How to Write a Profile: 7 Science-Backed Steps for LinkedIn, Dating & More

People judge your online profile in just 100 milliseconds—a tenth of a second. With 4.5 billion social media users^{1https://www.statista.com/statistics/278414/number-of-worldwide-social-network-users/} competing for attention, that blink-fast impression determines whether someone clicks, swipes, or scrolls past.

Whether it’s LinkedIn, Facebook, or a dating app, your profile is a virtual snapshot of who you are. A 10-year-old photo or vague details about your business won’t cut it.

If you want to capture the attention of ideal clients, customers, or potential dates, don’t skimp on these 7 steps to writing a compelling profile for any website.

What Is a Profile?

A profile is a brief written description of a person, organization, or subject. Also known as a bio, about section, or summary, a profile introduces who you are and what you offer. Profiles appear on LinkedIn, dating apps, social media, resumes, and in journalism as feature stories about interesting people.

How to Write the Perfect Online Profile in 7 Steps

How do you capture your essence in a single page on the internet? Think of your profiles as a short trailer for who you are and what you do. You don’t need to share every detail of your life, but you don’t want to be so vague that you seem like a fake account.

Research shows that profiles with professional photos receive 14 times more views on LinkedIn. Comprehensive profiles increase job interview callbacks by 71% compared to having no profile^{2https://www.statista.com/chart/17535/linkedin-profile-boosts-job-chances/}.

Here are 7 steps to writing a great profile about yourself.

Step 1: Define Your Profile’s True North

Before writing a profile, get clear on why you’re crafting it. How do you want to present yourself, and for what purpose?

As Simon Sinek explains in his TED Talk on inspiring leadership: “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.”

Answer these 3 questions to uncover the purpose of your profile:

• What is the goal of this profile? A profile for a job application needs a formal tone and polished photos. A profile for friends can be casual and playful.
• Who is the target audience you want to attract? Think of your profile as a customized advertisement to magnetize the exact friends, dates, or professional network you want in your life.

Why are you on the app? Are you using Bumble to find a potential spouse or to create casual connections? Do you prefer LinkedIn for casual networking or is it essential for growing your business income? Stay clear on your intentions.

Step 2: Bait the Hook for Your Ideal Audience

Fishermen use certain bait to catch certain fish. If your business page or dating profile attracts the wrong people, consider what “bait” you’re putting out.

The most successful businesses know everything about their target customer:

• How old they are
• What they enjoy doing
• Where they spend time online
• What problems they need solved

Of course, human lives are more nuanced than a product pitch. But keep this analogy in mind when designing your profile.

30% of U.S. adults have used dating sites or apps^{2https://www.statista.com/chart/17535/linkedin-profile-boosts-job-chances/}, rising to 53% for those under 30. That’s a massive pool—and a crowded one. Your profile needs to speak directly to your ideal match, client, or connection.

Pro Tip: Use the built-in data that most apps provide about your followers.

• On Instagram, click the lines in the top right and click “Insights.” These data are only available to professional and creator accounts.
• On X (formerly Twitter), log in to analytics.twitter.com with your username and password, then turn on analytics for your account.
• On LinkedIn, use the page analytics features for a business page.

Skip the blurry picture in sweatpants if you want to attract job recruiters on LinkedIn. Skip the wild party photo if you want a serious relationship.

3. Use this formula

What makes you unique amongst 4.5 billion social media users? A unique value proposition (UVP) is a brief sentence that explains what you offer to your audience. It clearly communicates what sets you apart and makes you valuable to the target audience you defined above. Highlight your expertise, skills, accomplishment, and unique perspectives.

Your UVP explains your value in a quick statement. For example:

• “As a seasoned marketing strategist, I have a track record of 10x revenue for global brands. I help companies dominate their industry and stay ahead in a competitive landscape.”
• “With 8 years as a pro athlete and 15 years in the fitness industry, I am the go-to coach for practical and motivational steps toward your dream body.”
• “I help artists and creatives monetize their passions through social media and digital marketing.”

Depending on your platform, you can copy/paste this UVP at the top of your profile or in the introduction described below.

Remember, it helps to stick to the idea that you are selling yourself. Whether you’re selling your extraordinary work ethic, your inspirational video content portfolio, your freelance business services, or the idea of an amazing date or relationship, your profile is technically a sales page.

Step 4: Nail the Profile Pic That Sparks Connection

Science shows that people make a split judgment within 100 milliseconds^{3https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/how-many-seconds-to-a-first-impression} of seeing something. Your profile picture is your virtual first impression.

Princeton psychology professor Alexander Todorov’s research confirms: “Participants made rapid trait inferences… after only 100 ms of exposure to a face… longer exposure durations did not significantly increase the correlations.^{4https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2006.01810.x}“

Users with a profile picture on LinkedIn are 7 times more likely to be found in searches. Here’s how to get yours right:

Either take a new profile photo or find an existing picture that meets these criteria:

• Use a high-resolution smartphone or camera
• Smile naturally or wear a positive, approachable expression
• Uncross your arms to appear open and welcoming
• Choose a simple, neutral background
• Dress according to your industry or context
• Use bright, natural lighting
• Look directly at the camera for eye contact connection
• Check for shadows on your face
• Update your photo at least once per year

LinkedIn’s #OpenToWork photo frame resulted in 40% more recruiter messages^{5https://socialmediacurve.com/linkedin-statistics/} for users—a simple visual signal that boosted outreach significantly. Action Step: Here’s how to Take a New Profile Picture with an Easy Home Photo Shoot (all you need is your phone).

