How to Write a Company Profile in 10 Simple Steps + Samples

It’s your chance to make your brand stand out.

Reviewed by Chris Leitch

A business manager learning how to write a company profile

Whether you own a small startup or an international company, having a company profile is a must. However, what you consider interesting could be an utter snooze-fest for the reader, making you miss the chance to market your brand successfully.

If you want to ensure that you’ve got all the correct information to entice your reader, you need to turn the traditional business profile on its head and consider what your audience wants to know about your company.

To help you do that, we’ve outlined the most critical steps you need to follow to create a captivating company profile, as well as why it’s crucial that you get it right.

What is a company profile?

A company profile is a document (print or digital) or a dedicated section on your website that introduces your brand, team and products to the world. It summarizes who you are and what you do, providing an opportunity to establish an even stronger connection with existing clients and win over new ones, as well as attract potential investors to your company or brand. It can also appeal to working professionals and entice them to join your team.

In terms of length, company profiles vary. It’s generally best, however, to keep it concise and impactful. As researchers from the Technical University of Denmark have found, our collective attention span seems to be getting narrower due to the staggering amount of information that’s presented to us daily.

Why do you need a company profile?

Think back to when you first started your business. It must have been an exciting time, right? That’s the sort of emotion you want to evoke in your reader, too: that you’re passionate about what you do, have something unique to offer, and are taking planned-out steps to keep getting better, all the while honoring your brand’s values and mission.

This unique side of your company is what makes your brand relatable to your readers, which then contributes to establishing a sense of trust between you and your audience, be that a prospective customer, employee or investor. This is vital if you want to keep growing your brand, which, given that you’re here, you most certainly do.

What to include in a company profile

To create an impactful company profile, make sure that you tick off the following sections in your writing:

  • Your story. This is how, why and when your organization began; what drove you to do what you’re doing.
  • Your mission. That is: what your overall goal is, what sort of world you envision and how you’re going to contribute to its creation.
  • Information about your products or services. Briefly explain what it is that you offer and what makes it one of a kind.
  • Any awards or recognition you’ve received. This is important in establishing yourself as an expert in your field, worthy of both investors’ and clients’ trust.
  • Information about your workforce. Share some insights into your overall workforce demographics and introduce top-level executives.

How to write a company profile

As we’ve seen, an effective company profile is essential in growing your business. Below, we’ll discuss in more detail how you can go about crafting your own.

Step 1: Identify the profile’s purpose

Businesses use company profiles for different scenarios, including company websites, trade portfolios and investment plans. So, before you even put pen to paper, it’s vital to identify the profile’s purpose. Don’t worry — you can adapt it at a later stage if needed!

Let’s say your profile is meant to go on your business website. Create a list of points your readers would want to read about regarding your business and create a structure for your content.

You should also make sure that the content’s tone matches your target audience. For example, you don’t want to make it sound stuffy by bombarding a timeline of facts because — quite frankly — no one will care (other than yourself, of course)!

Step 2: Decide on a style

Now that you’ve established what kind of tone you should set for your profile, it’s time to identify how you will present this information. Do you want a typical style broken down by different sections, or do you want it presented in the form of a timeline? Some companies even choose to tell their story through a more visual approach, like Philips.

That said, you shouldn’t be afraid of being different and swaying away from the norm, as long as it’s compatible with your brand and industry. For example, if you’re an accounting firm, it would probably be best to stick to the traditional format, including details of recent awards and achievements.

Step 3: Tell a story

When you’re trying to encourage people to pay attention to your business, you need to create a captivating story, not churn out a dry company description. It’s no use simply listing dates and figures; you need to make sure your reader is on board while walking them through your company’s story.

Whether you started by working at a lemonade stand or you grew up in the family business, the way you put your story across is the most important part. After all, not everyone’s story is going to be as exciting as the other.

Take a look at Zappos’s take for some inspiration, as this popular brand has mastered the art of storytelling.

Step 4: Keep a consistent format throughout

Some creative souls can let their imagination run wild when it comes to writing their business profile. So, if you happen to be one of those people, listen carefully to the following advice!

