Here you will find tips, tricks and tools for better profile writing.

Definition

First, my definition of a good story:

Good stories are about sympathetic characters who go through ordeals and meet or fail to meet the challenges presented. As a result, the character gains insight and transforms into something new.

A thank you to Jon Franklin and his book Writing for Story for helping me get to my definition.

Now, I’d like to apply my definition to profile writing.

A profile is the effort to capture the personality, character and motivation of a person on paper. I consider it one of the highest callings in the field of writing because its purpose is to understand another human being – as much as that is possible.

In my opinion, the best profiles bring together human understanding with storytelling techniques that do not over-dramatize and are true to the subject.

Selected Clips

Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff Dismounts Into Her Kitchen

July, 2012
The Wall Street Journal

Picture Perfect: Profile of Leica CEO Andreas Kaufmann

July 2012
Exceptional Magazine by EY

Sibel Kekilli’s New Reality

Jan 2011
The Wall Street Journal

Brand Evolution: Profile of Warsteiner CEO Catharina Cramer

Jan. 2013
Exceptional Magazine by EY

Second Chances: Nobody believed AfB founder and CEO Paul Cvilak could make a profit employing disabled people to refurbish IT hardware

Jan 2014
Exceptional Magazine by EY

Swimming for her Life: Facing aggressive cancer and family tragedy, Lucy Kunz took her fight underwater

May 5, 2012
Pomona College Magazine