Watch our video below to learn the 3 profile picture mistakes people make:

Step 5: Add a Video to Show Your Real Personality

Most platforms now allow you to upload videos. With social media moving toward video-centric content, a short introductory video is a great way to stand out. A 20-45 second clip can showcase your personality, voice, and confidence.

Don’t worry if you feel awkward on camera. You can do as many takes as you need. Lean into your authenticity by:

• Pre-writing a 2-3 sentence script: This will be similar to your personal elevator pitch that explains who you are and what you do.
• Laughing before you start: Laughter is proven to reduce stress and make us feel more relaxed. Even though you’re filming alone, it’s still a social endeavor.
• Pretending you’re talking to a friend: A great profile video should feel like meeting someone in person. No need to be ultra-polished. Better yet, have someone stand behind the camera for a conversational feel.

Action Step: Here is How to Make a Charismatic LinkedIn Profile Video (4 Easy Steps).

Step 6: Craft an Intro That Hooks and Holds Attention

After someone sees your photo or video, their eyes jump to the text. Offer viewers a chance to dig deeper into who you are and what you can do for them.

• Use a compelling hook: Grab attention with a captivating question or thought-provoking statement. For example, a book coach’s profile may say, “Are you ready to unlock your full potential as an aspiring author?”
• Highlight your qualifications: Use your UVP to showcase your accomplishments and work history. For example, “I am a software engineer with 6 years of experience specializing in scalable web applications using JavaScript.”

Use concise storytelling: Tell a short, specific story about who you are. For example, Vanessa Van Edwards writes, “WSJ Bestselling Author and #recoveringawkwardperson.” This shows she had a challenge, discovered a solution, and now helps others. Here’s more about How to Tell a Great Story: Learn Science of Storytelling.

• Demonstrate your impact: Highlight actual outcomes you’ve achieved. For example, “I’ve helped 150 clients heal their digestion through my signature holistic protocol.”

In a personal profile, replace professional steps with quirky statements or passions. For example, “2x Pacific Crest Trail hiker passionate about nature, photography, and travel.

“Pro Tip: Use AI to streamline your writing. Hop onto ChatGPT and type something like, “Write a 3-sentence profile story for a college graduate seeking a career in marketing.”

Step 7: End with a CTA That Drives Action

What do you want readers to do next? A CTA (call-to-action) gives a clear action step for visitors to connect with you.

Make it catchy and quick:

• Business Social Media CTA: “Want to try the best coffee you’ve ever tasted? Check out our link in bio for 15% off your first purchase.”
• Coach Social Media CTA: “Ready to transform your weight loss journey? Link in bio for a free 15-minute coaching call.”
• Dating profile CTA: “What are you waiting for? Let’s go dancing! 💃”
• LinkedIn CTA: “Want to level up your website’s SEO strategy? Let’s work together! Email me at ____.”
• Freelancer Site CTA: “Click here to get in touch for a free project outline and quote.”

From Elon Musk to Benjamin Franklin, the most successful people had a clear plan for where they wanted to go. Your CTA should funnel people in the same direction.

Ready to start planning your professional development?

Use our free worksheet to get started on your Professional Development Plan.

How to Write a Profile Essay or Story

Profile essays go beyond the brief bios on social media. Journalists and writers craft these in-depth pieces to reveal who a person truly is—their motivations, struggles, and character.

Whether you’re writing a profile essay for a class assignment, a magazine feature, or a company newsletter, the process requires research, interviewing, and narrative structure.

How to Write a Profile Essay on a Person

A profile essay tells the story of a person in a way that reveals something meaningful about them. Unlike a resume or LinkedIn summary, a profile essay uses anecdotes, quotes, and descriptions to bring someone to life on the page.

Good profile essays have several key elements:

• A compelling angle: What makes this person interesting right now? Find a fresh perspective rather than a generic biography.
• Strong quotes: Direct quotes let the subject’s voice come through. These reveal personality in ways description cannot.
• Vivid details: Specific observations—what they wear, how they gesture, where they work—make the person real to readers.
• Narrative structure: Profile essays aren’t lists. They tell a story with a beginning, middle, and end.

The New York Times and New Yorker publish profile pieces that demonstrate masterful storytelling. Study how these outlets structure their profiles to learn from the best.

Gathering Background Information

Before interviewing your subject, research everything you can find:

• Previous interviews and articles about them
• Their work, accomplishments, and public statements
• Social media profiles and online presence
• Information about their industry or field
• People who know them and might provide context

Background research helps you ask better questions. It also prevents you from wasting interview time on information you could have found online.

