10 Speaker Bio Examples That Will Inspire You To Update Yours
In managing a speaking business, there are dozens of moving pieces that operate simultaneously. There are the more exciting pieces of the puzzle, like the signature on a new contract, as well as the more tedious components, like cleaning out your customer relationship management system ( CRM). However, of these components, there are a handful that are recycled for each speaking gig, and over time, it becomes easier and easier to not only identify them but also refine them. Together, these details form your “speaker kit,” a comprehensive set of information that provides your clients with all the tools they need to prepare for their event with you as the highlight. Within this kit, although there are many things included, we’re going to just focus on a single one here: your speaker bio.
A few months ago, we published a guide to six quick and easy steps for writing a stellar speaker bio. From things you should include to mistakes you should avoid, these six steps were focused on providing speakers with actionable and straightforward advice, making the process of writing your bio a little easier. However, while we went through plenty of “to-do”s, we didn’t cover many examples for you to reference as you write your bio. In light of that, in this guide, we’re going to highlight the SpeakerFlow team ‘s top ten speaker bios. That way, the next time you give your bio a facelift, you’ll have a solid set of examples to get you started. 👍
1. Meridith Elliott Powell
First on our list is the one and only Meridith Elliott Powell. As both an experienced saleswoman and a decorated speaker, Meridith’s speaking business can serve as an example in many regards. However, in the context of her speaker bio, there are a few things that make it especially noteworthy. First, it highlights her accomplishments in her field and as a speaker right from the beginning. This shows her confidence as well as her experience, making her a valuable hire for any event organizer reading her bio. Second, she names the industries for which her content is designed, specifically “banking, healthcare, and finance”. In this way, she clears up any confusion the reader may have as to whether or not she’s a good fit for their organization. She also saves herself from having to meet with event organizers that turn out to be a bad fit for her message.
Lastly, as far as speaker bios go, there are three variations to have on hand: the full version, a 100 word version, and a “super short” version. The version of Meridith’s speaker bio below is a perfect example of what a 100-word version should look like. Direct, detailed, and succinct, it not only communicates everything you would need to know, as an event organizer. More importantly, it does so in a read-time of less than a minute. That means less time spent reading, for the event organizer considering her, and a shorter timeline between “first landed on her website” and “contacted her to learn more”.
The Biography:
“Voted one of the Top 15 Business Growth Experts to Watch by Currency Fair, sales and leadership expert Meridith Elliott Powell is an award-winning author, keynote speaker and business strategist. With a background in corporate sales and leadership, her career expands over several industries including banking, healthcare, and finance. Meridith worked her way up from an entry-level position to earn her seat at the C-Suite table. Meridith is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), a designation held by less than twelve percent of professional speakers. She is passionate about helping her clients learn the sales and leadership strategies they need to succeed no matter what this marketplace does.”
2. Neen James
Second is Australian leadership and productivity speaker Neen James. In many ways, Neen’s speaker bio is admirable for the same reasons as that is Meridith Elliott Powell. To begin with, it mentions her certifications, both within the speaking industry and outside of it. Additionally, it goes on to give details from her past clients, regarding her value as a speaker, specifically. For example, in the third sentence she states, “Meeting planners love working with Neen, often describing her as the energizer bunny for their events.” This functions well as both a quick way to work in a testimonial and a fun way to suggest her energy. Plus, as someone who has also been described as the “Energizer Bunny,” it already makes me want to get to know her, and I’m not even planning an event!
Lastly, the final thing to notice in Neen’s speaker bio is her strong and unique ending. In it, she says, “Oh, did we mention that Neen is Australian? Why does that matter? Well, it means that she’s a bit mischievous, is pretty witty and a little cheeky. She also considers herself an unofficial champagne taste tester … and a really slow runner.” In sharing a bit of personal information as well as a few jokes about herself, Neen ends the entire bio with a laid-back and “don’t take life too seriously” sort of attitude. This makes her memorable both as a potential event hire and as a potential connection. After all, who doesn’t like working with someone that works hard but is humble enough to laugh at themselves? I know I do. 🤷
The Biography:
“Neen is a leadership expert who delivers high-energy keynotes presentations that challenge audiences to leverage their focus and pay attention to what matters most at work and in life. Audiences love her practical strategies they can apply personally and professionally. Meeting planners love working with Neen, often describing her as the energizer bunny for their events.
