing presentation. 1. He has extensive experience in his field. 2. He can distill digital marketing concepts so they are easily digestible for non-marketers. 3. He will be concise and avoid rambling or jargon. If you’re working with a really strict word limit, try to focus on setting realistic and helpful expectations. Shailesh shared how he built a business out of his lifelong speaking passion on our podcast recently. Listen to his inspirational story here .

6. Anne Marie Anderson

Anne Marie Anderson’s conference bio for a women’s leadership symposium begins with a bang. Hard to beat three Emmys! It follows with a description of the transformation she effects through the keynote she is offering. Then, she covers all the experience and methods that go into her mission. Because Anne Marie has such an outstanding career outside of the motivational speaking realm, her bio serves to explain how her experience in broadcasting applies to her audience. Anne Marie talked to our team about her amazing career and “building an audacious mindset” on the podcast right here.  

7. Amy Fuentes

Are you trying to come up with a paragraph that convinces people to come to your workshop? Here’s a conference speaker bio example for you. Amy’s presentation at an upcoming women’s leadership conference is accompanied by an extremely mission-oriented conference bio. Given the event’s focus on inspiration and empowerment, this is a shrewd strategy to encourage people to come to her breakout session . Listen to Amy’s testimony of how she felt called to empower women through her speaking platform here .

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8. Brittany Richmond

TSL’s very own Brittany Richmond will be presenting at the 2024 National Conference on Student Leadership . We might be biased, but we think this is an incredible conference speaker bio that exudes professionalism and authority in her field. Her introductory statement that gives you an idea of her on-stage persona and credentials. Her career path leads directly to her mission statement as well as a quick description of the many venues she has spoken for. You know exactly what you’re getting into when you listen to Britt’s presentation! Check out one of her recent podcasts with us here .

9. Dan Irvin

We’ll wrap up our slew of examples with a bio from TSL coach Dan Irvin. Dan just spoke to the American Bus Association conference in Nashville. His conference speaker bio hits all of our template requirements, leaves you full of excitement for his session, and offers a dose of relatability. A positioning statement that captures his personality and the transformation he offers starts us off. Then Dan covers his career background which qualifies him especially for work with leaders and executives. He describes his mission (at least for this talk): getting you back on track when you lose sight of your goals while having fun along the way. And he squeezes in a reminder that he too has a family to come back to at the end of this event. Dan shared several of his systems for success with us this year on an episode of The Speaker Lab podcast. 

Writing a conference bio is just one of the steps in the long process of finding, booking, and completing a paid speaking engagement. If you want more tips and guidance throughout this process, get in touch with our team here . 

• Last Updated: March 21, 2024

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Blog • Book Marketing , Perfecting your Craft

Last updated on Feb 24, 2022

How to Write a Killer Author Bio (With Template)

About the author.

Reedsy's editorial team is a diverse group of industry experts devoted to helping authors write and publish beautiful books.

About Martin Cavannagh

Head of Content at Reedsy, Martin has spent over eight years helping writers turn their ambitions into reality. As a voice in the indie publishing space, he has written for a number of outlets and spoken at conferences, including the 2024 Writers Summit at the London Book Fair.

An author bio is a brief passage that introduces a writer and sums up their work, their authorly credentials, and anything else their readers might need to know about them. 

While author bios may seem like an afterthought, or something to  fill up the backmatter  of your book, it’s actually an unassuming but valuable piece of copy. If done well, an author bio can give you credibility and introduce your readers to your other works.

It can also be used in other promotional or publishing materials, as former Penguin Random House marketer  Rachel Cone-Gorham explains:

“An author bio is something that will let readers get a sense of who you are, and is an important part for pitching media and book proposals.” 

For this reason, it’s important to get your bio right. Here is a 4-step process for writing your author bio:

1. Start with the facts readers need to know

2. open up with relevant biographical details, 3. wow them with your credentials, 4. finish it off with a personal touch.

Start your bio with an opening byline that quickly summarizes your profile, plus your most recent release. In a world full of skimmers, some readers may not get past the first couple of lines of your bio, so it’s important to frontload the essentials. 

For instance, a byline might read:

“Jane Doe is a Professor of Anthropology at UCLA and author of Insights Into Our Past: Tracing the Legacy of Intergenerational Trauma in 19th Century America .”

