A Quick 3-Step Guide to Creating an About Page

The biggest issue bloggers face is the dreaded about page! We know we need one, but the idea of writing about yourself makes you shutter with fear.

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What is the first page you visit on a new website? My guess, it’s the about page. I find a lot of bloggers don’t put the time or attention into creating a proper it’s all about me page.

If you’re fretting about writing one, you’re overthinking the process. An about page is simple, straight forward and direct. It doesn’t have fluff and it doesn’t have a whole lot about the author.

Say what?

An about page is crafted using several of the following:

• A paragraph of two of what the blog is about.
• A paragraph of two of what this blog will do for the reader.
• A paragraph or two of who you are and your story.
• A colophon (details about your designer, fonts etc…)
• Your real name.
• A simple way to contact you
• A giveaway.

Now, you don’t need every above element in your about page. But, if you include some of these elements, you’re better off than most bloggers. What should your about page have?  Three things.

1. The Real You.

The biggest problem with About Pages, they’re boring and cliché.  The page gives some detail about the author, maybe a picture and it’s two sentences long.

Here’s an example of what I often see.

Hi, my name Sisamnator, or my real name is Jason, this is my blog. I like to write about things I’m passionate about, like writing, and life. I want to eventually write a book, but not sure how to do that. I’ve been writing for several years and my dream job is to be a full-time writer.

I hope you enjoy my blog, as much as I enjoy writing it.

You’re laughing, not because of what I wrote, but because you’ve written your about page in a similar fashion. If you’re on Tumbler or Blogspot and you never plan on owning a business or blog professionally, then you’re probably fine. But, if you want people to know you’re serious and you want to contend in this space, you need to be real, and tell a story with your about page.

• Write in the first person. Since your blog is personal and this is the most personal page on your site, let the reader get a sense of who you are.
• Be conversational. Don’t write scholarly. Use your words as if you’re talking with a friend.
• Be authentic. Let the reader see you. Don’t shy away from keeping it simple and authentic.

2. Lead off with what your blog is about.

We think of these pages as being about me. They’re so much more than that. A great about page is what you are offering the reader. I’ve heard Michael Hyatt say it this way, “Most About pages I have reviewed are written “upside down.”  I suggest you reverse this. Start with the reader’s interests..”

If you look at my About Page, you’ll notice I lead off with what this blog is about and why I blog here. Feel free to use my page as a template.

Use this space to tell your reader about your blog. Answer this question; what is your blog about? Narrow it to a single theme. The theme for my blog; Helping Writers Find Their Voice. 

Once that’s written, provide information on what you write about. Create a list of your most popular posts then let the reader know when to expect your next post. Remember, it’s about consistency. If you say you write every Monday and Wednesday, do your best to meet that expectation.

3. Provide a full biography.

We’ve set our expectations, we’ve told our readers a little about our blog, now we tell them about ourselves. This is the hardest part for most bloggers. We don’t like talking about ourselves. It feels self-serving.

One thing readers want to know, who is the person behind these beautiful words? They desire to put a name and a face to you.

Here’s what you should do for your biography:

• Have a nice headshot.  This is where you show the world your beautiful smile. Don’t hide your face. Don’t do a caricature. Hire a photographer or find your clearest picture. Your image gives readers a chance to know you face-to-face.
• Share your education. What makes you qualified to write what you are writing? Let readers know where your work has appeared.
• Be real and authentic. The more you make yourself approachable, the more real you become to your readers.

This page gives readers a chance to see how you write, your unique voice and your perspective on life and business.

Here’s what I want you to do; take a moment and ask yourself.. what can I include or change on my about page?

I also suggest you update your page every so often. Don’t let the page become stagnant. Keep it fresh and keep it relevant. I know Michael Hyatt suggests it and so do I.

Crafting an about page is akin to a potter making a clay jar. It takes time, patience and skill, but the rewards pay off. Why? Not only is the about page your number one viewed page, it’s a place you can wow your reader with who you are.

[reminder]What would you add to this list? Was there something you never thought of before mentioned above?[/reminder]