How to Build a Copywriting Portfolio

In part three of demystifying freelance writing careers, I present to you: how to build a copywriting portfolio.

Whether you hope to be a freelance copywriter or find a traditional 9-5 full-time job as a copywriter, it's important either way to have a copywriting portfolio. Portfolio examples of your copywriting help prospective clients and potential employers see the different styles of writing you are capable of.

Quickly: copywriting is the practice of creating persuasive, engaging, and compelling content for advertising and marketing purposes. It involves crafting messages that aim to increase brand awareness and drive conversions or other desired actions from readers. It's a key component in marketing strategy and good copywriting services are in high-demand.

Copywriting can include website copy, blog posts, emails, newsletters, social media posts, press releases, advertisements, and more. When it comes to actually building a portfolio of work as a copywriter, there are several steps you should take.

How to build a copywriting portfolio

First off, decide which writing style best fits your skillset by looking at samples of different kinds of writing online. Once you have identified your preferred style, begin writing samples related to the topics you want to focus on.

These samples could be blog posts, emails, landing pages and web copy, press releases, or other types of content. Aim to create pieces that demonstrate your ability to write persuasive and interesting content while still communicating the message clearly and concisely.

Next, collect your best work and organize it into a portfolio. This can include additional information such as an “about me” section on your website where you explain what sets you apart from other writers or links to any published work online.

Remember, your own web pages for your freelance copywriting business are a way to exhibit your copywriting prowess! Make sure your contact page is up to date as a business owner, too, so people can contact you for jobs!

Or, you can store your copywriting samples on a google drive, zip drive, or some online portfolio format that works best for you. More importantly, make sure each piece is proofread for accuracy and contains no errors before putting it in your portfolio.

Then you can use this portfolio when applying for jobs or pitching potential clients so they can see examples of your writing abilities.

Creating a copywriting portfolio is an essential step for any aspiring writer let alone professional copywriter. By carefully curating pieces of work and showcasing your writing skills, you can set yourself apart from other copywriters and demonstrate why you’re the perfect choice for a project.

Every writer has their own voice and unique take on a topic, and what makes you "you" can be what convinces new clients to take the leap after reading over your strong writing samples.

With the right strategy and dedication, you’ll be able to create an impressive portfolio that will open up new opportunities for your career. One of the best ways to build a copywriting portfolio is to focus on creating high-quality work.

Quality should always be your top priority when it comes to producing professional content. Take the time to do research and ensure that the information you are providing is accurate and up-to-date. Once you have ensured that you have created quality work, showcase it in your portfolio for potential employers or clients to see.

When building your copywriting portfolio, include samples from all types of writing projects you’ve completed over time. This demonstrates how versatile a copywriter you are, as well as proving that you are able to write in multiple styles and formats.

You may want to organize your portfolio into sections based on type of project and/or genre, so that potential employers or clients can easily identify the type of writing you specialize in.

If you don't have client projects to share as a copywriting portfolio example, you can write samples for fictional clients as examples. This isn't to say you should lie about clients you have worked with, rather you can create writing pieces for fictional brands or, for the easiest way, use your own business as an example of the strength of your writing.

For anyone who doesn't feel they have strong writing skills yet, or for a new copywriter building a portfolio for the first time, it would be a good idea to take a copywriting course to boost your confidence, skills, and writing samples.

Finally, don’t forget to include a few pieces of personal information in your copywriting portfolio. This should include an overview of your qualifications and experience as well as samples from any previous projects you have completed.

Don’t be afraid to showcase your unique style and voice – this is what will set you apart from other writers. Employers and clients want to know who they are working with, so make sure to highlight why you are the best choice for their project! By doing this, you will be sure to impress potential employers and land the job you have always wanted.

If you don’t yet have any writing samples to include in your portfolio, there are still ways to get started. You could start by taking on some volunteer or low-paying projects that will help you develop your skills and build up a portfolio of samples.

Additionally, consider taking some online courses or workshops related to copywriting to gain more knowledge about the field. Finally, reach out to friends and contacts who may need content written for their own projects – this is a great way to gain more experience and get more writing samples for your portfolio.

Different types of writing samples that are good for copywriting portfolios:

When it comes to creating a copywriting portfolio, having samples of different types of writing is essential. For example, including samples of blog posts, website content, email marketing, press releases and social media copy are all great options that best showcase a range of skills.

Depending on your niche and the type of copy you want to focus on, you can include sales pages, case studies, or more long-form content. It all depends on which direction you want to take your copywriting career, so there is no one way or "right" way to build a copywriting portfolio!

Additionally, including examples of proofreading and editing work may also be beneficial in demonstrating the quality of your work. Having a variety of samples from different projects will give potential employers or clients an idea as to how versatile a writer you are.

Moreover, for those who specialize in certain areas such as technical writing or SEO-focused content – make sure to include some specific examples from these specialties.

This will show off your knowledge and experience within more specialized types of copywriting. If you want to specialize in social media content, then having a polished and robust social media presence is a great idea to showcase your finished product and experience.

Ultimately, remember to include samples that are high quality and exhibit your personal style. This is what will truly make an impression and help you stand out from the competition! It may take what feels like a long time to build your copywriting portfolio, but having a great example of your work is important.

How to present a copy writing portfolio:

Should it be a website or a folder of printouts? Screenshots? Links?

When it comes to presenting a copywriting portfolio, there are a few different options available. A website is an ideal choice for those who are tech-savvy and would like to showcase their work in a visually appealing way.

Creating your own website or blog is an easy way to present your portfolio. You can easily include images and videos along with written samples of your work – this helps give potential employers or clients a better idea of what type of writing you specialize in.

For those who prefer the traditional approach, consider putting together a folder or binder with printed copies of all the samples from your portfolio. This makes it easier for employers or your target audience to browse through multiple pieces of work at one time without having to wait for them to load online.

Additionally, adding a few extra items such as letters of recommendation or references can give employers an even greater insight into who you are and what type of writer you are.

Whichever approach you choose to take – make sure it reflects your own unique style. Include all the relevant information in either format and make sure that everything is organized and easy to navigate.

This will help create a professional impression, giving potential employers or clients the confidence they need to hire you!