Hacks for Writing an Awesome “About Me” Page

“Getting to know you, getting to know all about you…”
–Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein

Your blog’s “About” page, in many ways, can be likened to speed dating. When a visitor shows up on your site—or your About page—you have a limited window of time to connect with potentially interested parties to either “hook up” or bid farewell forever.

According to Statisticbrain.com, the average attention span in 2015 was about eight seconds; which is comparatively less than a goldfish at nine seconds.

That means you have to grab your visitor’s attention fast!

First Impressions—”Have Them at Hello”

Just like with dating, first impressions count. Studies show that on average it takes about seven seconds to form a first impression.

That’s why making your About page, which is a personal page, appealing is crucial to the success and profitability of your blog.

4 Reason an About Page Impacts Your Blogging Success

Here are four other reasons crafting an effective About or About Me page is key to your success:

1. The About page is one of the most widely viewed pages on a blog site.
2. This page gives you the opportunity to show another dimension of who you are, above and beyond your writing skills and publishing credits.
3. The About page is vital to branding your blog, bonding with readers, and differentiating yourself from the other gazillion bloggers in the blogosphere.
4. If executed correctly, your About page can help turn loyal blog readers into future book buyers and clients.

3 Things to Address on Your About Page

Now that we’ve established the importance of your About Me page, here are three fundamental category questions it should address for your readership.

1. WHO?

• Who are you? Give us an inside peek of the person behind the words. Pretend you’re at a cocktail party or being interviewed for a feature in a glossy magazine. What would you reveal about makes you unique or interesting? What makes you gossip-worthy or memorable?
• Who is your target audience? Mine is writers and creative artists. (Although I’m pleased to say that I have folks from all walks of life and various professions visiting Pen & Prosper).

2. WHAT?

• What is your blog’s focus? Is your blog’s objective to entertain? To inform? To create awareness of an important cause?
• What can readers expect to take away (leads, links, motivation, helpful book recommendations)?
• What is your “call to action?” In other words, what would you like for readers to do once they land on your spot? Join your mailing list? Buy your products? Join the conversation?
• W.I.I.F.M.– Readers will also want to know “What’s in it for me?” How will your site advance or enhance them personally or professionally?

3. WHY?

• If your blog is professional, what qualifies you to speak on the topic addressed? Why should readers follow your advice or in your footsteps? For example, I mention on my site that I have over a decade of professional experience as a relationship columnist, freelance writer, and editor. I’ve also won numerous awards for my work.

Common About Me Page Mistakes

Here are a few common mistakes made by bloggers in creating their About or About Me pages.

(Have you made any of them?)

• The blogger thinks their About page is all about them. It’s not. It’s about meeting the needs of their audience and solving their problems.
• The blogger doesn’t provide photos. Ideally, images should be professional, appropriate and appealing. But let your readers get a peek at you!
• The About Me page is either too long or too brief. To strike a good balance strive for your page to be detailed enough for readers to feel they know you, yet brief enough to intrigue and inspire them to want to know more in times ahead. Just like the first kiss in dating, delivery is important.
• The About page is too formal. Always write it in a conversational, friendly tone.
• The About Me page lacks humor. Humor is to your about page as seasoning is to good food.
• The about page plagued with typos. If you’re uncertain or are not a grammarian, Grammarly.com provides an excellent resource.

Best About Me Page Practices and Principles

With these things in mind, you’ll want to observe the following practices and principles to break from the blahs to create a compelling About Me page. When you do, you’ll “have them at hello.”

• Check out the sites of popular bloggers you admire in your niche. Examine what works for them; modify it to work for you. Here are a few of my favorites:
  • http://www.madebywater.com/
  • http://www.vanityclaire.com/#home

• Be yourself. Authenticity is refreshing.
• Consider sharing more than your bio. For example, a video, infographic, story, or interesting trivia that is niche-related with readers can make your About Me page more attractive.
• Never lie or exaggerate to look good. As in all “relationships,” trust is important.
• Mind your manners. Don’t get too comfortable by using profanity, ranting excessively, or bashing other bloggers. Never lose sight of the fact that what you say about others says a lot about you.
• Keep it simple. There’s great truth to the expression, “Sometimes less is more.”

Writing an About or About Me page is a fun way to engage your audience, get personal, and show how you shine. Put your best foot forward to create relationships with your readers and succeed as a blogger

About the Author

Jennifer Brown Banks is a veteran freelance writer, relationship columnist, ghost writer, award-winning blogger and author. Her work has appeared in various online and print publications including:.ProBlogger, Men With Pens, Write to Done, Tiny Buddha, Women on Writing and the Well-Fed Writer E-zine.

Banks is the managing editor of Coffeehouseforwriters.com, where she also teaches creative writing classes. When she’s not at the keyboard, she loves cooking, reading, “Jeopardy,” music, and shopping.

Find out more about Jennifer here: Penandprosper.blogspot.com/

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