A colleague sent this bio my way to ask me what I thought about it. I’ll tell you in a moment, but I’ll let you know right now that the name of the person profiled has been changed to protect the arrogant.
Jane Doe, Visionary
Jane Doe serves as creative counsel to select Twenty-First Century Legacy Leaders in addition to leading a global organization of collaborators of conscious commerce.
Complimenting her extraordinary capacities as a prodigy composer of collaborative entrepreneurial masterworks is her former multi-disciplinary career as an entrepreneur and corporate executive, encompassing 34 years of exemplary achievement in well over twelve industries, including: property management; management consulting; hospitality & tourism; asset management; real estate development; fine arts; architecture and design; marketing & communications; event management; and, human development.
My reaction to this bio? In a word — yikes!
So many five dollar words that say nothing at all. What are extraordinary capacities as a prodigy composer of collaborative entrepreneurial masterworks? If she has 34 years of exemplary achievement in 12 industries, what are some of the specific highlights? I scratch my head and wonder what does Jane Doe really do? And, do I even care? If ever there was a bio that read like “blah, blah, blah” this is it.
I am not in a hurry to give this woman a call because I don’t understand what she does, and her choice of words make me want to run in the other direction. I don’t believe a word of what she says, and I’m guessing she charges a whole lot for a service that is as clear as mud.
This bio doesn’t scream “like, trust, and respect.” It screams A-R-R-O-G-A-N-C-E.
What do you think? Would you rush to engage this person as a result of reading her bio, or would you laugh and run in the opposite direction? Let me hear from you!
If you’ve self-published a book and want the world to know about it, check out this site.
The copy at Selling Books reads, “Whether you are an aspiring writer, a multi-published author or an independent publisher, you have come to the right place. You will find lots of free information to help you in the next step of your publishing project: writing, production or promotion. And you will also find a number of books, audio programs, special reports, teleseminars and other resources. Be sure to return often, as we will have new articles and resources added all the time.”
I read about this site first from an email from creator Cathy Stucker, who is also the mastermind behind Blogger Link Up a few weeks ago and was quick to submit my photo and interview answers in connection with Bye-Bye Boring Bio Action Guide for her consideration. Today, my interview appears on the site. Check it out.
Main Street Media Savvy Tips of the Day:
If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, one thing you know for sure is that I don’t just offer advice. I practice what I preach.
As always, the big difference between earning attention for your efforts and the alternative is that those who act typically get what they want. Are you ready for some action today? If so, why not submit your story about your book to this site? You just might welcome some new fans and followers and invite some new book sales today!
Michael Ray, host of Dresser After Dark, invited me back to his talk show last night to workshop his bio on the air. Listen in and see how I offered some compelling upgrades to transform his bio from OK to really great in short order, thanks to the lessons I teach in the Bye-Bye Boring Bio Action Guide and share via the Extreme Bio Makeover service. Here is the link to make it easy for you to listen in.
I’ll be doing this same thing for up to five lucky folks who RSVP for the AOE March 2 Bye-Bye Boring Bio teleclass that I blogged about yesterday, so hurry and claim your place so you can benefit as Michael Ray has. Here is the new amd improved bio we created during the call:
About Michael Ray:
Four words that describe Michael Ray’s life and business philosophy:
“OK. I Can Do That!”
Michael Ray, host at Dresser After Dark, is a talk show host with passion, skill and talent for coaxing outstanding content from guests whose messages shine with confidence, clarity, and relevance. His engaging interview style sets the stage for authors, experts, and trainers worldwide to captivate, inform, and inspire action.
His 27-year career in radio and media skills training got its start when he sat down behind a microphone at a radio station in Fairbanks, Alaska in January of 1983. Since then, he’s interviewed thousands of radio guests from stations all across the Midwest and beyond, and he can’t wait to meet who comes next.
Ray is a sought-after media skills trainer serving clients such as X, Y, and Z around the globe with his proprietary media skills training system. His new book — “The Link to Connection: Techniques for Getting What You Want Out of Any Media Interview On or Off the Air” is coming soon and will guide experts the world over to achieve winning results through the power of compelling and engaging conversation.
