About Page: What does yours say about you?

Yesterday we were talking with a blog makeover client and the topic of her About Page came up. I read somewhere (can't remember at the moment) that the About page is one of the most read pages on a blog. Why? Your readers want to know who you are! They want to connect with you and know you as a person, not an anonymous blogger.

The About page is your opportunity to tell your story. It's where you tell readers (in the first person, please) about your passions, your expertise and how you can serve them.

I'm in the process of rewriting my About Page. I've actually set it up as a separate blog so I can customize what I put in the sidebar and how it looks.  Since I link it to several blogs, I didn't want it to be linked to the header from my Biz Tips Blog which would be the default. I'm still working on my story, so don't expect to see that yet!

The other reminder I have is to INCLUDE A WAY FOR READERS TO CONTACT YOU. I was reminded of this when I read Marcia Yudkin's Marketing Minute yesterday.  She says "Bloggers don't hide!".  It is so frustrating to find someone you want to connect with and there's either no name and/or no contact info. And please, make sure you include a picture on your blog. Again, it's about making a connection with your prospects and readers.

If you're seriously in business, remember a blog is a marketing tool.  Make it easy for prospects to contact you.

Comments

[Angie Pedersen]

LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea! I never would have thought of making an entirely new blog for an About page. That would also make it easy to include separate Typepad Pages for resumes, CV's, etc. AND easy to buy your name as a domain name, and point it to that specific blog. Thanks for sharing this idea!

[Denise aka The Blog Squad]

Glad you like the idea; I cannot claim credit for it though. I read about doing this on Rohit Bhargava's Influential Interactive Marketing blog some time ago (can't find the post). http://rohitbhargava.typepad.com/weblog/

I also thought it was a great idea and finally decided to start putting my bio together when my Biz Tips Blog got featured by TypePad.

Good tip about forwarding a domain that is YOUR own name.

[Improve Self Confidence]

I am currently rewriting my "about" page and I agree, its probably the most important page you display. I feel its a statement of intent, a reason for reading or subscribing. But its only after 6 months of blogging, and reflection, that I can I really know what is my USP! Don't think you can write your About page definitevely when you start.