“Jane Doe is a poet, teacher, and author of the new novel  We Were Already There .”

If your work has won any prestigious awards or earned bestseller status, make sure to mention that here as well.

The great part about writing a one-liner as your opener is that it can double as a short bio for guest articles, social media, etc. — all of which can serve as a valuable part of your book publicity plan. 

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Example: An attention-grabbing intro

Novelist and short story writer Brandon Taylor's whole bio is great, but check out his heavy-hitting first sentence that instantly tells you everything you really need to know:

If you’re stuck for words, you can use his bio and those of other writers  for inspiration. 

RESOURCE: Your free author bio template

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Grab our Author Bio Template

Use this to write an awesome “about me” in less than 5 minutes.

Your author bio is, naturally, a chance for you to introduce yourself, but it’s also an opportunity for you to introduce readers to your body of work, and share a little about your writing history. If you have other titles that you’ve released previously, now’s the time to mention them.

You may also want to include any personal connections to your work, and signpost why they’re relevant. For instance:

With over a decade of writing obituaries for the local paper, Jane has a uniquely wry voice that shines through in her newest collection of essays, which explore the importance we place on legacy.

A professionally trained electrician, Jane has spent the last decade reading and writing romance novels giving her characters a palpable spark! Her latest work is the sequel to her debut novel, In the Arms of a Stranger .

Have an author bio already, but want a second opinion on it? Take our quick quiz to see if it checks off all of the boxes.

Let us grade your author bio

Find out if your author bio is a 10/10. Takes one minute.

Top Tip: Write in the third person

Despite the fact that an author often writes or approves their own bio, it should be written in the third person — ‘they’ rather than ‘I’. Not only is this the industry standard, it also makes it easier to toot your own horn, which you should definitely be doing here.

Example: An author’s lived experience

One great example of a bio that shares biographical details is author Niyati Tamaskar , whose memoir Unafraid draws on her own experiences of cancer and the cultural baggage surrounding it. You can learn more about Niyati and her publishing story here .

Niyati Tamaskar is a mother, engineer, entrepreneur, public speaker, and author. She speaks on issues of cultural bias, the stigma of cancer, and more. Her speaking and media appearances include her signature TEDx talk, a cover and feature spread in Columbus magazine on her journey and message of destigmatizing cancer, and a video created by Breastcancer.org on “How Niyati Tamaskar Overcame Cultural Cancer Stigma to Become an Advocate”—aimed at highlighting the minority experience while facing cancer.

An important job of an “About the Author” section is to boost your credentials, says editor Rachel: “You want to show your qualifications and credibility so that a reader will feel validated in choosing your book to read.”

That being said, it’s not a good idea to start listing every softball trophy you won in middle school. Only stick to credentials that directly relate to the content of your book. According to Rachel, “Qualifications can include writing courses, college degrees, awards, bestseller lists, and accolades or, for fiction authors, even a lifetime of interest.” Here are a few of her examples:

Jane has an MFA in creative writing from Vermont College, and was the recipient of the Vermont College creative writing award.

Jane is a historian at Vermont College and has spent over a decade researching World War 2.

Jane has traveled extensively around Eastern Europe, learning about the history of the region and walking the paths of her characters.

For non-fiction authors, your credentials are incredibly relevant as readers are far more likely to trust an authority on a subject, while fiction authors can focus more on why they write in a specific genre.

Book marketing consultant Rob Eagar suggests that another way to boost your credibility is to “to weave in any endorsements you may have received from well-known outlets… Readers pay more attention to authors with a proven track record.”

For example:

[Famous author] says Jane Doe is a unique new voice in the thriller genre.

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Example: Amanda Ripley’s expert qualifications

One author using their credentials to their best advantage is non-fiction author Amanda Ripley. Check out her “About the Author”: 

Top tip: Keep it short

A good author bio is efficient beyond just the first line, as book launch specialist Joel Pitney suggests:

“People don't want to read long bios! Keep it under 300 words. Only include relevant materials and be as succinct as possible. If you've won a lot of awards, for example, only include the most impressive ones. Same goes if you’ve published a couple of books; only include your most successful three.”

