Comments on: Expert Series Part 2: The Expertise Gap

By: Barbra Sundquist, Bi

Barbra Sundquist, Bi — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:15:39 +0000

You make a good point about writing a professional bio. I think for most people the hardest part of writing a professional bio is choosing what to put in and what to leave out. Because after all, a bio is supposed to be short. But most of us have done lots of different things in our work careers. How do you decide what to focus on?

There's a simple answer: focus on what's going to be most relevant and impressive to your target reader!

You see, a bio is not a resume. You don't have to list everything you've ever done. Just focus on the parts that are going to "sell" you to your reader.

For example, when I wrote my bio for my site http://www.HowToWriteBio.com, I focused on my technical writing and business coaching background – which is the information that shows that I know what I'm talking about when it comes to writing bios.

Because that's what potential clients want to know about me in this context. They don't really care about all the other types of jobs I have held.

A bio is a little advertisement for you. So think about who will be reading your bio and what you want them to know about you. Then advertise your best and most relevant features!

By: Julie Perrine CPS/CA

Julie Perrine CPS/CA — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:32:04 +0000

The visual you use to explain this finally nailed this for me also! THANK YOU! I get great feedback from clients and colleagues all of the time explaining how what I do for them or the information I provide to them expands "what they know." I have not typically looked at it as "expertise" because I already know it. But they don't know it, so they view it as expertise I can provide for them. Pinpointing my expertise may be easier than I have been making it. My husband has always said an IT genius is someone who knows one more thing than you do about whatever computer issue you're having at the time. I think he may be on to something!

By: Tia Singh

Tia Singh — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:29:59 +0000

Ah ha ha thank you for the clear as day article and the brilliantly simple awesome visual – I love it!!

When I was studying to be a massage therapist my teacher would repeat over and over and over `BE SPECIFFFFFIC` and “Actions follow Intentions“. I can still hear her growling that in my ears…..

When I was doing Coach training it was the same .. know what you are offering, who your perfect client is and why you`re the coach for them.

I love Clarity – it`s a turn on! And I`m so committed to getting there and helping my clients get there as well!

Enjoyed your blog, will be backkk. Tia

Tia Singhs last blog post..A New Life in 30 Days

By: Nancy Marmolejo

Nancy Marmolejo — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:39:07 +0000

Thanks Sophfronia and Marcela for chiming in! You both are great examples for others to follow.

By: Sophfronia Scott

Sophfronia Scott — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:16:52 +0000

Hi Nancy,

Thanks for the positive shout out! I would add to this that it took some trial and error to position myself correctly. I knew I had it when I could easily talk about what I do and someone could immediately understand it! Even better, they could easily refer people they knew could use my services.

By: Marcela Landres

Marcela Landres — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:47:13 +0000

Great post, Nancy! I'd add that my clients are the best resource for pinpointing what my areas of expertise are. Every time a writer says to me, "This is great, but I'd like to know more about X" then I know X is the subject around which I need to create a workshop, discuss in an issue of my e-zine, or write about in an e-book.

By: Articles about Web 2.0 as of March 23, 2009 | The Lessnau Lounge

Articles about Web 2.0 as of March 23, 2009 | The Lessnau Lounge — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:44:03 +0000

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