In today’s freelancer world, it is pretty much essential to have an online portfolio. With the number of businesses that do business virtually increasing daily, it is important to stand out above the competition with an exceptional display of your collection of work.

In addition to your resume, providing potential clients an awesome portfolio will do more than showcase your work - it will transform these potential clients into paying customers. After all, we are a very visual species. When we like what we see, we want to take action. Your resume may talk about your skills, but your portfolio proves them!

Here are some tips on creating or modifying your portfolio:

1.) Decide which form of a portfolio will best convey your work to others - will it be a blog? A website? Something else? Ensure that whatever type of portfolio will work to answer any and all questions a potential client may have about your work. Let the portfolio speak for itself.

2.) Be choosy about which samples to include. If you include everything you have ever written, created, etc., potential clients may get bored. Instead, showcase your best and most important designs and pieces of work - basically the pieces that best reflect who you are as a freelance designer, writer, etc AS WELL AS the ones that yielded the best results for your clients.

3.) Don’t complicate things. Focus on simplicity. If you are catering to too many different people with your portfolio, you may confuse potential clients with what your work is all about. Keep it simple, streamlined, and targeted. If the type of work you do is varied, separate these types of work into different sections within your portfolio. (i.e. Media Writing, Print Ads, Web Ads, Web Design, Poetry, etc.) Additionally, keep in mind that samples in your portfolio should always demonstrate your skill in the area you’d like to be hired in. If you have worked in photography, but not simply want to be hired for graphic design work, just show the graphic design work.

4.) Creativity sells. But don’t be afraid to be blunt. If you are looking for work, indicate that in your portfolio. “Freelancer for Hire!” or “Available for Work Now!” If you’re looking for work, don’t be afraid to say it simply and boldly. Stick a ‘Hire Me’ button, link or section on your site.

5.) Let potential clients know what your past and current clients think of your work. Don’t be afraid to include testimonials from previous clients with the samples of work themselves. For example “ABC Company Raves, ‘This print ad helped to double our sales for the month of October 2007. Working with XYZ was a pleasing, profitable experience.” Don’t be too showy though - remember to practice subtlety as well.

6.) Include your contact information within your portfolio presentation.

7.) Promote your portfolio everywhere - business cards, websites, email signatures. If you want people to see your work and hire you, get it out there! Consider optimizing your website for search engines, so that you will be higher in the search results for certain keywords.

If you have any questions about online portfolios, please do let me know! In addition, I’m always here for more ideas on posting what you like to read about! Keep the ideas and feedback coming! :o)

Digg:
Categories: Especially for Freelancers
Tags: