TheWritersNiche

You’ve got the skills. You’ve got the passion. Maybe you’ve even got a few published pieces floating around. But when it comes time to pitch clients, apply for writing gigs, or submit to editors, there’s one thing you can’t skip: a writing portfolio.

A writing portfolio is your calling card, proof of your abilities, and one of the most important tools in your career. Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned pro, this guide will show you how to create a portfolio that gets attention, builds credibility, and lands you paid work.

1. Understand the Purpose of a Writing Portfolio

A portfolio is more than just a collection of links or PDFs. It’s a curated showcase that tells potential clients or editors:

✅ What kind of writer you are
✅ What topics or industries you cover
✅ How versatile and professional you are
✅ What results or value you can deliver

Pro tip: Think of your portfolio as your “greatest hits album,” not your entire discography.

2. Choose the Right Platform

You have options pick one that fits your goals and tech comfort level.

✅ Personal website (best choice): Use WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, or Carrd to create a branded portfolio site.
✅ Portfolio platforms: Contently, Journo Portfolio, Clippings.me, ClearVoice
✅ Cloud folders: Google Drive or Dropbox (works in a pinch but looks less polished)
✅ PDF portfolio: Useful for niche or print-focused clients, but harder to update

Pro tip: Use your name in your domain if possible (e.g., janesmithwrites.com).

3. Select Your Best and Most Relevant Work

Quality > quantity.

✅ Start with 5–10 strong samples
✅ Include a mix of formats (blog posts, articles, case studies, social media copy) if possible
✅ Highlight topics or industries you want more work in
✅ Replace old or weak samples as you improve

Pro tip: If you’re brand-new, create spec samples (fake projects) or guest posts to demonstrate your ability.

4. Write an Engaging Bio

Your bio should tell people:
✅ Who you are
✅ What you do
✅ Who you help
✅ How to contact you

Example:
“Hi! I’m Emma, a freelance health and wellness writer helping brands create engaging, evidence-based content. My work has appeared in Healthline, Well+Good, and SELF. Let’s connect at emmawrites.com.”

5. Provide Context for Each Sample

For each piece, include:
✅ Title and link or PDF
✅ Brief description of your role (e.g., “Wrote SEO blog post for client X”)
✅ Outcome if relevant (“Article ranked #1 on Google for target keyword”)

Pro tip: Show off results when you can clients love that.

6. Make It Easy to Navigate

✅ Group samples by type (articles, blog posts, copywriting) or topic (finance, health, lifestyle)
✅ Keep the design clean and mobile-friendly
✅ Avoid clutter and dead links

Pro tip: Ask a friend to review your portfolio if they get confused, simplify it.

7. Include Testimonials or Social Proof

Testimonials can elevate your portfolio.

✅ Ask past clients or editors for a short testimonial
✅ Use LinkedIn recommendations
✅ Highlight awards, features, or media mentions

Example:
“Jane’s copy increased our email open rates by 40% highly recommend!” - Sarah, Marketing Director

8. Show Personality and Professionalism

✅ Use a friendly, authentic voice
✅ Add a photo if appropriate
✅ Double-check for typos or broken links

Pro tip: Balance approachability with professionalism think “friendly expert.”

9. Make It Easy to Contact You

✅ Add a contact form or email link
✅ Include social media handles (if they’re professional)
✅ Make your CTA clear (e.g., “Let’s work together! Reach me at [email]”)

10. Update Regularly

✅ Review your portfolio every 3–6 months
✅ Add new, stronger samples
✅ Remove outdated or irrelevant work

Pro tip: Treat your portfolio like a living document keep it fresh and evolving.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Including too much work → curate, don’t overwhelm
❌ Showing irrelevant or off-brand samples → tailor to your niche
❌ Hiding contact info → make it easy to reach you
❌ Using poor design → invest in a clean, professional layout
❌ Neglecting to update → keep it current

Sample Portfolio Layout

Your Portfolio Is a Work in Progress

You don’t need 20 years of experience or a massive client list to build a great portfolio.

Start with what you have. Focus on quality. Keep refining.

With time and intention, your portfolio will become a magnet that attracts your dream clients and projects.