Guests such as (important name, important name, and important name) on Dresser After Dark describe Ray as engaging, thought provoking, and gracious.
Michael Ray lives in the Milwaukee area. His passion for conversation is rivaled only by his enthusiasm for living an engaged and vibrant life. Something about him that might surprise you is that his biceps are impressive enough to turn heads and stop traffic. He is often mistaken for being decades younger than his XX years.
Main Street Media Savvy Tip of the Day: If you are an author, expert, or consultant with great content to share with Michael Ray’s listeners, get in touch with his producer Susan Greenman to pitch your story so you can benefit from a much wider audience for your message. Visit this link for the relevant contact information.
Be sure to sign up for a very fun teleclass I’ll be leading on March 2 at 9 a.m. (PST) for the Alliance of Online Entrepreneurs. The title is “How to Say Bye-Bye to Your Boring Bio and Why You Should.” The first 100 people to RSVP will receive an EXCERPT from the Bye-Bye Boring Bio Action Guide so they can do their own “Extreme Bio Makeovers.” And, the first five people to turn in their best drafts qualify to have me “workshop” their bios during the call. You can read all the details at this link. This is going to be very fun, deliver a lot of value, and it’s free to participate. Hurry to register so you can be among the lucky ones to get your Extreme Bio Makeover “live” during the call!
(This teleclass is part of the nine-year business anniversary celebration March 1-7, 2010, during which I’ll be extending a “buy one great item, get the other great item for free offer.” You won’t want to miss this!)
It’s been really fun these last few days, connecting with very interesting experts who need a little help refining their bios to be ready for the media. Larry Kaminer is already a successful business owner. Now, he’s ready to invite even more media opportunities to showcase the value he can add to conversations about personal safety. To follow is his new bio that helps to position him as an expert. As Larry adds media credentials to his experience, he’ll update his bio to reflect them.
In his email to me this evening, Larry said it was worth every penny he spent to get his bio off the boring list for sure!
As you read the bio, notice that it addresses four key elements: stunning results, a succinct story, a sassy sound bite, and enough social information to help you know, like and trust his expertise. When you craft your bio, follow the same recipe to achieve winning results of your own. And, of course, if you need a little help, the Extreme Bio Makeover service is just one click away.
Larry Kaminer
Personal Safety and Security Trainer, Consultant, Speaker,
and Expert to the Media
“Don’t wait to be on the receiving end of gunfire or to have a knife at your throat before you learn essential strategies and tactics that can save your life and the lives of people you care about.”
Saving Lives & Bringing Peace of Mind,
One Spell-Binding Presentation at a Time:
Larry Kaminer’s passion for saving lives – including his own — began one night as a teenager growing up in Johannesburg, South Africa. Pinned down by gunfire during an attempted home invasion, he struggled to think his way through the chaos of the moment as the bullets whistled by. In that instant, Larry resolved never again be caught off guard without a personal safety strategy. Today, he is president of Personal Safety Group, based in Seattle, WA.
Today, Larry’s “man on the street, from-the-trenches, pull-no-punches” approach to teaching crime avoidance is what sets him apart and makes his message riveting, memorable, and practical. Believing that the mind is your best weapon, Larry teaches audiences to think like criminals, understand the victim selection process, and learn how to eliminate the elements that contribute to being an easy target. These are lessons learned over three decades of travel in high threat environments in Southern Africa.
Since 2006, Larry and his team of experts, trainers, and consultants from the Army Special Forces, Naval Special Operations, SWAT and Executive Protection arenas have inspired thousands of people to craft personal safety strategies that have the potential to save lives all over the world. At the same time, he and his team bring priceless peace of mind to all who benefit from their compelling and empowering message.
What Larry knows for sure is that no matter how we make our ways in the world, we are all ultimately responsible for our own personal safety.
