You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.
– Maya Angelou
A portfolio is more than just a collection of your work. For creatives and non-creatives alike, a portfolio is a calling card to the outside world. It’s a way for you to showcase your abilities while sharing your story.
Portfolios can be used to help boost your personal brand, share your skill set, increase your digital visibility, and most importantly attract potential clients.
Creating a portfolio that stands out while quickly and clearly sharing your expertise and value with visitors is important. First impressions count no matter what industry you’re in, it’s not only designers and creatives that get to create amazing portfolios.
Even if you work in a non-creative role, thinking outside the box can help you represent your work visually and take advantage of the way people process information.
So, what elements make up a well thought out and professional portfolio?
You & Your Work
You want to create a portfolio that shows off who you are and what you’re offering. Help clients understand what it’s like to work with you by introducing yourself, sharing your experience, personality, and background.
The work you decide to include in your portfolio has to be the right mixture of ingredients to shine. Include your best (or most successful projects, quality over quantity), and content that targets your ideal client (keep to your niche or where you want to be).
Don’t limit yourself to work projects alone, include personal projects or mock-ups. Having a mixture of content lets you showcase your skill and creativity, something all clients are looking for.
Showcasing you and your work together is all part of building your personal brand.
Simplicity (Design and Navigation)
When it comes to portfolios ‘less is more’ really is the best. Keeping the design and layout of your portfolio clean and simple to use is important in creating a good first impression.
Categorizing (or filtering) your work makes your portfolio easier to navigate and informs clients of the different skills or areas of expertise you have. Make yourself accessible so clients know how to best contact you.
Awards and Accomplishments
Including social proof or your track record in the portfolio helps build credibility and trustworthiness in your personal brand.
Share client testimonials, awards, and certificates. Let people know how good you really are.
Keep evolving
A portfolio is an evolving collection of your work and professional career. Search engines are always looking for fresh content and clients want to see up to date styles.
Update and change your portfolio as you grow, your goals change and your work evolves.
Creating a portfolio is an effective way to highlight your uniqueness in a sea of competition, it helps potential clients understand more about you, your style, abilities, and accomplishments.
Is your business using social media’s full potential?
At Brieffin we use our expertise to unlock everything social media has to offer your business or personal brand. We use our experience in content creation, strategy and planning, and social media management to help build consistency and deliver marketing success. Let’s talk.
Our Moment of Bliss
Enjoying a super chilly song by Tim Legend, while we are creatively inspired to just write, and write, and write. Join our playlist on Spotify!
