I’m about to start teaching students in my Write Your Website production lab how to write their About pages for their websites.
Every year when I teach this, there are always a few people who ask “do I really have to tell my story on my website?”
They go on to tell me they would be more comfortable putting their bio up, and then listing their trainings, certifications, and credentials.
Of course.
Of course.
Because trainings, certifications, and credentials are safe.
They are respected in our culture as symbolizing that you Know Something.
(Let’s be clear — I’m not knocking this—I have some of those letters behind my name, too).
I do believe there are certain industries in which listing your credentials really is important. Financial. Medical. Certain strains of psychological intervention.
But for most of us, we tend to give TOO MUCH weight to certifications, trainings, and degrees from institutions… and live in the illusion that THAT’S what makes our people want to hire us.
Know what I say to that?
Horsefeathers.
Poppycock.
Hogwash.
Especially on the internet – where we want to sort the hucksters from the genuine helpers – it’s essential to share YOUR powerful story about how you came to do the work you do. And why that experience makes you the perfect person to do what you do.
So do you HAVE to tell your story on your homepage?
No. You’re the boss. I’m just a guide.
But in the words of SNL’s immortal bodybuilders Hans and Franz: hear me now and believe me later.
After the results you help your clients get, YOU are the main draw.
Not the degrees. Not the certifications. Not “learning more.”
You are enough.
Your life experience has put you on this path.
And has positioned you exquisitely for the work you now do with your clients.
So don’t hide that on your About page. Share it. Openly. Simply. And in earnest.
Even if you are saying “yah, Stella, that’s not what my clients pay me to do.”
Doesn’t matter.
I’ve helped a Financial Planner craft a powerful story that brings him great clients. I’ve helped doctors and naturopaths tell how and why they came to open their practice. You don’t need to be selling something “soft” or woo to benefit.
You just need to be willing to let yourself be seen.
Mighty thanks to Barry Pousman flickr photostream for the bubble suit.
