How do I write a good biography?

A good biography is more than a resume. You need a text that shows that you’re a real and likeable person with a true passion for producing. Of course you will mention what you have done in the past, but you also need to present your plans for the future. This will include your discography, but rather as a separate section of your biography – as a resume with a job application. But how to write a good biography?

 

5 Tips on how to write a good bio

1. Why is a good biography important?
2. How to write a biography?
3. What else do you write in your biography?
4. A good bio needs personality
5. The importance of a good biography on House of Tracks

 

In general a good biography is in length somewhere in between 250 and 500 words. Make sure the spelling is correct and that you use vivid language. Be original and present yourself in a lively way. This way you define yourself as a person straight away and you’ll immediately create a sympathetic vibe surrounding you. To appear likeable is a matter of the essence in the dance industry. If you seem arrogant or distant, this will reflect on your sales. You might also add some humor or a personal story as an extension of your professional bio.

 

Why is a good biography important?

A good biography is important because it’s a short and efficient tool to communicate who you are and what you do. It’s useful to identify your purpose: why do you do what you do? In the case of producing: what led you to producing? Why did you choose a specific genre for your productions? Always keep your audience in mind when writing your bio.

 

“Always keep your audience in mind when writing your bio”

 

How to write a biography?

First of all: know your audience. Think about for whom your writing your biography. As a member of the House of Tracks platform most likely you want to present yourself as a talented (ghost) producer who wants to sell music. So, although, it might feel a little weird, it’s important that you write your bio (including your accomplishments) from a third person perspective. Everything you’re saying should sound as though it was written objectively. Don’t choose clichés, e.g.: ‘John Doe is a Paris based producer who produces EDM’. Better would be: ‘Excellent food. Good wine. EDM. Kick. Bass. Some things don’t need much of an explanation. John Doe is one of them’. Make sure to use your name right at the beginning of your bio, so it’s immediately clear that this is a narrative about you.

 

“Make sure to use your name right at the beginning of your bio”

 

What else do you write in your biography?

Of course there a more important facts to state in your biography. First of all, you need to state your business. Like a resume for a job application you start telling what you do and what your earlier accomplishments have been. Again: remember to use vivid language, so the reader wants to continue reading. Instead of: ‘John Doe is a successful artist’, write: ‘John Doe’s has sold over 15 productions in the past three months’.

 

“Remember to use vivid language”

 

A good bio needs personality

No matter how good you are as a (ghost) producer, there are much other fish in the sea trying to get the same attention that you desire. That means that your bio needs personality. Try to stand out in your bio by adding some flavor, or a bit of humor, or some peculiar information about you that will immediately attract people’s interest. Think about the example we used above: ‘Excellent food. Good wine. [...]’. On top of that, it’s always a good idea to reread and rewrite your bio a few times before publishing it. Let friends or family take a glance at your biography and listen to their suggestions. Do they miss information in your biography? Did you go over-the-top somewhere? Feedback is always useful. Don’t publish until you’re 100% satisfied with the text with which you present yourself to the world.

 

“Try to stand out in your bio by adding some flavour”

The importance of a good biography on House of Tracks

Because you are selling your music through House of Tracks, it’s of major importance to have a good biography on our platform that presents your label at its best. After you became a label, you will publish your biography. This is of the essence, because a good biography is your personal ‘business card’ towards possible buyers of your music. If they don’t only like your music but are also pleased by how your present yourself in your biography, you significantly increase your chances of selling your music. We recommend our producers to always take a good look at their artwork. We’ve mentioned the psychology of color concerning your artwork  in one of our blogs. Therefore, we can’t stress enough the importance of having high quality graphics. The first thing that buyers will notice, is your visual appearance. So make sure that’s in perfect shape. Read the whole article here.

 

"A good biography is your ‘business card’ towards possible buyers"

 

Recap: How do I write a good biography?

 

Maybe this article takes too long for you to read. We get that! You just want to get back to making music!. So let’s do a quick recap.

• Why is a good biography important?

  • It’s a short and efficient tool to communicate who you are and what you do.

• How to write a biography?

  • It’s important that you write your bio (including your accomplishments) from a third person perspective

• What else do you write in your biography?

  • You need to state your business

• A good bio needs personality

  • Try to stand out in your bio by adding some flavor, or a bit of humor, or some peculiar information about you that will immediately attract people’s interest

• The importance of a good biography on House of Tracks

  • If they don’t only like your music but are also pleased by how your present yourself in your biography, you significantly increase your chances of selling your music