Your bio is what everyone reads when they want to learn more about you. It’s where journalists and bloggers get material for their articles, and it’s how potential fans get to know you. You also use it to pitch yourself to venues, music sites, and other important opportunities. Needless to say, your artist bio is an integral part of your presentation.
Go read 5 bios and you will start to notice a pattern. You might even get bored pretty quickly after the first few. This is what a potential fan could feel like if you don’t offer them an intriguing bio. Take notes from other bios to see what works and what doesn’t. Your bio should be thrilling, exciting, and tell your story in a way that sets you apart from other artists.
This is no easy task. I find it difficult to write about myself, because there are so many different experiences I’ve had. I have a variety of performances and accolades worth noting and it’s hard to decide which direction or angle to take. I just wish someone else could do it for me. I know that’s lazy, but sometimes the best ideas come out of laziness.
Case in point, you can write a bio easily by just answering a few questions and infusing your answers into prose. You can come up with these questions on your own. Here are some questions to start with…
- How did you get started in music?
- Describe a turning point in your career?
- Describe your artistry in three words?
- What is your live show like?
- What are you currently working on now?
- What is your ultimate goal as it relates to music?
Also, try coming up with unique questions that deviate from the typical interview questions. Try asking off-the-wall questions. Remember, you are trying to make yourself stand out.
For example…
- What’s the coolest place you’ve ever performed at?
- Describe one of the best shows you ever performed?
- Have you had any interactions with a celebrity? What did they have to say about your music?
- What would you order if you knew you were having your very last meal?
- Do you believe in the afterlife, reincarnation, or something else? Does that show up anywhere in your music?
- What is your philosophy as it relates to music?
- Why do you do what you do?
- What impact do you want your music to make in the world?
You can also ask your fans to submit questions for you. Don’t be afraid to ask friends, family members, and even fellow artists. If you get enough decent questions, you may not even have to come up with questions of your own.
On a side note, you can use this exercise as a way to create a touchpoint with your fans. Have your fans submit questions to you via e-mail, social media, YouTube, or however they want. Promote a specific time when you will answer the questions live, such as a streaming Facebook feed. This is a great way to engage your fans and hit two birds with one stone.
Once you get all the questions, spend time answering the questions and type up all of your answers. Save the document and let it sit for a few days. This waiting step is crucial because while letting it ‘stew’ you will start to remember other experiences you’ve had relating to the questions. When you come back to your previous answers, you will most likely have some new and exciting things to add.
How to Write a Captivating Bio Worksheet
Use this worksheet to write or (re)write a captivating artist bio that resonates with your ideal fan, generates intrigue, and compels the reader to learn more about you and your music.
Once your answers are down, the next thing to do is organize the questions/answers. Look at what you have and see if you can put them in some kind of order that makes sense. The obvious example would be chronological order, however you could experiment with different kinds of methods too, such as starting with the crux of your story first. For example, if you were a homeless veteran for 10 years and now you travel the country singing veteran themed songs, that might be something to lead off with. It reels the reader in with a heart tugging story. Ultimately, that’s what you’re looking for with this exercise. You are mining for “The Story” that will pull at people’s hearts. That’s what will set you apart from the other artists. The story needs to be different, interesting, and big. If it’s there, the questions should bring it out.
The Homeless Vet’s story is memorable. When his fans talk about him, they will use that as an identifier because it’s different. When writing your artist bio, you are essentially describing your story. It will be more effective if your story pops out. Just make sure it’s true!
What’s your trick to writing a powerful artist bio? Have you used the question and answer method before? Share in the comments section about your bio writing adventures.
P.S. If you need help writing your bio or find yourself stuck, I can help. Take advantage of my Custom Bio Write up Service where I will personally write your bio for you based on your unique brand, target market, and musical style. Learn more here.
Read more about Pursuing a Career as An Independent Artist
5 Must Do Rules for Independent Artists
10 Must Haves for your Artist Website
How to Create a Winning Promo Video
Enjoying this content? We’d love to send you our latest posts fresh off the press! We’ll deliver new posts directly to your inbox. Plus, you’ll be notified when we host giveaways, webinars, and other fun stuff. Join our mailing list here.
Want to showcase your product to our audience? Take a look at our advertising options here.
Some of the links in this post could be affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and make a purchase, we could get a commission payment as a result. We are an Amazon Associate, so a lot of our links go directly to Amazon, one of our fave online retailers. The products we recommend on this site are personally recommended by us because we either have used the product personally or know close friends who have. There is no extra cost to you by clicking on our links. Plus, it helps keep this blog going. Win-Win! If you have any questions about our affiliate policy, click here to view our terms of service.
