The Real Reason Your About Me Pages Isn’t Working (And How to Fix It)

I used to think About Me pages was the place to list everything I’d done. Work history, side gigs, skills, hobbies, the more I could cram in, the more “impressive” it would look.

But here’s the realization: no one cared. Visitors weren’t reading line by line. They were skimming, asking one silent question, “What’s in this for me?”

That’s when it hit me. An About Me page isn’t really about me at all.

It’s about connection.

It’s about helping the reader see themselves in my story, and giving them a reason to trust me.

The 3 Biggest Mistakes People Make on About Me Pages

1) Writing a résumé instead of a story
I see so many About pages that read like LinkedIn profiles. Dates, roles, and responsibilities. That might land you a job, but it won’t land you a client.

Fix: Share a turning point. A lesson. Something human that ties to what you do today.

2) Making it all about yourself
This was my biggest mistake. I’d write paragraph after paragraph about my skills, forgetting the reader was only looking for how it helped them.

Fix: Use “you” more than “I.” For every skill you mention, link it back to the value it brings.

3) Forgetting the next step
Imagine someone reads your whole story and feels inspired… and then there’s nothing. No clear direction. That’s where most About pages die.

Fix: Always end with a call to action: book a call, download a resource, or visit your services page.

The Framework That Changed Everything: Past → Present → Mission

Once I started using this, everything clicked.

• Past (40–60 words): A short backstory. Where you started. A problem you ran into. A lesson that shaped you.
• Present (50–80 words): What you do now. Who you help. What makes your approach different.
• Mission (30–50 words): Why you do this. The change you want for your reader. An invitation to take the next step.

It keeps your About Me page clear, human, and easy to read.

But How Long Should It Be?

This is the question I get all the time. Do About Me pages really only take 120 words?

Here’s the truth: it depends on your audience.

✂️ Short Version (120–180 words)

• Perfect for busy, skimming visitors.
• Quick intro that tells your story, shows your value, and points to a CTA.
• Works best for solopreneurs, freelancers, and funnel-style sites where clarity matters most.

Example (Mini About Me):
I built pretty websites that no one visited. I thought design alone would bring results. But when calls didn’t come, I realised something had to change.

Now I create personal brand websites that connect and convert. I mix design, clear copy, and simple visuals so entrepreneurs stand out online.

My mission is simple: help you build a site that feels like you and works like your best salesperson. Want to start? Download my free Website Checklist.

📖 Long Version (400–800+ words)

• Ideal if you use storytelling to build emotional connection and credibility.
• Lets you show your personality, backstory, and values.
• Works best for coaches, consultants, creatives, or anyone selling based on trust and relationship.

Example (Narrative About Me Page, shortened here):
I never planned on becoming “the website guy.” My first projects were for small local businesses who just needed something simple. Back then, I barely knew what I was doing, but people kept coming back.

Curiosity pulled me into marketing, photography, and video. Every new skill taught me more about how people connect with a brand.

Today, I bring it all together. I build personal brand websites that aren’t just pretty, they make people feel like they already know you. That’s what builds trust. That’s what gets clients.

🥇 The Best Approach: Layering

The smartest About Me pages do both.

• Start with the short version at the top (120–180 words). That way, skimmers get the whole story in seconds.
• Then expand into the longer narrative below (400+ words) for those who want more depth.

This way, your page serves both types of visitors:

• The skimmers who want quick clarity.
• The deep readers who want your full story.

Quick Checklist

The insight I wish I had sooner: your About Me page isn’t about impressing people with length, it’s about connection.

Give the quick version for skimmers, the deeper version for readers, and you’ll cover both bases.