If you are a service provider or a freelancer, it is beneficial for you to build your portfolio. A solid portfolio shows potential clients that you have the experience and skills necessary to carry out their projects.
However, it’s challenging to build a portfolio when you don’t have experience or lots of previous clients. In this article, I’ll show you some of the ways that you can build up your portfolio when you’re just getting started.
1. Build your portfolio with courses
There are many high-quality skill development programs available on the Internet. These programs often include professional assignments and feedback. You get the opportunity to work with experts in your field. This is an excellent way to build your portfolio. You can also use the sessions as a source of credibility for your marketing materials.
2. Use Spec work to build up your portfolio
Speculative or ‘spec’ work is work that is essentially done for free. The agreement between you and your client is that your client will pay you for your work if they like it. If they don’t like your work, they won’t pay you. This is a good way to get around the fact that you don’t yet have a solid portfolio, as it reduces the risk for your client.
Plus, once they’re happy with your work – and they will be because you’ll wow them – you’ll be able to use it in your portfolio.
Don’t forget to post their comments on your sales page as well. And if they don’t like the work, you can still use it in your portfolio if you’re proud of the result.
3. Build your portfolio with volunteering
Volunteering is another way to build your portfolio and make a difference at the same time. Many non-profit organizations can benefit from freelance work.
You’ll offer them your services for free and quality samples for your portfolio. It’s great to have something to and show potential clients when they request samples of your work. It’s instant credibility for you.
As you build a client base, ask them if you can use their best work in your portfolio. They will often accept, as they’ll be happy to get the exposure.
Present your work as professionally as possible. If you have printed samples, scan them into your computer and save them as an image. Don’t just post links to sales pages and content, as those links may change later. You can even save the work you’ve done as images or documents so that your customers can see your work for themselves.
Be confident in your work, whether you are a beginner or have a portfolio full of professional models. If you have the confidence and courage to take risks, you will succeed.