Portfolios are perfect for showcasing your work and attracting potential clients or employers. They hold immense value for a newbie or veteran writers. Portfolios also make it easier for you to transition from one niche to another and advertise the experience under your belt to give you an edge in the industry.
A popular platform among writers for creating a portfolio is Contently. Its features allow one to build their portfolio in simple, seamless steps. In this article, we'll explain what Contently really is and go over the steps required to create a solid writer's portfolio using Contently.
What Is Contently?
Contently is a platform devoted to content marketing. It is incredibly well-liked and produces content for prestigious brands like Dell, Marriott, and Microsoft. Contently enables freelancers like you to display their work by building an online portfolio and providing a marketplace to network while connecting with high-paying clients.
Contently has established itself in the content marketing space as a useful and trustworthy tool for writers. It provides a place for writers to create portfolios without needing to own a website or have any coding knowledge.
The setup process is straightforward, easy, and flexible, so you can adapt it to your desires. It allows multiple options to upload your works, including links, PDFs, and direct uploads from your website, with no limit to the number of works you can showcase. Its versatility also allows you to display graphical pieces (illustration/banners), photographs, and videos.
Contently has the added benefit of scanning writers’ portfolios for quality work experience. When your work attracts the platform's attention, Contently will send you a personal invite for high-paying gigs. Let's set up your portfolio if you feel good about it.
How to Create a Writer Portfolio Using Contently
Before you proceed, one of the best practices is to list all the works you want on the portfolio. You can categorize them however you want them to appear.
A well-categorized list will help you know what goes where instead of just uploading files randomly. Proper organization of your work files is essential in creating your writing portfolio and also a way of showing that you are a professional. Afterward, you can do the following:
1. Create an Account
The first step is to register for a free account on Contently’s sign-up page. All you need is your name, a valid email address, and the intended password for your account. Ensure you satisfy the suggested password requirement to create a strong one.
For the "how did you hear about us," you can select "other" and submit. The next page will prompt you to verify your email account from your inbox. Once you have verified your email account, you will have to fill out some basic information about yourself, including your name, bio, and experience.
2. Add Your Basic Information
This sign-up section is where you add your contact info. More importantly, you get to customize your link, so it is not generic like "johnsnow345". For example, you can customize your link to say "johnsnowcopywriter." You also don't have to put your job in your name. Feel free to be creative with it.
In addition, you should also pay attention to the “primary skill” box. It only permits you to choose one primary skill, so select the closest one to your skill.
3. Upload Your Works and Projects
The next step is to add your projects to your portfolio. To do so, you could choose any of the import options. You can import it through any published link or from your device as a PDF. This part of the sign-up process is editable once you get to your dashboard.
Furthermore, you can use Google Docs to group closely-related works and import the link, so your portfolio has some organization and structure. Once your account is set up, you can edit or delete the projects you imported as you please.
4. Customize Your Portfolio
Once you've added your work, you can proceed to customize your portfolio to bolster its appearance. Thankfully, Contently has a variety of templates for this purpose, which you can choose from. You can also input your hard and soft skills as long as they are valuable to potential clients.
Adding your skills is vital because clients can evaluate your abilities at a glance. A brief tag of them would go a long way in advertising you as the perfect person for the job. In addition, you can add specific areas or niches you have covered in any piece of work you upload. At this point, you are done with your sign-up process, and you can further optimize your portfolio and profile the way you want to.
To add more projects or edit an already imported project, click on the "edit or add project" in the project section of your dashboard. From there, you'll be able to upload documents or link to online articles you've written. You can also add a title, a detailed summary, and a byline for each piece of work.
If you register for a free account, there is limited access to multiple design options and other features that allow for flexibility. But overall, you can still harness the free version to land your next gig.
5. Upload Your Profile Picture and Share Your Portfolio
Next, your portfolio needs to have an identity or a face. To do this, you would create a professional profile picture, then upload it to show your personality and build trust. Ensure it’s clear enough and captures you as the only subject in the image.
Once you upload this image, you can share your portfolio with others. To do that, you need to turn on the “available to work button” and change the “view as” to "everyone." Now you can share your portfolio by sending your custom link via email or embedding it on your website.
Land Your Next High-Paying Client
The secret to landing high-value clients usually starts with an irresistible portfolio. Creating one increases your chances since you are likely to tickle the fancy of your prospective clients with it. However, what is most effective is the combination of your portfolio and a resourceful platform like Contently to showcase it.
These two create magic at no cost with limitless possibilities. As such, be critical about where you showcase your writing portfolio to attract top clients. While Contently is a great option, you can also consider other alternatives to position yourself rightly in the industry.