Unmask Yourself by Creating a Bio Page

As a consultant, you will be extending your services to clients located in different geographic areas. One way to promote yourself to a widely spanned group is by creating a biography page. It will allow clients to put a face with a name before any initial contact takes place, and provide background information on who you are, what you do, and your credentials.

Your biography page will allow you to identify yourself as a “real” person behind the business. This is very important! Many consultants make the mistake of operating behind the mask of a business name. They never really make a personal connection with their clients, and as a result, their projects are far and in-between.

One of the reasons people choose to use the services of small businesses and consultants is because of their accessibility. Unlike big companies, they are easier to contact, usually quicker to respond, and more personable when providing their services. So when you, as a consultant, hide behind your business for the sake of being perceived as a bigger entity, or more professional, you lose your identity, which is a big part of what makes a consultant successful.

To help you make a more personable impression, create a biography page that gives your clients the opportunity to meet you. You should keep it personal, yet professional, and consider including the following:

Current professional photo(s)
Background information
Excerpts from your resume
Your client list
Contact information
Awards/Certifications
Professional affiliations
Link to your website
Link to your resume
Link to your work portfolio

If you have a business site, create your bio as another page within your site (such as www.yoursite.com/yourbio). It is not mandatory that a link to your biography page be included on your main site, as it recommended that you only send out your bio on a case by case basis. You should, however, include a link back to your home page from your bio page.

The design and color sheme of your bio page should not drastically vary from that of your main site. You want to keep those things as consistent as possible to maintain the connection between you and your business, but still provide a personal touch.

Challenge (Grab your notepad): Jot down a few things that you would like to include in your biography page, and make a quick sketch of how you would like the information to be laid out on the page (photos, headings, links, etc).

Posted on January 3, 2008
Filed Under Marketing