You need to ensure your format is consistent. For example, use the same font and size within the body of your text and your headers. Don’t overpower your profile with irrelevant visuals and funky colors, and instead stick to those that are in line with the rest of your brand.

For example, here at CareerAddict, we have specific fonts and colors (black and orange), which are used throughout our materials, including our social media channels.

If you don’t have a design team on hand, you can use effective tools like HubSpot’s color palette generator, Adobe’s Color Wheel or Canva’s Color Palette Generator.

Step 5: Outline your mission statement

If you don’t already have a mission statement, it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty of things and write an appealing statement about your business’s values, ethos and niche. You need to inform your readers what you offer and how you plan to grow as a business, essentially telling them why they should choose you over a competitor.

For example, Disney’s mission statement encourages you to believe that they will provide you with the most creative entertainment experience in the world:

“The mission of The Walt Disney Company is to entertain, inform and inspire people around the globe through the power of unparalleled storytelling, reflecting the iconic brands, creative minds and innovative technologies that make ours the world’s premier entertainment company.”

Step 6: Write the company history in chronological order

Jumping from the past to the present and back again will only confuse your reader, which is why you need to list the company’s history in chronological order. Whether this is done in the form of a timeline or paragraphs is entirely up to you. What’s critical is to make sure that it flows and that it makes sense to the reader.

When doing so, it’s essential not to get bogged down by too many details. Instead, you should list key achievements to show how your company got to where it is today. If you’re a small business, you can write information about the establishment and development of the brand.

Step 7: Include testimonials

A good testimonial can add value to your brand by giving potential clients feedback from another customer.

In a B2B company, testimonials from your biggest clients are ideal. In a B2C organization, on the other hand, short quotes with feedback that ties in with your values are best. You want to hit the reader with real feedback without seeming too promotional.

Step 8: Include your contact information

Now that you’ve got the important parts out of the way, it’s time to add some useful information! If your company profile is to be used offline, be sure to include your address, telephone number, email and (if necessary) fax number at the top of the document.

Meanwhile, if your company profile is meant for a website or other online forums, you can simply add your hyperlinked contact information at the bottom of the page.

Step 9: Add a call-to-action

If you want to add that finishing touch to your company profile, be sure to end with a call-to-action. This could be something along the lines of “To find out more, visit our website” or “For further information, contact us”.

Essentially, you should be leaving the reader with some food for thought and a way for them to find the answers to their questions.

Step 10: Proofread, proofread, proofread

Finally, it’s vital to proofread your corporate profile to ensure there aren’t any mistakes. After all, it’s one of the most important pieces of writing linked to your business!

Often, it’s easy to miss minor errors when you’ve been staring at the same piece of text for hours on end, which is why you should get an extra pair of eyes to skim over it.

And don’t forget to update your company profile regularly! Many entrepreneurs write their profile once and forget about it a year down the line. To ensure you don’t do the same, add a yearly calendar reminder where you set aside some time to update your profile to keep in line with the way your business is expanding.

Company profile template

To make sure that you don’t leave any important information out of your profile, use our template below for reference. It will remind you of what should be included from beginning to end!

[Company name]

[Company website]

Contact information: [Share your company address, phone number, email address and social channels]

Mission: [Describe the purpose of the company and the goals of its operations]

About: [Describe the founding of the company, and share key milestones and information]

Team: [Introduce your executives, and share information about your workforce]

Products and/or services: [List and describe your products and services]

Financial information: [Describe the company's financial performance and objectives]

Awards and distinctions: [List your awards, certifications and notable mentions]

Testimonials: [Direct quotes from customers or employees, including their name and title]

If you need something more polished to get you started, you could opt for a more aesthetically pleasing company profile template — like seen over at visme.

Company profile examples

1. Starbucks

Starbucks Company Profile ExampleStarbucks

This is a great example of what a company profile should look like. Starbucks opens up with a short story inspired by their company background: where the brand began and how it has evolved over the years. It also includes its trusted mission statement to ensure that all employees and customers can relate to Starbucks’s ethos.

