How to create a copywriting portfolio.
Ready to showcase your copywriting skills? Here’s how to create a copywriting portfolio that impresses clients and lands you new projects.
When your work is highly visual — such as illustration or graphic design — it’s easy to put together a portfolio by sharing images or other assets. However, if you’re a copywriter, the process of showcasing your work may feel a little trickier. Let’s explore some of the ways you can create a portfolio that presents your work both compellingly and professionally.
What is a copywriting portfolio, and why create one?
A copywriting portfolio is your ultimate showcase of writing prowess and persuasive abilities. It’s a collection of your best work, highlighting your skills as a copywriter. Here are the key benefits of creating a portfolio:
- Make a lasting impression. Instead of relying on a resume, a portfolio lets you demonstrate your writing style and expertise. It’s tangible evidence of your talent and versatility.
- Lead generation magnet. Clients and employers want to see your previous work. A portfolio gives them a sneak peek into your capabilities, building trust and confidence in your abilities.
- Boost your exposure. Sharing your portfolio expands your visibility within the industry. It can lead to networking opportunities, collaborations, and referrals from those impressed by your work.
- Seal the deal. Your portfolio acts as a persuasive tool in closing work. Clients can see concrete proof of your skills, making it easier for them to choose you over competitors.
By investing time in creating an exceptional copywriting portfolio, you position yourself as a reliable and skilled professional. It streamlines the client decision-making process and enhances your credibility in the field.
Remember, having a portfolio and establishing your expertise will make closing work easier, from lead generation to creating a copywriting contract.
How to create a copywriting portfolio.
Are you ready to showcase your copywriting skills and captivate potential clients but don’t know where to start? Your portfolio is a powerful tool to demonstrate your expertise and win over clients. To help you navigate the process, here are three essential steps to create a compelling copywriting portfolio:
1. Select various copywriting samples.
When choosing samples for your portfolio, aim for diversity in styles and types of work. Include a range of projects demonstrating your versatility and ability to adapt your writing style to different industries and target audiences. Showcase examples of persuasive sales copy, engaging blog posts, informative articles, and captivating social media content. By highlighting your versatility, you can appeal to a broader range of clients and showcase your ability to excel in various writing contexts.
2. Choose copywriting portfolio elements.
To make your copywriting portfolio visually engaging and informative, consider including a variety of portfolio elements. These can include links to live websites where your work has been published, PDFs of articles or reports you have authored, or even mockups of ad campaigns or social media posts you have designed. Including visual elements and interactive components can help potential clients better understand your skills and envision how you can contribute to their projects.
3. Make your copywriting portfolio easily accessible.
Once you’ve curated your copywriting portfolio, it’s important to make it easily accessible for potential clients to view. There are several options for hosting your portfolio, depending on your preferences and needs. One popular choice is to create a personal website or blog dedicated to showcasing your work. This provides a professional platform to organize your samples and present yourself as a copywriting expert.
Alternatively, you can leverage online portfolio platforms specializing in showcasing creative work. These platforms often offer customizable templates and convenient sharing options. When sharing your portfolio publicly, consider the pros and cons. While a public portfolio can increase your exposure and attract potential clients, handling any sensitive or confidential work appropriately is crucial, ensuring you have permission to share it or adapt it to protect client confidentiality.
What to include when creating a copywriting portfolio.
From creating ads and headlines to entire brand voices and strategies, “copy” can represent many different types of writing. How you choose to present your copy in a portfolio can help potential clients further visualize the value and talent you bring to the table. Here are some examples to help jumpstart the process:
- Share case studies. If you work with brand strategy, your portfolio may look best with case studies. You can do this by sharing a particular client’s needs and briefly summarizing how your copy solved their problem.
- Utilize mockups. Even if you create a real zinger of a headline, the copy can sometimes fall flat once it appears in a design context. Mockup sites allow you to insert your copy into images (in formats like billboards, phone apps, and packaging designs) to make it more visually compelling. It’s a great way to show and tell.
- Share links. If article writing is your area of expertise, consider sharing short clips of articles along with the link for further reading. You can also download your best articles and combine them into a single PDF that’s clean, professional, and easy to view.
When creating your portfolio, keep in mind there’s no right or wrong way to make one. When you’re ready to share yours, compress your PDF file to make sure it’s easily shareable for potential employers.
Copywriter portfolio example with no client work.
In some instances, you may find yourself without client work to include in your copywriting portfolio. This can occur if you’re new to the field or bound by nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) that restrict you from showcasing certain projects. However, even without client work examples, you can still create a compelling copywriting portfolio by leveraging personal samples and demonstrating your writing abilities effectively. Here’s how:
- Showcase personal writing samples. Highlight your writing skills with personal samples such as blog posts, articles, or essays. Select pieces that align with your desired copywriting niche and demonstrate versatility.
- Provide context and purpose. Offer a brief introduction for each sample, explaining the target audience, purpose, and goals of the piece. This contextual information helps potential clients understand your approach.
- Highlight relevant skills and techniques. Emphasize the skills and techniques utilized in your writing. Include elements relevant to the industry like storytelling, persuasive language, or SEO (search engine optimization).
- Include testimonials or recommendations. Seek recommendations or feedback from colleagues or writing groups. Display these testimonials to add credibility and reassure potential clients of your abilities.
- Create speculative or conceptual projects. Develop mock campaigns, advertisements, or website copy for fictional or hypothetical clients. Treat these projects seriously to demonstrate your creativity and problem-solving abilities.
Discover everything you can do with Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Acrobat online services to show off your creative work in a clean, compelling, and professional manner.
