Who Are You? Who, Who?
Hundreds of LinkedIn profiles flooded my screen, but over 30% were so vague I couldn’t tell who the people were. As I hunted for new connections, I kept muttering, “Who the heck are you?”
If you’re channeling the Unknown Comic from The Gong Show (1970s vibes, anyone?), you might get away with mystery. But in today’s business world, you’d better answer that question—and fast. Like, in one or two sentences.
Social media, especially LinkedIn, demands brevity with a side of swagger. You’ve got to sell yourself to grab attention. Let’s dive into personal profile identifiers—the good, the bad, and the downright ugly—zooming in on outdoor industry folks and their LinkedIn bios to show you what’s up.
Good, Bad, or Ugly? Where’s Your Profile At?
- Ugly: Barely any info about who you are or what you do. Total snooze-fest for potential connections.
- Bad: Slightly better, but still murky—think “vague hint” rather than “clear picture.”
- Good: The full story, served up short and sweet.
Take a peek at these bio blurbs. Would they make you click “Connect” or keep scrolling?
Ugly & Bad
- Ugly: Blank. Nada. Zilch. Why even have a profile?
- Bad: “Outdoor industry professional.” Cool, but what kind of professional? Camping? Fishing? Extreme unicycling?
- Ugly: “Seeking opportunities.” For what? Brain surgery? Kayak repair? Give us a clue!
- Bad: “Looking for work in the outdoor industry.” Sounds desperate. What do you do, and why should anyone care?
- Ugly: “Adventure enthusiast.” Are you guiding epic quests or just chasing them? Help us out!
- Bad: “Executive in the outdoor space.” Executive of what? A company? A lemonade stand? Spill the beans!
Good
- Good, but not perfect: “Editorial leader with serious writing chops.” Love the energy, but what do you edit—magazines, blogs, or fishing manuals? Industry, please?
- Good: “Product developer for outdoor gear.” Solid start! But what kind of gear? Tents? Surfboards? And how long have you been at it?
- Good (I hope!): “Veteran firearms industry pro specializing in marketing and product launches. Proud NRA member committed to advancing the shooting sports.” This nails it—one word establishes experience, talents are clear, and the NRA nod shows passion. Boom. It’s tight, specific, and screams “connect with me.”
How to Craft a Killer Bio Blurb
So, how do you shrink a bloated resume paragraph into a blurb that hooks connections and racks up views?
Easy: channel your high school English teacher and answer the Five Ws—Who, What, When, Where, Why.
Who are you? Not your name, but your role. Journalist? Gear designer? Trailblazing trail guide?
- What do you do? Be specific. “I create rugged backpacks” beats “I make stuff.”
- When/Where do you work? Freelancer or full-timer? Open to gigs? Name your industry and current gig (if any).
- Why should people care? Highlight your edge—award-winning, 20-year veteran, or the go-to expert in your niche.
Once you’ve got the Ws, it’s editing time. Slash fluff. Ditch meaningless buzzwords like “passionate” or “dynamic” (yawn). Show your blurb to colleagues and soak up their feedback. If you’re stuck, hire an editor. A few bucks now could mean more bucks later.
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