Why Every Copywriter MUST Have an Online Portfolio

Nicki Krawczyk, founder of Filthy Rich Writer and the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast

Sitting down and knocking out a portfolio site can be a daunting task, but completing it will inevitably move your business forward.

In this episode Nicki and Kate discuss why it is imperative for every copywriter to have their own online portfolio. From what most copywriting portfolios are missing to what copywriters should keep off their portfolios, they provide actionable tips on how to make your portfolio stand out.

TUNE IN: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Stitcher

Looking for closed captioning or a transcript? Check out the episode on YouTube!

A Sneak Peek at the Episode

[1:00] Do you need your own website as a copywriter? Short answer: yes! You don’t need a certificate or degree to be a successful copyrwiter but you do need proof.

[1:28] Kate and Nicki discuss why having your own portfolio site is important. There are plenty of portfolio platforms out there but do you want your potential clients to easily click away from your portfolio to look at somebody else’s?

[5:45] Nicki and Kate explain how your portfolio site is your calling card, showing your talents off even before meeting potential clients. You can send attachments with emails to clients, but it becomes a lot of work, fast. Plus, it looks so much more professional to send over a portfolio site!

[7:57] Nicki asks Kate “What do most copywriters miss on their portfolio sites?” Spoiler: Always include context and results where you can!

[11:50] Kate says she likes including the names of the other people that worked on the pieces in her portfolio. As Nicki says, it’s like “getting your Oscar and thanking the director!”

[14:00] Kate talks about what shouldn’t be on your portfolio site. Her and Nicki explain that potential clients navigating to your site nine times out of ten know what copywriting is and also know the value of copywriting. Your portfolio’s job is to tell them why they should hire you.

[17:00] Nicki and Kate admit that it is hard to write copy for yourself, but it is probably the most important place to write the best copy.

[19:30] Nicki and Kate discuss another common mistake they see on copywriting portfolios: the About Me page. The About Me page is a great thing to include on your site but, just like everything else on the site, it should be about why they should hire you.

[22:47] Show some personality! Nicki and Kate talk about where it is appropriate and even encouraged to lose the buttoned up professionalism to show clients that you are a person too. It is your unique background that makes you a good copywriter!

[26:00] Kate throws in one last mistake she sees copywriters make: a logo. A logo is not as crucial as it may feel to getting your portfolio up and running! It is far more important to crank out the daunting task of the portfolio itself then to worry about a logo.

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About the Build Your Business Podcast

Ready to turn your love of writing into a successful copywriting career?

Join professional copywriters Nicki Krawczyk and Kate Sitarz to get the tips, tools, and training to help you become a copywriter and build a thriving business of your own. Nicki and Kate have 15+ and 10+ years of experience, respectively, writing copy for multi-billion-dollar companies, solopreneurs, and every size business in between.

Whether you want to land an on-staff job, freelance full-time and work from wherever you want, or make extra money with a side hustle, the best place to start learning is right here.