The coffee brand manages to stand out from the crowd with a powerful brand identity and goal, which is highlighted in this company profile. “Our mission: to inspire and nurture the human spirit” — and they do just that through various branding and philanthropic schemes. They go beyond your average coffee shop and have established themselves as a place that brings people of all different ages, nationalities and backgrounds together.

2. Nike

Nike website

Nike does a perfect job at proving that they’re an inclusive brand within their company profile. From the minute you open their page, which is one of the most creative examples for company profiles we’ve seen, you can see that Nike is far beyond a generic sports clothing company. They want their customers to feel like they’re part of a community when they wear one of their products.

Moreover, they highlight the fact that they’re an inclusive employer with a diverse team very early on and show that they give back to their community through charity work. Working for Nike is like joining part of a big family with a strong mission — something that every employee would be eager to get involved in.

3. Zappos

Zappos Company Profile exampleZappos

Like Starbucks, Zappos begins their company profile by sharing the story of where they began and how they have evolved over the years. Their story alone is inspirational for anyone who has a dream to build something of their own.

With their dedicated sections, Zappos identify who they are as a brand, their motto, and why company culture is at the forefront of everything they do. They prove that they’re way more than an eCommerce store and more of an online community that everyone should be a part of.

Feature your company profile on CareerAddict

CareerAddict Jobs, our very own job board, gives employers like you the opportunity to create a free profile and reach thousands of jobseekers fast. Whether it’s interns, part-timers, freelancers or full-time employees you’re looking for to broaden your workforce, our hassle-free posting can help you fill your positions quickly.

Besides putting your company page in front of a vast talent pool, you’ll also receive quick and dedicated support should you have any queries about setting up your profile, getting started or responding to candidates.

FAQs

When you’re looking to create a great profile, it’s important to know both what you should do as well as what you should avoid. To point you in the right direction, we’ve answered some common questions people have when creating their company profiles.

What are some common mistakes I should avoid when writing a company profile?

A big mistake when writing anything is failing to consider who you’re writing for. Who is your audience and what would they want to know about you?

If you receive FAQs from customers, use them as inspiration. If you’re writing for prospective investors or employees, emphasize your mission, awards and financial performance more. As always, ensure that your writing is concise, free of errors, and easy to read and understand.

How technical should I get in my company profile?

Generally, it’s good to avoid using industry jargon in your profile. Although you might think that complex terminology can make you appear more professional, it can actually result in your audience losing interest. Unless you want to make your profile ineffective, ensure your writing is accessible to all.

Can I include images in my company profile?

As you’d expect, presentation is important! Visual elements like images, charts and graphs can make your company profile content more memorable, engaging and easier to follow. So, where you can, communicate any key points you’d like to make with visual representations.

How can I create a company profile PDF?

There are many ways to do this. For example, if you search for “company profile” on Canva, you’ll find templates that you can fill in and download in PDF format. Alternatively, download a template from a website like Freepik, edit it in a compatible software like Adobe Illustrator or Microsoft PowerPoint, and export it as a PDF.

Watch our video which explains how to write a company profile:

Key takeaways

By following these tips and taking inspiration from the company profile samples above, you can ensure that your profile ties in with your branding strategy. This will help communicate the ethos of your business and, ultimately, draw in new customers as well as potential employees.

To summarize:

  • Think of your company profile as an engaging overview of your history, vision, achievements and unique value proposition.
  • Always consider who your target audience is and what set of questions they might be seeking answers to before you start writing.
  • Depending on the layout you pick, use headings or separate pages to divide your content into easy-to-digest chunks of information.
  • Never, ever forget to proofread or have a professional writer go over your document before making it available to the public.
  • Linking to your Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media accounts in the “Contact us” section of your profile can encourage consumers and jobseekers to connect and stay in touch with you.

Do you have any more tips on how to make a company profile engaging and impactful? Share them with us in the comments section below.

Originally published on November 2, 2018. Contains contributions by Joanna Zambas.