How To Create An Awesome Writing Portfolio

Hello Writers!

by: Writerslife| Writing

It can be tough out there for freelance writers. The competition for the best paid, most interesting jobs is usually fierce. So what can you do to stand out? Create a kickass writing portfolio that showcases your best work and shows you are a professional, experienced, brilliant writer whose work speaks for itself.

So what should you include in your writing portfolio? Let’s take a look at how to create one.

Selecting your pieces

When you select which pieces should go in your writing portfolio, you need to think about what you are trying to achieve, or perhaps, who you are trying to attract. It’s a no-brainer that you should include the very best of your work, but have you thought about what kind of writer you want to be? Do you have a particular niche you want to get into such as travel writing? Fashion blogging? Website content and SEO? If so you need to gear your writing portfolio to reflect your talents and interests

Think about your brand

As a freelance writer, you should not underestimate the importance of creating a strong brand. What is your USP? The thing that makes you stand out? Can you simplify complicated ideas? Can you make people laugh? You should state what it is you can do and then select pieces that prove this, reflect your strengths and your unique writing voice.

Don’t put everything in

It can be tempting, especially for newbie writers, to cram your portfolio with absolutely everything you’ve ever written or got published. However, this won’t impress your potential employees. They don’t want to see something you got published in your high school magazine, they want relevant, professional, recent pieces that show what kind of writer you are now.

Basically, don’t put anything in you aren’t proud of.

If you haven’t had a piece published, then that’s OK. Excellent, well-written articles will show your skill regardless of whether they have been published or not. Most writers include around 8-10. Make sure you include titles, publication (or creation) dates and a brief description of what they are about and who they were for, so potential employers can chose to read the ones that are most interesting and relevant to them.

Include your biography

Your writing portfolio should not only showcase your work but also tell potential employers a little bit about you and your writing career so far. Sometimes the toughest job writers have is writing about themselves. However, being able to present our achievements professionally is essential. An excellent biography should tell someone all they need to know to hire you, so include your name or pen name, your job title, what you specialize in and a short description, essentially selling yourself, your skills and experience to them. Be professional but creative to make sure you stand out and be sure to include links to your social media too – if you feel comfortable doing so.

Remember, a writing portfolio is always going to be a work in progress. Make sure that you keep yours up to date and tweak and refine it depending on the type of job you are going for. A good writing portfolio can land you better-paid jobs writing about what you love, so it’s well worth spending time and effort creating one that works for you.