By Sharon Goldman
Michael Kornfeld
Why is writing a good bio so important for singer-songwriters?
Good bios are a way for singer-songwriters to introduce themselves to the media, concert presenters and venue bookers, songwriting competition judges, potential fans, and other target audiences. Although well-crafted and well-delivered songs are vital, a well-written bio that captures people’s attention also is critical to making a good first impression. A well-written bio might prompt someone to check out your music and affect the way s/he listens to it. Many singer-songwriters write and perform creative and interesting songs. Those whose bios are as creative and interesting as their music are more apt to achieve success.
What are the biggest challenges of writing a bio, especially if you’re writing it about yourself?
Being objective about one’s music and career and avoiding hyperbole can be challenging, as can writing about yourself in the third-person. A lot of people view bios as resumes and seek to be overly comprehensive and include irrelevant information. Bios don’t have to be extensive and replete with detail. Singer-songwriters should avoid that temptation, while sharing interesting and relevant tidbits about themselves, their inspirations or muses, their creative processes, and their music.
What are the qualities, do you think, of a really good bio?
I’m not sure there is a hard-and-fast definition of what constitutes a really good bio, although I know one when I see it. I suppose a bio that sings with the same voice as your music might stand out. A good bio conveys who you are and does so in a clear, concise, compelling, creative and interesting way. It makes reference to personal experiences as they relate to your songs and music. It conveys your musical style and sound, speaks to your creative process, and helps to establish your identity. It is written in such a way that someone doesn’t have to delve too deeply into it to understand who you are and what you’re about. It is customizable for different audiences and purposes.
What are the things that you think singer-songwriters do wrong when they’re writing their bios?
Just as songwriters often seek to convey a lot in their songs with relatively few words, they should apply the same approach when it comes to crafting their bios. Too many artist bios are written in the first person; use boring language; are replete with errors (punctuation, grammar and spelling), hyperbole and clichés; and are excessively wordy.
Singer-songwriters should think objectively when writing their bios, use meaningful subjective descriptions sparingly and only in the form of attributable quotes from others. Don’t just write that you are “unique;” convey what it is that distinguishes you from others. Brand yourself as an individual – don’t compare yourself to others. Bios should be clear, concise, compelling and creative. They should use words and phrases that are memorable and convey interesting and relevant information about you and your musical/songwriting style. Rather than writing “sounds like,” consider including a line like “recommended if you like.”
A lot of artist bios highlight who they have opened for; that’s irrelevant. Instead, they should address their influences and inspirations. Adhering to rigid formats for bios or using a cookie-cutter, fill-in-the-blank bio template approach doesn’t help position you or enable you to stand out from the crowd. Your bio should reflect you as an individual. Inject your own personality and creative flair into your bio, while keeping it professional. Don’t be afraid to be somewhat revealing about yourself and your creative process. Allow yourself to be imaginative in your approach, without being overly clever or cute.
Top words to stay away from when writing a bio?
I. With few exceptions, bios should be written in the third-person and in a narrative style.
Avoid hyperbole. Be leery of using any phrase that starts with the word “most” in describing yourself, be it skilled, unique, creative, gifted, or unusual. The same applies to the use of the word “best,” It’s okay, however, if someone of note uses “most” or “best” in describing you or your songs as part of a quote, although, in and of itself, that may not really convey much about you. It’s also okay – indeed, it is advisable – to use it to refer to an award you received for best song, album, new artist, etc – provided it is truthful and the contest is legitimate and meaningful. Highlight your achievements and honors in your bio.
Avoid vague clichés and flowery prose. Such words and phrases convey nothing and can be used to describe lots of people. (For example: unique style, true professional, a real talent, amazingly gifted, masterful guitarist).
Be sparing in the use of adjectives and adverbs.
Once you’ve written your bio, what are the different ways you can use it in publicity and in marketing yourself?
Bios can be used for a variety of purposes and, as I said previously, should be customizable. They can be used on your own website and those of venues and festivals at which you are performing; in social media profiles; in news releases prepared by you, your publicist and venues; in applying for festivals and other engagements; in connection with entering songwriting contests; as part of one-sheets and electronic press kits (EPKs); and in fliers distributed by presenting organizations and venues.
Keep in mind, one size does not fit all. Prepare bios of varying lengths that can be posted on your website and used by various people for varied purposes. Think in terms of three different-sized bios – perhaps 50-60 words, 125-150 words and 200-250 words — and prepare the longest version first. This affords venues and presenting organizations choices and the opportunity to simply cut and paste one for use on printed fliers and programs, as well as use on their websites. Similarly, journalists can read the bio version of their choice and extract information for use in their articles.
Other bio-writing tips:
1. Don’t allow your bio to become stale. Refresh and keep it up-to-date with new achievements, awards, albums, career milestones, and – possibly — meaningful quotes.
2. Get some feedback. If you opt to write your own bio, have your friends or others whose opinions you value review it and make suggestions; or consider retaining the services of a professional to work on it with you, edit and refine it, while maintaining your voice.
3. Shake things up for social media. Different considerations may apply when it comes to preparing bios for use in social media. On social media sites, it is particularly important to convey your personality within your bio if possible. A storytelling approach might work, but only if done effectively. You may also want to consider search engine optimization (SEO) and use keywords to draw your target audience(s).
Editor’s Note: This article was originally posted on Songwriting Scene on April 22, 2010. Launched last year by singer-songwriter Sharon Goldman, the blog for songwriters about songwriting also hosts a series of phone-in seminars in May called “Wake –Up Your Songwriting Muse: A Four-Week Creativity Jump-start with Pat Wictor.” More information on the seminar series can be found at www.songwritingscene.com/seminar-wake-your-muse/.
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