Ten Ideas for Spicing up Your Profile

Whether you are on Twitter for business or pleasure (and hopefully both!), your bio is often the first glimpse potential followers have of who you are. The bio is a peek into the person behind the posts, and as such, it serves an important function.

If you are like many, you didn’t give much thought to your bio when you first set up your profile. Fortunately, you can always go back and improve it!

Many clients ask whether they should keep their bios “all business.” While there is nothing wrong with sticking to business, sharing a little of your personality or interests helps others forge a more complete image of you. Consider some of these fun but informative bios:

@5FtHighMktgGuy  Co-author of the book Gravitational Marketing: The Science of Attracting Customers. Loud, opinionated, and powerful marketing consultant and copywriter. Entrepreneur. Purveyor of Dummy-Proof marketing advice. Ventriloquist.

@GetWithG Director of Marketing for an Electronics Co., Web Designer, Internet Marketing, Affiliate Marketing, Entrepreneur, man of God, and all around NICE GUY!

@oliver_turner Thumb wrestling champ in 52 states. Banana split stealer. I also help entrepreneurs grow their businesses while working less. www.TheOutsourcingKing.com

One of my all-time favorite bios is Mark Clayson’s…

@MarkClayson professional • speaker • entrepreneur • disliker of cod • butler to four cats • would like a dog

It unquestionably speaks to what he does (business-wise). The simple phrase ‘disliker of cod’ makes me laugh out loud every time I see his profile, and I was immediately endeared to him the first time I saw it.

Other bios, which are more business-oriented such as these, are also effective and speak to more targeted markets:

@myvinespace Social Media, PR for Wine Industry and Small Business, wine lover, blogger, gourmet cook, slow food, locavor, farmers market, photographer, web designer

@marketingwizdom Author, speaker & designer of world-class low-risk/high-return marketing strategies for entrepreneurs and aspiring market leaders

@MariSmith Dubbed the "Pied Piper of the Online World" by FastCompany.com, Mari is a bubbly Scottish-Canadian social media speaker, trainer & consultant. She's passionate about Facebook, Twitter & relationships and loves to help professionals grow their profits!

In addition to the obvious descriptors, you may consider sharing a giveaway such as a link to a free eBook, special offer, or ongoing opportunity for followers.

If you are seeking inspiration for your bio, or want to see examples that others in your industry or areas of interest are using, visit a directory such as Twellow (www.twellow.com). Directories enable you to search Twitter users by keyword and category, and are a fantastic way to check out (and connect with) others.

Ready to revisit your profile? Here are 10 ideas for spicing up your bio:

1. Put your most important keywords first.
2. Include a quote.
3. List a question people should ask you.
4. Post something you are looking for.
5. Tell something you can offer.
6. Add your personal statement or mantra.
7. Describe who you are.
8. Share your other profiles (Linkedin, Del.icio.us, etc.).
9. Add a link to your playlist (blip.fm, last.fm, etc.).
10. Add a link to your blog.