Content writing is different from copywriting. (For more on that, check out this article.) But it’s very likely that, at some point, a copy client is going to ask you to write content for them. Great—but where do those content samples belong on your portfolio site? Your portfolio site is for featuring your very best work, so it makes sense to put great samples up … [Read more...]
Tips for Your Professional Headshots
Your work—your samples in your print and online portfolios—are your biggest selling points. But there are other elements that impress prospective clients and sway them to choose you. One of them is your very own professional headshot. Today we’re going to talk about what your photo needs to look like in order to speak to your own professionalism. But first, I want … [Read more...]
How and Why to Collect Copywriting Testimonials
Building a great portfolio is fundamental to landing work—there are no two ways about it. But there’s one other element that can help “sell” you to potential clients and employers before they even meet you: copywriting testimonials. Once you’ve done work with clients, one of the best ways to get additional copywriting work is to re-pitch those same clients. … [Read more...]
Break Into New Copywriting Industries Using Spec Ads
If you’re new to copywriting, you’re probably wondering how to build your portfolio before you actually have things to put in it. Having an online portfolio site is crucial because it helps “sell” you to prospective employers and clients before they even meet you. The samples in your portfolio prove that you know how to write copy, work with a designer, write to a brand … [Read more...]
How to Put Together a Copywriting Portfolio (Even With No Experience)
One of the most important things you need to do to build your copywriting career is to build your copywriting portfolio. It's how you prove to clients you know how to write copy well, even before you work with your prospective client. But where do you even start? How do you create a copywriting portfolio website? How to you get samples? Here's how to put together a copywriting … [Read more...]
Copywriting Q&A: 4 New Trends in Portfolios
It used to be that your simply portfolio entailed a big binder with printouts of all of your best work. But welcome to 2016 kids—here’s what portfolios are looking like today... Today’s question comes from Nedda H., who asks, “I’ve worked hard to make my samples awesome. Is there anything you can recommend to make the way I present them awesome, too?” First, let’s start … [Read more...]
7 Signs You Need to Upgrade Your Portfolio Site
You know that having an online portfolio site is essential to building a career as a copywriter. But if you already have one, how can you be sure yours is up to snuff? There's a tendency for all of us to create our portfolio sites and update the samples when necessary, but just generally ignore the overall design. (I say this having updated my own portfolio site after … [Read more...]
The Biggest Copywriting Print Portfolio Mistake
Your print portfolio is how you demonstrate your skills to a potential employer and walk them through the best of the work you've done thus far. But many copywriters are making a mistake that, at best, reflects poorly on them and, at worst, could cost them the opportunity. Now, you already know that your portfolio (both print and online) has to be in absolute, tip-top … [Read more...]
What Copywriters Should Look for in a Spec Ad Designer
Finding a spec ad designer is one of the most crucial steps in building your copywriter portfolio—and building your career. But how do you know if someone will work well with you or not? Here we discuss what copywriters should look for in a great design partner. Why Copywriters Should Work With a Spec Design Ad Partner Remember that the designers who will be most … [Read more...]
Don’t Make This Mistake In Your Copywriting Spec Ads
You want your copywriting spec ad to be the best that it a can be. (Obviously!) But there's one huge mistake that a ton of new copywriters make that can absolutely tank their chances of getting work. Want to avoid it? I thought you might. I was watching some movie the other day in which a PR pro was advising a politician to reject the premise of a question. I'm going to do … [Read more...]