In this weeks Friday guest post Terri Carey, Virtual Assistant to the World’s Finest Coaches, shares her views on creating your own biography.

Biographies for coaches

by Terri Carey

(excerpted from Start your site right)

Let’s face it…business is all about relationships. How you write your bio for your website will tell the customer a lot about you and ultimately may decide whether or not they connect with you. I believe it’s important to include some personal details. I can’t tell you how many times a potential client has told me that they felt a kinship because of my personal information or photographs on my website.

The style of a biography can be as different as the individual they are about. However, there are a few things that can really make it stand out. First, be conscious of how it is written. You can write it in the first person, which is a much more personal way to connect with your customer. If you are looking for a more corporate image, your bio can be written in the third person, as if you were writing about an honored peer. Either way, your biography should convey your credentials, accomplishments and highlights of your background.

If you’re completely at a loss for how to write your bio, you can find templates for a variety of industries and professions at www.howtowritebio.com. Here’s a sample from that site:

Consider what is being written. Include any past accomplishments that highlight your relevant abilities. Much like your resume, your bio should be tailored to your business. Education should be acknowledged, but not exhaustively. People want to know that you’re qualified for the job, not whether you took Calculus III. Sharing volunteer work, the fact that you donate regularly to specific charities and what organizations you belong to, show potential clients that you are socially aware and have an honorable work ethic. Don’t be long-winded. Keep it to just a few paragraphs or a maximum of one page in length.

How much personal information you include in your bio is up to you. This is where people will begin to find the real you – whether you are open and personable or straightforward and down-to-business. You might want to include personal insights about the business or your struggles and successes in coming so far. Don’t be afraid to be yourself. You want your bio to reflect both your personal and professional sides.

Remember why you are writing it. Customers who visit your site want to know the owner behind the website façade. They want to be assured that this is the product/service that will best fit their needs. Mention why the product or service you offer is so important to you personally and why you can do it better. Tell them why you think it will be great for them too.

A biography can be a powerful tool. For a business that provides service, keep in mind that you are basically selling yourself. Potential clients not only need to feel confident in your abilities, but also a personal connection with you. Including relevant life experiences provides a wonderful foundation in the minds of the reader, as if they already know you. When that client finally meets you or talks to you in person, it will be a continuation of that relationship. They will be expecting to meet the person in the bio, so be yourself!

About the Author/Further Resources

President of TLC Services in Canandaigua, NY, Terri Carey has been servicing customers and businesses for over 20 years. Terri started TLC Services, when she saw a prevalence of stay at home parents, and other homebound workers who desired meaningful employment and contact with other professionals. She discovered that there were many other types of professionals who wanted to work from home for many other reasons including, convenience, cost, environmental concerns, disabilities, long commutes, and personal values. Here was a collection of people with skills just waiting to use them! Small Businesses have always had a special appeal to her. After having worked for a small business for over 10 years as an Office Manager, she wanted to do more. She entered the world of Virtual Assistants. She has provided services for Messenger Post Newspapers, St Mary’s Church, St Felix and St Francis Churches, SolutionBox, Donna Steinhorn, Michael Neill, Rich Litvin, and RCM Associates – among many others.