How to Create a Portfolio for Copywriting

Presenting your portfolio in a professional binder is similar to wearing a suit to an interview.

It's never too early or too late to start building a copywriting portfolio. If you're a beginner copywriter, you may need to do a little more preparation work to have enough samples to make your portfolio stand out. For an experienced professional, choosing the right sample out of an extensive body of work will be your main challenge. No matter where you are in your career, your portfolio is one of your most essential tools for getting new clients, landing a big project or starting a new job in an ad agency.

Instructions

1. Gather all past work that you did as a student, an intern, during your spare time, as a volunteer or as part of past jobs. Contact past managers to make sure you are allowed to use samples that come from a previous job, even if you have to mention that the work was done as part of a team, and for a specific company. Ask for final copies of the ads when possible or tapes for video and audio samples.

2. Select your best pieces and make sure to choose a varied selection that shows every type of writing you can do, or the different industries in which you have worked. Include only the samples that you are proud to showcase, rather than allowing average or low-quality examples to make the cut.

3. Place printed ads in a professional binder portfolio that you can carry along to interviews and meetings. Make sure to use a folder that is big enough for your biggest ad, as you do not want to present a portfolio with bits of paper sticking out. Print your samples on the best quality paper you can afford. Go to a professional printer if you cannot do it yourself, or to save on time and get the best results.

4. Create an online portfolio for web, video and audio work. Post images of your printed ads and include a note about the original format so that your prospective client or employer will understand that the image quality may differ. Use a simple website layout and let your samples take the most space. Include your contact information so that a future client can get in touch easily.

5. Review your portfolio on a regular basis to make sure only your best work is included. Leave a few spaces in your portfolio empty when it's not being presented so that when you know exactly who will see your samples, you can slip in samples that are specific and relevant to the client or employer. Showing relevant samples can increase your chances of getting the job, as it shows that you understand who that client is and the exact type of copywriting that will work for them.

References

• Absolute Write: How to Become an Advertising Copywriter
• Advertising Crossing: Advanced Copywriting Portfolio