Author bios are not a place for you to delve into a lengthy explanation of your history. However, you also don’t want your bio to be devoid of any personality. Adding a bit of color to your bio helps readers imagine who you are. Plus, if they can relate to you, it might be an extra push for them to buy your book. 

That’s why Joel Pitney suggests: “If there's room, and it's relevant, you can add some color, like where you live or something interesting that might not obviously relate to your writing career, but that makes you a more interesting person.”

This can be done subtly, like by referring to your location in your byline: 

“New-York based psychologist, Jane Doe…”

Or you can include a brief illustration of your lifestyle, says Rachel: “Jane lives and works out of her home at the base of Mount Washington in New Hampshire, and spends her summers hiking and camping with her two children and husband.”

Finally, marketing consultant Rob suggests closing out with a quippy-one liner that illustrates what kind of writer you are. “If your writing is known for its humor, let it show in your bio.” For example:

Jane hopes to write her next novel soon, if she can stop reading other people's novels instead.

Example: Natalie Barelli’s chatty tone

Check out fiction writer Natalie Barelli’s bio for an example of personalization done right: 

Natalie Barelli can usually be found reading a book, and that book will more likely than not be a psychological thriller. Writing a novel was always on her bucket list, and eventually, with Until I Met Her, it became a reality. After He Killed Me is the second and final book in her Emma Fern Series. When not absorbed in the latest gripping page-turner, Natalie loves cooking, knits very badly, enjoys riding her Vespa around town, and otherwise spends far too much time at the computer. She lives in Australia, with her husband and extended family.

An author bio is unique to the writer, so everyone’s will look different — but by following our 4-step process and using the author bio template, you’ll include everything you need to maximize your chances of winning over readers.

8 responses

Diane says:

07/06/2018 – 09:10

Excellent post! I really liked the way explained each point with examples. Author can write a big book but broke into sweat when it comes to write a bio about themselves. Sometimes they also need paper writing help. It have to be short and interesting, not boring. In that case your article will help them to write a killer one.

Nancy Man says:

20/06/2018 – 00:10

This was super helpful -- thanks! Sticking to these four elements worked great for me. I've finally got a bio that I'm not rolling my eyes at. :)

Antigone Blackwell says:

08/12/2018 – 19:01

If someone is reading this article, it is highly unlikely that they can boast being bestselling authors or share that they are on the third book of a highly successful series. More examples with start up authors would be great.

India Government Schemes says:

12/03/2019 – 11:42

This is awesome, but i am seeing in this days mostly hide there Bio in Blogs, But they don't know In The Blog Author Bio is also a Ranking Factor in the Google Search Ranking.

Joe Robinson says:

08/05/2019 – 12:28

Very helpful article that has helped me write my author bio for my upcoming book "Move Your Marriage to Greatness" a Marriage Replenishment Work designed to help couple achieve extraordinary accomplishments that are uncommon in many marriages today. I appreciate you making this article available.

Jitender Sharma says:

10/09/2019 – 05:00

Thanks for your post

Mike aantonio says:

14/11/2019 – 10:06

After reading the bio. samples mentioned above. Is it really necessary to introduce the author as a third party. Can't we directly say " Hi I am a blogger from so and so ......."

↪️ Martin Cavannagh replied:

15/11/2019 – 09:15

You can do... but it's not standard practice.

Comments are currently closed.

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Home / Book Publishing / How to Write an Author Bio [With Examples and Templates]

How to Write an Author Bio [With Examples and Templates]

To write a great author bio, you need to know your target audience, cater to your genre, brag (but not too much), keep it brief, and call the reader to action.

When you’re self-publishing on Amazon , you need to put some serious thought into the author bio on your Amazon book page. Don’t haphazardly throw together some sentences and hit the publish button.

The author bio isn’t your most important tool. (The most essential tools are the book reviews , book cover , and synopsis/blurb .) But the author bio is another critical tool that you shouldn’t leave out.

Can I just leave my author bio out? No, you cannot just leave out your author bio, even if you wrote a short story or novella. It looks unprofessional, scares away potential readers, foregoes an opportunity to connect with your target audience, and leads to fewer book sales.

Plus, writing a good author bio doesn’t take that long.

If you’re not Grisham, or Godin, or Ferriss, or Fleming, very few people will buy a novel by you purely based on name recognition. So put a little work into your bio, and you won’t regret it.

