Address the Bare Minimum

Try this experiment.

If they cant find both in thirty seconds, you have a problem to fix.

The quickest solution is a public LinkedIn profile.

check that it describes the work youre proudest ofnot just a list of past jobs.

Go Beyond LinkedIn

A public resume is a great start.

But resumes look samey.

Theyre dry, completist, and they focus on job titles rather than accomplishments.

You need a portfolio too, even if you work a traditional full-time job.

It doesnt have to be gimmicky or win any design awards.

It just has to draw peoples attention to your best work.

If you clean houses, ask your favorite client if you might take photos of their cleaned home.

If your work contributes to much larger team projects, show why those projects need you.

Present yourself as a specialist, not a commodity.

Consider Your Audience

Whom do you want to reach: New clients?

Reporters looking for an expert source?

What do you want them to know about you?

If youre looking for clients, highlight the kind of work you want to keep getting.

Maybe thats the work you enjoy most, or just what makes the most money.

In each entry, point to other similar entries.

Remember to show the full range of your workif you want more of that work.

Use Simple Tools

You dont need anything complicated to make a portfolio.

In fact, you should choose the simplest solution that meets your needs.

Because youll be coming back to your portfolio every time you have new work to add.

Personal accounts cost $16 a month, or $144 for a year-long contract.

Hover: You dont have to buy a custom domain for your portfolio.

But if you do, Hover is my favorite registrar.

Contently: A good solution for freelance writers.

Contentlys real customers are marketing companies that want to hire creatives, so they let creatives make free portfolios.

As an editor, Ive always been glad when a prospective writer sends me their Contently page.

While those are my favorites, look around for other options likeAbout.me,Behance, orDropr.

An OK portfolio is still better than no portfolio.

Be Easy to Find

Dont hide your portfolio.

The URL field in your Twitter profile is often enough.

But if you want to make it extra-clear that youre available for work, do so!

Keep It Updated

Once youve got that sucker up there, you have to keep it fresh.

Otherwise youll look like you havent accomplished anything since the day you made it.

Let that feeling of obligation weigh you down!

you’ve got the option to only lift it by updating your portfolio!

Portfolio management is great therapy.

Ive looked for interview subjects, expert sources, and podcast guests across all kinds of industries.

Even when you look for work through job applications or through personal connections, you need a portfolio.

Without a reel, it didnt matter if I talked up a promising actor.

Without a portfolio, I couldnt make a great case for an illustrator.

Most of them never found out.

Dont be that cautionary tale.

Go make your portfolio and get the work you really want.