With the inflow of latest freelancer writers and writing platforms, standing out is essential to touchdown your next writing task. And what higher manner to try this than showcasing your writing portfolio?
For example, the USA Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) reported an over 11 % improve in writers in 2021.
And there are indications these numbers will improve with continued assist for digital advertising and marketing, self-publishing, and so forth.
Whereas this may occasionally sign extra competitors for writers, there are nonetheless not sufficient writers for the accessible writing jobs.
For one, there are over 31 million small businesses within the US that want writers. Add that to the numbers of larger firms and companies, plus on-line writing alternatives, and also you’ll uncover the demand for writers is ever-increasing.
So, if you happen to’re not getting good-paying writing jobs but, it’s time you create a writing portfolio or enhance the one you have already got.
Under, you’ll perceive what writing portfolios are and the steps for creating an efficient one, with examples that will help you get going instantly.
Alright, let’s dive in.
What’s a writing portfolio?
A writing portfolio combines a author’s finest works, or not less than the chosen works, in a single place to grant quick access to potential and present employers, followers, college students, readers, or anybody who would possibly request it.
Your freelance writing portfolio saves you from having to compile your work each time somebody asks you for them or inquires about your expertise. It may comprise articles, weblog posts, pattern write-ups, press releases, article submissions, and some other work that shows your writing experience.
A portfolio is a vital device that is useful when advertising and marketing your expertise or providers. It’s often one of many first potential employer’s requests. Any consumer needs to make sure you are able to do their duties, and among the best strategies for checking is trying on the ones you’ve performed for others.
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Subsequently, a portfolio can open doorways and promote your expertise successfully when performed proper. It additionally exhibits the shoppers you’ve labored with earlier than. It could be a good suggestion so as to add that publish you probably did for a star or the one which’s printed on a well-liked web site.
Writing portfolios are sometimes contained on a private weblog or web site. Portfolio hosting websites are additionally fairly frequent for anybody who doesn’t personal a weblog. There are different strategies which we’ll get into fairly quickly.
Nevertheless, your portfolio doesn’t have to deal with all of the works you’ve ever performed. That’s the reason a fastidiously hand-picked collection of the perfect works will enhance your probabilities in a specific area of interest.
Why each freelance author wants a writing portfolio
Now that you already know what a portfolio is, let’s take a look at the advantages of getting one for your self.
1. To get extra jobs
The last word goal of a contract writing portfolio is that will help you get extra jobs. Portfolios are a traditional requirement for getting jobs, and compiling your writing samples beforehand will put you in a greater place to get one.
That’s as a result of it exhibits you could have expertise and the required experience to get a job performed. Subsequent time you go job-hunting, you’ll be able to relaxation assured, understanding you could have a portfolio to name upon instantly.
2. To indicate your writing expertise
One of many causes your portfolio helps you get jobs is that it showcases your expertise. When you’ve picked up a talent or two from freelance writing courses and utilized it to your work, potential shoppers can simply discover from the portfolio, particularly if it’s what they’re searching for.
No matter the explanations, an internet writing portfolio lets anybody know which kinds of writing you’re snug with or niches you could have expertise in. It additionally places your versatility on show, which will probably be important for shoppers that want writers to work on a number of niches.
3. To indicate your pursuits and likes
Many writers have a specific area of interest they love working in. Some have an interest on this area of interest and actively seek for solely associated jobs. The portfolio can assist to speak this immediately.
Directing a possible employer to a portfolio together with your pursuits makes it clear what you like engaged on, and if it’s associated to what they need, likelihood is excessive that they might love to rent you. To keep away from showing like a one-trick pony, fluctuate the types in your samples, even when the niches are the identical.
4. To market a services or products
Creating an internet writing portfolio additionally will increase your probabilities of advertising and marketing a product efficiently. For instance, you’ve written a e book or have a writing course you’re making an attempt to advertise. A preferred writing portfolio will probably be fairly helpful in selling the service or product to followers.
Since you’ll be able to embrace a biography in your writing portfolio, it additionally aids with private branding and promotion for something you could have on supply.
5. To watch your accomplishments as a contract author
Writers work on so many duties that it turns into unattainable to trace each one among them. Updating your writing portfolio helps you retain monitor of crucial ones whereas conserving them shut for any pressing want.
11 Steps to create your writing portfolio
Creating your on-line writing portfolio is kind of simple if you happen to take note of all of the necessary components. Under are the steps you could take from begin to end.
1. Set clear aims from the beginning
When many individuals resolve they want a writing portfolio, they begin by investing in a site title solely to comprehend some time later they don’t know what to incorporate of their portfolio web page.
As an alternative, begin by outlining the quick and long-term objectives you wish to obtain.
For example, an internet portfolio that’s supposed that will help you market your e book could also be barely completely different from one that you simply hope to make use of for a fast job search. Likewise, the copywriting portfolio may even comprise completely different content material from the one you wish to use for journalism gigs.
