Writing an effective “About Me” page

by Derek on May 22, 2009

You are embarking on a new adventure…your very own website! You may have something to sell, something to tell, or just might want to be on the Internet for some other reason, or just because everyone else seems to be.
Regardless of the reason, there is one thing that all web sites need, whether it is corporate or personal, and that is an “About” page.about
If you have a corporate, or business web site, your “About” page will be about the company you have, or the products you are trying to sell. If it is a personal web site however, the “About” page is usually about YOU.
So, what makes a good “About”, or “About me” page? First of all, I think your audience needs an introduction from you, so I would start with telling everyone, just who you are, and something about your background, and that will include:

  1. Where you came from?
  2. Where you were born and when?
  3. Who your parents were?
  4. What they did (if relevant)?
  5. How you were raised?
  6. You can speak about your religious background if that is appropriate.
  7. Where you are educated?
  8. Did you go to university? If so, what degrees did you earn?

This provides your reader with some idea of where your currents thoughts/ideas might have been formulated.

Try to make these factual statements about yourself entertaining, or at least well-structured and interesting to read. Don’t forget, you are laying the groundwork for someone to read your biography. In doing so, they will continue on reading being interested in what else you have to say on your website.

Now you have provided the reader with your background, begin telling the reader:

  • Why do you have this web site of yours?
  • What are your goals in providing this information?
  • Why information are you trying to impart?
  • What audience are you trying to reach?
  • What message are you trying to pass along to people who reach your web site?
  • Are you interested in trying to convince someone of something?
  • Do you have a cause you are promoting? If so, where in your background would you have reason to promote the cause?
  • Are you published?
  • Are you the creator of some wonderful invention?
  • Are you the son/daughter of someone famous with a need to correct some misconception of your parents?

These are all questions you should ask yourself when writing an “About me” page. The length of the page will depend entirely on your depth of experience in life and what you are representing. I suggest you take a look at as any web sites as you can to get ideas. See what other people have to say about them selves. Check out the “About me” pages for the famous, and not so famous. Which do you like, which “About me” holds your interest, which speaks to you and leaves you with a longing for the life just led. These are the pages that spring off the screen and truly tell you something about the person. Yours should do the very same thing. Good luck and I can’t wait to read all about you!

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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }

1 wii remote May 30, 2009 at 9:49 am

about me page should be written prior reading of the other about me pages,These are the pages that spring off the screen and truly tell you something about the person.

2 Web Design June 1, 2009 at 10:47 am

I think the Every Website has to Develop the “About me” Page. Thanks for sharing the Info

3 Fiberglass Pools June 1, 2009 at 11:52 am

Tell your customers, “I’m just like you.” People like to work with those whom they feel are similar to them. Those who can click away with this kind of feeling will then become your best customers.

4 CashBack June 2, 2009 at 12:00 am

The structure and content of your about page will partly be determined by the purpose of your website. The about page of a personal blog would be quite different than that of an ecommerce store. Keep in mind who your visitors are and what they want/need to know about you or your company. Either way you do want to make a personal connection with your visitors.

5 Work At Home Blog June 3, 2009 at 12:56 pm

Thanks for pointing this out. The about me section on your blog is so important because people want to know who you are before even visiting your blog. Very important!

6 Lithiummind June 11, 2009 at 8:20 am

This are great tips to make a better “about” page. Normally when I visit a new blog for the first time I tend to visit the about page to have a better idea of the owner of the blog.

7 Pharmaceuticals Suppliers June 14, 2009 at 2:51 pm

agree with your thoughts it makes positive impression on regular readers and new visitors here after reading i got one more idea for about me page blog owner also can add own Photo it build strong trust.

8 wii remote June 15, 2009 at 5:07 am

I think the Every Website has to Develop the “About me” Page. Thanks for sharing the Info

9 wii remote June 25, 2009 at 6:59 am

about me page tells something about the company and about the product,just who you are, and something about your background.

10 Buat Duit Online June 26, 2009 at 1:52 am

Great article. I think it important to write an about page as it provides your reader something about yourself plus does help to show google that your blog is legit.

11 Fiberglass Pools July 1, 2009 at 9:27 am

In my opinion every site should keep it. Because it would be a short description about site. User who are looking for a specify site can save his time.

12 Love poems & Love Quotes July 4, 2009 at 10:31 pm

That’s very important. Writing an informative about page gives the reader a lot more trust in you than anything. It’s called giving your readers you! Sweet post.

Regards,
Jermaine

13 Dude Who Can't Write July 16, 2009 at 2:20 am

Glad I found your blog and even more so this particular post! I am having a hard time writing the about me page for my personal blog and just wanted to say thanks for all the good advice and comments everyone shared…

This has really helped me out big time and look forward to dropping in more often. Great Post!

14 Free Memo July 22, 2009 at 10:54 am

I have friends that always ask me about writing the “About me” page. Before your post, I would always tell that to write what they “feel” about their current moods of creating their blog sites. But now, you have created a template for most people to follow as a guideline.
Thank you!

15 Office Space Los Angeles September 1, 2009 at 6:14 pm

Never before read such serious and important factors regarding about us page sure agree that AboutUS Page very important and helps to describe our entity to readers, it helps to create strong identity and builds trustability with readers.

16 Eden Prairie real estate October 15, 2009 at 6:40 am

Excellent, at the moment my About Me page on my new personal blog consists of only 2-3 lines and I really think it’s not enough. This would really help me to write my About Me blog page better.

Thanks for the tip buddy!

Regards

Jerry Clifford

17 Indialantic Real Estate Agent January 7, 2010 at 8:42 pm

Thanks for the tips and ideas. I am re-writing my about me page right now and implemented some of your suggestions. Cheers!

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