What Does Your Profile Bio Really Say About You - And Does It Matter All That Much?

I believe that the bio should be well-written and to the point. It's the way that online buyers get to know us. It should tell who we are and how we approach our art. All too often I find bios loaded with spelling and grammar errors. If English isn't your forte, get someone else to proofread it. Also, I'm repelled by bios with endless lists of awards and contests, especially if the artist didn't win. Second place is first loser. Honorable mention is less than zero. And what's the point of mentioning local (and online) contests that nobody has heard of?

It appears that many feel the need to pad their bios with worthless bullsh*t that doesn't enhance their reputation as an artist. Whatever you say should bear directly on your images and image-making.

I couldn't agree with you more, Murray! In this case, less is more. When I first joined FAA, I thought people would want to know as much as possible about who 'we' are as artists, our backgrounds, etc. And, as I checked-out some longstanding & somewhat successful members bio's, I thought those mentioning each & every award, etc. was a 'good thing'! Lol, Not so much! Actually, turns people off, like you say. TMI! Better to offer that in a private message only IF a perspective buyer ask for more details & background info. And, certainly, you are right, some members pad their bios. Simple & direct is the best way to go.

Well I guess the Profile Bio shows a glimpse of Who(the artist is), What(his/her art is about-medium), and Where(he/she is from-country)
Its like being personal and getting to know the artist,and his arts/creations and how he/she represents him/herself to prospective buyers and fellow artist respectively. Its like reading a book. Its getting to know the artist, and how you would imagine and percieve on what he/she is, and about his arts.Yes the Profile Bio is really important.

Good points Brooks and gang. I think sometimes its the back story that can really help to make a sale or make a potential buyer want to support your work. I also really like reading bio's so I'm disappointed when I find a page full of great art and no bio! Maybe Id like to know what's in that persons mind that influenced what they are creating. I know that for my original work, the back story is really important because kapa making was a lost art in Hawaii that is practiced by relatively few people today. People are very interested in knowing why I started doing it and did my grandmother teach me and how I get the raw materials and where do I get the tools. It does make for good storytelling. So I think selling art is also about sharing your story and marketing yourself along with your creations.

By the way Brooks, your bio is great, I think I better go fine tune mine again!

I really enjoy reading (most) profiles, but I agree Murray, lists of awards are a real turn off, after one or two it is all spam, spam, spam, spam, and eggs.

In my first bio here, I wrote about places where I've shown, groups I'm a part of, professional victories and such. Then I thought to myself, I would not want to read this. So, I trashed it and wrote more of what my artwork is essentially about. Hopefully, it reads that optimism rings, for me in all things, even the worst things. I know that it is crazy to be a positive minded person when there are so many things to be worried, and sad about, but I can't help it. There is always a reason to smile. And above all else I hope that that rings through. I suppose I should add some of those details, but I like my short little bio. It is me in a nutshell.

I think that the artists on faa are reading bios a whole lot more than the customers are.

Thanks for your input, Otil! Good to hear from you. We agree!
Lol, Delani! My turn to check out your bio. We're on the same page re sharing our stories. A very important piece in the 'who-we-are' puzzle. I find that most people appreciate knowing something personal about the artist, how we work, not everything like some tend to go on about, but a little something interesting, even if 'in a nutshell'. Like you, I find it disappointing to finally see some cool art, want to learn more about 'who the artist-photographer is', and, voila!, nary a word. A real turn-off.
Hi there, Gretchen. Great to 'see' you. Ha, spam & eggs, it's true. There are some bios that stretch into several columns/pages worth of 'reading', lists of awards & so on. Yawn! Off to read yours, now. Positive is a good thing, btw.
Hi Marlene.

I´m less than satisfied with my bio. Hope to get some inspiration here.

Marlene,

The very very new artists are reading them a lot. I think most of us get bored reading them rather fast.

I think they mean next to nothing to the prospective buyers. Some folks are banking on the personal touch
but this is POD. Buyers are probably in and out looking almost exclusively at the images.

I noticed that a major POD artist here who does really good surrealism, JMO, has a trippy sort of paragraph
and nothing else. Anyone tripping along with his grove does not want read anything. And if any of us go on and on
we all can run the risk of losing a potential customer. Silence is golden.

