by Osman Sheikhnureldin

Created on: April 10, 2009   Last Updated: April 12, 2009

A writing portfolio is a place, online or physical, to save your pieces of writing so others can review them and see your expertise. Most freelance writers have an online and physical portfolio. Just to be safe, I will first show you how to create a physical portfolio using a folder or binder.

What you will need is either a folder or a binder, plastic slips to put your work into, to avoid punching holes into your work. The last thing you will need are printed copies of your work. The first item in your portfolio should be an introduction letter and a short biography. These will help your reader know you better. Secondly, include a list that details what newspapers, magazines, and online journals you have published in. Also include on the list the genre of each publication or article you have written.

Only include your best work inside your portfolio. Remember, your goal is to impress the reader. Include every single one of your published pieces in the portfolio. Published work is more credible then unpublished work. Cut out the newspaper or magazine page that has your work on it and, depending on whether you are using an online or physical portfolio, put the page in a plastic slip or scan it using a computer and post it online. If including more than one genre in the portfolio, use plastic tabs to divide the genres and make your portfolio easier to navigate. If you have more than one genre in an online portfolio, insert different folders all in one folder. Make sure to include a cover page on the front of your binder. This should have a title and should be creative and professional.

There are many websites that will host and help you create an online portfolio, buy my favorite is writing.com. It not only allows you to create your very own portfolio, but also a free email address, the ability to comment other people's portfolio contents, and other readers can also rate and review your work. The free membership gives you space to include 10 portfolio items. Paid memberships give you anywhere from 50-1000 spaces.

In order to keep your portfolio and its valuable contents safe, never even think of giving anyone your online portfolio password. In order to keep it neat and clean, do not place it in a dirty area. You should, however, start promoting your portfolio by emailing everyone in your contacts list a link to your portfolio and ask them to read and review any of your works. I hope that this tutorial helps you in your journey to become an accomplished freelance author.

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