Anyway, I have been talking with another coach in Canada (which is why I ask). I really like him but I may need a different opinion regarding my own coaching practice.

As part of getting my name out there I am really struggling on my own bio. It’s like I’m on autopilot – I got right into the CIO mode when that’s not what I want anymore. Can you suggest someone who is really good at writing a bio? It is really weak but my current bio is at:

http://www.linkedin.com/in/mikexsmith

From: Barbra Sundquist [mailto:barbra@sundquist.ca]
Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 12:48 PM
To: Smith, Mike X.
Subject: RE: Hi

Hi Mike

Great to hear from you! What a small world we have these days with the internet, right?

Yes indeed I am in Canada, Vancouver Island to be specific. And yes, I can help you with your bio. In fact, I have a service where I provide bio templates.

You can see it here http://www.becomeacertifiedcoach.com/how_to_write_bio.htm

If you’d like my help with your bio, you have two options:

1) TEMPLATE BIO

You would purchase a fill-in-the-blank template for “Coach”. To do this just go to www.paypal.com and pay $49 U.S. to barbra@sundquist.ca You will then receive the template by email within 24 hours.

2) CUSTOM BIO

Your other option is to have my company write a custom bio for you (which includes an initial draft and then one rewrite based on your comments). We can do either a short bio or a long bio for you.

Thanks for your interest in my services!

Warmly,

Barbra Sundquist
http://www.HowToWriteBio.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Smith, Mike X.
Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 11:01 AM
To: Barbra Sundquist
Subject: RE: Hi

Thank you Barbara. I would be interested in the custom option. I think the best bios are written by a 3rd person. But I need to do more internal work. I have morphed myself into so many people over the past 25 years I am having trouble writing a bio that talks about who I am – and less about my illustrious career (although I realize that may unavoidable).

-----Original Message-----
From: Barbra Sundquist [mailto:barbra@sundquist.ca]
Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 5:17 PM
To: 'Smith, Mike X.'
Subject: RE: Hi

You’re so right. I can easily write bios for other people, but when it comes to myself I find it agonizing! Just let me know when you’re ready.

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike X. Smith
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 7:41 AM
To: Barbra Sundquist
Subject: Hi Barbara

Barbara, I really am enjoying reading your articles, and as someone who has become extremely interested in a coaching practice, I think I need to get to know you better. My bio is nagging at me, I need to sit with someone who really can help extract pertinent information (pertinent being information I forgot or don’t care about, but might interest other people). This comes from my wife. So this needs to be more than a routine exercise or someone using a template – I can do that. But I need a bio that can convey who I am as a person, but not (as you say) make it a biography. Tall order, I know, but that’s what I’m thinking I need. Regardless, I need to know you better somehow.
Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Barbra Sundquist [mailto:barbra@sundquist.ca]
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 10:07 AM
To: Smith, Mike X.
Subject: RE: Hi Barbara

Hi Mike
I understand completely what you are saying. It’s so important when you are making a this type of career transition to really define who you are (as opposed to what you’ve done) and what you can offer.

Check out my bio on www.becomeacertifiedcoach.com for a combination “achievement” and “personal story” type bio. It’s what eventually felt right to me. There’s another custom one that I wrote for a coach that you might like to look at – www.kathleenjohnston.com

Good luck! From my experience the process you are going through right now is one of the hardest steps in making the transition to coaching. Once you get this settled everything else will seem easier!

barbra

-----Original Message-----
From: Smith, Mike X.
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 10:43 AM
To: Barbra Sundquist
Subject: RE: Hi Barbara

You are so sweet Barbara. Thank you. I will look at the bios.

--------------

Nice ending. Happy customer. Happy me.