If you are a freelance writer and have not started building your writing portfolio, you are missing a huge opportunity. The role of a writer at times feels like an invisible occupation, but that is not the case. Freelancers make up a significant portion of the economy and create the content that plays a big role in the world today. If you want to be a successful writer, you will need to find a way to promote your writing career.
Want to start a side hustle? Maybe you’ve been freelancing for a while, but now you’re looking for your next project and have realized that it can be lucrative. Or maybe you’re starting to get a portfolio together and want to make sure you’re ready for the big time. Whatever the reason, writing a successful freelance portfolio is a skill that can lead to a lot of work.
To become a successful freelancer, you need to have a portfolio of work that demonstrates your skills and expertise. And the first step to creating a successful portfolio is to start with a blog. A blog is not only a great way to get your name out there, but it can also help you land clients. In this short article, I outline 6 steps you can take to start a blog that helps you land your first clients.. Read more about freelance writer portfolio examples and let us know what you think.
I had nothing to offer prospective customers when I initially began freelance writing in 2015. I had no published work, no personal website, and no means to demonstrate my abilities.
At the time, charging my value would have been virtually impossible. My first customer paid close to nothing since I couldn’t show them a portfolio and didn’t have time to haggle with no evidence.
Before I began my portfolio (which I subsequently turned to a blog that gives me a passive, but full-time income! ), it took me three years of working harder than I needed to.
As a result, I now strongly advise any new freelance writer to build a portfolio to display their work. It may help you earn a better per-word rate right now.
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Starting a Freelance Writing Portfolio in 6 Easy Steps
Set up your online portfolio with the help of this guide. It’s fast and easy, and after you’ve written several sample articles, you can use it in your client pitches.
Step 1: Select a Writing Specialization
“I will write on any topic,” many freelance writers begin by stating. While it’s beneficial to be flexible, specializing will help you establish yourself more quickly.
Generally, you should begin with subjects that you are acquainted with and that are popular.
Consider the following ideas for your writing niche:
- Finances
- Family
- Recipes and Food
- Parenting Advice
- Fitness and Health
- Gaming
- Travel
- Design of the Interior
- Hunting
- Sports
- Relationships
- Currently Popular Topics
Related: How to Start a Money-Making Blog
Step 2: Decide the platform you want to use.
Because it provides the greatest versatility with free themes (templates) and plugins, WordPress.org is the ideal platform for a freelance writing portfolio (features).
This is the platform that I’ve had the most success with and would strongly suggest.
Related: How to Work from Home as a Proofreader
Step 3: Decide on a Host
In order to interact with prospective customers, every website needs a host. Consider a host to be an online “rental space.” It costs money to keep your actual belongings in a storage facility, and it also costs money to keep your written samples and pictures online.
Bluehost is one of the most cost-effective portfolio hosting options. It offers excellent customer service and technical assistance that is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through Live Chat or phone.
Related: 15 Ways to Make Money Writing Slogans
What’s the deal with Bluehost? Because it is ideal for newcomers. You’ll hear a lot of different viewpoints on hosting, but I think it’s perfectly OK to choose one of the cheapest providers available–Bluehost is one of them.
To begin, open Bluehost in a new tab by clicking here. Choose “Get Started” from the drop-down menu.
I suggest starting with the Basic Plan, which is the most cost-effective choice. You’ll save even more money in the long term if you can commit to a 36-month plan. Examine the plans and what each one contains before making your choice by clicking the blue “Select” button.
Related: The Best Jobs for Stay-At-Home Moms
4th Step: Pick a Domain Name (URL)
A domain name, such as www.name.com, is a unique phrase that visitors may enter into a search box to locate your website.
If you sign up for a 12, 24, or 36-month plan, Bluehost will offer you a free domain name for a year. A year+ package will also give you the most bang for your buck.
Your entire name (if available) or a unique sequence of words that describes your specialty may be used as a domain name. You may always alter the name later if you want to (I did).
You may even use [YourName]Writer.com as an example!
You may either register for a free domain or enter an existing domain if you already have one. Then press “Next” to proceed. If you need more time to think about your domain name, you may easily skip this step.
How to Become an Affiliate Marketer is a related article.
Step 5: Make a Username and Password.
In the first section, type your name, address, phone number, and email address. This information will be used to create your billing account.
After that, decide whether you want a 12-, 24-, or 36-month hosting package. DO IT IF YOU CAN AFFORD TO BUY THREE YEARS OF HOSTING. It is the most cost-effective option. If you need a return for any reason, Bluehost offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
After that, choose any additional services you’d want to buy. I don’t pay for any of those services since there are generally free WordPress plugins available (with the exception of domain privacy, which you may wish to keep private).
Finally, take out your credit or debit card and enter your payment details. Review the terms of service, cancellation policy, and privacy policy before using the service. To complete your purchase, check the boxes next to those papers and then click “submit.”
One of the finest hosting for beginners is Bluehost. As soon as you purchase your hosting plan, its 24-hour assistance will assist you with selecting a theme and setting it up. If you’re not sure where to go next, log into your new account and start a free chat session with tech support.
How to Become a Marketing Coordinator is a related article.
Step 6: Get Your Sample Articles Published!
You may begin adding articles to your portfolio as soon as your website is up! Starting with five to ten well-written pieces on subjects you want to cover as a freelance writer is a good idea.
If at all feasible, keep the subjects linked to one another and under one specialty. You may always add additional categories to your portfolio once you’ve completed your first category with examples.
Then, when you meet a new potential customer, you may point him or her to the article category that best fits the task you’re selling!
Related: The Best Mom-Friendly Home-Based Business Ideas
Now is the time to start building your portfolio.
It is critical to create a freelance writing portfolio. Don’t make the same mistake I made and spend your first few years writing for little pay when you can start looking professional and charging what you’re worth right away!
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If you’re looking to make more money from freelance writing, you’ve probably heard the basic advice: start a blog, write about your passions, and start writing sample articles. But many would-be freelancers have trouble getting their websites up and running, and following the basic fast-track advice for success.. Read more about how to create a portfolio as a content creator and let us know what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do freelance writers get their first client?
Freelance writers often get their first client by sending a proposal to a company or individual. They will then either be hired on the spot, or they will receive an email asking for more information about them and their work.
How do freelance writers get clients?
Freelance writers can find clients by networking with other people who are looking for work. They can also look for jobs on sites like Upwork, which is a website that allows freelance workers to find work.
What should be in a writing portfolio?
A portfolio is a collection of work that an artist has done. It usually includes examples of their artwork, writing, and other creative works.
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