Last week I told you about questions to answer to write your bio. This week, I will give you more tips.
General Tips:
- Be clean and concise. Write in a way that will capture your audience, not put them to sleep.
- Show your value by highlighting your achievements, but don’t over-praise yourself. Be matter-of-fact. Your achievements will speak for themselves.
- Avoid personal information, unless it fits with your audience and/or intended purpose. For example, if you are speaking about addiction, and you have experienced addiction in your own family, your personal experience will serve to add to your credibility. But please be brief. Other therapists do not want to hear details about your personal issues.
- Don’t rely on spell check. Have someone not in your industry read it and make sure it makes sense.
- Don’t try to write it in one sitting. Walk away for a few days and come back to it. Do this a few times.
- Express your personality! Write creatively! Don’t put your audience to sleep by simply listing your qualifications. Use action words.
- Keep all versions of your bio in one document so it’s easy to update and proof them. If you change information in one version of your bio, don’t forget to update the others.
Last week, we wrote the long version of our bios. To turn it into a short version (approx 100 words), eliminate anything that seems extraneous or “fluffy.” More specifically, eliminate questions 2 (“What is your unique value”), and question 7 (“What are your informal credentials”).
For example, here is the short version of my bio:
I empower couples and individuals to overcome personal obstacles to improve their relationships using clinically tested and evidenced-based interventions. I am a regular guest of the Health, Wealth and Wisdom radio show on 1250 WNHZ where I discuss various relationship and sexual topics. I am a licensed mental health counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist and certified sex therapist. I have a doctorate degree in Counselor Education and Supervision, a masters degree in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling, and a certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy, all from the University of South Florida. I offer relationship counseling, sex therapy and individual counseling for anxiety, depression and relationship issues.
Compared to the long version:
I empower couples and individuals to overcome personal obstacles to improve their relationships because I have a happy marriage that has been a great comfort to me. Using clinically tested and evidenced-based interventions, I have worked with over 150 couples since 2008 in my private practice. I am a regular guest of the Health, Wealth and Wisdom radio show on 1250 WNHZ where I discuss various relationship and sexual topics, and have presented to local counseling professionals on how to address their clients’ sexual issues. I am a licensed mental health counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist and certified sex therapist, as well as a qualified counselor supervisor in the state of FL. I have a doctorate degree in Counselor Education and Supervision, a masters degree in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling, and a certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy, all from the University of South Florida. Because research shows that unhealthy relationships can cause both emotional and physical stress, whereas healthy relationships can enhance and improve overall well-being, I offer relationship counseling, sex therapy and individual counseling for anxiety, depression and relationship issues. I am proud to announce that I have just been offered the position of Visiting Professor in the Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling department.
Yours in the Joy of Knowledge,
Dr. Barbara LoFrisco
