For any creative, the most important thing about coming up with a great bio is keeping it short, sharp and shiny. Whether your an actor, writer, artist, filmmaker or dancer, in order to create content for people to see, you need a well rounded bio, which is basically who you are in a nutshell, but for the internet world.
So how do you write a great bio about yourself?
First of all, you’ll need:
- your laptop
- notepad (if you’re that pen and paper type)
- your thinking cap!
The Steps – for actors, writers, artists, filmmakers and dancers.
I’m sure by now you’ve learnt that to be in the creative industry you’ve got to sell yourself, writing a bio is the exact same. I can’t stress this enough but if a bio isn’t well written you could be overlooked.
Here, are hopefully some helpful steps to get you started:
Step 1: An introduction/ writing in third person.
Be sure to write in your name or stage name. Once you have that add your most important personal achievements and accomplishments (you know, the wow factors of your career). Other information you could add is:
- Positions you had in your workplace
- Awards
- Certificates
- Voluntary jobs
- credits
An example:
Jon Doe, has been in the acting industry for over 5 years and has been involved in many theatrical productions, feature films, commercial and extra work.
If you’re not sure on how to write in third person, it’s a point of view belonging to the person being talked about and uses pronouns such as he, she, they, them, his or hers. Writing in third person makes your bio stand out on a more professional level. Be sure to look at yourself from more of an outer perspective looking in.
Step 2: Skills, passions or your drive.
Add in your skill set or something that drives you to do what you love to do, and ask yourself why do you do what you do? Be careful with this because you want to be as honest as you can, don’t over exaggerate your skills. Whether you’re an independent artist or work with the big guys, add in what you’ve got. What you are and what you can do should reflect exactly in your bio. Remember, your whole goal when writing should be to sell yourself to the reader.
An example:
His passions for acting and singing is what drew Jon to pursue the arts. Jon’s career took off when he landed the lead role of Johnny in the film, Here Comes The Rain (2014). He went on to star in many commercials such as All Yours Insurance (2014), Ford (2015), and Colgate (2015). In 2016 he performed in If Flowers Could Talk taking on a supporting role, which then lead him to star in the leading role of The Curiosities of Mr. Swade on broadway, in NYC (2017).
Step 3: Training and education.
Where you trained or studied is vitally important, it shows you what you’ve been apart of and your potential. Also, remember to add in what you may be currently doing or involved with, it makes you bio look up to date.
An example:
He is currently in preparation for the upcoming film Rokit. Jon Doe studied at the Royal Arts Academy in Sydney, then went on to further his studies at The Film and Theatre Academy in New York.
Step 4: Make it personal.
Add your personal flare, either what you value or you can tie in with why you love what you do and make sure to end with a shiny sentence!
An example:
Jon Doe takes every opportunity he can, loves learning new skills in the industry and looks forward to living his dreams.
Here is a Pyramid to help you out with the structure of your bio:
Most important: Should include all your highest achievements and accomplishments.
Necessities: Should include where you trained or studied, or any credits you may want to include.
Less Important. End with something personal: Should include with something positive or with a personal flare.
All together, your bio could look something like this:
Jon Doe, has been in the acting industry for over 5 years and has been involved in many theatrical productions, feature films, commercial and extra work. His passions for acting and singing is what drew Jon to pursue the arts. Jon’s career took off when he landed the lead role of Johnny in the film, Here Comes The Rain (2014). He went on to star in many commercials such as All Yours Insurance (2014), Ford (2015), and Colgate (2015). In 2016 he performed in If Flowers Could Talk taking on a supporting role, which then lead him to star in the leading role of The Curiosities of Mr. Swade on broadway, in NYC (2017). He is currently in preparation for the upcoming film Rokit. Jon Doe studied at the Royal Arts Academy in Sydney, then went on to further his studies at The Film and Theatre Academy in New York. Jon Doe takes every opportunity he can, loves learning new skills in the industry and looks forward to living his dreams.
Tips
Add links to your websites or anything involving your current work.
*IMPORTANT* update your bio regularly, if you’ve made a new achievement or job, add it. It never hurts to freshen up your bio.
Remember to create your own! No one has what you have, make it original. Most importantly keep it short, with just enough information. Keep it sharp, with enough meaty bits, don’t make it to word. And lastly, make it stand out, let what you have to say shine! Have fun with it and be creative!