Dave

I need to improve my BIO. My thought on it is even if no one read's it and even if it's boring it is a connection into the world of Google. In less I am mistaken and they are not shown or something Google should Index the bio. So it could help people googling (not sure if googling is a word) around the internet. They read the bio and wish to see what it's about. Think about it.

Something I was thinking about is having a rather small bio on FFA and a link to a much longer one filled with fluff and other strange things.

Hi Colin! Hope you find inspiration here & elsewhere! Will go check out your gallery...and bio, as is. Good to hear from you.

Hey, Don, I agree re the connection. People do want to know, even if it's just a little, about the artist whose work they find fascinating. A brief bio is better than no bio! And, yes, I suppose a link to a lengthier one, with all the 'fluff & stuff', could work for anyone with an inquiring mind wanting to know more.

Until tomorrow, B.

No links in my bio. I want folks to stay here once they find me. I tried to keep my short and to the point and away from "self taught" passion born with a camera in my hand. I'm not a big fan of my fourth paragraph right now which makes it sound like I'm selling used cars to me.

I tried to keep my bio limited to my photography experience, but I also use my AW as an extension of a community-oriented website I maintain at http://www.montereypeninsula.info so I felt I should add a paragraph about the connection between the two websites.

Being as much of a writer as a photographer, it was hard to stop writing once I started. But nobody wants to read a novel when they're shopping, so someday I'll try to tighten it up. Posting images, though, is a higher priority.

One thing that makes longer bios more readable is to divide them into bite-sized paragraphs. One massive paragraph is hard on the eyes, and makes it difficult to follow.

I have had several customers contact support about things said in item descriptions AND biographies since I started in that area. They most definitely ARE read and so are important. I just point to the contact artist link and, in a couple of cases have passed it on for the person.

It made me get mine tidied up by Wendy. (Thanks Wendy)

You're very welcome, Abbie! :-)

I do think bios and profiles are important, and have been contacted, more than a few times through the years, by potential buyers, based on something they've read in my bio. I like to vary mine, to suit the particular website or venue it's attached to. Some have a more whimsical tone -- some, more serious, informative, or business-like.

Personally, the bio is the very first thing I read when landing on an artist's page. I'll read long ones, short ones, or anything in between -- if they're interesting, engaging, entertaining, whatever . . . as long as the information is not bulging with typos and grammatical errors.

I read the 'About the Author' blurb on book jackets, too. Maybe some people can resist a tiny peek into the head of a Creative; I definitely can't.

Now, I'm off to read all your bios! :-)

http://www.art166.net/artist-sos.html

i think they should get right to the point and outline what you do, and if you do talk about yourself - keep it simple and short. like your inspired by.... then fill the blank. knowing their history behind the camera since birth is a bit too much, especially if your 92 now. and knowing your a greenhorn and just picked up a camera (and it shows), but is said like i'm new to photography and be good to me... or i'm self taught, as if that's a point to show off, when the work totally reflects that.

the bio shouldn't be a novel, a tell all book, or an interview for a newspaper. it should be done in the first person. a third will usually boast, then confuse the realities. its also less personal.

I think you'll enjoy my art.

He knows you'll enjoy his art


which one sounds mores presumptuous.... they both kind of do, but the second one more so.


---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

My bio here is written only for the internet, for I'm not there physically.

Since the majority of sales here (originals) come from people who remembered seeing my work, somewhere? and sometime? at face to face shows, during the last 40 years, my bio, essentially says, "Yeah, I'm that guy..Still Alive and Kicking".


If I could find a way to get that vast mass of humanity surfing the web to think, "What about a vulture sculpture?". I may change the gist of this bio.

I agree with all of you that the list of awards, gallery shows, etc. is not a positive thing..........I gloss over those items when reading others' bios.

There was a discussion once on bios where members were critiquing and helping other members write new ones. I changed mine after reading through that discussion. I shortened it and took out all personal stuff but added that you could get to know me better by reading by blogs, since those are about my personal life.

I have been wanting to re do it again but have not taken the time to do so and am not really sure what to change.

