I know for a fact that many of you that read this blog are interested in creating your own careers. That is to say, you have an idea and you want clients like yesterday. Or, you want to take on something like freelance writing as a side hustle.
Many of you have also emailed me with questions about how to set up an online portfolio. Well, you’re getting your answer! Today we have a guest post from Whitney Jones, a freelance writer and editor from the Midwest. She is writing on behalf of Colorado Technical University on how to set up your own online portfolio.
Enjoy!
Getting Started On Your Online Portfolio
For writers, artists, and just about anyone else who’s looking for an audience, an online portfolio is one of the best ways to show your work to the world. Educational institutions have embraced online portfolios for their value to students and to instructors who evaluate students’ work. Professionals can use an online portfolio to serve as a résumé, an Internet presence for a business, or a portal to establish and maintain contact with possible clients.
However you decide to use your online portfolio, you’ll need to make it attractive, easy to find, and useful. If you’re a college graduate or if you’ve never used an online portfolio, getting started takes just a few steps. Your goal should be to create an online portfolio that’s welcoming, interesting, and friendly.
Finding a home for your online portfolio
The first and most important step is finding a place to build your online portfolio. There are plenty of sites designed for just this purpose. Services like Carbonmade and FigDig are great free options that allow you to set up a quick, bare-bones site.
But buying a domain is the best way to make sure your work is secure and easy to find online. It costs just a few dollars a year, but it can be worth it in the long run. Consider a WordPress account, which is easy to build and modify.
Putting out the welcome mat
Once you’ve set up a website for your work, your next step should be making it easy to navigate. Separate pages for your work—as well as a dedicated page with all of your contact information—is a good way to start. When listing your contact information, be sure to use only the phone numbers and e-mail addresses you’d like people to have. You can also set up a contact form page for extra security.
Making your site attractive is also important. Artists will have a leg up on aesthetics, but writers and other professionals should concentrate on making the sites clean, easy to read, and worth revisiting. Updating content on a regular basis—perhaps keeping a weekly or daily blog—is one way to keep your audience coming back for more.
Connecting with your guests
When you’ve built a great-looking website, and it’s time to build an audience. Whether your online portfolio serves as your online gallery or your job searching tool, making your site interactive is another important step. Your contact page should include your social media pages as well, and if you don’t have a Twitter or Facebook account, consider creating them and connecting them to your online portfolio. The more accessible you are to potential clients and employers, the more attractive you become as a potential job candidate.
Once it’s complete, your online portfolio should reflect not only your work, but the kind of artist, writer, or job candidate you are. Just as you should always update your résumé, be sure to keep up on your online housework—maintaining an online portfolio means keeping it current and interesting. A great online portfolio can be the best way for you to get the kind of attention you and your work deserve.
Please use this article in your ebook. . I think its a big help to the ones that are just starting their business.
Thank you