The about page is one of the most trafficked pages on any site. After people land on your home page or post, they very often will click “about” next to find out more about your site, your authority. The irony is, it's not about you. The reason they click that next is to find out what's in it for them.
Contrary to popular belief, the about page is not a biography of the author/owner of the site. The about page is key to qualifying your potential readers/customers and should serve the specific purpose of informing the reader of the benefits they will gain on your site. It's all about the reader.
Your about page should clearly and quickly answer 6 questions:
- Who are you? Be sure your name is on your about page, and a photo. Use the same name format and avatar you use across all of your sites and social media. You also want to be sure to write in a first person, personal voice. It makes you much more trustworthy.
- What do you write about, and how often? What can I expect from you? How often will I get new information from you? Is it only on the blog? Is there a special newsletter? other ways you distribute content? What is your favorite or most popular post/product?
- Why should I listen? and/or what makes you different from everyone else in your niche? What makes you an authority or gives you your particular spin that makes your information relevant or interesting to me? This is where your unique experiences and personality can be shared.
- What benefit will I gain by reading/listening to you? or signing up for your email? How do you help me? How will your information/product/service make my life better? or solve my problem?
- How do I connect with you? Where do I sign up for blog posts, newsletters, how do I follow and interact on social media? Do you welcome comments?
- What do I do next? Don't forget the power of the CTA (Call to Action). Give them a sign up form, Ask them to comment. Send them to read your best converting post. Don't just leave them wondering “Now what do I do?”
Once you have answered those questions for your potential customer, you may also offer a link to your biography. A few of them will want to know your life story and how you came to know what you know and do what you do, and who your children and grandchildren are, etc … But for the most part, the above information will be enough for that person to decide if they are interested in what you have to offer or not.
Being confident of your purpose, knowing your target audience and writing with your own uniqueness for their benefit will help you create an about page that will definitely stand out!
Need some more information?
The following posts also offer some good points for creating an amazing about page.
How to Write an About Page by Enchanting Marketing
How to Write an About Page by Amy Lynn Andrews
How to Write Your About Page by In Spaces Between
A Great About Page by Nicole on the Net
Amazing Blog About Pages by DIY Themes (Ignore the sales pitch at the beginning and enjoy the 5 points)
How to Write the Perfect About Us Page in a Social World on LinkedIn
6 Cornerstones for a Killer About Page by Blog Marketing Academy
How to Write a Killer About Us Page by Writing for SEO
(Note: Aren't you glad I didn't use the word killer in the title of this post! Whew!)
The video below is “Perfecting the About Page” and shared by permission from Dan R Morris and Rachel Martin of Blogging Concentrated.
So, how is your about page shaping up? Leave me a link won't you?
Don't spam, but if you leave a link to your updated about page, I'd love to pay you a visit and get to know you.
Thanks for this post! After reading this I changed a few things on my page and would love some feedback! https://katiesdailylife.com/about
So glad it was helpful Katie!
These are great ideas. I am always looking to find ways to add to my “About” page. Pinning!
Amanda, so glad you found them inspiring! Thanks for stopping by!
This is definitely an area I need to work on – and continue to work on. I appreciate the links!
Very informative! Now to go work on my about page 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for mentioning my blog post on Writing For SEO. It was awesome of you 😉
You’re welcome David. Thanks for making a great resource.
Katie,
This article was a tremendous help as I am in the midst of redesigning my website. After reading your tips, I made some changes to my about page.
Thanks for all your encouragement and help!
Aw Alice! Thank you! It is those words that make this worth it! So glad to know it was helpful! Your new site is lovely, by the way!
Perfect timing, Katie. We are rebranding and part of that process includes rewriting About pages for our website and blog. Appreciate the useful tips!
Thanks Beth! So glad you found them useful. Looking forward to seeing your new look!