What is the single most important tool in your marketing arsenal and a must-have for any freelance writer?
Regardless of your experience, you MUST have a writing portfolio if you want to land freelance writing jobs and find high-paying clients.
But knowing you need a portfolio is different than actually creating that portfolio.
We are writers after all – much more verbally inclined than artistically or physically – so for many of us, something as tech-heavy as creating a website can be overwhelming, if not downright frustrating!
Fortunately, the world has recognized this struggle we writers face, and there are now dozens of portfolio website creators for writers out there.
Sure, you could build a writers website from scratch or use a template on WordPress, Squarespace or Wix, but if you’re looking for an even simpler, less hands-on option, these portfolio sites are a great choice.
Clippings.me
Clippings.me is designed specifically for showing off your clips (that’s journalism slang for writing samples!) and offers both free and premium options.
Sign up, and you get your own dedicated portfolio page where you can add a bio, contact information, links to online articles, PDFs, multimedia files and more. You can even change up the look and feel of your page, too.
In the premium version, which costs around $65 to $130 annually, you can get detailed stats on how your page is viewed and shared and you can use any URL you like (even a custom one like YourName.com!). Check out some top examples of Clippings.me portfolios to see if it’s right for you.
Pressfolios
Known as an “online journalism portfolio,” Pressfolios is home to more than 10,000 journalists and writers across the world.
Similar to Clippings, this site lets you build a portfolio of PDFs, online links or a combination thereof, and you can add a detailed bio and photo to your page as well.
The real power of Pressfolios comes in its pro version, however, which allows you unlimited clips (the free version limits you to just 12) and comes with an amazing cloud backup feature. That means even if a site or blog goes down or out of business, your web content is still live and available for potential clients to see. Here’s an example of what a Pressfolio site can look like.
Contently
Contently is unique in that it’s not just a portfolio site; it can also help you find jobs, too. Creating a portfolio on the site is completely free, and just like the others, you can add clips, bios, media files and more.
The big difference with this site? If you’re experienced, you can apply to join the Contently marketplace with your portfolio. If approved, Contently admins will start considering your services when employers come to them looking for writers and journalists. If your skills match an employer’s needs, you’ll get contacted through the site.
Just a note though, they will take out a 15-percent agent’s fee for finding you the job. Here’s an example of what a Contently portfolio can look like.
Journo Portfolio
Though the name says “journo,” these portfolios are designed with freelancers of all kinds in mind – even bloggers.
With modern, mobile-friendly templates and automatic back-ups, it’s a great choice if you have a lot of online content out there that could be taken down at any moment.
Another big plus? Journo Portfolios have a built-in blogging function, so there’s no need to have separate sites for your professional blog and your portfolio. It can all happen through the same platform!
The free version limits you to 10 samples, but the plus ($3.97/month) and pro ($6.62/month) versions offer you much more. With these versions, you can also customize the domain name, view analytics, get access to SEO tools and more. Check out a few examples of Journo Portfolios now.
Writerfolio
Writerfolio offers a simple, no-frills platform for creating your portfolio. It requires very little “tech-savviness,” uses an easy, fill-in-the-blanks template system, and you can complete a full site in minutes.
There’s no free version for this one (except the demo), but a monthly account is only $4 per month. With that, you can upload unlimited samples, choose from a number of themes and templates, get personalized support and customize your domain name.
Here’s an example of what a Writerfolio can look like.
Writer’s Residence
On Writer’s Residence you can create a professional portfolio, as well as a writing resume/CV, in just a matter of minutes. Upload unlimited samples, add additional pages for your bio, resume, contact info and more, and get access to fast phone and email support.
Though membership on the site costs $8.99 a month, Writer’s Residence also comes with a free 30-day trial. So if you’re not totally sold on the site up front, you can test it out a little before you buy in.
Here’s what one freelancer’s Writer’s Residence portfolio looks like. For more, check out the Writer’s Residence directory at https://writersresidence.com/writers. (Bonus points: You’ll get added to this list, too, should you decide to join!)
Do you know of any portfolio websites for writers I may have missed? Tell me in the comments, so I can add them to list.
Have more questions regarding portfolios or writing websites? Check out some of my more recent blog posts:
How to Create a Killer Freelance Writing Portfolio – A Step-by-step Guide
10 Freelance Writer Website Examples for You to Emulate
Do I Need a Freelance Writing Website if I Have No Experience?
How to Set Up a Client-Attracting Writer Website
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Although I have my own website, I have found using these portfolio websites helps get my name out there and increases my “brand awareness”. Prospective clients see my name in multiple searches and they start to recognize me as being a pro.
That’s great Jackie! Thanks for sharing.
Maggie