Ugh. I have a hate/hate relationship with bios, CVs, resumes, etc. It's a cultural problem, I'm Appalachian - from one of the more remote low population bits that still tends to look at the world a bit differently. Talking about how great you are or awards you've won or challenges you've overcome is a social faux paus on the same order as wearing your underwear on the outside. The general idea is that if you're really that great people will figure it out, if you have to tell them then you're full of bs. I can't get past it. My bios, online and offline, follow a cycle of agonizing over what to include, writing a couple of paragraphs that leave out most of what I've done, going back in a couple of weeks/months and chopping that down to a couple of sentences and then later deleting the whole thing. And then deciding that I really need to have some kind of bio and beginning the cycle anew.

So what does my bio say about me? Usually, not much. Does it matter? Probably, but I'm not sure how much. Some sites I sell on, some I don't. And there's no telling what yarns owners of brick-and-mortar venues may be spinning about me to supplement what I supply. Potential buyers aren't of my culture so figuring them out for me is more like social anthropology than market research. I'm not an anthropologist, I'd rather spend my time painting.

My bio helps sell and have had clients tell me that after a purchase.

Yes, they can be very important especially when you are Batman.

I seriously suggest Wendy to help you, M. She can take a little bit and make it great.

Taking it a step further, what about avatars that don't show the person or their art? I've been wondering if I should swap out my kitty persona for the real me. I've been reluctant to post my image on the interwebz but if it might help sales maybe the risk is worth it. Any feedback?

Could someone critique my bio?

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/j-meadows.html

Kathleen,

I'm right there with you about not wanting my photo online, although it has been before when I was in real estate and my broker required it.

I decided to use my dogs picture and have had compliments on using it instead of a photo of me so for the time being I'll leave it as is.

JL,
I think there might be more you should add but personally I like the short, straight to the point bio you have now.

Kathy

Kathy K. McClellan
http://keppenart.com

Wendy, I just read your bio, and it's a really good one for sure...but the lovely works of art kept taking my eyes away from the bio!

Roger M, I'm just like you with the cultural problem. I had someone/artist (highly educated) write my bio at first and after several months of physically gagging after reading it, I had to create my own. I can't find a good reason to brag, even if blowing my own horn is the goal for good salesmanship. I just wanted to say that I think you write very well. I had no problem reading your post and enjoying what you had to say. In my humble and professional opinion, I think you should write your own bio, but let someone edit it like Abby suggests without taking your wonderful Appalachian personality away.

When a buyer is shopping for an image online or in a store: Amazon, Kirkland's, Art.com etc there are no bios. Is there a difference when people come to FAA?

i think people care a little bit, sometimes if its just to justify a purchase, but they may have found you because of your bio. there are really no other words on that main page, and if you don't give good gallery names (i've seen some really bad, non descriptive ones), google won't find you. that's why i always tell people to add basic info:

your name
your location
what you do
what it looks like
and maybe why you do it

beyond that - there is too much info. things like:

awards
contests you entered but didn't win 1st
family life
medical history (unless its worked into your art some how or can use it as a guilt device)
that your a beginner
your camera type
listing items you don't even sell
listing items you only have one of
telling people you never sold before

and of course

copyright death threats

all of those should not be in the bio. the bio is not your life history, it's not your obit, you didn't write a book, and its not about a book about yourself. just a brief outline of what you do.


---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

Hi there, Michel [Travel Pics]. You & I are in agreement re not having to click on the 'View Complete Biography', yes. Like I said, initially, one column about who & what we/you are is enough, including a brief mention about a magazine feature, gallery showing or an award. Less is more. If a perspective client wants to know, they will ask & you can tell them! Just my opinion.

Lisa, SO happy you like the subtle changes. It's all still you & your words, with a few extras, just placed a little differently in a different way. You don't want to be like anyone else or fit into a 'cookie-cutter' bio script-format.

When I edit, I like to use what the person has chosen to share with folks, perhaps add to it a little, rearrange things, and, yet still remain true to their original vision. I will also edit out any unnecessary words, like 'and', or thank you' or 'please', which are way overused. Visitors will get it the first time when you say 'thank you' or 'please'. It's SO important to clean up punctuation & typos, as well. Makes or breaks your presentation...and maybe even a $ale!

We are on the same page, Jessica!