Meaning you could ask your self some necessary questions that will help you make clear your on-line writing portfolio aims.
- Are you making use of for jobs on a contract web site?
- Are you making an attempt to develop your freelance writing enterprise?
- Do you plan to make use of the portfolio for educational functions?
- Do you wish to rating a task on the native information journalism staff?
- Would you like to get observed by that famend writer you want to collaborate with?
Setting aims helps you stay particular and targeted. Write it down someplace so you should use it to substantiate if you happen to’re nonetheless on monitor all through the method. Whereas this may occasionally take slightly bit, it’s effectively value each second you set into it.
2. Specify a writing area of interest
One thing else it’s best to do earlier than leaping in is to specify the area of interest you plan to focus on. It’s possible you’ll agree that together with as many niches as attainable in your freelance author portfolio exhibits versatility, nevertheless it additionally depicts a scarcity of focus.
Exhibiting potential shoppers that you simply’ve labored in lots of niches might ship the message that you simply’ve tried your palms on all of it however can’t supply a lot in a specific area of interest.
Right here’s a state of affairs. Think about receiving two portfolios on your B2B content marketing process. One has written ten B2B advertising and marketing weblog posts, whereas the opposite has performed twenty on a variety of matters, from cars to Chinese language recipes.
You’d want the primary one as a result of they’ve proven expertise tightly associated to your area of interest. The latter has solely proven you amount, however nothing suggests they will deal with your job.
So, take out the guesswork for potential shoppers by specializing in a distinct segment.
One other factor that helps with setting aims is trying on the jobs you’ve performed earlier than. If most of your jobs fall into the actual property area of interest, as an example, you’ll discover it simpler to arrange a associated portfolio in addition to safe actual property gigs.
Word that some portfolios may mix a number of niches. This works if performed with care and with deliberation. The secret’s to section every merchandise fastidiously and never combine unrelated objects in a bit. It additionally helps to not embrace too many niches.
3. Determine the place to host your portfolio
Now that we’ve gotten the deliberations out of the best way, let’s get to the enjoyable components. Truly, you continue to must deliberate on this. The place do you host your on-line writing portfolio?
There are a few choices, however we’d classify them into three — your individual author web site, portfolio web sites, or storage web sites.
Your web site
Hosting your portfolio in your web site is the most suitable choice. If you have already got a freelance writer website, many of the work is finished since you simply need to create a brand new web page and dedicate it to the duties you’ve dealt with.
Creating one is a good suggestion if you happen to don’t have a web site. First, get a site title by suppliers like Namecheap or GoDaddy, then get internet hosting by Bluehost, WP Engine, or related. It is best to use your title if it’s nonetheless accessible or add a phrase to it if it’s not.
Portfolio websites
Maybe you’re not able to get a web site. An alternative choice that works effectively is utilizing among the best portfolio websites like Medium, LinkedIn, Clippings.me, Contently, Journo Portfolio, Quiet.ly, Muck Rack, and so forth.
These websites allow you to add and publish content material, and every part you’ve labored on may be accessed from a single place. Each additionally has its personal type. Whereas some allow you to prepare objects like a private web site, others solely supply self-publishing alternatives.
Storage websites
The final possibility is to make use of cloud storage like Google Drive. This selection allows you to add information with a hyperlink you’ll be able to share with anybody requesting your portfolio.
Whichever one you select from these choices, you’d have entry to most of what you want on your writing portfolio.
4. Design your writing portfolio fastidiously
Portfolio design is one other attention-grabbing facet of establishing your portfolio however watch out as overdoing this half can mar your arduous work. Listed below are some helpful tips about portfolio design:
- If you will get the providers of a web site designer, a UI/UX designer, or a product designer, go for it. Nothing can beat the work of knowledgeable.
- Preserve it easy as you don’t wish to make it tough for potential shoppers to get round your samples. And that is definitely not the time to check out these fundamental graphic design expertise you’ve picked up alongside the best way.
- Make certain the font is skilled and readable. No Joker, Comedian Sans, or Monotype Corsiva.
- Guarantee there are sufficient areas between strains and use a legible font dimension.
- Keep away from utilizing too many colours. Two colours are fantastic, however guarantee they’re skilled with the correct quantity of distinction to assist readability. That’s, place a darkish colour on a lightweight background and a lightweight colour on a darkish background.
- Think about the association of things in your portfolio. They will both be text-based or image-based. Texts often work, however photographs may give your portfolio extra life.
- Make certain to make use of photographs associated to the content material. Use high-quality and royalty-free photographs or create them your self.
- Lastly, take into account each cell and pill customers. Once more, this can be all the way down to your internet hosting web site, so it’s best to examine it earlier than internet hosting.
5. Evaluate present writing samples
Now, it’s time to open your writing folder to choose samples contributing to your goal. Go on your finest works – they need to be skilled, in-depth, and correctly structured. Put your self within the potential consumer’s footwear to see which piece would enchantment higher to them.
However wait!