Note: The Author Bio is just one of many parts of a book. I have a whole series of posts on the subject, and I highly recommend you check those out as well!

• What is an author bio?
• Examples of phenomenal author bios
• Tips on making a persuasive, engaging author bio
• How to add the bio to your book page
• An author bio template checklist

Table of contents

• What should an author's bio include?
• Is an author bio actually important?
• What’s your book about?
• Who are you writing for?
• 4 Writing Tips For Creating an Author Bio:
• Step 3: Add the Bio to Your Book Page
• Podcast Episode: The Perfect Picture For Your Author Bio
• 6 Examples of Phenomenal Author Bios
• Can you hire a freelancer to write your author bio?
• How to Write a Bio for Your Author Website
• Author Bio Template
• Where does your author bio go?
• How often should you update your “About the Author” page?

For clarification, on Amazon, there are 2 kinds of bio:

• The generic bio on your “ Author Page ”
• Separate bios for each of your books

The advice in this post is aimed at your bio on your individual book pages, although much of it will still be relevant to your main Author Page.

Why Should You Trust Me?

I've actually been writing and formatting books for a long time. Over 10 years so far, and counting.

But that's not the real reason, because there are plenty of authors who have lots of experience, but know next to nothing about the different parts of a book, or book formatting in general.

The real reason you should trust me is because I actually created my own formatting software that solved all my problems. I called it Atticus.

But this isn't meant to be a sales pitch. I just want to make sure it's clear that I know what I'm talking about. The amount of research that went into not only formatting my own books, but also creating a formatting software is huge.

I researched everything, which led me to learn all about every. single. part. of. a. book. And there were a lot more than I realized.

And of course, that includes the Author Bio.

So if all that makes sense, hopefully you'll come along with me as show you everything I've learned.

Also called “About the Author,” an author bio is:

• A paragraph about you as a writer
• Your credentials
• Your interests
• A call to action
• Other relevant information you want to share with your target audience

An author biography is your chance to connect with readers beyond just a byline.

Everyone needs a stellar front cover design, an attention-grabbing book title , and a sophisticated keyword strategy . But those book marketing musts simply draw users to see your book’s product page.

A good author bio (and book reviews and book description ) compels them to actually buy the book.

The author bio establishes you as the kind of writer whom your target market ought to read. It’s where you forge a connection with potential readers and get them to trust you. Readers should want to know what you have to say based on your author bio.

If you take the author bio seriously and get it right, you’ll sell more books.

You should include your name, relevant accomplishments, and a call to action in your author’s bio. Aim for a bio of 60-90 words in length.

If your book is humorous, inject humor. If your book is melodramatic, add a little melodrama. Tailor your bio to your genre, target audience, and the individual book it’s for.

If possible, include links to your website or social media , so people can find out more about you.

Include a picture when possible. This picture should be a professional headshot of you smiling or looking serious, depending on your genre. Do not skimp on the headshot. An unprofessional author headshot screams low-quality content.

Yes, a good author bio is actually important because:

• It builds credibility
• It affirms whether what you have to say is worth reading
• It tells your target audience that you have written a book for them
• Readers may relate to your personal story
• You will sell more books

“No one reads the author bio,” I hear you say. But you’re wrong. While not everyone cares about the author’s bio, some care a lot.

First of all, unless you’re a household name, you must build credibility with the reader. If a reader doesn’t think you’re credible, they will read your book with a cynical eye and judge every mistake they find. Or worse, they won’t buy your book in the first place.

Second of all, more than ever, consumers are buying books from writers they want to support. If someone learns more about and relates to the author, they are much more likely to buy.

Increase Your Book Marketing

See the Publisher Rocket effect, when you use the right keywords and categories to help get your book seen more on Amazon.

How to Write a Powerful Author Bio for Your Book

Here are 3 steps to write an awesome author bio (About the Author) and upload it onto Amazon:

• Figure out your genre and target audience
• Write the bio
• Add the bio to your book page

How do you write a bio for a first-time author? First-time authors might not be able to include any literary accomplishments, like other best-selling books and prestigious awards. But first-time writers can include relevant expertise that pertains to your book. Also, any author can inject personality and a call to action, no matter if this is their first book.

