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How to Build Your Portfolio 🎨

Remote Working & Freelancing

November 11, 2021

AUTHOR

Kevin Jusino

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So, you want to be an Independent.

First of all, congratulations! Along with the 24% of Americans earning money through the digital “platform economy,” you are taking the first leap towards the future of work. From choosing which projects you want to bring to life to creating a personalized schedule, you’re about to enter a world of unlimited creative freedom.

Exciting, right? Still, making this decision is just the first step in finding work on your own terms. Now, get ready to create the foundation to start building your independent career.

In other words, it’s time to show off what kind of value you bring to the table.

What is a Portfolio, and Why is it Important? 🤔

On Contra, your profile consists of projects: it is a personal, visual collection that covers everything a potential client might ask for when looking for an independent worker. It’s more than a group of work samples you choose at random — the pieces you present should specifically highlight your best achievements, skills, and versatility in the field.

If you’re at the project building stage, you most likely already have some of the most important steps out of the way: You’ve chosen your niche, nailed down what services you’d like to offer, and possibly even have a few completed projects under your belt.

So… what now? As awesome as it would be, clients aren’t just going to drop out of the sky (or into your inbox). You still need a way to prove that your services are worth someone’s time and money.

This is where a project comes into play. When they’re done looking through it, a prospective client should have no doubt that you are the best, most capable independent for their opportunity.

Sound difficult? Don’t worry: It doesn’t have to be! Let’s break it down.

What Should I Include in My Project? 📁

Watch on YouTube

Alright, now comes the fun part. Roll up your sleeves, grab your favorite work snack, and get ready to start thinking about what makes you… well, you!

Try to answer these questions as you develop your projects.

What is My Best Work?

What are you most proud of in your career? Is it a photoshoot you helmed for a multinational fashion brand? A series of blog posts you wrote for a major marketing agency?

Don’t be shy — this is the one time you can totally brag about your accomplishments with zero guilt. So, compile the best of the best, as clients want to see what you’re capable of and at what scale.

Make sure to include a brief description of each project. For instance, you can talk about:

The problem-solving approaches you used to fulfill requirements

Any challenges you faced (and how you overcame them!)

What revisions were made

Any other steps you’d like to highlight

Finally, don’t feel discouraged if the work you’re showcasing wasn’t for huge, flashy corporate names. Even a service completed for a local small business can speak volumes if it highlights the passion, dedication, and value you brought to the project.

What Impacts Have I Made?

If you’re a numbers person, this step may be your favorite.

Statistics are at the forefront of any business, and they don’t stop short at independent work. If you know what positive impacts your services have driven, you should absolutely showcase them within each project. This kind of proof will take it to the next level and tell clients you’re capable of giving them tangible results.

Some examples of statistics you could include are number of:

Customers/leads generated

Page views gained

Followers earned

Anything else you want to show off!

Also, you can — and should — include testimonials from past clients. Just like how you browse reviews before buying something online, prospective clients want to know your previous clients were happy with your work.

Not sure how to get them? Well, after completing a service for a client, ask them for a brief testimonial about working with you that you can include in your project (with their permission, of course).

What is the Best Way to Contact Me?

If you don’t provide a way for potential clients to get in touch, then you may as well not even make a project!

Having a solid call to action (CTA) might be the most critical aspect of an independent’s portfolio. After all, you’re also in charge of advertising yourself to clients — you don’t want to sell yourself short, let alone forget to sell yourself at all!

Check out this video on how to add CTAs to your projects:

Fortunately, communication with clients is a breeze on Contra. They can find links to your socials embedded in your projects, reach out via messages, or submit an inquiry directly from your profile page.

Once you’ve proven why your skillset is the best in the field, don’t forget to drop your relevant contact information along with a compelling call to action. If you’ve followed the steps listed so far, you should be hearing from clients in no time.

But Wait, There’s More… 👀

We’ve covered the basic formula for creating a standout project, but we’re not done yet.

Be sure to keep these final considerations in mind as you get started.

What Should I Leave Out of My Project?

Some things are better left unsaid. Try to remove the following:

Filler projects: If they’re boring to you, they’re boring to clients.

Irrelevant/excess information:Keep it concise!

Errors and spelling mistakes: What will your client’s project look like if your copy is messy?

What if I Don’t Have Any Projects Yet?

Not all is lost! If you’re new to independent work and don’t have any samples to showcase yet, you can still present your skills via “practice projects.”

It’s as easy as it sounds: Assignyourself a project (i.e., a mock blog post or website layout) and pour your heart into it. Even if it’s not a “real” work sample, it can be enough to show clients exactly what you have to offer.

What if My Work Isn’t Visual?

This one is for independent writers, project managers, engineers, and anyone else in a non-visual field — we didn’t forget you!

If you’re worried about making your project pop, you can still do so by inserting images of your work (i.e., screenshots of a webpage you wrote copy for or an application you oversaw the management of.)

Just be sure you’re not taking credit for someone else’s work — make it clear what role you played in the project.

Where Can I Receive Feedback?

Becoming an independent doesn’t mean you have to work alone forever, so don’t be afraid to ask for feedback on your projects from peers and industry experts. Of course, once you’ve created and completed your Contra profile, you can also join our Slack community to seek advice from other independents!

Independent work might be new, but it doesn’t have to be scary. With this guide at your side, you can create a strong portfolio that grants you the confidence necessary to find success in your field of choice.

About the author

Kevin Jusino is a versatile copywriter, content writer, and editor. He started freelancing in 2020 and has worked with hundreds of clients since. If you're looking for professional writing or editing, he's your guy! Check out more of Kevin's work on his profile!