What to Include in a Biography

A biography should contain only what the reader needs in order to understand who the person is, what they've done, and why it matters in this context. Everything else — even if true, even if interesting — should usually be cut.

The eight things every biography should include

1. Identity. Name, current role, and a one-sentence description of the work.
2. One credible signal. A named company, a specific outcome, a published work — something concrete a stranger can verify.
3. A second credibility signal, if room.
4. Prior relevant experience. One sentence on what came before.
5. Place. Where they live or work, briefly.
6. A distinguishing detail. Something true and specific that makes them recognizable on the page.
7. A point of view. What they care about or argue for, in one sentence.
8. A closing line. A small action (URL, contact) or a grounding image.

In a 100-word bio, items 1–3 and 8 are mandatory. In a 200-word bio, all eight fit.

The eight things almost no biography needs

1. Every job you've ever held. Pick the two most relevant.
2. A list of skills or technologies. Replace with one specific project.
3. Hobbies that don't connect to anything. A hobby that ties to the work earns its place; one that doesn't is filler.
4. Adjectives describing how you feel about your work. "Passionate," "dedicated," "committed" — invisible to the reader.
5. Awards a stranger wouldn't recognize. Name the award only if a reader will know it.
6. A long list of conferences spoken at. Two named ones beats fifteen.
7. Personal information you don't have permission to share. Especially for memorial and family biographies.
8. The phrase "currently." The verb tense already implies it.

The most-asked sub-questions

Should I include education? Only if (a) the school is recognizable, (b) the degree is unusual or relevant, or (c) you studied with someone specific whose name carries weight. Otherwise, skip it.

Should I include personal details? One per bio is plenty. Where you live or what you're currently working on are the most useful.

Should I include URLs and social handles? One URL is good. Four social handles look anxious. Pick the single best place to find more of you.

Should I include a photo? If the venue supports it, yes — but the bio should work without it. Many printed and emailed contexts don't include photos.

Should I include numbers? Yes, if you have them. Specific numbers (years, customers, dollars, percentages) are some of the strongest credibility signals available.

A useful editing question

After every draft, ask one question of each sentence: What does the reader take away from this?

If the answer is "nothing specific" or "she's hardworking," cut it. If the answer is a fact, a name, an outcome, or a point of view, keep it.

Use the generator

Biography.co's Biography Generator is built around this checklist. The structure it produces always includes identity, credibility, prior work, and a closing line — and it will not include anything you haven't provided.