Have you ever visited an art blog and asked yourself, “Who owns this blog?” Did you ever think, “That’s one mighty long bio on that sidebar there!”? Or did reading the bio in the sidebar still leave you with no clue as to who the blogger was or what he did? Then this article is for you!
While your “About Me” page tells your readers everything they need to know about you and your blog, having a short, attention-grabbing bio on the sidebar can immediately begin to build trust with your readers and potential buyers.
Below are 6 tips for writing a better sidebar bio.
1. Keep it short
The bio on your sidebar, sometimes located in the header, should be no longer than 3 sentences. If you have more to say, link to your “about me” page.
2. Be descriptive and stay focused
Tell your readers what to expect should they continue to read your blog. Use words that describe the topic of your blog or your skills as an artist.
Avoid telling your readers that you’re a faithful wife, a mother to a beautiful bouncing baby boy, and have three adorable kittens. While that’s nice, it says nothing about who you are as an artist, what you create, or what your blog is about. Leave the personal stuff for the bottom half of your about me” page.
Take a cue from Empty Easel, whose bio is both focused and descriptive: “The online art magazine with practical advice, tips, and tutorials for creating and selling art.”
3. Use active words
Choose words that reinforce who you are as an artist or what your blog stands for. Don’t let your insecurities show. Avoid words like “aspiring to become”, “trying to…”, or “attempting to make a life as…”
A good example is Claudine Hellmuth, whose bio makes it clear that she believes in what she does and who she is as an artist: “I’m a mixed media collage artist, author, and illustrator”.
4. Don’t oversell
Go ahead and let your readers know that you’re an award winning artist, but don’t list every award you’ve ever won. Pick one award to showcase, then leave the rest for your “Resume” page. The same goes for the publications you’ve been featured in.
5. Avoid cliches
Instead of stating that you’re a “gifted” or “edgy” artist, share something that is truly unique about you, your art, or your blog.
6. Proofread
After you create the perfect sidebar bio, walk away. Come back a few hours later and proofread it. Make sure it is clear, concise, and free of grammatical and spelling errors.
In the end, your sidebar bio is just a small part of your blog. But effectively written, it can give your readers a quick overview of what your blog is about and/or who you are as an artist.
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