It is predicted that by 2027, the majority of the US workforce will be freelancers.
Just let that sink in for a second. In less than ten years’ time, more people will be in freelance than in traditional employment.
If you’re a freelance writer, it will become increasingly important to ensure you remain visible in a crowded market. That’s why creating a writing portfolio is vital. With more money pouring into this space, there will also be a lot more freelancers and competitors to fight against. However, for those who are willing to put in the time, work and effort… the potential for higher earnings and revenue is also there.
Read on as take a look at how to put together a writing portfolio that will make you stand out from the crowd.
Know Your Niches
With so much competition out there, one of the best ways to get ahead is to get a strong track record for writing in specific niches.
That way you can market yourself to people needing content in that niche. Your portfolio should give examples of how well you can write on that specific topic.
A perfect example of this would be social media marketing vs. ecommerce and online shops. They are both focused towards promotion and end users converting to buyers, but they are also two completely different styles of writing. Social media marketing is more about engagment and interest, while ecommerce is more product focused and informational.
You don’t need to limit yourself to just one niche, but don’t go overboard. The more niches you offer, the more diluted your expertise can appear.
Less Is More
By the same token, don’t fill your portfolio with every piece you’ve ever written. It’s all about quality, not quantity.
There are two things you need to keep in mind when selecting the pieces you’ll include. Firstly, choose those pieces that show off your writing skills the most, and are solidly within the niche that you’re targeting.
Secondly, select those pieces that you’ve done for well-known clients. If you’ve had work published by big names, this is going to make you stand out from the crowd, so make sure you put that work front and center. Try not to include work that is too out of date.
Write a Strong Bio
If a client finds two portfolios that both have great writing in the desired niche, then how do they choose?
One deciding factor might be your bio. Clients will want to know a little about the writer that will be working for them. This is your chance to sell yourself although you shouldn’t go over the top.
Explain what you do and how you do it, and remember that this is a chance to show off your writing skills. Include your experience, especially in the niches that you’re targeting. If you’ve worked for any big-name clients, be sure to drop their names in.
In addition to comparing two portfolios or resumes side by side, there is also an advantage for any freelancer that has a strong social media profile as well. Not only does social media bring legitimacy to individuals over those who don’t have it, it also shows another enhanced skill that might be sought after by the client.
The better your personal bio, brand and social media presense looks online, the more likely you are to stand out from the crowd.
Make Sure It Looks Good
You can have the best writing in the world, but if your portfolio looks a mess, no one is going to read it.
Make sure it looks clean and easy to read. Don’t include full articles on the page; instead, use snippets with links to the full articles.
There are plenty of online portfolio templates you can use to make sure that it looks as smart as possible. It’s worth making the effort to create a portfolio page that people want to visit.
And again, focusing on the social media aspect — make sure you are linking out to your portfolio and resume through your social profiles. Not only will this share your expertise and work with different audiences, it will also help potential clients find your work if they are looking your name up through Google or on different platforms.
Are You Creating a Writing Portfolio?
If you’re creating a writing portfolio or doing any type of freelance writing, you should definitely be implementing these recommendations and tips into your daily efforts. As more people enter into this space, it will be harder to find new work, while also keeping consistant buyers month after month.
To learn more about this process and how to become a better writer, be sure to check out the various writing resources throughout this site. There are hundreds of articles that cover a wide range of other topics related to creative writing, starting a freelance business and also a job board to help you find more work.
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