Writing About Ourselves. Why Is It So Difficult To Write About Our Expertise?
By: Bethan Bishop
Tags: Entrepreneurship, LinkedIn, Website, Innovation, Procrastination

Keeping my CV up to date or my LinkedIn profile current is a chore. So, being faced with my new website About Me page and I’m well and truly stuck. I have been putting off the launch of my website, procrastinating over what to say.

I know my “About Me’ page needs to convey who I am, what I’m doing, my journey so far and what is on the horizon. So why is it so difficult? I have read numerous articles about this, which has ironically fed my procrastination further. I have learned that the main reason we find it so hard to write about ourselves is that we are not quite sure how to portray ourselves to strangers. We feel uncomfortable when we have to “talk ourselves up”.

Every time I procrastinate it is an indication that I’m fearful of something. I better understood the fear in my job seeking days when covering letters needed to appeal to the wide variety of reviewers to secure an interview. Whereas a website About Me is different, where does the fear come from? When I left employment, I took the decision to launch a basic website. At that time I was unable to talk about what I was going to ‘do’ in project terms as that was unclear. Therefore, the only thing I could present was myself. I decided at that point that not everyone would be attracted to my story, my expertise or indeed would want to work with me, so I just laid myself bare so to speak. I would appeal to those I was trying to attract and repel the others.

Why then is it more tricky this time around? I have concluded it’s because I care even more at this point. I have far more clarity in my new business who I would like to work more with and therefore who I would like to attract, than when I started Aliciyo. The words matter to me more and they need to talk to the write people.

I have collated some top tips to get me started. If like me you are avoiding writing your profile, I hope they will help you too.

(1) Start writing. There is no need to edit until lots of words are down on paper and you allow the most important aspects to emerge. Consider whether to write in the first or third person.

(2) Get feedback from others about your work, in particular, your favourite clients. This gives an indication of the language they routinely use when they highlight your strengths and value. I asked 3 simple questions — who would you describe me? what were your first impressions of me? how would you introduce me to a colleague?

(3) What are you most passionate about? How does this link to your interests, talents and achievements?

(4) What are your biggest accomplishments? Personal and professional are helpful here.

(5) No waffling. You need to keep a readers attention.

(6) Consider the tone. Stay humble but ensure you use your own voice and language you use. A great tip is to read it aloud.

(7) Keep it honest. No BS, please.

(8) Make sure it remains current. About Me should be a living document and needs regular updates.

(9) Include your personal life. It's good to have a touch of the personal, even a small detail about a hobby or a quirky detail.

(10) Get it proof read. Unless you are a master at this (I’m not but my mum is), its important to get fresh eyes to look over the copy on your website, LinkedIn profile and similar.

I’m off to get started, an excuse for coffee and a brownie too!