Freelance Writer Online Portfolio

Online portfolios are important for a freelance writer’s work. Since most freelancers work with clients they never see, and only conduct business with them using the Internet, an online portfolio is an important tool for success. The key attribute of an online portfolio is that it must stand alone, as it represents a writer’s work and must be able to sell itself.

Advantages of Online Portfolios

The advantages of online portfolios includes an obvious statement the writer is familiar with current Internet and computer technologies. Also it allows possible clients to readily evaluate a writer’s computer proficiency. Other advantages include:

• There is no physical object to be mailed or hand delivered. A potential client only needs access to the Internet and the appropriate web address (URL).
• All portfolio items can be presented in original format and not as facsimiles or photocopies.
• Much easier to modify or enhance for specific potential clients.
• A CD can be burned and mailed to a client if needed.

Disadvantages of Online Portfolios

Like everything with advantages, there are also disadvantages. For online portfolios these include:

• The risk of copying and plagiarism increases. Although security passwords can be added for protection, these can be easily hacked by a determined person.
• Potential clients may not have the software used to develop the product. Saving the written product as a PDF file is the best option for uncommon software.
• Some specific potential clients may not be comfortable with online portfolios, so a hard copy will need to be provided.

Online Portfolio Sample Items

There are many items which can be placed in an online portfolio to display quality and diversity of writing experiences. Some of these include:

• Print Newsletters
• Links to E-Newsletters or PDF files
• SEO articles
• Excerpts from E-Books
• Examples of proofreading with embedded corrections
• Excerpts from print books
• Multimedia projects
• Links to blog entries or the writer’s own blog(s)
• Links to a writer’s published articles

Common Programs for Online Portfolios

Online portfolios should always be written using common computer programs, such as Microsoft Word, etc. In fact all Word documents should be saved as Word 2003 files in a portfolio, because not everyone has Word 2007. Word 2007 can open 2003, however not the reverse.

Stick to common programs such as PDF files for easy opening with a PDF reader. Also, take into account the different types of Internet browser programs potential clients use when developing an online portfolio. Example Internet browsers include:

• Internet Explorer
• Firefox
• Safari
• AOL

Test the online portfolio using as many browser types as possible to see how it looks and make adjustments as necessary.

Other Options

Include the online portfolio as part of a freelance writer’s website or purchase the services of an online portfolio company to post the portfolio. A good place to have an online portfolio is at iFreelance. Their annual fee is not expensive and they have no limit on what or how many items can be placed in the portfolio. See the following sample to view how an online portfolio can look:

Example

Regardless of how the online portfolio is developed, it is the next best thing for selling a freelance writer’s services when there is no way to meet a potential client face-to-face.

Online Portfolio

Print Article

Email Article

View All Articles

How to subscribe to feeds