When you’re balancing a creative practice with funding deadlines, commissions, and trying to get your work seen, it’s tempting to take the quickest route possible. You copy and paste the same bio you’ve used a dozen times. It lists your accomplishments, awards, performances, residencies. It’s what a promoter, grant officer, or collaborator expects to see.
But here’s the problem:
Your bio lists your wins. But what about your why?
If you’ve ever felt like your artist statement or public profile sounds impressive but doesn’t quite feel like you, it might be because it’s missing the story that fuels your work. And that story is what connects you to the people you’re trying to reach.
In this post, I’ll show you how to move beyond the bullet points and into a message that resonates deeply with funders, potential clients, collaborators, and your wider creative community.
Why your bio isn’t enough
As artists, creative entrepreneurs or artivists, we’re often taught to lead with our credentials. And in the world of grants, festivals, and galleries, those credentials matter. But bios that rely solely on third-person lists of achievements don’t do what stories do:
They don’t invite curiosity. They don’t show your values. And they don’t build emotional connection.
Think about it. Which of these sticks with you more?
“Received xx award for work”
vs.
“I create pieces that explore the grief rituals passed down by the women in my family – one of which earned a xx award. “
One gives you the facts. The other gives you the feeling. And when your goal is to reach the people who will fund, support, or join your creative mission, feeling is what drives connection.
Your story isn’t a soft, background detail. It’s a strategic tool that can help you:
- Clarify your values
- Attract aligned collaborators
- Stand out in a sea of sameness
- Build trust with your community
And most importantly? It keeps your messaging rooted in something real.
Your story is a bridge
Telling your story isn’t about centering yourself or oversharing. It’s about creating a bridge between your why and your audience’s need to feel connected.
Whether you’re writing a grant application, preparing for a talk, launching a workshop, or updating your website storytelling helps you:
- Translate abstract creative concepts into emotionally resonant messages
- Show how your work is part of a larger cultural or social dialogue
- Make it easier for funders and audiences to understand the impact of your work
When you show people what drives your work, you give them a reason to care—and remember.
3 creative prompts to go from bio to story
You don’t need to start from scratch to find your story. Start with what you already know and go deeper. Here are three creative prompts to help:
1. The 3-point bio prompt
Take a look at your existing bio. Highlight three accomplishments you’re proud of. For each, ask yourself:
- Why did this matter to me?
- What was happening in my life at the time?
- What did I have to overcome to get there?
Let yourself journal the story behind each one. You’ll likely uncover themes that can guide your message.
2. Map your pivots
Draw a timeline of your creative journey. Mark three turning points or pivots—moments where something shifted for you. They could be personal, professional, or even political.
Then ask:
- What did this moment teach me?
- How did it shape the work I create today?
- What do I want others to understand about that experience?
These are often the seeds of your story.
3. The empathy mirror
Think about the people you want to reach. Who are they? What are they navigating in their lives, careers, or communities?
Ask yourself:
- What are their hopes and struggles?
- What words do they use to describe their experiences?
- Where do our paths overlap?
When your story echoes something your audience has felt or faced, it creates resonance.
Don’t Just Impress. Connect.
Your accomplishments matter, but your story is what makes your work unforgettable.
When you take time to craft a message that reflects your voice, values, and creative journey, your audience doesn’t just see what you’ve done—they understand who you are and why it matters.
And that’s what builds community, opens doors, and keeps your creative practice aligned with your purpose.
Want help turning reflection into a message that moves people? I’ve got a free webinar coming up on Weds, 16th July designed to help artists like you tell your story with clarity and heart. Reserve your free spot here
Until then, what part of your story are you ready to share?