Creating a compelling bio is crucial for engaging audiences and industry professionals alike. If you don’t have a bio yet, this is your sign to start writing one! Not only do you need one on SoundCloud, you’ll need one for all other opportunities that might come your way. So you'd better start writing one ASAP and add it to your DPK (Digital Press Kit, we’ll likely write an article on this later)! In this article, we’ll go through all the major points to craft a successful bio and how you can go about writing one yourself.
Alright, before we dive in on the topics to include, we should establish your tone of voice. It is important to balance professionalism with a touch of personal flair. You want to keep the tone appropriate for your target audience (journalists and industry gatekeepers) while still letting your personality shine through.
Remember, your bio is more than just a summary of your career; it's a key part of your brand. Don’t just let ChatGPT do all the work. Sure, you can use AI to write a first draft but please, PLEASE, rewrite it in your own tone of voice. Make it as dynamic and captivating as your music.
Also keep in mind that your bio will appear in various formats, from social media platforms to press kits. Therefore you should ensure it is optimised for different contexts by creating multiple versions. Have a short version for socials, a medium-length one for your Soundcloud profile, and a longer version for press releases or your website.
In this article we’ll go through your bio in chronological order but please know that it is completely normal to just start writing and build the structure later on. You want to make sure you are including all the important information and leave out unnecessary details so editing will be the biggest part of the process.
That said, let’s start with the opening line of your bio. Your opening line is your first impression. Make it memorable by starting with something intriguing about your music journey or a recent accomplishment. This can be an award, a notable performance, or a unique aspect of your musical style.
Next, you want to include some background information about yourself and/or the band. Location tends to be a big one for people to connect with your background; more so than your upbringing and education. Make sure what you share is relevant to the music you make and the stories you tell.
After the initial introduction, you want to describe your sound in a way that paints a vivid picture for the reader. Use comparisons if they make sense, but try to avoid clichés. Be specific about your genres, influences, and what sets your music apart from others. This is not just about what you play, but why you play it, and what it means to you.
People connect with stories more than they do with lists of achievements. So share a personal anecdote or a pivotal moment in your career that shaped you as an artist. This helps create a deeper emotional connection with your audience. Emotion and connection are important parts of your story to hammer home in order to convey an engaging biography.
That said, a brief list of your most notable achievements is expected to make its appearance in an artist’s bio. This could include album releases, collaborations with notable artists, music awards, and significant performances. Including a quote from a respected figure in the music industry or from a review can add credibility and intrigue. Just make sure you are selective and focus on the highlights that will impress and resonate with your audience and add value to your bio.
Here we have included some examples of great bios to take inspiration from:
As we spoke about earlier, you will likely edit your bio a lot. Not only during the initial writing phase but even after publication. Your bio should be a living document. You should regularly update it to reflect new achievements, projects, or shifts in your musical direction. An up-to-date bio shows that you are active and evolving in your career.
Lastly, I want to encourage you to proofread your bio multiple times, and consider getting feedback from peers or a professional editor to ensure it’s polished and engaging as errors can detract from your credibility. You’ll have to do this every time you update your bio to make sure it still flows well after you added a new section.
Good luck with your biography writing and we are looking forward to seeing you around again to learn more music industry knowledge!
