How to Build a Portfolio as a Freelance Journalist

Having a strong selection of clips are essential for landing freelance writing assignments. Once an editor sees that you are able to accomplish an assignment on the subject you are pitching, they are much more prone to assign you another article. Back in the day, we'd carry books of articles clipped out of magazines to take on 'pitch calls,' especially for my time living in New York; but now in 2023, clips are very authentic to who and what you are pitching.

In this article, I explore how to build such a strong portfolio of clips to share with a potential editor.

Tips:

• Create a website or online portfolio
• Include a variety of writing samples
• Showcase your best work
• Include testimonials from satisfied clients
• Update your portfolio regularly

Building a dynamic portfolio is crucial for any freelance journalist looking to showcase their skills and attract potential clients. In this blog post, I'll explore some tried and true tips for building an impactful portfolio, including examples of websites and AI-generated apps that can be helpful, as well as where to find other freelance journalists' portfolios.

Showcase your best work: Your portfolio should showcase your best work, so be sure to include a variety of writing samples that demonstrate your skills and expertise. You can also include multimedia elements, such as photos or videos, to make your portfolio more dynamic. Examples of websites that can help you create a multimedia portfolio include Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.

Use AI-generated apps: There are several AI-generated apps that can help you create a dynamic portfolio. For example, Journo Portfolio is a website that allows you to create a portfolio with a custom domain name, and also offers analytics to track your portfolio's performance. Another example is Clippings.me, which allows you to create a portfolio with unlimited storage and the ability to add multimedia elements.

Be organized: Your portfolio should be easy to navigate and organized in a way that makes sense. Consider organizing your work by topic or publication, or by type of writing, such as news articles, feature stories, or opinion pieces. This will make it easier for potential clients to find the type of work they are interested in.

Get feedback: Before you launch your portfolio, get feedback from other writers or editors. They can provide valuable insight into what works and what doesn't, and can help you make improvements before you start pitching to clients.

Look at other freelance journalists' portfolios: Looking at other freelance journalists' portfolios can give you ideas for how to structure your own. You can find examples of portfolios by doing a simple Google search, or by checking out websites like Contently or Muck Rack, which showcase the work of freelance journalists.