How to Build a Portfolio as a New Freelancer?

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What is a Freelancing?

Freelancing means you are not a full-time employee of any company, instead you complete projects on the basis of your skills and take payment for the project.

In freelancing,

  1. You can choose your time to work on your own.
  2. Can work for multiple clients.
  3. You can keep work from home or in a remote setup.
  4. You can earn according to your skills.
  5. Get global opportunities.

In simple words, freelancing is a type of independence to work, where you earn according to a project or an hour.

Benefits of Freelancing

  • Flexibility and independence
    In working from home, many times you often get a flexible schedule. You can take a break according to your comfort. This independence motivates you and provides you a chance to perform according to your work style.
  • No travel time and energy saving
    The biggest benefit of working from home is that you do not have to travel daily to visit office. You neither have to waste time in traffic nor in extra cost for transport. The time wasted can be utilized in your studies, with families, or hobbies. It also saves energy and increases productivity more.
  • Comfort of home environment
    Working at home with a familiar environment is naturally comfortable. You can choose your favorite spot whether it is a study table, balcony, or a sofa. Home comfort provides you with are relaxed and stress-free atmosphere, which improves your concentration and productivity automatically.
  • Better work-life balance
    You can easily balance your professional and personal life with freelancing. You can spend time with your family, manage daily household responsibilities, and also do your job smoothly. This balance is especially helpful for students or part-time workers who want to manage both studies and work.
  • Increase productivity and focus.
    Many people feel more productive when they work from home. There are unnecessary meetings, gossip, and distraction in the office which ends when workers work from home. That’s why they can work more efficiently.

Understand What to Include in a Portfolio

Your portfolio is a digital proof that allows a client to understand your work and professionalism. That’s why you should not add random samples to your portfolio; instead, include only carefully selected items.

Show Your Best work
Usually, beginners think that if they add a lot of samples then their portfolio will be strong but in reality, quality is the most important. Add 4 or 5 samples that represent your best skills. The client should see your professionalism and creativity with those samples.

Add Different Types of Samples
Every client is different that’s why your portfolio should have variety. If you are a content writer, then include blog post, product description, and social media captions. If you are a designer, then include posters, logo designs, and infographics. Through this client will feel that you are versatile and can handle different projects.

Include Client Testimonial
Ask for a short testimonial, if you have ever worked with any client whether for a small project or a big one. Testimonials increase the trust factor of your portfolio. If you haven’t worked with any client ever then remember to take feedback after the completion of your first project.

Highlight Your Skills, Tools, and Services
Create a separate section in your portfolio to show your skills and tools like Canva, MS Word, WordPress, Grammarly, Photoshop, or any relevant tool. Also, write clearly about your services like blog writing, email, copy writing, social media management, graphic design, etc. Through this client will get a clear idea of what to expect from you.

Create Samples for Portfolio When You Have No Clients

If you are a beginner freelancer and haven’t done any client projects till now, then you don’t have to take stress. Every successful freelancer has made a portfolio with their own samples to start. You can also do like them.

Write Mock Projects or Personal Practice Samples
You can create a dummy or practice project according to your niche. Like if you are a content writer, then write an article thinking that it is for a client. And if you are a graphic designer, then create a poster or logo design for any brand. The samples show your creativity and skills.

Do Volunteer Work for Small Businesses, NGO, or for Friends
You can do volunteer projects for free or on a nominal charge like writing a blog for any NGO or designing an Instagram post for any small business. Through this, you will get real-world experience and you can add genuine work samples to your portfolio.

Join Internships or Short-Term Gigs
Internships are very helpful or beginners because here you get a practical project and feedback. You can create samples by joining part-time or remote internship. Weather internship is paid or unpaid, experience and feedback both are valuable.

Create Case Studies to Show Your Problem-Solving Approach
You can create solution-based content for any problem. Like if you are a social media manager, then write about how to increase the followers of any brand or how you can improve their engagement. These case studies show that you are not just creative, but you are also a strategic thinker.

Choose the Right Platform to Create Portfolio

The portfolio for you will be effective, when you show it in the right place. There is a perfect platform for every freelancer you just need to select one according to your niche. Below are some popular platforms where you can easily create your portfolio.

Medium

If you are a content writer, blogger, or a poet then Medium is a perfect platform. You can create your portfolio by publishing your articles and you can also increase your readership and visibility through publications on Medium.

Key features :

  • Easy to use platform.
  • Clean and distraction-free interface.
  • Publication for better reach.
  • Built-in audience
  • SEO friendly platform

Best for : for writers, bloggers, and poet.

WordPress

Key features :

  • Easy to use.
  • Highly customizable.
  • Ideal for portfolios and blogs
  • Full ownership and control
  • Regular updates and community

Best for : Freelancers, bloggers, small business owners, writers.

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