Audience members and meeting planners from leading Puget Sound corporations, non-profits, county governments, safety councils, and law enforcement training events rave about the impact Larry’s message brings to their audiences as personal security earns top-of-mind awareness and inspires new, life-saving behaviors.
Whether he is addressing relocating executives en route to new countries, college aged kids on their way to enjoy campus life, corporate employees or offering provocative media perspective in response to a breaking news story about personal safety, Larry’s commentary always packs a powerful punch for personal safety empowerment in perfect timing.
Thank you Randy Woods for interviewing me about boring bios and what to do about them. Here is the link to the Seattle Times “Hire Ground” blog so you can read all about it.
If, after reading this story, you find that you are in need of some help with your bio, consider signing up for an Extreme Bio Makeover. Clients near and far are raving about this service. You will, too.
At the very least, read some of the “Bye-Bye Boring Bio” success stories that are categorized conveniently under this category of this blog. Or, opt-in to receive my ezine, and you’ll receive three helpful bonuses to help you get your bio and your 2010 PR action plan in great shape. It’s all good!
My proudest contribution to the marketplace in 2009:
I brought to market the Bye-Bye Boring Bio Action Guide in September and have since earned glowing reviews and sales from business owners all over the world. This product has only begun to make the difference for others that is possible. If you’ve written a rock star bio with this guide as your tool of choice, send in your finished bio. I’ll gladly blog about it! If you are a member of a group that needs guidance about how to tell a story so the right people will listen, invite me to speak. If you are a fan of the product, I’d be honored for you to advocate to others about it as a proud member of my affiliate program. Then, when your colleagues buy, you earn generous sales commissions. If you are a member of a direct sales organization, professional association, or other fabulous group and would like to inquire about quantity purchases or licensing agreements, let’s talk! The mission is to banish boring bios forever with the Bye-Bye Boring Bio Action Guide leading the charge. I can’t wait to see the magic that manifests for all along this journey!
I’ve been thinking a bit about trends and what to expect for 2010. Last year, I offered a few ideas in this regard with a few of my colleagues/friends at this post. As for me, I stand by my comments from last year. If you have comments about what is in or out for 2010, please comment!
No matter what the new year brings, may you be surrounded by others who lift you higher. May you be inspired to achieve great things, doing what you most love to do. May you be lucky enough — as I am — to share your life with an amazing partner. Quoting from Julie Powell in “Julie and Julia” — which was my favorite movie for 2009 – Steve, you are the butter to my bread and the breath to my life.
As we head into the final days of holiday shopping, don’t forget to celebrate your pets for the joy they bring to your lives. Speaking of which, I had the wonderful opportunity to assist Energy Healer for Pets Vicki Draper in crafting a winning bio to tell her story, and I am pleased to share it with you now. Vicki is also a very happy client. Vicki Draper says, “Nancy is nothing short of amazing. She can take good information and turn it into great information in a very short time. My bio is now something that really portrays me and I am proud of sharing it. For anyone having trouble expressing the right words, Nancy is your best resource. I am so grateful to have benefited from Nancy’s service and expertise!”
Vicki Draper, Founder - Vi Miere
Touched by an Angel. Healed in a Moment
Energy Healer for Treasured Pets Brings More Joyful Life to the Years
Energy Healer Vicki Draper is passionate about ensuring vitality and pain free lives for pets and the owners who love them. She discovered her unique talents at an early age. When Vicki was just 11 years of age, her kitten was diagnosed with distemper. Rather than accept a tragic diagnosis, Vicki intuitively began visualizing a long, healthy life for her beloved pet. The kitten lived a happy and active 16 years more. Since 1999, Vicki has worked with thousands of happy and loyal pet owners and their veterinarians to bring to life similar stories for their own pets. With Vicki’s healing touch at their sides, anxious animals are empowered to be calm. Fearful animals are empowered to feel safe. Abused animals are empowered to release the old and embrace the new with comfort. Many pets and their loving owners enjoy more joyful years together as a result. Happy clients cry tears of joy to watch the quick patter return to the steps of pets who are touched by this angel. Customers from around the world also purchase Vicki’s line of essences that invite healing.
