So you’ve got your official expert bio. It’s spiffy, written in the third person, and highlights your impressive experience and track record. But guess what?

You need a second version of your bio—one that’s written in the first person and showcases your personality. There are times when the serious, official bio is spot on. And there are other times when a casual, first-person bio is more appropriate.

For example, some of the key places where you can use your personal bio (in lieu of your formal one) are in your:

• LinkedIn About section
• Website About page
• Social media profiles
• Bylines for guest blog posts
• Speaker bios for events
• Podcast interviews
• Profile on online communities

Today let’s see how you can infuse personality into your personal expert bio.

How to Make Your Bio Pop with Personality

It boils down to one word: authenticity. Here are four ways to be ~ authentic ~ in your bio.

1. Tell Your Story: Don’t just dump a bunch of achievements. Share your journey. Talk about the highs, the lows, and the lessons you’ve picked up along the way.
2. Be Vulnerable: Show your warts. Share the times you’ve tripped and fallen on your face. People love a good comeback story.
3. Get Personal: Throw in some fun facts about yourself. Your love for obscure indie films, your obsession with knitting, your cat named Mr. Whiskers. Whatever makes you, you.
4. Write Like You Talk: Ditch the corporate jargon. If you’re naturally funny, let your humor shine. If you’re more zen, keep it chill.

Below are 3 examples of formal bios vs. personal bios so you can see the difference.

Example #1

Official Bio:

Jane Doe is a seasoned marketing professional with over 15 years of experience. She has worked with top-tier brands, driving successful campaigns and increasing revenue.

Personal Bio:

Hey, I’m Jane Doe. For 15 years, I’ve been the marketing brain behind some of the campaigns you’ve probably seen (and hopefully loved). When I’m not cooking up the next big idea, you can find me hiking the nearest trail or perfecting my grandma’s lasagna recipe. To me, marketing is all about connection and authenticity, just like a great Italian meal – simple ingredients, killer taste.

The first one: clean cut and to the point. The second one: it’s like meeting Jane over a coffee and instantly wanting to be her friend. It’s got personality. It’s got heart.

Example #2

Official Bio:

John Smith is an experienced project manager with a proven track record in leading successful projects across various industries. He is skilled in team leadership, strategic planning, and process improvement.

Personal Bio:

Hey there, I’m John Smith. I’ve been wrangling projects and herding cats (aka teams) for over a decade. My superpower? Turning chaos into organized success. When I’m not in the trenches of project management, you’ll find me on a surfboard chasing waves or in my garage building the world’s best treehouse for my kids. For me, it’s all about finding the perfect balance between strategy and creativity.

The first one: all business. The second one: it’s John’s personality in a nutshell, making him someone you’d want to work with and grab a drink with after.

Example #3

Official Bio:

Nadine Hanafi is a global multi-award-winning entrepreneur and branding expert. Her signature offer, Digital Brand Kit, is the world’s first full-stack branding system to help you launch a scroll-stopping personal brand in just a matter of hours. Nadine is a seasoned design expert, certified in both Digital Psychology and Behavioral Design, and she is pioneering the concept of Identity-Based Branding, which helps you translate your personality and business goals into a visual identity that attracts your dream clients and reflects your uniqueness. After 10 years of branding hundreds of entrepreneurs, Nadine knows what good branding can do for your confidence, reputation, and bottom line. Do you?

Personal Bio:

Hi 👋 I’m Nadine Hanafi, your go-to gal for all things branding. I’ve spent over a decade helping entrepreneurs transform from hidden gems into industry icons with branding that not only looks gorgeous but works like a charm. My secret sauce? A mix of digital psychology, behavioral design, and a sprinkle of magic. Ever heard of Digital Brand Kit? That’s my baby – the world’s first full-stack branding system crafted just for personal brands. I’ve branded everyone from high-profile TED speakers to New York Times bestsellers, and now I’m on a mission to make you look expensive, feel confident, and attract your dream clients. When I’m not cooking up killer brand identities, you’ll find me cooking Moroccan food with my hubby or snuggling with my fur babies.

I hope I’ve inspired you to:

👉 Infuse a pop of personality into your bio.

👉 Help people experience the human behind your business.

👉 Master the art of bragging about yourself in the first person.

And once you are done writing your personal bio, do me a favor: read it out loud! If it makes you feel like a total badass and gives off “I’m kind of a big deal” vibes, then you know you nailed it.

(Related Article: Add Personality to Your Brand without Losing Credibility)