As a freelancer, your past work is your reputation. Most new clients will want to see examples of your work and what you can do. The standard way to show this off is by using a freelance portfolio.
So in this article, we’ll look into the main things you should know when you are creating a freelance portfolio from scratch.
Let’s dive in.
So let’s get started.
Join the waitlist for Perfect Portfolio Workshop
And be the first one to know once the enrollment is open + snatch a special offer 🎉
Table of contents:
- How to make a good freelance portfolio from scratch?
- How to build a freelance portfolio from scratch without client work
- Waitlist for our Perfect Portfolio Workshop is open!
- Related articles
How to make a good freelance portfolio from scratch?
A good portfolio should be used to show your best work, and to make it clear what you do, what you are good at, and why a client might want to work with you.
This may sound obvious, but a surprising amount of freelance portfolios have major problems because they don’t communicate the right messages to potential clients.
And to be honest, it is surprisingly quite difficult when it comes to portfolios to be objective and put yourself into the client’s shoes, but that’s exactly what you have to do.
Context is the key ingredient of a good portfolio
The most common mistake freelancers make when they are setting up their portfolio is assuming that all of the work speaks for itself.
But the harsh truth is that most clients will scan through your work when they look at your portfolio. Keep in mind that attention spans are shorter than ever, so you don’t have any time to waste here.
That’s why you need to make sure it’s obvious immediately what the work is, what your goal was when you were making that piece of work, and what problems you managed to solve along the way.
Show off your personality
Don’t be afraid to put your personality into your portfolio.
People want to buy from real people, and by that I mean they feel like they are supporting other freelancers and business owners, just like them.
And don’t forget about the important freelance lesson – clients don’t necessarily hire the most talented or skilful freelancers. While skills are important, most clients are looking to hire a reliable freelancer. Someone who won’t let them down, and will deliver exactly what they want.
So use your portfolio as an opportunity to show your potential clients an insight into who you are, what makes you tick, and why the best option for them is to hire you over others.
How to build a freelance portfolio from scratch without client work
If you are just starting freelancing and don’t have any client work to show off yet, don’t panic. You can quickly start to build a portfolio as you get going freelancing.
The best way to do this is to simply start working on projects that are aimed at your dream client.
Think about who you would love to work with, and the kind of work you would love to do. If you are not sure about this, doing the Ikigai exercise can help.
When you are clear on those two things, you can start creating some passion projects. Create a brief for yourself, treat these projects as they are client work and aim to create four to six of them for the start.
We have written an entire guide to creating passion projects as a way to build your portfolio, so check it out for more instructions.
The most important thing with passion projects is that you want to demonstrate skills such as problem-solving, and creative thinking.
Alternatively, you can offer your services to family members or some friends, if you want more of a real-world experience and someone to keep you accountable.
Even better, you can reach out to your local charity and offer to do a specific project for them for free in exchange for a case study that will help you sell your services to clients later on.
Waitlist For Our Perfect Portfolio Workshop Is Open!
In this live workshop, Alistair will show you his framework for presenting freelance work, showcasing your skills, and increasing the chances of getting hired.
By the end of this workshop, you’re going to know how to put together a strong portfolio, even if you don’t have a lot of client work.
He will also teach you how to introduce yourself as a professional so your clients can easily see why they should hire you over the competition!
Find more information here, and join the waitlist below to snatch the special offer!
Join the waitlist:
Related articles:
Four Tips For An Outstanding Freelance Portfolio
Mini Brand Kit Every New Freelancer Should Have
Building a simple freelance website that will get you more clients and more work
Leave a Reply