How To Write a Quick and Effective "About Me" Description

Connections are the foundation of the professional world, and in many cases, making a great first impression is crucial to solidifying a professional relationship. Many professional connections are made on websites or social media platforms, and the “About Me” blurb offers an opportunity to provide this personal pitch online. If you use any of these web-based resources, you might consider writing an “About Me” that allows readers to get to know you better.

This article discusses what an “About Me” is, explains how to write one and provides examples.

What is an “About Me”?

An “About Me,” also known as a blurb, is a short piece of writing that informs readers about your professional background, key accomplishments, personal values and any brands you may be associated with. Personal websites, social media profiles and company directories often feature “About Me” sections. A blurb is an opportunity to quickly give important details about yourself to potential business contacts like clients, vendors, employers or anyone who wants to get to know you better.

“About Me” writings can vary in length, tone, content and point of view. For example, a social media blurb might be shorter, more informal and written with first-person “I” statements. Blurbs for a company website might include more details, use a professional tone and show your full name. However, you have a lot of freedom in choosing the length and style of your “About Me.”

Blurbs are important because they quickly give potential business contacts the most relevant information about you. Because an “About Me” can be less formal than a candidate profile on a resume, it can also be a chance to use humor or a personal story to help the reader become familiar with you.

To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.

What to include in an “About Me”

Choosing the right information to describe yourself can be challenging. Consider using these basic elements in your “About Me”:

• Current company, job title and responsibilities: Including information about your present job provides your updated experience and enables readers to identify your current industry, ambition and skill set.

• Personal values: Describing the principles that are important to you allows you to broadcast your professional identity and show that you care about making an impact.

• Professional and educational accomplishments: Listing your previous achievements shows that you take pride in your work.

• A personal story: Including an anecdote in your blurb can make you more interesting to your reader.

• Goals: Letting readers with similar goals know what you hope to accomplish might make them want to work with you.

• Where readers can find out more about you: Providing links to your social media, blogs or other websites allows you to give more information about yourself.

How to write an effective “About Me”

Follow these steps to write an “About Me” section for a website, personal page or social media platform:

1. Use guiding questions

Consider answering these guiding questions to create content for your blurb:

• What am I doing in my professional life and what experiences led me here?

• What values do I consider most necessary for my success?

• What do I hope to accomplish in the near future?

• What are the traits and achievements I most want to be known for?

2. Organize your writing

Structuring main points before writing will help ensure your blurb is clear and concise. You might consider organizing your “About Me” in chronological order or by topic to keep your message easy to follow. For example, you could write a standard biography or individual paragraphs about professional achievements, personal values and future goals.

3. Emphasize your strengths

Detailing your best traits in your “About Me” will allow you to give the reader a more complete view of who you are. Your blurb is a great opportunity to highlight all of your strengths, which may trigger interest from business contacts.

4. Be original

Your “About Me” is a way to make you stand out in the professional world. Many individuals may have experiences similar to yours, but the way you write your blurb can showcase your unique qualities and experiences.

Another aspect of being original is writing separate “About Me” sections for different outlets. Since a professional website differs from a social media page or personal website, it is beneficial to write a different entry for each platform. Writing an original “About Me” for each use will showcase your creativity and make you memorable to your reader.

5. Make it readable

Whether you’re writing an “About Me” for a social media site or business page, maintain proper grammar, word choice and tone. It is important that your reader knows you can communicate professionally. Strong writing skills could be key to your reader contacting you for a business opportunity. After writing your “About Me,” carefully proofread to keep your writing free of typographical or grammatical errors.

“About me” examples

Example 1: Social media platform

Former lemonade stand operator turned app developer. I co-founded Hathaway Entertainment Ventures in 2009 to bring the best gaming platforms to mobile users.

Example 2: Business website

Esmeralda Vicente is the founder and CEO of Emerald & Gold Technologies, a leading manufacturer of personal electronics accessories. She finds honesty, creativity and dedication to be the most valuable qualities for success in running her company. In the 10 years since founding Emerald & Gold, Vicente has led the company to an 18% lead in sales over its closest competitor.

Vicente holds an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin, where she was captain of the women’s rowing team. In one match, despite overturning their boat in the first lap, she and her team came from behind to win second place in the state championship. Vicente hopes to continue using her determination and quick thinking skills to turn Emerald & Gold into a Fortune 500 company.

Example 3: Personal website

Fumiko Saito holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Virginia. Since 2008, she has worked as a copyeditor for Perry & Coleman, a leading publisher of historical fiction. Saito lives in San Diego with her partner and three cocker spaniels.

As a graduate student, Saito worked as the fiction editor for Quince Magazine, a literary journal. In 2006, her collection of stories won the Delaney Prize in Short Fiction. Tin & Copper Press will publish Saito’s debut novel in February 2020.

In 2000, Saito began her editing career with Hopewell Books. She most valued the company’s collaborative work environment and its commitment to publishing diverse writers. Saito believes that her time at Hopewell was crucial in developing the ethics she practices in her career today.

When not writing or editing, Saito enjoys surfing, kayaking and taking long drives down the Pacific Coast Highway. For up-to-date information, listen to her podcast, SaitoSpeaks. To hire Saito as a freelance editor, email her at saito.fumiko@domain.com.