Neen earned her MBA from Southern Cross University and the Certified Speaking Professional designation from National Speakers Association. She has received numerous awards as a professional speaker. Her strong background in learning, development and managing large corporate teams makes her the perfect fit. Organizations that hire Neen because of her implementable strategies that help employees avoid distractions, stop interruptions, prioritize daily objectives and say ‘no’ to requests that steal time from real goals and priorities.
Oh, did we mention that Neen is Australian? Why does that matter? Well, it means that she’s a bit mischievous, is pretty witty and a little cheeky. She also considers herself an unofficial champagne taste tester … and a really slow runner.”
3. Jason O. Harris
Next up, let’s take a look at the speaker bio for motivational speaker and decorated veteran Jason O. Harris. As one of the longest examples in this list, Jason’s speaker bio clocks in at 224 words. Overall, it’s a great example of what the long version of a bio should look like and the sort of details it should include. From his credentials to his experience, it shares the details about Jason that not only have made him a good person but also a good leader. Because these details are also what makes him a good consultant, speaker, and coach, in sharing them, he subtly shows his value without having to state it outright. In your own speaker bio, that’s exactly the level of class to aim for. In other words, your goal is to provide evidence that you are well worth hiring without ever saying “Hire me!”.
On a secondary note, Jason’s speaker bio is also smart in that it’s organized with the assumption that the reader may not finish it. The first paragraph alone mentions the services he provides, the experiences that make them credible, and the reasons that hiring him is a good move. In this way, even though it doesn’t necessarily include everything a speaker bio should, it ensures that, as long as the reader makes it through that first paragraph, they’ll want to continue learning about Jason and the benefits of booking him for their event.
The Biography:
“Jason Harris is a motivational speaker, consultant, and certified character coach who values dedication, service and excellence. As a decorated combat veteran, Jason brings unique perspectives gained from his battlefield experience to your organization, empowering you to unleash the untapped potential of your employees. Using real-world examples, Jason sheds light on how the invaluable talent each person brings to your organization can positively impact your mission.
Jason learned the value of dedication at an early age growing up in East Oakland, CA, as the second of six children in a single-parent home. Jason’s dedication, hard work, and determination to avoid a life of poverty and mediocrity inspired him to earn a congressional nomination to the United States Air Force Academy which lead to an accomplished military career as a decorated Air Force pilot. Jason’s career has been a model of service recognized with awards and decorations.
Earning several military awards for his superior military career has proved this attitude and consistent mission of excellence. Jason knows that excellence is a journey, not simply a destination. This perspective inspired him to teach, develop, inspire, and mentor hundreds of future Air Force leaders as an academic instructor at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He brings this same dedication to his work with business leaders as they strive to empower their teams and achieve greater success.”
4. Mimi Brown
Number four on the speaker bio list is that of the hilarious Mimi Brown. As a speaker and coach, Mimi is all about authenticity, as anyone who’s met her can attest. Whether you’ve seen her speak or talked with her at an NSA event, a conversation with Mimi is relaxed and candid. In the same way, her speaker bio doesn’t just share the standard info about her credentials and speaking skills. It also gives the reader an idea of what Mimi is like, so they can know right off the bat if she’s the speaker they’re looking for.
Additionally, like Jason O. Harris’s speaker bio, Mimi’s speaker bio begins with the most important information you should know about her, if you’re considering her for your event. As a whole, her first paragraph also serves as an example of what a promise statement should look like. If you haven’t heard of a promise statement, essentially, it’s a short and sweet description of a speaker, their clients, their services, and the results of their work. Considering this, besides looking to Mimi’s bio as an example of what a full speaker bio looks like, it’s definitely worth looking at the first paragraph for crafting your promise statement, too.