Step 1 : Figure Out Your Genre and Target Audience

Answer these 2 crucial questions to understand your genre and target audience:

Your author bio needs to compliment the genre and subject matter of your book. Bios irrelevant to the book confuse potential readers.

While this may seem like obvious advice, a lot of irrelevant content finds its way into many author bios. Consider:

• If your nightmare-inducing horror novel contains a perky and cheerful author description about your love for puppies and former career as a glassblower, you forfeit an opportunity to connect readers with your writing.
• If your middle-grade comedy has an author bio that reads like a middle school textbook , your audience may be confused whether you’re able to write comedy.
• If your book is a contemporary romance novel with a middle-aged female protagonist, your author bio’s personality and content should relate to the right target audience.
• If you’re writing about tax-deduction strategies for real estate investors, your bio should present your expertise — why anyone should listen to you on the subject.
• If your book is a spiritual guide to personal growth, some life-affirming positivity will improve your bio.

You need to think about your target reader. Hopefully, you had a type of reader in mind when writing the book . You always need to know who would want to buy and read your book.

Figure out your target reader, then write your author bio for that person.

For non-fiction authors, your ideal reader probably wants to read your credentials, your life experience, and what qualifies you to speak on a particular topic.

For fiction writers, your ideal reader may be looking for a unique, exciting personality to come out through the bio. You may briefly include credibility-building credentials, such as if you earned an MFA in Creative Writing.

In many cases, creating an “avatar” of your customer — with a name, location, and personality — is a valuable way to both develop your author bio and strategically target your book marketing efforts. Check out this guide on how to create a customer avatar.

Don’t add information “just in case” a different kind of reader might appreciate it. You end up with a behemoth of a bio that no one reads because it’s too daunting and unfocused.

Step 2 : Write the Bio

Now you need to write the actual words of the bio. Stick to this checklist on how to write an author bio:

• Begin with a punchy, impactful first sentence.
• Introduce your area of expertise or your unique personality, depending on the genre.
• Build credibility without overly bragging.
• Add a personal touch, such as a relatable profession or quirky hobby.
• Finish on a call to action (check out the new book, follow you on social media, etc.).

While you’re writing, always ask yourself, “Is this relevant to my reader?”

Most readers won’t care where you were born (unless it’s a book about where you live), what high school you went to, or that you always wanted to become a full-time writer.

This isn’t to say that your bio should be impersonal. On the contrary! This is your opportunity to make readers feel like they know you. Your personality and/or expertise should make them want to read what you wrote.

• Write in the third person. “About the author” demands the third person. While it may feel a bit weird to write “he” or “she” rather than “I” in the first person, there’s one significant benefit: Your relevant accomplishments and accolades will sound far less boastful.
• Don’t brag too much . Don't go overboard showing off because everyone knows you wrote it. Even if the author bio is in the third person, state your achievements, but don’t become a braggart. Sprinkle in a bit of humility and modesty as well.
• Keep your author bio short. The faster they can read about you, the faster they can buy your book. Aim for 60-90 words and don’t go above 150. It takes effort and practice to distill everything into such a short space. Once you’ve nailed it, you can fit a great deal of personality and information into those 60-90 words.
• Use the bio like a business card . Give readers a way to interact with you by adding your website or social media info. At the very least, they’ll be able to find out more about you and explore your other works. Adding this info at the end is the most common call to action in author bios.

Step 3 : Add the Bio to Your Book Page

You can add your author bio to your Amazon book page by visiting Amazon Author Central , select your book, and add it in the “About the Author” section.

You can add the “About the Author” page into your back matter for a physical book. On most word processors like Scrivener or Vellum, you should be able to generate the author bio into your print-ready file.

But one really annoying bit about adding an author bio to most books is that you have to copy and paste it for every book. This gets cumbersome when you have ten books and need to make one tiny change in each of them.

Unfortunately, most programs like Vellum and Scrivener do not have a way to do “templates” where you update a single Author Bio page, and it gets updated across all your books.

But Atticus can.

In Atticus you can save as a template and then reuse that template wherever you want. And the best part is, if you change the template, it will change it for all your books. Check it out!

