Having a killer online writing portfolio can be the greatest asset and online writer has, but how do you get one? Creating the perfect online portfolio may seem like a major task, but it doesn't have to be. There are many innovative ways to present writing work. Consider these options for online writing portfolios with a difference.
Showcase Online Writing With a Presentation
One way to showcase writing work is with a presentation. This is easy to create, either offline with PowerPoint or a similar program, or online with a tool like the presentation tool in Google Documents.
Begin by creating a standard presentation showing the different types of work, with links to online examples. Then make the portfolio more interesting by including screenshots of the sites where the writing appears. Finally, add an interesting image at the start of the presentation and contact details at the end. Once the presentation is finished, upload it into an online presentation tool such as Slideshare for embedding on LinkedIn, Facebook and other sites where writers can create a professional presence. This will greatly enhance the reach of the writing portfolio.
Social Bookmarking as a Portfolio Tool
Another great way to make a useful online writing portfolio is to use a social bookmarking site like Delicious to collect writing samples. The advantage of doing this is that writers can tag each item by publication and type of work, making it easy for clients to find the samples they are looking for. To get the best from this strategy, use the browser bookmarklet available in Delicious and bookmark work as soon as it is published online. Use the notes feature to add details that will help to answer clients' questions about the work.
Use a Website as a Writing Portfolio
For writers, having their own website is one of the easiest ways to create an online writing portfolio. There are many great examples of online writing portfolios. Some writers choose the best example of each type of writing that they do and make that available for download. Others provide examples through a writing blog. Still others create a list of the work they have done, divided into many categories.
Blogging is perhaps one of the best ways to create an online writing portfolio, because blogs:
- are ordered by date
- use categories and tags
- are easily searchable
- are quickly indexed by search engines
One option for writers using a blog as a writing portfolio is to create categories for the major writing areas or topics they cover, place samples in individual posts and tag them for greater refinement.
Finally, although many writers think of a portfolio as simply a list of what they have done, remember that for many potential employers or clients, this is the only chance they will get to evaluate the writer's skills and qualifications. Writers should include some professional information in their online writing portfolio that will help to land them the ideal writing job.
Sharon Hurley Hall - I am an expert web content writer, with more than 20 years' experience writing for newspapers, magazines and websites. I write ebooks, web ...
Join the Conversation