The Biography:
“Motivational Keynote Speaker, Mimi Brown works with individuals and organizations to amplify their communication, connection and confidence so they can make an influential impact on the world. She mentors with passion, guiding her clients to effectively strengthen and elevate their leadership vision to new heights.
With over ten years of corporate training experience, a knack for making meaningful connections with audiences and an insatiable appetite for helping others maximize their potential, Mimi knows how to rock a platform, connect with a crowd and provide training so that others can effectively do the same.
Mimi’s down-to-earth humor compels audiences to laugh while they learn. She engages groups from the moment she steps in front of them and leaves them with empowering tools and focused mindsets that they will use long after the lights have gone out on the event. Mimi is passionate about people, leadership and successful businesses. She is especially inspired to help people take their careers — and themselves — to unprecedented levels.
Mimi’s honors include being recognized as one of Michigan Oakland County Executive’s Elite 40 Under 40, Ms. Michigan Plus America 2015 and a proud contestant on NBC’s The Biggest Loser.
When not speaking or training, Mimi can be found creating delicious meals with chef and hubby Mr. Brown and bribing her snobby cat Kitty Brown with treats in exchange for snuggles.”
5. Brittany Hodak
Moving on, the fifth speaker bio example comes courtesy of keynote speaker and customer happiness expert Brittany Hodak. Overall, Brittany’s speaker bio is a fine example for several reasons, starting with the length. Unlike those of Jason O. Harris or Mimi Brown, Brittany’s bio totals about 125 words, making it perfect for an event program or landing page.
Additionally, despite being relatively short, Brittany’s speaker bio is jam-packed with credentials and proof of her skills. In the last paragraph alone, she mentions Walmart, Disney, Amazon, Luke Bryan, and Katy Perry as past clients. These not only catch the reader’s eye, even if they merely skim her bio. They also are a huge testament to her business and speaking abilities, due to their reputation. In the same way, in your own speaker bio, include a few of your biggest clients in the long-form version. That way, even if the reader hasn’t met you before, your clients’ names will give you some added desirability.
The Biography:
“Brittany Hodak is an international keynote speaker and award-winning entrepreneur. She is widely regarded as the go-to source on customer engagement and retention.
Additionally, Brittany has been invited to speak to organizations across the world including American Express, WeWork, Inc. and the United Nations. She has published more than 350 thought-leadership articles for media including Forbes, Adweek, and Success, and has been featured on CNBC, Bloomberg, NBC, CBS and Shark Tank.
Brittany co-founded, scaled, and successfully exited The Superfan Company, a fan engagement company whose roster included Walmart, Disney, Amazon, Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and more under her eight-year leadership. She has been named to Advertising Age’s 40 Under 40 list, Inc.’s 35 Under 35 list, and Billboard’s 30 Under 30 list.”
6. Dave Raymond
Next, let’s take a look at another example, the speaker bio of the self proclaimed “Emperor of Fun,” Dave Raymond. Dave’s bio is a notable example for a few reasons. For one thing, like Brittany Hodak’s bio, it’s short, sweet, and includes the names of some eye-catching clients, in this case the Philadelphia Phillies. Again, including the names of your biggest clients in this way can boost your reputation and make hiring you an easy “yes.” In other words, don’t skip it, if you have some big clients under your belt. It might feel a little like boasting, but it’s almost guaranteed to get other event organizers’ attention.
In addition, Dave’s bio also stands out from the other examples in this list because of how personal it is. In fact, Dave’s speaker bio focuses less on his speaking life and more on his life as a whole. From his experience on the baseball field to his experience behind a desk, it shares more personal details than the average bio, suggesting the same level of openness between him and his clients. Likewise, when writing your own bio, keep in mind that, while it’s important to include your professional info, it never hurts to include some fun facts about yourself, too.
The Biography:
“Moving directly from college student to campy green fur-ball, Dave Raymond pioneered the field of sports mascots as the first enhabitor of the world-renowned Phillie Phanatic. Over his sixteen years in the suit, David’s performance as the Phanatic carried the Philadelphia Phillies to World Series victories and unimagined levels of popularity, helping to spawn a revolution in the mascot industry.