Here are some real-life author bios from Amazon or on a back cover that combine most or all of the tips above:

Forgotten Legacy : Robin Perini, the Publisher’s Weekly and internationally bestselling author of Forgotten Secrets, is devoted to giving her readers fast-paced, high-stakes adventures with a love story sure to melt their hearts. A RITA Award finalist and winner of the prestigious Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award in 2011, she is also a nationally acclaimed writing instructor. By day, she’s an analyst for an advanced technology corporation, but in honor of her mother, Robin has become a passionate advocate for those who battle Alzheimer’s disease. She loves to hear from readers. Visit her web­site at www.robinperini.com.

[Length: 97 words]

D a mn Delicious Meal Prep: 115 Easy Recipes for Low-Calories, High-Energy Living : Chungah Rhee is the founder, recipe developer, and photographer of Damn Delicious. What began as a grad school hobby is now a top food blog, with millions of readers coming to her site for easy weeknight recipes and simplified gourmet meals. She lives and continues to cook non-stop in Los Angeles, with her corgi, Butters. Her first cookbook was published in 2016 by Oxmoor House. Visit her at damndelicious.net.

[Length: 70 words]

Long Range Shooting Handbook: Complete Beginner's Guide to Long Range Shooting : “Ryan Cleckner served as a special operations sniper team leader with the U.S. Army's elite 1st Ranger Bn. on multiple combat deployments. He is a graduate of the premier Special Operations Target Interdiction Course (SOTIC), among other military training courses, and has taught snipers and police sharpshooters from around the world. Ryan has a series of online instructional videos known for their ability to explain complex topics in a simple and digestible way. Ryan is currently a firearms industry professional and an attorney.”

[Length: 83 words]

Diary of a Farting Creeper: Why Does the Creeper Fart When He Should Explode? (Volume 1) : Who is Wimpy Fart? Wimpy Fart loves Minecraft and writes awesome Minecraft books for YOU because you are the best Minecraft fans in the world. You can email Wimpy Fart to tell him about your favorite Minecraft books, or to talk about really loud farts. [email protected] Oh – Wimpy Fart reads all your awesome Amazon reviews and likes to know what you want to read about in Minecraft books!

[Length: 68 words]

Joanna Penn writes non-fiction books for authors and is an award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller author as J.F. Penn. She’s a podcaster and an award-winning creative entrepreneur. Her site, TheCreativePenn.com has been voted in the Top 100 sites for writers by Writer's Digest.

[Length: 49 words]

John Scalzi writes books, which, considering where you’re reading this, makes perfect sense. He’s best known for writing science fiction, including the New York Times bestseller Redshirts, which won the Hugo Award for Best Novel. He also writes non-fiction, on subjects ranging from personal finance to astronomy to film, was the Creative Consultant for the Stargate: Universe television series. He enjoys pie, as should all right thinking people. You can get to his blog by typing the word “Whatever” into Google. No, seriously, try it.

[Length: 85 words]

If you're looking for author bio perfection, Scalzi’s is as close as you're gonna find. His bio lends himself credibility, demonstrates his personality, and has one of the most unique calls to action you'll ever read. How many of you actually googled “whatever” just now?

Yes, you can hire a freelance writer or a ghostwriter to write your author bio to make sure it’s as amazing as it should be. Their creative writing know-how can produce a bio worthy of a good read and help you better connect with your audience if you’re having a hard time with the bio.

Hopefully, because you’re a writer, you’re able to follow the steps in this article to create your own bio. But in many cases, writing about yourself is more challenging than writing any other prose. (No shame, I promise!)

To write an author bio for your website, follow these 8 tips and tricks:

• Determine what your book’s about, and tailor your bio to compliment the style and tone.
• Determine your target audience, and tailor your bio to attract those specific readers.
• Begin your bio with a punchy first sentence.
• Build credibility by demonstrating your accomplishments, but don’t brag too much.
• Add links to relevant interviews (on NPR or PBS, for example), news articles (ever been featured in The Wall Street Journal ?), and Amazon sales pages.
• Finish with a call to action — perhaps a link to your sales page.
• Make sure your word count is 60-90 words.
• When you review it, take out all irrelevant words. Will your target audience care about each word? If not, take that word out.

On an author’s website , you can go into more detail, list more important works or achievements, and link to other pages on your website to find more info.

Also, an author website bio lends itself more to the first-person than a book page bio. Feel free to use first person or third person, as long as you stick to one or the other.