Research and Interview Tips for Profiles

The interview is the heart of profile writing. Journalists know that the best profiles come from conversations that go beyond surface-level answers.

Before the interview:

• Prepare 10-15 open-ended questions
• Research your subject thoroughly
• Plan your logistics (location, recording, duration)

During the interview:

• Start with rapport-building questions
• Ask “why” and “how” rather than “what”
• Follow up on interesting answers—don’t stick rigidly to your questions
• Listen more than you talk
• Note body language, setting, and mannerisms
• Ask for specific stories and examples

After the interview:

• Transcribe your recording promptly
• Identify the strongest quotes and anecdotes
• Look for the central theme or angle that emerged
• Follow up for clarification if needed

Starting Your Profile Essay After the Interview

Many writers struggle with where to begin after gathering interview material. Here’s a process that works:

1. Find your focus: What’s the single most interesting thing about this person? Build your essay around that theme.
2. Choose your opening scene: Start with action, dialogue, or a vivid moment—not biography. Drop readers into a scene that captures who your subject is.
3. Build your narrative arc: A profile isn’t chronological biography. Structure it around a central question or tension that gets resolved.
4. Weave in background information: Distribute biographical details throughout rather than front-loading them.
5. End with resonance: Close with a scene, quote, or image that reinforces your central theme.

How to Write a Profile About Yourself

Writing about yourself presents a unique challenge: you know too much. The key is selecting which details matter for your specific audience and purpose.

Writing a Personal Profile for Different Contexts

For resumes and job applications: Keep it professional and results-focused. Lead with your strongest qualification and include measurable achievements. Example:

“Marketing manager with 8 years of experience driving 200% growth in organic traffic for B2B SaaS companies. Specializing in content strategy, SEO, and conversion optimization.”

For dating profiles: Show personality and be specific about what makes you unique. Avoid generic statements like “I love to travel” in favor of specific details: “Currently learning to make ramen from scratch after my trip to Tokyo.”

For social media bios: Match the platform’s tone. LinkedIn expects professional. Instagram allows more creativity. TikTok rewards personality and humor.

Common Mistakes When Writing About Yourself

• Being too vague: “I’m passionate about helping people” could describe anyone. Get specific.
• Listing without storytelling: Facts don’t stick. Stories do.
• Forgetting your audience: A profile isn’t a diary. Consider what the reader wants to know.
• Overselling: Confidence attracts; arrogance repels. Let achievements speak for themselves.
• Neglecting the basics: Poor grammar, typos, and outdated information undermine credibility.

Examples of Outstanding Profile Pieces

Studying excellent profiles helps you understand what works. Here are characteristics of good profiles across different contexts:

Professional LinkedIn Profiles That Work

The best LinkedIn profiles:

• Lead with a clear value proposition in the headline (not just job title)
• Tell a story in the About section rather than listing achievements
• Include specific metrics and outcomes
• Feature recommendations that reinforce key strengths
• Stay active with relevant content

Dating Profiles That Attract

Research on successful dating profiles shows:

• Specific details outperform generic claims
• Humor increases response rates
• Photos showing genuine smiles perform better than posed shots
• Questions at the end invite conversation
• Authenticity beats trying to impress

Magazine Profile Essays That Captivate

Great journalistic profiles:

• Open with scenes that pull readers in immediately
• Balance showing and telling
• Reveal character through action and dialogue
• Find universal themes in individual stories
• End with moments that linger

Writing a Profile on Someone Else

Profiles written about others—for company websites, newsletters, or publications—require translating someone else’s story into engaging content.

The Research Process

Start by gathering background information from multiple sources:

• Interview the subject directly
• Talk to colleagues, friends, or family (with permission)
• Review their work and public presence
• Observe them in their environment if possible

Finding the Angle

Every good profile has a central focus—a question it answers or a theme it explores. Ask yourself:

• What makes this person interesting right now?
• What transformation have they experienced?
• What tension or challenge defines their story?
• What do they know that readers want to learn?

Balancing Objectivity and Advocacy

If you’re writing a profile for someone’s business or organization, you’re advocating for them. But even promotional profiles need authenticity. Include:

• Specific challenges they’ve overcome
• Real quotes in their voice
• Details that make them human
• Evidence supporting claims about their expertise

Profile Writing Takeaway

Your profile is your digital handshake—the first impression that determines whether someone wants to connect, hire, or date you. Here’s your action plan:

1. Define your purpose before writing a single word. Know your goal, audience, and why you’re on the platform.
2. Craft a clear UVP that states your value in one line. What do you offer that others don’t?
3. Invest in your photo. Profiles with professional photos get 14 times more views. Smile, use good lighting, and update yearly.
4. Add video to stand out and show your personality beyond static text.
5. Hook with your intro. Lead with a question, story, or statement that grabs attention.
6. End with a CTA that tells readers exactly what to do next.
7. For profile essays, research deeply, ask great questions, and find the angle that makes your subject’s story compelling.

Want more? Don’t miss The 15 Best LinkedIn Profile Tips To Make Your Profile Pop.