Leveraging the unique lessons he learned from the inside out — literally! — Dave made a seamless transition to the world of character branding and mascot training. Since starting Raymond Entertainment nearly twenty years ago, he has overseen the creation and rehabilitation of hundreds of mascots and the brands that support them.
With The Power of Fun, Dave shares his “phantastic” story. Learn how Dave’s time as the Phanatic led him to realize that fun’s transformative effects are the key to living a happier, healthier, and more productive life.”
7. Brandon Farbstein
The seventh speaker bio example we’ll look at comes from empowerment speaker and thought leader Brandon Farbstein. The youngest speaker in this list, Brandon’s bio is a perfect example of what a short bio looks like. To start, it opens with mention of his age and his dwarfism diagnosis, both of which are unique among speakers. From there, it mentions his TED appearance, alluding to his speaking skills and clientele, as well as his purpose, “to change the lens through which people see their world.” Finally, it concludes by asserting “In just three years of speaking, over five million people across the globe have been inspired by Brandon”. In this sentence alone, he shows his dedication and the impact he’s had on his audiences, despite only having been a speaker for a short time.
All in all, Brandon’s speaker bio covers all of the things we mentioned already. If you forgot, these include your credentials and experience, some personal details, and mention of your target audience. However, it also does an exemplary job of telling a story, engaging the reader and leaving them with a desire to meet Brandon, either for their event or just for a conversation. In the same way, when writing your own speaker bio, try writing it as a story about you. Focus on answering the questions, “What is your experience?,” “Where have you spoken in the past?,” and “What are you doing these days?”. Not only will it help hold the reader’s attention. It will also show your story-telling skills, inadvertently crediting your speaking abilities, as well.
The Biography:
“At just 20, Brandon Farbstein has already made a name for himself worldwide as a sought after speaker and prominent Gen Z activist. Diagnosed with a rare form of dwarfism at the age of 2, Brandon stands at 3'9” — making his life’s journey full of adversity, strength, and impact. After feeling invisible and without a purpose for the first 15 years of his life, he discovered his calling on the TEDx stage, and suddenly realized his life’s meaning: to change the lens through which people see their world. In just three years of speaking, over five million people across the globe have been inspired by Brandon; and his work continues to touch audiences from every walk of life.”
8. Cassandra Worthy
Eighth on our list of speaker bios is that of change management speaker Cassandra Worthy. Like Meridith Elliott Powell, Cassandra’s speaking brand is spot-on for a variety of areas, including her website and social presence. However, looking at her bio specifically, there are a few things that make it stand out. Arguably, the most noticeable thing that differentiates her speaker bio from the others in this list is that it’s told in first person. In other words, reading Cassandra’s bio, it’s almost as if you’re listening to her, rather than just reading about her.
Additionally, like Brandon Farbstein, Cassandra’s bio shares her story as just that: a story. For example, between the first and second paragraphs, she states, “Fueled by frustration and stress, I found myself on the precipice of walking out of the office and never coming back. Had I done so, I would have become another statistic. Yet another Africa-American female departed from a STEM-driven industry…But I didn’t.” In doing this, she doesn’t juat pull the reader in. She also gives them a hint of the engaging way in which she speaks. In your own speaker bio, remember this as you tell your story, too. Your voice on paper (or on a screen, alternatively) is just as important as your voice on stage.
The Biography:
“Early on in my career, when my company was in the aftermath of a $5B acquisition, I almost quit. Fueled by frustration and stress, I found myself on the precipice of walking out of the office and never coming back. Had I done so, I would have become another statistic. Yet another Africa-American female departed from a STEM-driven industry. Top talent voluntarily resigning during a time of significant organizational shift. Another change victim.
But I didn’t. Instead, I woke up one day and decided to view those feelings as a signal that I was sitting in a moment of opportunity.
