As a writer who specializes in real estate writing, a lot of what I write is meant for marketing. Blogs, website content and property descriptions are big, as well as incentives and promotional copy.
But one of my favorite things to write is the bio for the real estate agents, brokers and business owners I work for. That’s because it gives me the opportunity to work with my client and find an interesting aspect of their personality or experience that I can latch onto to draw in clients into their business.
The written bio itself can be done in a number of ways, including first person (the agent/broker speaking), third person (a narrator speaking) and Q&A (an interviewer and the agent/broker speaking, like in this fun convo with Realtor Claudine Ellis).
But what if you don’t want a written bio for your website or social media? There are some fun options to think about that will allow you to use your creativity and really let your personality show. Here are five examples.
Video
Many of us use Facebook Live and other streaming formats to create quickie videos for social media sharing. Have you thought of doing a video for your bio?
You can rent studio time and have a video professionally produced or do a more on-the-go video, perhaps in a home you’ve listed or at your office.
Embed it on your About Us page on your website, or pin it to your profile on your social media platforms.
And the best part? You can change it again and again to keep it up to date and fresh looking.
Podcast or radio interview
Have you been featured on a podcast and shared the story of how you built your business? If it’s not too long, that interview might make a great alternative platform for your bio.
Link to the episode from your website or social media, and let people hear your voice as you talk about your background.
It creates a profound sense of connection and also helps build your credibility because you’re showing potential clients that you’re a worthy interview subject.
Whiteboard explainer
You know those fun videos that accompany voice-over narration with a hand-drawn cartoon to explain a complex topic?
Create a script, and have one produced incorporating your logo and other elements of your brand.
They are quick to create, more affordable than you think and sure to keep potential clients watching until the last frame.
Photo gallery
Have some cool photos of yourself at various places along your journey? A photo gallery on your website, with captions to indicate years and other information, would be a fun way to show who you are and where you come from.
Include childhood, graduation, hobbies, vacations and other casual, personal shots along with more professional current photos to help potential clients connect on another level.
Infographic
How about a great visual representation of you and your brand? Infographics are irresistible, shareable and offer infinite possibilities.
Think of a title like “5 things you didn’t know about Rhonda Realtor” where you share fun facts about yourself, or “Rhonda Realtor by the numbers” where you tell how many years you’ve been in business, how many clients you’ve helped, etc., and use that framework to describe yourself and your business.
The style you choose might depend on your personality. If you are a born entertainer, the video might be just your style.
If you have a great collection of photos, you might gravitate toward the gallery. If you’re a little more shy, the infographic or whiteboard might be a better fit.
Whichever you choose, you’re sure to find a style that gets you noticed — and gets you clients.
Christy Murdock Edgar is a Realtor, freelance writer, coach and consultant with Writing Real Estate in Alexandria, Virginia. Follow Writing Real Estate on Facebook or Twitter.