Lol, re copyright death threats, Mike. But, no matter how well we say it, there are those who will not heed the warning.
Re bio content...you are right re the basics. But, I don't mind someone mentioning AN award or magazine feature or contest win, in passing. Briefly, is the operative word, although some pretty successful members have bios that go on for EVER. You can divulge info & facts without boring us to death. Yawn. Certainly don't cop to being a beginner...and, I remember you saying you also don't think adding the 'self-taught' bit is a good thing. You are right to include not sharing one's medical history in your list of no-no's. There is one person in particular who has shared their entire background in that regard, I think to garner some sympathy. It turned me off, but looks to be working in their favor re buyers, as this member sells very well!

I'm pretty sure most people enjoy checking out member's bios. Every time I've sold a piece of art, the person/people wanted to know more about me or meet me in person if in a gallery setting locally or have me to send them a complete bio. Most folks have inquiring minds...and want to know, at least the ones in my 'clan'!

White space - paragraph breaks (double enter on return key), rather than line breaks (just the once) - also makes the column of text more readable.

Hi Michel. I get from your reply that you prefer a space between paragraphs...and, I agree, it can make a bio easier to read. But, as with most things, it's a personal preference, up to the individual.

For me, I decided to include a 'Revolver Map' & slideshow widget without that 'View Complete Biography' coming up, which meant no 'white space' for me...or else. Since there was nothing I wanted to delete from my bio to allow for the extra spacing, I am 'content on the content', at this juncture, anyway. Change is inevitable, as we see with the whole of FAA lately! But, so far, no complaints re my bio. Lol.

I will visit your profile to see how your bio reads. Have a great day!


Back again...just paid you a visit and enjoyed your bio, Michel, the set up & information imparted: interesting, to the point and complete with visual aid. Well done.

I'm always trying to improve my bio.

I'm not much on embellishing myself and do not suffer from visions of grandeur,...I'm just one of thousands of photographers in the market place.

I would rather someone just take my work for what it is, either it resonates with them,...or it doesn't.

I'm doing the best work I am capable of and constantly trying to improve on my vision and technique.

When I look at what is selling,....I see a wide cross section of what appeals to buyers and actually wonder how discerning the buyers actually are.

But hey,...that's just me,....what do I know,......I have no credentials.

My two cents.

Marty

I guess you know what you know, Marty, and what you want to know! Lol. Obviously, some folks are more curious than others. Thanks for your input.

You are right, one's work should speak for itself, but we can also speak to who we are are artists, however briefly that can be stated. I have always found that buyers are attracted to both me and my work; they want to know who I am as a creative soul & person. It never fails. I think most folks actually like your work better when they like you & vice versa. Funny about that.

So, as I said, when taking the time to read a member's bio, and I always prefer that there is one, I can actually find myself becoming more or less interested in looking at their work by what they had to say...and how they said it. Words can welcome & invite someone into your gallery, or not. But, the fact that there are words, someone being interested enough in their own work to share them, is a good thing.

There were SO many artists without a bio that it made me think, maybe, they didn't think so much of themselves? So, yes, in a big way, one's work can speak for itself, but it can also help to share some personal info, or better yet, a little personality. NO need to embellish or grandstand, simple & to the point is best.

As I say several times above, unless it's honest, well-penned and, perhaps, entertaining, who wants to know!?

Okay, I finally cleaned up my bio a bit, maybe it's still a bit too long. If anybody cares to take the time please read it and let me know what you think.

I think the main thing the bio does is tell people why you do what you do, the work itself isn't likely to speak to that.

Oh, Jessica, I see you edited your original post above! So, it's a 'no', now, we are not on the same page...or are we? Lol. I guess the fact that you have a bio here means that you are not in agreement with your own statement...or were you just posting to, well, post? A little confusing.
Guess you saying there's no reason for a bio at all since other sites who sell art do not have them? If so, what would be the reason to have one on FAA...because...well, if they don't have a thing to do with you selling your art, why have one?! Hmm.
All the other sites I am, or have been, a part of offer members an artist's bio option...and encourage it. Are you just saying they are not necessary, period, that they are just a waste of space? I guess your reason for posting is that you actually think there isn't a reason for one, which is sort of weird since you have one. Okay, going round in circles to figure out your reply...and why.