An opportunity to transform that chemistry, that feeling into something better. To choose every day to do something, say something, behave in some way that would move the needle of my work experience towards a better feeling. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was cultivating a teachable strategy to inspire anyone to become enthusiastic about change, to find their unique power of resilience during turbulent times.
Today, I help organizations disrupt ‘change as usual’. Through a practical and repeatable framework, I show them how they can transform their culture from surviving change to growing through change.”
9. Wayne Lee
Next is another example of a quick and inviting speaker bio, that of Canadian speaker and hypnotist Wayne Lee. Like the bios of Mimi Brown and Dave Raymond, Wayne’s speaker bio is a written representation of his stage presence. It is straightforward in that it explains his experience and general approach to positively impacting his audiences. However, it’s also engaging in its mention of “magic and visualization,” leading the reader to wonder how that plays a role in his presentations.
Furthermore, Wayne’s speaker bio is also another great example of finding balance. It’s self-promotional but not to the point of arrogance. It’s engaging but not so much that it’s flashy. Above all, it’s long enough to be detailed but not so long that it’s boring. As you craft your own speaker bio, keep these balances in mind. That way, you can effortlessly gain event organizers’ attention and respect, again, without explicitly saying, “I’m well worth hiring!”.
The Biography:
“One of North America’s premier Corporate Presenters, Entertainers, and Peak Performance Experts, Wayne Lee is a veteran of thousands of successful shows and presentations, a published author, and a mentor to professionals of all walks of life.
Wayne’s own journey to excellence has been fueled with an unrelenting passion for empowering people. From a childhood fascination with magic and visualization, Wayne’s gift and passion for seeing great potential and acting on it have allowed him to grow his career and perform to audiences worldwide.
Today, he works with leading brands to guide their teams through the high-stress, constant change, and fast-paced environment that is now commonplace. Wayne shows each audience how to reconnect with what matters most so they can achieve any result, all while enjoying the ride of their life.”
10. Gregory Offner
Last but not least on our list of speaker bios is that of creativity speaker and musician Gregory Offner. I saved Greg’s for last partly because it meets all the requirements already mentioned but also because it does a wonderful job of being unique and memorable. For example, one of the most important components of a speaker bio — of any written text, really, is the ending. In Greg’s bio, he ends the entire thing almost as if he wants to be respectful of your time and keep things short. But he has one last thing to mention before letting you go: “Oh, and he also brings an electric piano!” Not only is this a unique selling point. It also gives you a glimpse of Greg’s down-to-earth attitude, even though his bio is written in third person.
In the same way, as you write your speaker bio, make sure to start with your background and credentials and then segway into your services and what you’re currently doing. But, most importantly, remember to be authentic in telling your story and end on a high note. At the end of the day, after looking at a bunch of speakers, event organizers are going to consider those they remember the best. Even if it also functions as a source of basic information, the goal of your speaker bio is to put you in that group.
The Biography:
“Using his background in Music and Entertainment, Greg weaves song and story together with insight from his 16 year career in business and sales to deliver a mesmerizing tale of fortune and frustration — the ups and downs of disruption. Having worked over 40 jobs before turning 30; attending 4 different schools before age 14; and then surviving 12 major surgeries to repair extensive damage to his voice from a career in music and sales, Greg doesn’t just speak on disruption, he’s lived it.
His studies of Philosophy and Psychology enable him to simplify the science of why we create the patterns we do — where they come from, and how to change them to amplify results. From his 16 year career as a top-performing sales executive with Fortune 500 companies, to a 12 year run around the globe as a professional musician (dueling pianos); Greg brings a track record of integrity, creativity, and passion to every event — oh, and he also brings an electric piano!”
Hopefully, this list of examples provides you with some inspiration as you consider your own speaker bio, moving forward. For more information, check out our previous guide, “ Writing A Speaker Bio That Captivates Event Planners In 5 Easy Steps”. Conversely, feel free to shoot us an email at [email protected] , too, if you have any additional questions. 👋
Originally published at https://speakerflow.com on June 19, 2020.
