In part one of this article you learnt all the basics you need to know about freelancing. In this article (part 2), you will learn everything about portfolio. If you are already a freelancer, you might have come across this situation where a client might have asked you for a portfolio, right? Or even though if you are a beginner, at least you might have heard in your research. Portfolio is just like a resume for freelancers to get clients. Your portfolio is what will bring you success or failure. So, how do you create such a freelance portfolio which can compete with your competitors? Read further, there is a lot waiting for you…
Take Away:
- What is a portfolio?
- Why do you need portfolio?
- Software’s to use
- How to create a portfolio that can get you leads?
- Examples
- You will get a step by step process template, especially designed for you
- Finally, we will discuss about a few FAQ’s (you will also get more valued info here)
What is a portfolio?
Portfolio is all about you. It contains your personal info such as your contact number or some other links to facetime or to take interview (if possible), your email id, all the project titles you’ve worked on, testimonials, samples of your work, and more importantly what services you provide etc. do not confuse over here, because there are different types of portfolio and people do not mention what kind of portfolio it is while talking about portfolio.
For example: I was beginning my freelance career just like you, and I was totally confused what a portfolio was. One day I was watching a video about investing money and the person who was on the video used “portfolio” many times, he was like (I have x number of stocks in my portfolio), that just added fuel to my burning confusion. I thought maybe I have to invest money in order to pitch to clients, LOL. But later I discovered that the portfolio which we are discussing doesn’t have any connections with others.
Why do you need a portfolio?
To prove yourself, you need a portfolio. The portfolio we are discussing right now, will carry all the stuff that is required to make you stand out of crowd, because tens of people and sometimes hundreds, pitch to the same person every day and that person cannot facetime or interview every single person, right?
So, to make it easier you gather all your expertise into one place which can be shared, a portfolio. And you share that portfolio with every single person (a client) you pitch to.
Software’s to use
We do not recommend you to waste time and money on some useless stuff you come across whenever you search about creating a portfolio. There are people who tell you that one should have a portfolio website in order to get clients but we say, IT IS TOTALLY WRONG. You do not need some fancy stuff to get clients, because they see your work not how fancy your website looks like.
What is alternative?
Well, your portfolio can be a pdf or a google doc and a Canva made portfolio is also ok, until and unless it is presented in a way that it should be.
How to create a portfolio that can generate you leads?
Page-1: About you
Use page 1 to tell about you, do not brag about yourself rather tell them who you are, what kind of business you do and whom you serve. Overall, you should write it in a way to let them know why they should hire you in the first page itself.
Page-2: your primary services
This page tells what services you offer and also provide a little meta-description about the service you are providing. Do not include more than 3 services in this page.
Page-3: samples of your work
One of the best ways to build trust is to provide some samples related to your niche, either they are some published work or direct link to the folder. Also add details of your previous projects and highlight the brands you worked with, especially mention if the brand is somehow related to the brand you are going to work with.
Page-4: Results you brought
If you are a beginner you do not have to worry, work with beta clients. Who are beta clients? People from your own native place or country, and collect the information about the results you brought from them.
Page-5: testimonials
The feedback you get for your work from your client is known as testimonials. Presenting testimonials is another way to get your clients impressed.
Page-6: Recommended services
This page changes from client to client, you use this page to tell the prospect (client) what services you are offering him. Also be sure to give every clearance about the service in this one single page. For instance: tell him about the service you are offering him, what this service include, what is the problem he is going through (assume) and how can you solve his problem with the service you are going to provide.
Page-7: contact information
This is the final page, make sure you add the correct information to contact you. We highly recommend you to provide a Calendly link to book a 1O1 call with you.
Your portfolio is what everything in freelancing. So, make it as perfect as you can, be creative, use attractive words but do not go fancy. Show utmost importance to page-1, page-2, page-6 and page-7.
Examples:
Here are a few portfolio examples by experienced freelancers. They still use them.
Do not try to copy them. It’s their creativity and maybe you can create better than them. You will never know till you see yourself working for it. Before you jump in, grab your free copy of step by step process of how to build a portfolio, also read Frequently Asked Questions by freelance beginners just like you.
…Click here to grab your free copy…
FAQ’s by freelance beginners about portfolio
1. Do all applicants receive a portfolio viewer?
Nope. They will assess you 50% from about you page itself. The rest they confirm from the other pages. It might take around 5-7 minutes to view a portfolio completely, which means there is no need for them to appoint a viewer for every single person, yet every applicant get their portfolio viewed.
2. How will my portfolio be evaluated?
They check everything. From grammar to sentence formation to your work samples to your prior experience etc. they evaluate you based on everything you show case in your portfolio, finally your portfolio is calculated for 100 points: Quality of work=60, Ability to embrace process=40
3. What should I include in my portfolio?
Read the about article.
4. Is portfolio and resume the same?
Yes, they both are same but portfolio digs deeper than a resume and consumes a lot of time to create.
5. What are the different types of portfolio?
- Aggressive portfolio
- Defensive portfolio
- Income portfolio
- Hybrid portfolio etc. these are entirely different from the freelancing portfolio.
Freelancing takes time, it is not overnight success. There are many other key factors to get success at freelancing such as cold messages and emails, optimized social handles etc. it is not just a portfolio that brings you success. But still portfolio is as important as the other methods.
