This article provides a "fill-in-the-blanks" template for how to write a professional bio or "about me" page. By following the template you can quickly and easily create your own short bio.

But if you don't feel confident about your writing, or you're simply in a hurry... you can get a professionally written "fill-in-the-blanks" bio templatethat is specific to your type of job for only $49.

Why do you need a professional bio?

You'll use your bio for a range of networking and marketing purposes: for your website or blog; listing yourself on job registries; summarizing your expertise for people introducing you at a speaking engagement; or attaching to the end of an article you have written.

Remember, your professional bio is not a resume

Think of your professional bio as a little advertisement for your business. Ideally, it addresses what I call the “four reader questions” (4RQs). These are the four questions that readers want answered in your professional bio:

1) who you are...
2) your expertise and how it addresses...
3) their problem or goal, and how they can...
4) contact you

Sample professional bio

Look at the sample professional bio below and see if you can identify the 4RQs:

Jane Smith is a small business coach who helps women make the transition from full-time mom to successful entrepreneur. A grandmother now, Jane started her coaching business in 2002 to help other women deal with the sometimes overwhelming prospect of starting a new business while still running a household.

Prior to raising her family, Jane spent over ten years as a teacher, corporate trainer and workshop leader. Today Jane offers a wide range of coaching programs and services – from individual coaching, to seminars and keynote speeches. To contact Jane, please visit her coaching website at http://www.janesmart.com

Were you able to identify the the 4RQs in this professional bio? Here is Jane’s professional bio again, with the 4RQs identified:

Jane Smith is a small business coach (who Jane is) who helps women make the transition from full-time mom to successful entrepreneur (their problem or goal). A grandmother now (Jane’s expertise – shows she has been a mother and is now older and presumably wiser), Jane started her coaching business in 2002 to help other women deal with the sometimes overwhelming prospect of starting a new business while still running a household (how Jane helps them overcome their problem or achieve their goal).

Prior to raising her family, Jane spent over ten years as a teacher, corporate trainer and workshop leader (Jane’s expertise). Today Jane offers a wide range of programs and services – from individual coaching, to seminars and keynote speeches (how Jane can help). To contact Jane, please visit her website http://www.janesmart.com (how to contact Jane).