First Person vs Third Person: Which to Use in Your Bio

The perspective you choose shapes how readers perceive you. Here's when to use each.

First Person ("I" / "My")

**Best for:** - Social media profiles (Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn) - Personal websites - Networking contexts - Startup founders - Creative professionals

**Advantages:** - Feels authentic and approachable - Creates connection with the reader - Sounds conversational - Shows personality more easily

**Example:** "I design brands that make people feel something. After 8 years at agencies, I went independent to work directly with founders who want to stand out."

Third Person ("She" / "He" / "They")

**Best for:** - Speaker bios and conference materials - Press releases and media kits - Executive profiles - Academic or formal contexts - Award submissions

**Advantages:** - Sounds more authoritative - Easier for others to copy/paste - Traditional for formal contexts - Can feel more objective

**Example:** "Sarah Chen is an award-winning brand designer whose work has shaped the visual identity of over 50 startups. She brings 8 years of agency experience to her independent practice."

The Hybrid Approach

Some platforms benefit from both. On LinkedIn: - Headline: Third person for searchability - About section: First person for connection

Quick Decision Guide

Ask yourself: 1. Will someone else read this aloud? → Third person 2. Is this for networking? → First person 3. Is it formal/academic? → Third person 4. Do you want to seem approachable? → First person 5. Are you an executive or public figure? → Third person often better

Common Mistakes

• Mixing perspectives mid-bio (confusing)
• Using third person on Twitter (feels weird)
• Using first person in press kits (harder to use)

When in doubt, first person is safer for most digital contexts.