Four things you need to include in your online freelance portfolio
Looking to finally make your stamp in the world of freelancing? Here are four things you need to include when putting together your online portfolio.
There’s really no better time than now to start thinking about side hustle projects to bring in some extra income.
And if you’re looking to break free of working under someone else, becoming a freelancer in your chosen field is certainly a freeing option for many. But before you can launch yourself onto the freelance market there are a few things you need to get ready.
Build your very own online portfolio
Just like when applying for jobs, you enter the job market with your CV in tow, when it comes to freelancing you should be equipped with a sparkly, newly spruced up online portfolio to showcase who you are and the set of skills you’ll be offering to prospectiveclients.
Giving an insight into you, your portfolio should also support you in terms of proving your expertise and look to convince and appeal to employers that you’re the one to dothe work looking to commission out of house.
You can use a number of platforms and tools to host your online platform, whether it’s using blog platforms like Blogger or WordPress, or creating independent shopfronts online with big contenders like Etsy or independent agencies.
The latter, of course, is better suited to those going freelance with products they’ve crafted themselves, whether in physical or digital form.
To do this, then, your portfolio should include a number of essential elements.
What should you include in your online portfolio?
Here are four things you need to include in your portfolio.
1) Examples of your work
An integral addition to your online portfolio, you should include a number of work samples that highlight your specific expertise.
Whether these are mock-ups or direct examples taken from previous jobs, these samples should look to tick a number of boxes in terms of variety in what you can do to fit different brands and clients, and highlight all that you can offer in terms of your expertise.
For example, if you’re a freelance writer, ensure you include samples to show the kinds of writing you can do, including articles, blog posts, copywriting, social media copy, etc. and any other relevant skills you may have that stem from writing, including sub editingand social media managing.
2) Past client testimonials
Whilst your samples will do a lot of the talking in terms of talent whether you fit the bill for prospective clients, having a testimonial or two from people you’ve worked with in the past can also help to back your corner and create a well-rounded picture of who you are and the kind of work you can achieve.
Whether this is a freelance client you’ve worked with or someone else you’ve worked with in the past, these testimonials can offer insight and reassure a client of the kind of person you are, rather than simply hearing it firsthand from you.
If you want to go one step further, you can even write a case study of a successful project, and include the client’s testimonial at the end.
3) Clear contact details
It may seem obvious, but it’s important not to make it difficult for clients to get in touch with you. Contact details should feature right at the top of your portfolio and there should be a number of options for reaching you.
While some potential clients love to simply pick up the phone and have a natter, others prefer to shoot off an email. They may even prefer to send a DM to one of your social media accounts. Whatever they want to do is down to them, just ensure you give them the option to do so.
Within your contact details, it may also be a good idea to add your location. We’re not talking a complete address with postcode and all, but a vague idea of where you are in the world may be helpful for any onsite freelance tasks clients may have and determine a willingness to travel.
4) Social media handles
As mentioned, social media accounts are another possibility in which for clients to contact you. It’s also worth considering how to utilise them to be another tool for drawing that business in the first place.
Whether functioning as another means to show what you’re all about or another tool in which to actually highlight your skills, social media is nevertheless an invaluable tool that shouldn’t be overlooked even if you’re not directly looking into social media roles.
If nothing else, a regularly updated social media feed can be used to show your voice, your interests – professional and not – and an ability to maintain something to better showcase and market yourself. A huge following isn’t essential, but passion will always be a must.
Ready to launch your freelance career?
Eager to get started on your life of freelance? With one spruced up online portfolio with all these key elements, you’ll be well on your way to enticing new potential clients and running your very own business where you make 100% of the calls.
Photo by Marek Levák