With extensive training and clinical experience from leading institutions including the Northwest School of Animal Massage, Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing, Bellevue Massage School, Acupressure Institute of Berkeley, and Upledger Institute, Vicki has invested thousands of hours to learn the best ways to apply her special gifts with animals for their physical and emotional benefit. Pet owners and their veterinarians have come to trust and rely on Vicki to solve the unsolvable. She brings to light the right way to proceed in concert with conventional methods and how to apply new approaches to best serve each pet’s unique circumstances in perfect timing.
Vicki embodies a remarkable combination of Sherlock Holmes-inspired investigative skill, Dr. Doolittle-like communication and connection with animals, and Fairy Godmother-like oversight and compassion. Giving back to the animals in ways to facilitate both healing and peaceful passages is how Vicki’s work makes the most crucial difference. This is her passion and what compels Vicki to serve the animals and their owners every day. Vicki’s God-given and inspired intuition, healing gift of touch, and heart-centered commitment to make a difference give pet owners and their pets relief, healing, and peace of mind. Her phone number enjoys placement on the “speed dial” function of many cell phones across the Puget Sound region as clients engage with Vicki in a variety of ways:
1) Engage by the hour for energy healing;
2) Purchase her popular line of essences that invite healing;
3) Enjoy new information products that support their commitment to lovingly care for their pets throughout their lives.
Vicki also welcomes invitations to speak to pet loving groups and teach about her methods. Visit this link to see Vicki’s healing gifts in action and see happy “Client Tales” in progress. Get in touch by calling her at 425-785-4232, sending email to vicki@vimiere.com, and visiting the website.
Action Tip of the Day: If you can’t quite put into words the story you want others to know about how you serve the world, start first with the Bye-Bye Boring Bio Action Guide. Then, engage me to help you upgrade your best effort into a fabulous story with your own Extreme Bio Makeover. Good input from you always contributes to better storytelling on your behalf. When you work through the easy templates and worksheets in the guide, it just makes it faster to transform your bio from “boilerplate” to “really great” with impact and efficiency.
You are cordially invited to join Vicki Draper among the scores and scores of happy service providers who finally feel fabulous about how they are sharing their stories with the world. With a New Year coming soon, the timing certainly couldn’t be better.
Here is a link to my 12-2 radio interview with Wallis Pattisonn and Mary Corso, hosts of “Think Rich, Be Rich” — on the I’m Thankful Radio Network on KKNW 1150 a.m.
We had a fabulous time chatting about the elements that come together to create winning bios that invite the right opportunities. Mary had a few sassy soundbites of her own to add to the conversation. She said, “There is only one ‘I’ in Bio.” That’s one to remember.
We laughed a fair amount, while sharing useful and entertaining information to help you get your bio in great shape for the New Year. Listen in. Take notes, and put your boring bio on a new path to fabulous right now. 2010 is just weeks away, so the timing is right to tell your story well. If not now, then when?
And, if you want to read some “before” and “after” bios that are posted to this blog to see how well the Bye-Bye Boring Bio Action Guide recipe works, here are some links:
While enjoying the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, I enjoyed listening to the write-ups for all the fantastic floats. The Energizer Bunny, Kermit the Frog, and Dora the Explorer all have memorable bios that make them seem bigger than life — and they are. The Energizer Bunny is known for his perseverance. Kermit the Frog knows that it’s not easy being green. Dora the Explorer knows a thing or two about friendship. What do you stand for, how do you stand out, and how are you known? Does your bio tell your best story? If it’s time to refresh your story, the Bye-Bye Boring Bio Action Guide can help. Treat yourself to an easy-to-use, well-reviewed, and popular tool that will make your own story shine. And — since it is the day ofter Thanksgiving — take heart that there are no calories with this gift to make you appear bigger. There is just plenty of good advice to make your story read a whole lot better.
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