Hi Heather. Yep, always room for change & improvement. I've kept mine as is for a while now. Change is good, but there's also something to be said about consistency.

Hey there, David! Good to hear from you. Just read & re-worked your bio. Sent the revised version via email. You are free to use it, or not! Lol.
Just addressed some issues that needed attention. I did remain true to you, keeping your thoughts & way of 'speaking' in tact, just re-arranged, edited some punctuation/sentence structure errors & simplified. Some words/phrases didn't need repeating.
Good luck!

Heather, hi. Received your email. Will check out your bio & get back to you!
B

Thanks Brook, I appreciate you taking the time, it's definitely an improvement.

Thanks so much, David! I think it's suited to you & your work. Happy to learn more about you, btw. Have a good night.

Heather, just sent off some suggestions for revising your bio. Hope it's helps. Check your spacing, repetition of certain words, time frames and so on. Best of luck.

Mike,,,this is great stuff.. I laughed so hard I almost choked .. could I put that in my bio?lol...im sorry ..Tuesdays are well not the snappiest of days here so .. got the sillys and saw your post.. you have a great way of putting things. thanks:-)



Mike Savad

Mike Savad

2 Days Ago

i think people care a little bit, sometimes if its just to justify a purchase, but they may have found you because of your bio. there are really no other words on that main page, and if you don't give good gallery names (i've seen some really bad, non descriptive ones), google won't find you. that's why i always tell people to add basic info:

your name
your location
what you do
what it looks like
and maybe why you do it

beyond that - there is too much info. things like:

awards
contests you entered but didn't win 1st
family life
medical history (unless its worked into your art some how or can use it as a guilt device)
that your a beginner
your camera type
listing items you don't even sell
listing items you only have one of
telling people you never sold before

and of course

copyright death threats

all of those should not be in the bio. the bio is not your life history, it's not your obit, you didn't write a book, and its not about a book about yourself. just a brief outline of what you do.


---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

Hi Brooks. As long as you're doing this review thing, would you please take a look at my bio/artist's statement:

http://murraybloomphoto.com/about.html

Thanks, Murray

Greetings, Murray! I'm sure your bio is well-penned, knowing you! That said, yes, certainly I'd be happy to take a look & get back to you re. Appreciate you asking. Hope I can help.

Dear Jean, we have already seen & read Mike's comments above, penned by the man himself. No need to repeat in its entirety. Once is enough, as 'we' have read & paid our respects re his feedback & humor. Yep, Mike's a kick, but, less is more in this instance.

For the several of you who have asked...one of my degrees is in communications [summa cum laude graduate] with an emphasis on journalism & broadcast news. And, so, with my experience in TV & radio news, reporting live on air, that meant I also had to write most of my own stories! A great experience for weeding out the unnecessary.
One lesson you learn very quickly is to impart the important in a concise way and, depending on the story, entertaining is a plus. But, 'just the facts, ma'am' is pretty much the rule of the day re news. More colorful less newsy 'people' stories gave me the opportunity to play a little & gain skills in that respect as well. Hope that helps. Thanks for your interest.

Btw, one of the best 'tips' I can give you when writing your bio is to read it out loud. Really helps re flow...and more. Sometimes, I've thought a piece was perfectly written, only to read it aloud and find out that wasn't true.

Brooks sorry , I guess the night was slow and I had the silly's ,I suppose I found it unique and interesting.. sorry to quote the whole thing. Just curious ,how interesting that you are in Radio and Television. Awesome..what network do you work for? I am impressed summa cum laude, very impressive. Radio and Television are so interesting but I always detested the slogan in the news room. "Blood And Guts Sell". hated that .. and do you prefer to write your own copy or it is required?

Are you on the air? How are prompters these days? better than 10 years ago I hope.. Interesting all the different hats that people wear here..Nice to know such a variety of backgrounds and knowledge under one roof so to speak..Thanks again for letting me post and sorry again about reposing, was a silly thing to do..Jean

Jean, it was some years ago that I was a part of a newsroom team. The prompters, the prompters, well, you do see how the politicians handle them, not very well, for the most part! Lol. Btw, you & I both laughed out loud re Mike's 'copyright death threats' remark. Pretty funny.

