The key to getting your first freelance gig or building a thriving freelancing career is to build a strong portfolio. Unfortunately, many freelancers, especially newbies, got it wrong.
They focus on accreditations, skills, education, and other superficial stuff that the would-be client doesn’t pay attention to.
This guide has only one purpose — to help you create a strong and attractive freelancing portfolio. And hopefully, results in a successful freelance career.
What is the Role of a Portfolio in Freelancing?
Show, don’t tell. That’s the adage that separates the portfolio of successful freelancers from the average ones.
Where your resume describes the things you have done, a portfolio shows them. It is the distinction among the two to claim that you are capable of doing all this (your work) and indeed proving that it can be done, and have succeeded.
Remember, your freelance portfolio is worth its weight in gold when it comes to freelancing. It is a first impression of you. And it strongly matters in a world where some clients typically take just fractions of seconds to make up their minds.
Whether you’re creating a freelancing portfolio on a PDF, website, or a bio tool like Linktree, remember that there are certain principles that’ll separate your own portfolio from competitors’.
7 Steps to Create a Standout Freelance Portfolio
Over the years, I’ve tested different ways to craft an online portfolio that not only captures clients’ attention but also convinces them I’m the best candidate for the job.
Here’s how I did it.
1. Identify the Problem You Solve
Let me get real here for a second, clients are not just hiring for fun. Instead, they are hiring you to solve their problems. Hence, explaining what problems you are well suited for solving in your portfolio is crucial.
You might be a web designer, writer, developer or marketer, but your portfolio should be specific, focusing on the exact needs of companies/clients that you want to attract.
Feel your way into a niche. Ask yourself:
- Where do I shine when it comes to projects?
- What problems do I enjoy solving?
- Is there a demand for it?
The more detail you can provide, the better.
For instance, if you are a website copy specialist, showcase how your content can help drive up conversion rates for your previous clients. If your skill lies in creating brand identities as a designer, make it clear how your work helps small businesses stand out in crowded markets.
Remember, your clients want someone who understands the problems they have. Therefore, if you state the problems that your portfolio solves, then they are likely to consider you as a key solution for their needs.
2. Curate Your Best Work
Let’s be honest, less is often better when it comes to any kind of portfolio. It can be very tempting to include all of the past projects you have ever worked on. Instead, look at how you can substitute quantity for quality.
Remember, a portfolio is a collection of past projects you are proud to show off, not your entire life story. So, choose the ones that are most relevant to what you do.
Think of your portfolio as a first date where you always want to make the best impression possible. Skip projects that do not make you proud, or are irrelevant to the clients you want. For example, Kenny Lee, a freelance writer, curates his best work and personalize them for different clients.
While creating your portfolio, think about what your clients are looking for. If you want to work with tech startups, for instance, focus on projects that show your capacity to contribute in this space.
Note: Many newbie freelancers as what they should do if they don’t have any portfolio to show. My answer is simple. Do some practice projects and use them as the portfolio.
3. Make It Personal
Your portfolio = Your professional identity.
Don’t hesitate to add a personal touch to your portfolio because it helps you stand out from the horde of other skillful freelancers. Plus, a personalized portfolio makes you more approachable to prospective clients. So, grab the chance to show not only what you do, but who you are.
Start with an ‘About Me’ Section:
- Be concise: This is not the place to write a biography; just hit on the most important points.
- Your story: Talk about how you got started and why freelancing seemed to feel right for you.
- Talk about your values: make sure it is clear about what pushes you and what you enjoy the most while doing that.
- Resonate with others: The purpose should be to connect with your clients at a personal level. Everyone has their own story to tell and your story might be an inspiration to others.
Focus on Personal Branding:
- Consistency matters too: Be consistent with your brand, including colours, fonts, and the use of logos.
- Express yourself: Your portfolio must reflect who you are as a person, whether fun and quirky or neat, toned down.
- Tell them who you are as a person: Your branding should not only look professional but also resonate with clients and give them a clear sense of who you are.
4. Include Testimonials
When was the last time you made a purchase online? You most probably read the reviews before you decided on what to order, am I right? And the same principle applies to your own freelance portfolio.
Testimonials are as valuable as third-party credibility from actual clients you have helped. These will verify your ability and prove that you are professional and reliable in a way that your portfolio alone can’t.
Fret not if you are new and do not have many testimonials. You can reach out to former clients and ask for a brief statement about their experience working with you. A single good testimonial goes a long way.
Additionally, when adding client testimonials, select the ones that highlight a different aspect of your freelance business. Whether that comes in the form of your aptitude for creative thinking hitting tight deadlines, or how good you are at working with others.
5. Explain Your Process
Clients don’t just want to see the final product, they also want to know how you do it.
When you walk potential clients through the steps of your past project, not only are they able to see that you know what you’re doing, but it also helps them understand what to expect from you.
You may start by defining the main steps you make in your work processes.
- Does your process commence with a comprehensive briefing session to get the client’s standpoint?
- Do you provide draft versions or prototypes to get feedback?
Either way, be explicit and straightforward about it. This assures your potential clients that you are professional and enterprising in the way results will be delivered.
Even better, if you have a proprietary or branded process to use your name with it!
