1 change to make to your “about me” & online bios today

Imagine this: You're meeting a professional contact for the very first time. You sit across from one another at a table at a crowded coffee shop, and you begin:

"Sara McCord didn't always know she wanted to be writer, but once she started..."

You follow that up with a concise professional history, and end with a few words on how you like tacos or doughnuts, so that you seem very real and approachable.

Of course, you'd never actually relay your story like that. In a conversation, you'd use "I" (a.k.a., first person) when talking about yourself.

So, why is it that, when you write an online bio--and you have to overcome the additional barrier of a screen between you and the other person--you add a layer of formality?

Odds are, if someone's clicked over to read your about page (or bio), they want to get to know you better. They want to envision what it'd be like to work with you, or at the very least, are deciding whether or not to reach out. So, it's not enough to sell your qualifications.

My biggest piece of advice is: Start building rapport.

The #1 change most people can make to move their content in that direction is to write their bio in the first person. Compare the following:

• John's passionate about the environment, which is why he's dedicated his career to conservation efforts.

• I'm passionate about the environment, which is why I've dedicated my career to conservation efforts.

This small shift makes a big difference. It moves your story from feeling like a recitation of your resume--which is all about you--and instead makes the reader feel that your goal is to connect with them.