The formula
[Who you are] + [who you help or what you make] + [one line of proof] + [where to go].
“Food photographer helping restaurants sell more with their menus. 60+ cafés shot. Book below ↓” (Every example on this page is made up.)
If you already have a personal brand statement, your bio is that statement made shorter. How to write a personal brand statement.
One bio, four lengths
| Where | Length | What to include |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok | About 80 characters | What you post and for whom |
| Instagram, X, Threads | About 150 to 160 characters | Who you help, proof, and a call to action |
| LinkedIn headline | Up to about 220 characters | Who you help and how |
| Website and LinkedIn About | A few short paragraphs | Your story, your work, your proof and how to reach you |
Templates to copy
- “[Role] for [who]. [Proof]. [Call to action] ↓”
- “I help [who] [get what]. [Number] [results]. [Where to go].”
- “[What you make] every [day/week]. [Topic] for [who].”
- “[Role] in [city]. [Specialty]. Booking [month/season].”
- “[Job] by day, [passion] by night. Sharing [topic].”
Examples by field
| Who | Short bio |
|---|---|
| Creator | Streetwear on a budget. New fits every Friday. Collabs: hello@ ↓ |
| Musician | Singer-songwriter. New single “Neon Hearts” out now. Tour dates ↓ |
| Streamer | Variety streamer. Live Mon, Wed, Fri at 7pm. Everything ↓ |
| Coach | Strength coach for busy people. 3 days a week, real results. Free consult ↓ |
| Freelancer | Brand designer for coffee shops. 60+ cafés. Portfolio ↓ |
| Real estate agent | Helping Austin families buy and sell since 2014. Free home valuation ↓ |
| Job seeker | Data analyst. SQL, Python and dashboards that get used. Open to roles ↓ |
| Photographer | Portrait and wedding photographer. Booking 2027 dates ↓ |
The pictures on link in bio examples show bios like these on real Bounley sites.
The long version (your website)
- Open with what you do and for whom, in one sentence.
- Tell the short story: how you got here, in two or three sentences.
- Show proof: clients, results, numbers, press.
- Add something human: where you’re based, what you care about.
- End with the next step: book, email, subscribe.
Write it in first person on your own site and LinkedIn; third person is for press kits and speaker introductions.
Mistakes to avoid
- Lists of labels: “Creator | Dreamer | Coffee lover | Dog mom” says nothing about what you do.
- Vague words: “passionate”, “guru”, “ninja”. Say what you actually do.
- Different bios everywhere. People who look you up should find the same person.
- No link, or five links. One link to your own site is clearest.
Where Bounley fits
Your Bounley site starts with your bio from your accounts, and you can change it any time; your business card and email signature use the same words. Put bounley.me/yourname, or your own domain with Premium, as the link in every bio. Claim your name.
Questions
Should I use emojis in my bio?
One or two that help scanning are fine (an arrow toward your link, a pin for your city). Rows of emojis make it harder to read.
First person or third person?
First person on your own channels; third person in press kits and when someone introduces you.
How often should I update my bio?
Whenever what you offer changes, and check it every few months. Update every app at once.
Should my bio include keywords?
Yes, naturally: the words people would search for, like “food photographer in Austin”, help apps and search engines show you to the right people.