Why Portfolio is Important: My Personal Experience.
What if you don’t have a portfolio?
Last month, when I was scrolling through the Linkedin feed — a message pop-up at the top of my phone, I swipe down and read the text thoroughly.
“I’m looking for a content writer who can write articles in a particular niche, can you do it, if yes then let me know?” she said.
“Sure, I would love to work with you as a content writer,” I replied.
“Please send me sample work or portfolio, then I’ll decide and let you know,” she replied with the smiling emoji.
“I don’t have any writing portfolio but I can provide you some mock-ups,” I replied with the smiling emoji as well.
Then what?
Alas! She disappears without replying to me — then I realized that why a portfolio is important for me as a writer, and for any freelancing champ — most importantly for beginners.
What Is a Portfolio?
The portfolio is a sample work related to your area of expertise which gives the client a sense of the idea that you can do his/her project. It can be in any form online or offline depending on the job location(remotely or in-office).
This is why you need to make a portfolio if you want to get a job super fast.
I’m gonna tell you that where you can make an online portfolio below.
When And Why Should You Make a Portfolio?
If you want an instant ranking of your Fiverr gigs then attach a portfolio in your thumbnail and if you want to get a reply just after sending a proposal in Upwork — then you should affix a portfolio in your Upwork profile as well.
A portfolio is as important as the skill itself because it showcases your expertise and lets the client decide whether you’ll be working with them or not. It can enhance your hiring chances up to 90%.
You would probably get my point and perceive that why it is important and why should you make a portfolio.
Then what are waiting for? Go for it right now.
Just kidding, there is much more about the portfolio right below — there is no rush. LOL!
What Kinda Jobs Require Portfolio?
Almost all jobs require a portfolio but some jobs that don’t need any portfolio are mostly 9–5 jobs.
But certain professional buddies use portfolios to showcase their work such as writing, graphic designing, video editing, so on and so forth.
You can’t do freelancing jobs without a portfolio because this freelancing is all about working remotely.
The client ensures satisfaction before starting working with you — by looking at your portfolio, that whether you know that particular skill or not.
If you’re a freelancer or wanted to start it, then you should have a portfolio.
What Should You Put In a Portfolio?
Anything that shows your abilities and accomplishments — should be in your portfolio, considering all your work experience.
Whatever you think is necessary to build trust with the client — standing out more your profile than other freelancers, should be in your portfolio.
Here are some things you can add to your portfolio:
- Attractive resume/CV
- Testimonials
- Your sample works
- Awards
- Certificates
And things you think can help to get the job — should be included.
How Can You Create a Portfolio?
It depends whether you wanna work as a freelancer or not, you can make a portfolio online and offline.
If you want to make a portfolio online — you can make a website in WordPress for free and upload your samples there, and whenever it requires to be shown then provide the link of the website.
And you can keep them with you whenever a client contact you, then send your samples to the client.
Free Portfolio Websites:
There are hundreds of WordPress alternatives on the internet, which you can use for your portfolio/samples as well.
Here are two of them:
1. Behance (Free):
Behance is one of the great portfolio-making websites — used by a wide number of people or freelancers worldwide.
You can use Behance for making your portfolio. This is used by graphic designers, artists, content writers, UX/UI designers, copywriters, photographers, etc.
2. Dribble(Free):
Dribble is also a free website just like Behance — you can use this website for your portfolio.
Try to publish 10 to 20 samples of niches in which you have the expertise, it’ll be easy for the client to decide — it can also increase your chances of getting the job.
“Hope you understand, why a portfolio is important”
If you’re a beginner, who wanted to make a writing portfolio — you can also use Medium for publishing your sample works.
If you have any queries, make sure to comment below.
What do you think, how much a portfolio is necessary for a freelancer and why?
