If your blog is the voice of your brand, then your ‘about us’ page is the friendly handshake that introduces new fans to your culture, tone and content. It’s shocking how many small business owners will put up any old content there! Today I’m going to outline what makes a great blog about us page, and how you can create one of your own!

Courtesy of onlinebusiness.volusion.com

The Blog ‘About Us’ Page Selections

It’s incredible how many people visit an ‘about us’ page and then leave immediately afterwards, clicking away to find a better blog more suited to their needs. You need to prevent this from happening. In fact, you need your about us page to guarantee that they take a look around your blog, at your posts and extras. Here’s how:

• The Story Intro: An effective about us page can include your brand story, especially if it’s something heart-warming, exciting or special. When you meet a new friend for the first time, they will orientate you in who they are by giving you a brief background story – and that’s what you should do for your customers. This works especially well if you’re in an ‘outgoing’ niche, like travel, business or kids.

• The Personality Showcase: If your small business is fun and funky – figure out how to communicate that to your visitors on your about us page. This is an opportunity to showcase who you are, why you are different, and why you are special. It will give your visitor a reason to want to read more of what you have to say.

• The Honesty Page: You’ve seen these blogs before, a page dedicated to the blogger – with real photos of his family and life. This works! People want to know about who they are reading, so it helps if you let them see a little more of your life than usual. Use photos, pictures and quotes to orientate your reader in your unique voice.

Courtesy of seomoz.com

• The Credibility Page: If your business blog gives excellent advice, then you need to let your potential reader know that, by telling them WHY they should listen to you. Mention your achievements, awards, clients and past work. Include testimonials from your past clients as social proof. If they love your advice, so will your new reader.

• The Social Bunny: If your business blog relies heavily on the social nature of your readers, then it may help to gear your about us page like that. Take screenshots of your brilliantly designed Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest pages, and include them in your brand story somewhere. People are more likely to click on an image than a button, because they can see where they’re going to end up.

Your about us page will have to contain nice images, transparency, and perhaps even a video of who you are. If a picture says a thousand words, a video can gain you a blog reader for life – if you do it right. As long as you keep that ‘initial handshake’ image in your head when you’re creating your page, you should be alright.

If you own more than one blog, it can also help to split test your about us page. It’s often the first line of defence against hasty readers. You want them to read it, then read more!

How does your ‘about us’ page look and which technique did you use to draw your readers in?