I'm a copywriter. So why is writing about myself so hard?
I’m a freelance writer, so I'm pretty comfortable writing about other people and their businesses. It's kind of what I do for a living.
But the moment someone asks me to write a short bio about myself, apparently all of that experience goes straight out the window.
What should be a relatively simple task somehow becomes a full-blown identity crisis, and I’m one dramatic sigh away from crying on the kitchen floor.
Who am I, professionally speaking? How would I describe myself? What should people know about my business?
Worst of all, why does every sentence I come up with sound cringe AF?
It's me, hi! I'm the problem, it's me.
Why is writing about yourself so awkward?
Before you say it, yes, I’m aware of the irony. A copywriter who finds it hard to write about herself is basically a hairdresser with a questionable fringe.
You’d think that of all people, I’d be able to smash this out before my coffee went cold. And yet here I am, boiling the kettle for the second time, struggling to string a couple of sentences together.
Do I mention my journalism background? The years I spent in marketing and communications? Or do I dive into the fact that I’m a chronic overthinker, a reality TV lover, and the owner of a very needy miniature dachshund who apparently considers being left alone for five minutes a personal betrayal?
How exactly am I supposed to sum up my personality, my skills, and don’t forget the dreaded “fun fact”?
I think part of the problem is that talking about yourself can feel a bit self-indulgent. There’s something uncomfortable about listing your strengths, announcing what you’re good at or explaining why someone should choose you over the next person.
I know that isn’t true for everyone. Some people are born with the confidence of a golden retriever at the dog park. I admire them enormously.
For me, there’s a fine line between confidently talking about what you bring to the table and thinking you’re the best thing since sliced bread.
Maybe it doesn't need to be that complicated.
The funny thing is, I don't have this problem when I'm writing for clients.
When you're writing about someone else’s business, you have a bit of distance. You can ask questions, learn about their business and figure out what makes them tick. You can spot the brilliant little details they’ve overlooked because you’re seeing them from the outside.
Sometimes, a business owner will tell me something about their work that they consider completely ordinary. I see it as an opportunity to communicate what makes them different.
When it comes to writing about yourself, that outside perspective disappears. The same process that comes naturally when I'm writing for clients becomes a whole lot more complicated.
It’s a good reminder that knowing your business and knowing how to talk about it are two different things.
You can be brilliant at what you do and still struggle to explain why someone should choose you. You can know your industry inside out, but find it difficult to turn that knowledge into content the average Joe will resonate with.
It doesn’t mean you’re bad at business or that you don’t know your own value. Sometimes, you’re simply too close to it.
Struggling to write about yourself or your business? Here’s what I would suggest.
Start with how you would explain it to a real person. Imagine you run into an old friend and they ask what you do. What would you tell them?
You probably wouldn't launch into a polished elevator pitch or start throwing around industry buzzwords. You would likely explain it in your own words, mention who you work with and talk about the things you enjoy helping people with.
Start there and then shape those thoughts into something that works for your audience.
Think about the work you're proud of, the experience you've gained and the things people regularly turn to you for help with.
You don't need to invent a point of difference or claim you're the best in the business. Sometimes, the most useful details are the little things.
Ask someone you trust what they see as your strengths and what they value about working with you. Clients, colleagues, and people who know how you work might see strengths you don’t. Their perspective may help identify what makes your business stand out.
It’s ok to call in backup
If you’re still going around in circles…outsource!
There is no way I’m trying to fix my clogged toilet myself! I’ll pay a professional to do that, thank you.
The same goes for your marketing.
You don't need to have everything figured out before you ask for help, either. You can bring the half-formed ideas, the messy notes and the vague feeling that your website copy just isn't quite right. Working through those things is part of the process.
If you need someone to help with that, well…you know where to find me😉
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a bio to finish.