Are you ready to build an awesome copywriting portfolio? Great! Because today, we’re diving into exactly how you can do that, even with zero clients or experience under your belt.
What’s a Copywriting Portfolio?
First up, let’s talk about what a copywriting portfolio is. Think of it as your writing showcase—a collection of your top-notch writing pieces.
Clients want to see your portfolio because it shows off your writing skills. It’s one thing to say that you’re a great writer, but when you can show clients portfolio examples so they can see for themselves, that’s the way to prove that you’re a talented copywriter.
The Golden Rules of a Great Portfolio
Now, let’s get into the best practices for your portfolio. Remember, less is more! Clients don’t have the time to look through tons of random portfolio examples.
Clients want to see relevant portfolio examples. Meaning, copywriting examples that you have written for their specific industry. Not the poem or newsletter article you wrote in high school. If you don’t have any clients yet, then you decide what niche and type of copy you’d like to specialize in and write examples around that.
For example, you may want to write product descriptions for pet food products. Or perhaps you’d like to write sales pages for spiritual life coaches. Focus on what you want to be hired for and create samples just like that!
3 Ways To Kickstart Your Copywriting Portfolio
Don’t have any clients yet? No worries! Here’s how you can build a portfolio right now without any clients:
1. Start a Blog
Blogging is easy and often free! Platforms like Medium.com or WordPress let you set up in no time. Write about what’s trending in your chosen field. Google can help you find hot topics to cover.
2. Write About What You Love
Got a brand or product you can’t get enough of? Write a review or an article about it. It’s easier to write about what you already know and love.
3. Offer Your Services for Free
Reach out to people you know—family, friends, businesses—and offer to write something for them for no charge. It’s a win-win: they get free content, and you get to add to your portfolio. Just remember, this is just to get you started.
Where to Share Your Portfolio Online
You’ve got some awesome pieces ready—now where do you put them? Here’s where:
Google Drive
It’s free with Gmail and super easy to use. Just create a folder, upload your work, and share it with a link!
Clippings.me
This platform is user-friendly with a bunch of cool templates. It makes your portfolio look sleek and professional.
Muck Rack
Perfect for writers and journalists, Muck Rack offers a simple setup to showcase your work quickly.
Your Own Website
The best place, in my opinion, is your own site. You have total control and can easily update it with new work.
Your Portfolio: Your Writing World on Display
As a freelance copywriter, your portfolio is the key to unlocking new opportunities. It’s a curated gallery showcasing your very best work, tailored to the industries you’re most passionate about.
By sharing a handful of select, top-notch pieces, you make a powerful statement about your skills and your readiness to take on new challenges. Whether you’re sharing your talents on a blog, highlighting your favorite brands, or generously creating samples for local businesses, each piece is a stepping stone towards building your reputation.
Keep it crisp, make it stellar, and watch as your portfolio opens doors to a world of writing possibilities.
