This is the third part of an 11 part series on How To Build A Great Marketing Kit.
Before you read further, you may want to read the introduction here.
For those of us who have spent half of our lives in academia, our stories about our professional lives can become monotonous and predictable rather quickly. That can present a problem when you get to the second essential item in your marketing kit, your professional biography. The purpose of your bio is to highlight your expertise in and interesting and engaging fashion. It is not to regurgitate your resume ad nausea. At a later date, I will share with you a recipe for your professional bio.
For now, put down in writing the story of how you came to do the thing that you do best in your professional life. What is that? Is it using your sense of humor? Is it your intuition or your ability to motivate your clients? Think about your mentors and role models. Consider the traits and skills that come effortlessly to you. And, finally, note the bumps in the road along your path that resulted in you being the person you are and the therapist you have become.
Now, tie those all together in an interesting and engaging story about who you are. This is the basis for your professional bio.
(If you would like additional help constructing your professional bio, consider working with me as your brainstorming coach to help you find those engaging nuggets. Or, consider hiring a professional copywriter like Kathryn Bass at Kadroodle.com to simply do the work for you!)
[...] Your professional biography [...]