You know the importance of press coverage for your projects. It’s a must-have! It can even affect the success of your project. So, let’s learn about a promotional tool that is often overlooked. It is called the “bio.”
If you’re in the industry, you’re going to need press coverage at some point. Whether it’s mainstream or independent media, press coverage can give you an edge in your industry. If you want to increase your chances of getting noticed by journalists, it all starts with a professionally written bio.
Your bio is often the first thing journalists look for when they want to know more about you. The most significant issue I see when I read bios is the lack of consistency. A journalist takes 30 seconds to determine who you are and if you are you newsworthy. This sounds callous and cold, but mainstream media is under a directive, and that is to focus on what’s hot and trending. Don’t take it personally. If you’re fortunate to have a PR agency that has connections with mainstream publications, then you have an opportunity to get covered by one of their contributing writers. Your bio needs to be the same across all social outlets, including your website and IMDB profile. Introduce yourself. Tell people who you are, what you do, and why they should be interested in what you’re doing.
You’ll need a long, short, and two-line bio. Long bios are a full page length and should be on your website. Facebook Pages does allow longer bios under there “About” section. You can decide if you want to add a long bio to that platform. A short bio is about a paragraph in length. A two-line bio is a brief description and can be served on media outlets with limited character length, such as Twitter and Instagram.
Keep your bio updated. Outdated information can lead to missed opportunities. Visit your bio every six months to see if it needs a refresher. Make sure you have another pair of eyes proofreading it. You can also use free tools, such as Grammarly and Ginger to check for any spelling, syntax, and grammatical errors.
People often forget to link to their content. Your bio is your showcase. Use Bit.ly to create short links. Bit.ly can also track how many times your link has been accessed. Never use passive voice in your bio. You need to emphasize your accomplishments. Another trick is to use your last name if you can. It makes it more memorable. No calls to action. Linking to your content is more than enough to direct traffic. Calls to actions are recognized in sales, not your bio.
Now you know how important a bio is. Take a look at your bio and determine is it needs an update.
Happy Promoting!
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