If you don’t have a bio on Wikipedia – add one. But really follow all their rules about not being overly promotional etc. because they will toss it out.
In terms of what they think is too “advertising” and not it’s a bit of a toss up. For instance they have a comment on this one for Al Ries and I think Al Ries is brilliant and this entry about him does not at all sound like “advertising.” It is just really what the guy has accomplished over all these years!
Here’s one Wikipedia likes (and so do I) on Tim Berners-Lee (please tell me you all know who he is) if not, read the entry.
The key in Wikipedia is to write the entry like an article. That’s what it’s all about. An objective journal focused article. I like that!
And would you believe Ronald McDonald has a Wikipedia entry with audio as well?
Here’s my favorite entry – not only because I’m related to him on the Clemens side, but more importantly because he is one of the finest writers that ever lived.
Now go and write. Or email me if you do a draft and want some help on how to make it sound less formal/bio and more article-esque. (No, I’m not pitching myself as the new Wikipedia Copy Guru – just want you to get to work on it and it’s always good to have a second set of eyes.)
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Note that having a bio on Wikipedia can be a curse. The guideline on autobiography notes the example of Petronella Wyatt, who created her own article which then had slander put into it – the problem being that if no third party was interested in creating an article, then no third party is going to keep an eye on it.
It really is best to wait until someone else thinks you’re notable
Biographies of living people are our biggest public relations problem, because it’s too easy to put rubbish into them. So we’re policing them increasingly harshly.
Hi David,
Thank you for taking time out to comment on this and perhaps it is better just to wait for a 3rd party because you know they can be completely objective. And that is a good piece of the puzzle on the “living people” biographies as I know for awhile early on in Wikipedia there were legions of “over-arching bios” that folks put on that had a lot of rubbish!
thanks for taking time again to comment and I love Wikipedia!