For example, if you are a UX designer like Juan Fernando Pacheco, maybe you have a process like the 4D Method: Discover, Design, Develop, and Deliver. It’s memorable. Plus, this quickly demonstrates that you have worked through a process that is powerful enough for whatever comes next.
6. Add a Contact Form
Your freelance portfolio has one job and that is to help you get new projects.
That is why it’s crucial to provide them with a user-friendly way of getting in touch directly with you. This can be done through an easy-to-use and clickable contact form. Consider this to open your doors to potential clients to take the next steps, a call-to-action.
Keep the following in mind when creating your contact form.
Simplicity
What to avoid? Anything that complicates filling up the form. So, limit the fields to names, emails, and messages. If you keep your form easy and quick to complete, your potential clients will feel more at ease when reaching out.
Placement
You can also think about where you put your contact form. Preferably, this will be available from every page of your freelancer portfolio, whether that takes the form of a contact page or an always-on-top sticky form while users scroll. The idea is to make sure that clients can reach you with minimal fuss.
Privacy
Also, remember to protect your client’s privacy. Assure your clients that their contact information will be safe and used ethically. Letting someone know how you will use their information can make a difference, whether they click that submit button or not.
Ultimately, a prominent and user-friendly contact form could be the gateway for casual online visitors to become potential clients. It’s a small effort, but that really should not be a forgotten piece of your online portfolio.
7. Create a Professional Freelance Portfolio Website
Here is an important tip: Owning your professional freelance website.
Not only does it prove your brand presence online, but a website helps improve your visibility in search engine results. With proper SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) practices, your site may drive organic traffic to your services or content. This enhances discoverability, particularly among people actively searching for what you offer without you actively looking for your next set of clients.
Here’s how to
1) Choose the Right Platform
Don’t worry if you aren’t a tech person.
Most of the website builders these days have templates that allow users to drag and drop designs. Such as Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress, these tools can help you create an aesthetically pleasing website easily customisable for non-coders.
- Wix provides flexibility with its wide range of templates and an intuitive drag-and-drop editor.
- Squarespace is also a popular option due to its slick, contemporary designs that are great for images and creative work.
- WordPress is best for people who want more customization and are willing to deal with the nitty-gritty of plugins & themes.
2) Create a User-Friendly Interface
After deciding on which platform suits you best, you need to focus on the website design and user experience. A simple, but functional portfolio website, one that has a clean layout allows your work to shine and makes it easy for clients to find the information they need.
Here are a few quick tips:
- Your navigation menu should be clear with the following buttons: Portfolio, About Me, Testimonials, and Contact (as a start).
- Have a constant color scheme, fonts, and designs that signify your brand.
- It is essential to ensure that your site looks good on all devices, like smartphones and tablets, as a lot of clients prefer going through the freelance portfolio while they are traveling.
3) Optimise for SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)
In general, your freelance portfolio needs to be easily found online for potential clients. This is where SEO has a crucial role to play. Consider hiring or consulting with a SEO expert as this will help with your website’s visibility online and make it easier for potential clients to find your website using search engines like Google.
What else to consider:
- You might want to get some directions from freelance graphic designers or copywriting services. The website UI/UX and placing SEO keywords in your headings, page titles, and descriptions can make a big difference when it comes to driving traffic to your website.
- Make sure you have a fast hosting provider as websites that load slowly can lower your ranking and turn off visitors.
- Write descriptive alt text for your portfolio images so they appear on search results.
4) Add Functionality to Your Website
Your portfolio website should do more than just display your work. It needs to initiate client engagement and reach out as a marketing tool.
Here are a few simple ways to do it:
- Pull your social media feeds directly onto your site to provide clients with another platform of yours, which they can communicate and verify your ‘extended’ work.
- Share insights, project updates, field-related tips, etc via blogging. This will also position you as an expert and help with your SEO efforts.
- Take advantage of pop-up notifications to promote discounts or new ventures while leveraging an email signup form for future mailing lists.
- A user-friendly and short contact form to fill out within minutes. This should be easy to locate and navigate, making it simple for clients to contact you.
I know this sounds overwhelming if you’re not a wordsmith. If you need help, just reach out to Kenny and his team at TechToWords.
Final Words
If you feel like you’re ready to make the change and opt for freelance as your career choice (or hope to get started with freelancing shortly), be it part-time or full-time, having a stellar portfolio is one way that sets yourself apart from millions of freelancers.
Also, a portfolio will help you bag your first client in your freelance journey.
By slowly building a strong freelance portfolio, you will be able to expand your future opportunities. Remember to be patient with yourself as the saying goes, “success is built over time, not overnight”.
FAQ
Where to find freelancer portfolio examples?
Awesome freelancer portfolios can be seen on Behance and Dribble, as well as personal websites created by Wix or Squarespace.
Which factor is important for success in freelancing?
Taking the main stage as a freelancer will require a strong freelance portfolio. It shows off your quality and skill sets, giving you the authority that sets you apart from other freelancers looking for clients.
What should a freelancer do to earn a good amount?
Work on high-quality work, become a specialist or an expert in an area, and keep your portfolio up-to-date with top-quality projects. This is the move that will draw in higher paying customers and lucrative opportunities!
This article is authored by Cyndy Kee, a freelance medical writer well-versed in SEO, proof-editing, and marketing strategies.