There's no one-size-fits-all approach, but the following checklist provides a structure you can use as an author bio template:

• Add a personal touch, such as a hobby or favorite TV show.
• Finish on a call to action (check out the new book, follow on social media, etc.).

If you browse bestselling author bios, you'll notice they tend to follow this sequence.

The content and tone you include in your author bio will depend on several factors:

• Content and tone of your book
• Genre (or multiple genres)
• Previous works
• Previous achievements
• Personal preference
• Medium (eBook only, literary magazine, etc.)

In a print book, your author bio should go in the back matter of your book or on the dust jacket sleeve.

You should also place an author bio on your website that goes into a little more detail than the bio in your book.

For an eBook on Amazon, your author bio goes below the suggested books. Here are the headings that appear before the “About the Author” section:

You should update your “About the Author” page or individual author bios any time something significant changes in your life or career, especially honors and awards or when your next book comes out.

Publish a new book? Update all your old bios.

Win an award? Update all your old bios.

Featured on a famous talk show? You may want to update all your old bios.

Going through a divorce or other major family issues? If you mention your spouse or now-estranged children in your bio, you may want to change that. (I know that’s dark, but it happens and is worth considering.)

Earn a prestigious honor or academic position? You know what you should do.

I’ll show you mine…

In summary, the steps in this post take you through everything you need when writing your own author bio. Refer to them when you start writing – and you’ll have an engaging author bio that should easily sell more books.

My own author bio is listed just below for reference (and ridicule, if you like).

I don't have to tell you, I'm pretty much a techy goofball. Hopefully, my bio does a great job of conveying just that. Using humor and an upbeat tone, I want to let Kindlepreneur readers know exactly who I am as a content writer in 34 words.

Special thanks to John Scalzi for inspiring me to write this specific type of bio.

Dave Chesson

When I’m not sipping tea with princesses or lightsaber dueling with little Jedi, I’m a book marketing nut. Having consulted multiple publishing companies and NYT best-selling authors, I created Kindlepreneur to help authors sell more books. I’ve even been called “The Kindlepreneur” by Amazon publicly, and I’m here to help you with your author journey.

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67 thoughts on “ How to Write an Author Bio [With Examples and Templates] ”

After one year locked at home because of COVID-19, I decided to have as much fun as I had when teaching at school. That’s how “A Modern Superhero” was born. I enjoy good food, that’s why I need to do some exercise. By the way, run to my social media for some free perks.

Should I or should I not say what my day job is? Yes it has and no it hasn’t to do with my books. As I am an architect, I have well-structured novels! Lol. But is that boring? As I am not a van driver or pizza delivery girl, why would it interest anyone. I don’t know what’s boring anymore. Please help! Thanks.

Depending on your niche or subject, not sure. I’ll guess that you’re writing some sort of fiction. If that is the case, a mention of something that is important to you is fine, but don’t drag it on and focus on it. If you’ve used levity in your writing, then you can say something like “Architect by day, crime novelist by night.”

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How to Write a Personal Biography for a Conference

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Public speaking is a good way to demonstrate your expertise, but audiences want to know that the person they're listening to is qualified to speak with authority. A well-written bio will highlight your expertise and is often the key to booking a conference in the first place. Many speakers confuse the bio with their CV or resume. The biography should be more client-focused and deliver dynamic and engaging content for the reader, not merely a dry list of accomplishments.

Ask the event organizer what length the biography should be, if the speech has already been publicized and if the biography will also serve as your spoken introduction. A good rule of thumb is anywhere from three to six sentences in length. Length is particularly important if your biography will be included in a printed program, as there will be a limited amount of space for each layout. Try not to repeat too much information that might be included in other materials.

Write in third-person narrative, which is the most common mode of expression in print and other media. You can include more facts and bring more substance to a biography in third person. Start with your first and last name, then use your first name for future references if the conference is friendly and informal. However, using your last name is more likely to impress. For example, "Barb Jones is a textile designer by trade with a flair for finding exotic fabrics from all parts of the world. Jones specializes in the unusual."

Know your audience and tailor your biography for each speaking engagement. Deliver what the audience wants to hear. If you are speaking to a group of fashion industry attendees, they may not care that you recently returned from Bali -- but if something you found there is about to revolutionize the apparel industry, you can generate buzz and anticipation.