But, back to the newsroom...yes, or is it no, the new biz was not really for me, too much stress & not enough good news to report...and I hated the prompters! What an environment. Too bad, though, as 'I could have been a contender', to borrow a quote. Fortunately [unfortunately so far re my pocketbook], it was about the same time that my 'career' as a professional artist began to unfold.

These days, I'm sure most news hosts have a team of writers, some obviously REALLY need them, but, other more adept reporters/newscasters probably still write their own copy or edit what others write to fit their tastes/preferences and/or delivery style. Were you involved in news gathering at some point in your life?

Spent years in and around news and cameras but never unfortunate enough to forget to have hard copy and shift it as the stories unfolded. That is a mistake many people make but then when you do weather,its mostly ad-lib and reading copy is for the birds.. also writing it..I hated writing copy although I was comfortable with it, It wasn't my favorite thing to do . Im glad that I exited in front of cameras to become later an engineer that was licensed to build and rebuild radio and television communication centers and also maintain them.

I started years before working as an announcer on a 100000 watt clear channel radio station. A great job for a single guy but then I was married, I moved into doing other things. Our center had all the goodies,am,fm and tv. Started as announcer and read news from copy from AP every hour.. hated that by the way. Went to work writing copy and doing reporting for stories and various other goodies in the newsroom,also editing video ,or film then and then video for stories and then worked on the floor as camera and sound crew,graduated into live booth announcing and writing and doing national spots.. then went to the floor doing news,weather sometimes and never sports.. wasn't into them.. couldn't get interested in it.. Found shortly thereafter,more money in engineering and there was plenty to do in engineering for a studio like that with am ,fm and tv.

Stayed an engineer for about five years and then got into computers. Worked for a major manufacture as tech support and then became head of tech support but that all ended about 10 years ago when I became disabled..But that is another story.. Also.. I have a BA in Radio Television Management but was a mediocre student.. Just a mere 4.0 through school but did not apply myself for honors or anything other..I mostly took Radio and Television since I was already in the business for a year or so .I thought it would be easy and it was, Just all the other classes required was a little more tough ,I actually had to study for those.. Now looking back I wished I stayed with my original major which was geology.. Hindsight is 20 20 but then again , somethings turn out for the better even when you don't realize they will. All together I spent 12 years of my life in radio,and tv and engineering.. a good life experience but the money other than engineering pays very little. Now the fame on camera is great for single people but if you are married it can cause big issues with spouses lol..thanks for asking .. always nice to meet a kindred spirit that was involved in the biz.. lol.

Jean, you certainly paid your dues in the industry! What a background. Always had that hard copy ready, just in case, and did I ever need it! Too funny about forgetting to move it along as you're going. I, too, started as a radio announcer at our university fm station, which served a huge area. I ushered in NPR news via my own news show...and also hosted several classical & jazz shows. Hated reading the news every hour from copy. Would try to edit, if I had time...and felt like it! Lol.

Like you, I did some voice-over commercials, and, then, also some regional TV commercials as on-camera spokesperson. That was sort of fun, but hardly worth it for the money. You were smart to shift into the engineering side of things...and get into computers as tech support, as well, working your way up the ladder. Btw, I would say your 4.0 gpa is not 'mere', but tops! Congrats on your degree. Agree that hindsight is 20/20. Ah, the things I would change if I could!

You are right re it being a better career choice for a single person with ambition. You'll need it, both the freedom & the ambition! There are actually some marriages, though, that can carry the load very well, and have. I could name of few both regionally and nationally, but, the long and tedious hours required can play havoc with forming & keeping a 'close' relationship. Nice to 'meet' you, too. Who knew?

Murray, I'm off to sort through your bio. Like I figured, lots of great stuff to work with!

Hello Brooks! I have been wanting to say something on this thread for some while,but not sure how to phrase it.Still not sure! I'm a quiet,private,almost hermit like person and definitely do not like blowing my own trumpet. Makes me a little uncomfortable.Yet I am willing to experience that discomfort because I feel that a potential buyer of my art is in fact very interested indeed in knowing something about my magazine and book covers,interviews,articles,exhibitions,awards,etc. For example,it was a major coup for me to have my painting "Calming Angel" chosen out of literally hundreds of thousands of angel paintings for the Doreen Virtue 2015 angel calender. Only six contemporary angel paintings were picked. The other six were from the great master artists from the past. I was obviously thrilled and also very impressed with the way they handled the contract and payment.

