Freelance Writing: Online Portfolio Guide

If you are a freelance writer or an aspiring freelance writer, one of the most important parts of your "business model" is establishing an online portfolio of your work. Companies and individuals, who hire freelancers, are taking a gamble when they outsource for projects, because often times, they never get to meet the individual face to face. Most freelance writers are self motivated, talented individuals; otherwise they would never aspire to work for themselves in such a competitive business. But, there is no easy way to communicate this fact effectively to potential clients, without offering them an online portfolio and/or online identity for you and your work.

• Showcase your best writing work, no matter what genre or venue it was intended for

• Sometimes it's difficult for potential clients to find freelance writing services for the exact project they have. The qualities they look for in freelancers include: professionalism, dynamic writing style, self motivated and sometimes just a sleek first impression and passion for your work is enough.
  

• Don't include fluff pieces in your writing portfolio. Stressing again, only showcase your very best work

• What if a potential client is viewing your portfolio, and sees that you have a vast array of pieces to choose from. Yes, this is impressive. But, it's very likely that the first writing piece they read is one of your fluff pieces. They're not going to read through every single one of your portfolio contents, so they can only base their decision upon the fluff piece that they read.
  

• First impressions are key

• As freelance writer, you are not expected to be a guru web designer or graphic designer. But, it's important to find a place to showcase your work that displays your work in a clean, organized and forward thinking manner. They also offer revenue sharing for their writers!

  leniche.com is a fairly new freelance community that offers freelancers a very impressive portfolio, specifically for freelance writers. Every article you write and post on leniche is listed on your profile, with a brief bio, contact information and image. You can very easily customize all your written pieces, through the text editor, including lists, headers, paragraph formats, etc. Basically, it allows writers full freedom to make each article their own.

  They also offer the option to create your own personal web page within the freelance site that can include links and customized content, feeds, galleries, links and documents. Plus, it's all free!
  

• A writer's grammar is imperative

• Employers won't take a second glance at a resume with grammar mistakes. You can't expect potential freelance writing clients to take a writer's portfolio seriously if there is any type of grammar mistakes
  

• Importance of freelance writing format

• While writing is an art in and of itself, format is also a big part of mastering your writing craft. Make sure each example portfolio piece exemplifies a professional format style specific to the genre you're writing for. Formatting your pieces appropriately and professionally will also entice potential clients to read further and take notice of your writing abilities. EX: If one of your example freelance writing pieces is a press release, research press release formats and makes sure that it stands out as a press release, and nothing else.

Good luck creating your freelance writing online portfolio! Even if you don't have web design skills, as a freelance writer it is possibly and expected to have an online representation of your skills.