Treat your biography as though it were an advertisement. Answer the questions of who you are, how your expertise is beneficial to the reader's problems or goals and why you're the perfect person to speak at the conference. Open with your most impressive accomplishment to make the biography "pop."

Follow with your credentials to prove you are an expert. If you've received numerous awards from the textile industry for your fail-safe, non-wrinkle fabric design, note them. If you're the president of an association or the first westerner to exam royal wedding attire in the imperial palace of the Forbidden City, mention that.

Bring your biography to a conclusion with the knowledge you will impart to the audience -- their sole purpose for being there. Aspire to give the inspiration they need to break ground in the their own careers. Ask yourself “What will I bring to this conference that nobody else can?”

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Best Practices for Writing Author Bios

Every author or prospective author needs a bio. Here’s what you need to include in that bio.

Follow these six basic rules when writing an author bio:

• Write it in using third person POV. It should look like someone else is writing about you.
• List facts. No one cares about your aspirations. They want to know what you have actually done. List publications, relevant work and education experience. Note: if you have a lot of publications, don’t list everything, only the most important or most recent.
• List only Pertinent Education. If you have a degree that relates to the piece you’re writing or a degree in writing or journalism, then list it. Otherwise, skip this information in the interest of brevity.
• Memberships and Awards. Again, this depends on the assignment. If you are a member of a professional organization that relates to the assignment, mention it. If you’ve won awards for your writing, mention those, but be prepared to cut them if they don’t really relate.
• Be Concise. Keep this bio short. 100 words is a good length to shoot for.
• Memorable. Include something special about you.

This is the bio of a man whose first novel is currently a blockbuster:

Maurice Carlos Ruffin has been a recipient of an Iowa Review Award in fiction and a winner of the William Faulkner—William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition for a Novel-in-Progress. His work has appeared in Virginia Quarterly Review , AGNI , The Kenyon Review , The Massachusetts Review , and Unfathomable City: A New Orleans Atlas . A native of New Orleans, Ruffin is a graduate of the University of New Orleans Creative Writing Workshop and a member of the Peauxdunque Writers Alliance. Read more at his website, LowerAmericanSon.com .

This is the bio of a man at the end of his career, with more credits than he cares to list:

Sam Pickering grew up in Nashville, Tennessee. He spent 67 years in classrooms learning and teaching and has long been a rummager and writer wandering New England and the South, the Mid-East, Britain, Australia, and Canada. He has written some thirty books and is a member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers. His most recent book is The World Was My Garden, Too (Madville Publishing 2019).

And this is the bio of a first-time author writing under a pseudonym:

Kate Saunders  is a first-time author, but a life-long writer and avid entrepreneur. Following spinal surgery and a subsequent near-death experience, she felt compelled to reevaluate her life and reinvent herself through activism and writing. She views Stand in the Traffic as a subtle path to raise her readers’ awareness.

NOTE: There’s an even shorter version of the bio required for Social Media, but that’s a talk for another day!

Kimberly Davis holds an MFA in Creative Writing, Editing, and Publishing from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, and a BA from Columbia College-Chicago in Arts and Entertainment Media Management. She spent five years on the editorial staff of Texas Review Press, with two of those in the director’s chair. While at TRP, she filled various roles including layout, cover design, editing, and acquisitions. Davis is currently the Director at Madville Publishing , where she solicits literary poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. In addition, Kim has been designing websites for 20 years. See her portfolio at  Sublime Design Studio . Contact her at [email protected] to speak to your group.

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WRITING A BIO

• First Online: 01 January 2014

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Part of the book series: Guides to Professional English ((GPE))

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Summary: Writing a Bio

your academic qualifications

previous and current positions

previous, present and future projects

publications and conferences

committees, patents and awards

third person (i.e. he developed rather than I developed ) for conferences and book chapters

first person for home pages

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About this chapter

Wallwork, A. (2014). WRITING A BIO. In: CVs, Resumes, and LinkedIn. Guides to Professional English. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0647-5_13

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0647-5_13

Published : 27 June 2014

Publisher Name : Springer, New York, NY

Print ISBN : 978-1-4939-0646-8

Online ISBN : 978-1-4939-0647-5

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