To play down the mentioning of awards and achievements,as if it is all some kind of rather distasteful ego trip is unwise and not necessary. Of course,I'm not implying that you are saying that Brooks,but it is something I pick up from time to time when this kind of thing is mentioned. Like,if you mention your achievements in your bio you are being very boring and turning people off!!! Perhaps there is an art in the way you say it! I I keep refining and changing mine. Sometimes when I read a person's bio and it is only a few short humble sentences,I love that SO much !!! But as a buyer, I do think,I would be interested to know a little more and would appreciate hearing about any "successes" that the artist is willing to share.

Murray, the revised bio is en route via private email! I think you will like. Wonderful getting to know you better.

Welcome, Jane. We are in agreement, for the most part, which you will see when you re-read my initial post and others scattered throughout this thread. I'm all for mentioning a few awards, features, merits or a degree or two. However, in my humble opinion and that, it seems, of many others, there is a moment when less becomes more in a bio, as in TMI, when ego has gone wild.

The whole idea is to keep a visitor & potential client's attention, as far as introducing yourself & your work...and, as we all know, most folks don't have a very big attention span, which is where the 'big yawn' comes in. Lol. Like I said, initially, though, I enjoy reading member's bios.

If a buyer wants to know more, then, by all means, share away. But, I've seen bio's that go on for EVER, mentioning every photo that has won this or that award or was featured in this or that mag and so on...and not very well presented, I might add. We and prospective buyers get the point, and quickly: that member's work has won lots of awards, even if the text re meanders here, there & everywhere. Some folks might well say, 'big deal'. I may not even like the works that have won awards...and scratch my head in amazement.

There are [also] many wonderfully talented artists & photographers here who have NOT won an award or contest or gotten a degree or a magazine cover or feature. But, yet, their gallery of work may be top notch and bio consist of some wonderfully well-penned words that invite you in, which is really the main reason for having one.

So, yes, sometimes, less is more. We get the point[s] pretty easily, especially when it's said well...and if we're paying any attention. Yawning myself, now.

Heather, check my private message re recent edits.

Jane, I'm off to visit your gallery. Will let you know if I can be of any help.

TGIF! Have a great weekend, everyone.

Jane, check your messages! Also, wondered if you know my artist friend Alasdair?
http://www.alasdairurquhart.com/index.aspx

Yes, I think they are important. But I would almost rather see no bio than some of the tediously long life stories. People are not that interested in every twist and turn of your journey. A little bit so I can feel like I know something about you, and can maybe relate on some level (shared hometown, for instance), plus your professional/artistic qualifications are all I am looking to read.

Hi, Valerie.Good to hear from you. I've been reviewing & editing a number of member bios from above, as well as others on site. It's something I enjoy doing, btw, so I don't mind folks asking. Always a good thing to get a little feedback & help from a 'friend', even if it's simply rearranging, correcting some punctuation/typos, editing out the repetitive, etc., in order to make things more interesting & easier to understand or follow.
I like to remain true to that person's choice of words as best I can, their style of 'speaking' and personality, too, using the information they have chosen to share with others. A well-penned, sometimes entertaining, more concise and structured presentation is a good thing! We & potential clients appreciate it.
Certainly, we don't need to know 'every little thing' about the person.

"Brooks, what a wonderful surprise to discover my new bio just before I went to bed last night! It has been a pleasure to connect and I'm really touched by your generosity. Thank you!"

I enjoyed it, Jane, and thrilled you like the changes! 'Thank you', as well, for your very lovely message. Let me know when you get around to posting it, so I can maybe help with the copy-paste thing you mentioned giving you some trouble? It's an easy fix.

A pleasure to get to know you a bit better, too. Many blessings & much luck on your road to a more peace-filled, less-computerized lifestyle. I just might follow in your footsteps...seriously!

Colin, good to hear back from you, as well. Appreciate it.