Because of copyright points, choosing samples from the duties you’ve carried out may be difficult. It’s possible you’ll not be capable to add many of the jobs you labored on as a freelancer as a result of that’s what being a freelancer is — you settle for to relinquish the rights to a bit you receives a commission for.
Now we have an entire information devoted to discussions on adding agency or in-house jobs to your portfolio. Basically, you’ll be able to solely embrace items you could have rights to. Not those you’ve performed as a part of an company or as a freelancer. When you’re unsure, ask your consumer or boss if you should use them.
Because the goal is to present potential employers an thought of what you’re able to, you don’t have to fret about work you don’t have rights to. As an alternative, you should use the choices beneath.
6. Write and add visitor posts
Selecting from earlier jobs is clearly for these with expertise, however you’ll be able to nonetheless be a freelancer without experience. You’ll be able to create your samples by writing visitor posts for notable web sites.
Visitor posts additionally offer you visibility and credibility as a printed freelance author. Do a fast search on Google, and also you’ll discover a number of choices you’ll be able to select from. When you need assistance crafting any subject, take into account the help of AI writing tools.
7. Write for non-profit organizations
Non-profit organizations additionally current fantastic alternatives to get content material you’ll be able to add to a portfolio. And there are additionally quite a few organizations on the market in search of volunteer writers. Though you can be providing professional bono providers, these experiences enrich you and your writing portfolio.
8. Embrace your biography
Making a portfolio doesn’t finish with including related samples. You’ll be able to embrace a brief biography, overview, or a writer’s business card. This is a chance to present shoppers slightly extra info that you simply really feel will increase your probabilities of getting employed.
It’s common for folks so as to add their title, job title, expertise, awards, achievements as a author, social media hyperlinks, and so forth. You may additionally embrace particulars about your expertise, work, or instruments you employ. Simply don’t bore them with an extended write-up.
9. Add consumer testimonials
This usually will get ignored, nevertheless it’s fairly important. When you’ve labored with some employers earlier than, request testimonials from them and add a number of to your writing portfolio. It can improve the worth and present shoppers how good you’re at your work.
10. Add a transparent call-to-action (CTA)
The principle goal of a writing portfolio is to immediate shoppers to rent you. Regardless of how spectacular the portfolio is, including a CTA may give an additional push. Maybe they can not shortly course of all they only learn or are contemplating one other prospect, seeing a giant “Contact Me” or “Work With Me” button that goes to your e mail handle can assist their decision-making.
11. Replace your portfolio recurrently
Your portfolio is stay, nevertheless it’s necessary to maintain issues ticking. So replace it with newer write-ups recurrently as you create extra content material. It can assist you develop simply whereas displaying shoppers you’re nonetheless lively.
Writing portfolio examples to encourage you
These are examples you should use to get a head begin.
Jennifer Fernandez
Jennifer Fernandez is a contract author and editor whose writing pursuits embrace design, journey, and way of life. The portfolio web site has three pages devoted to every curiosity and one other because the about web page. This design is easy and consists of content material titles and pictures.
Ann Friedman
Journalist and writer Ann Friedman’s portfolio website is one other lovely instance. However not like Jennifer’s, there aren’t any photographs. As an alternative, Ann lists every publication with hyperlinks to the pages alongside the date and publishing group.
Francesca Nicasio
Francesca Nicasio’s portfolio has maximized all the required parts talked about above. First, the homepage highlights a few of her achievements and people she’s labored with, plus testimonials. Then, the copywriter’s portfolio options screenshots and hyperlinks to a few of her works.
Rosemary Egbo
This portfolio from Rosemary Egbo, a content material author, was created utilizing Contently’s portfolio internet hosting service. It has knowledgeable job title, social media hyperlinks, and hyperlinks to her samples on Contently and different web sites.
Caitlin Reid
Caitlin Reid’s portfolio was created with Clippings.me, one other portfolio internet hosting web site. I really like this one as a result of it combines so many issues neatly. It has the title, job title, location, social media hyperlinks, and a short background on the high. It’s the identical stage of conciseness on the portfolio objects that includes a title, picture, date, and hyperlink.
The writing trade is getting more and more aggressive…
And also you want every part you will get to spice up your probabilities. A writing portfolio ought to be on the high of the checklist for anybody critical about their writing.
As highlighted above, portfolios serve a few functions and include a number of benefits. It might appear difficult to start, however by following the steps highlighted and following a deliberate schedule, it ought to be a breeze.
Bear in mind to control your aims all through the method. They are going to assist you give attention to what issues and maintain you going. Additionally, keep in mind to maintain issues easy, and also you’re in your option to constructing a portfolio that stands out.
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Written by Jessica La
Contributor at Millo.co
Jessica La is the search engine marketing lead at Appetiser Australian App Development with over 3 years within the Tech Business. When she’s not writing content material pushed by knowledge and significant human narratives—she’s on the hunt for the subsequent sci-fi e book and is totally unapproachable with out having her morning espresso.
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