I know. In this day and age, it can seem kind of antiquated to have to use a print portfolio.
But even though you have an online portfolio (and you do right?) you’d better plan to show up for interviews with a print portfolio, ready to show off your work. Here’s what you need:
A portfolio/presentation case
A simple 11”x14” zip portfolio case.
These are sometimes called “presentation cases.” You can find them at any art store for a very reasonable price.
(Here are some pictures of what they look like—images courtesy of Blick Art Materials.)
It should zip on three sides, have a handle and have a binder on the inside.
Inside of a portfolio case
The binder is for “archival pages,” which are essentially page protectors that you can slip paper samples of your work into (kind of like a photo album).
It doesn’t need to be any fancier than this; the real superstar of the portfolio should be your work, not the portfolio itself.
Archival pages
Your work.
If you have print pieces, slip these right in the archival pages. If you have digital pieces, print them out at the highest quality you can and add them, too.
Be as thorough as possible about putting work in your print portfolio. It can be easy to just upload images to your website and neglect to add them to your print portfolio. But just imagine being in an interview without a computer and wanting to reference a piece of work…that you have on your site and not in your hand.
A strategic order to your work.
And that strategic order should depend entirely on who you’re showing it to. If you have a few specific pieces you want to make sure a prospective employer sees, you don’t want to waste time flipping past pages and pages of non-applicable work, right?
Before you have an interview, rearrange your print portfolio so that the most important pieces for your prospective clients to see are right up front. There will probably be plenty of time to show them the less essential pieces (if it’s even necessary), but if there isn’t, you want to be sure they see the important pieces, right?
Your turn! How have you put together your print portfolio? Let us know in the comments!
FilthyRichWriter,
As of yet, I haven’t printed all (tons of them) my online pieces (the Billionaire “Soon To Be” Copywriter within keeps nudging me to do so *____\ shrugs shoulders, I will though, I have PROMISED myself).
All of next week (big family party this weekend (week long celebration, I am certain of it) … no space for Writing no serious folks will literally be sleeping all over the floors, couches and beds), I will follow your lead because these are some simply amazing tips.
In the past, I use to buy into “A Writer Can’t Make a Living Writing” as a lot of Artist’s have bought into “Starving Artist” , but thank God I have learned better, and consistently I am seeking to improve my writing as this year is very significant for me since I decided to finally live my dreams on purpose and STOP being busy all over the place and be who I am, A Writer who Writes. Now I say I can do this while consistently doing it. when I was younger I wrote for Free to acquire clips although I don’t suggest that now, but I did it, and now I am teaching how you can Intern for yourself by blogging, and reading blogs like yours, so you don’t have to Write for free nor join the Content barn yards.
Writing is my Business, and again, I plan to use these tips to leverage my Copy Writing Career, and mind you I was doing this for years, but had no clue of my OWN WORTH as a Copywriter … Go figure. Having learned the hard way that starting a Blog isn’t simply ONLY about Writing/Blogging, but it is essential as is tedious to effectively market, but first learn your market by first learning who you are as a Writer, hence therein your passion is revealed.
You have been a confirmation for me on so many levels with this post and others, and to think I found you last year, but never truly believed in my ability to acquire the right clients until I began getting booked to Speak at Churches and Corporations based on my blog, which I am in the process of revamping to actually make it all about Freelance Writing and Copywriting.
After praying for direction, I have been sent to many amazing websites that offer absolutely spell bounding tips to assist me in leveraging life, and my Writing Career, so to you and all other Writer who Blog who are making their life a reality by Writing Well, I am thankful. #WritingHopeRestored
FilthyRichWriter.com is a testament of what it means to be a Writer, and an encouraging space to learn and grow my Freelance Writing Career (Making it in the big time whatever that means LMBO, but seriously I will keep you posted on my Writing Successes). Needless to say throwing up a website, and/or a creating blog without learning to Market by first knowing your target audience is a waste of time. A lot of Writers that I know online tend to be similar to me in that they waste a lot of time trying to do too much, and thank God I have mastered how to avoid this challenge I have had most of my life.
Using words to cash checks starts by investing in learning how to value your gift to bring life to blogs with integrity (a lot of websites lack this one here). I have learned so much in short span of time (Online) because that has been my prayer, and now as I diligent use the right words through Content Marketing and investing in myself, and those who I have already done what I desire to do (FilthyRichWriter) on many levels without my own Writing spin of course.
Love the simplicity of your knowledge and website/blog. Sticking with the theme of this post, I am linking you to my Online Portfolio on DwriteWELL.com, which needs a lot of work and updating too, but the inside voice along with this post will prompt me to take action and update my offline portfolio as I secure new clients.
Your tips are great for any person who has given themselves permission to Write & Self Publish their story, hence becoming a Writer that invests in him/herself-through reading, implementing, using their voice, and creating-like I am finally doing. #ProudOfTheWriterIamBecoming because my GIFTS are making room for me, FINALLY since I am out of my OWN way. #GladAboutIt2
I have bookmarked your Blog because of the VALUE you bring to my life and Freelance Writing Business, so BIG “VIRTUAL” HUGS 2 & 4 U :).
Looking forward to “Making a Really Sensational Income From the Great Copy I Write” in your Blogs voice. 🙂
Do you welcome Guest Bloggers? I’d love to write for your Blog in the near future. Happy Writing, and ca$hing those “WRITE” check$. #WritingMoneyIsAWESOME
Enjoy the rest of your Summer.
Thank you,
Daphne D Williams aka DwriteWELL
http://www.Dwritewell.com/Portfolio
Hi Daphne,
Yay! Good for you—own it! There’s always more to learn (as in anything), but one of the biggest obstacles for a lot of copywriters to overcome is lack of confidence. So keep writing, keep learning and keep being a Filthy Rich Writer!
🙂
Nicki