Using Articles as Clips in your Online Portfolio
Traditionally, when you wanted to apply for a writing job, you’d make copies of the articles you’ve written in the past to send as part of your portfolio. Today, things are done differently.
1) Most articles are posted online.
2) Most portfolios are posted online.
These things combine to create a complex problem: if you repost online articles in your online portfolio, it takes search engine value away from the original client. In fact, if you repost someone online that someone else paid you to write, you could be in hot water.
Yes, even if you have no intentions other than to show people work you’ve completed in the past!
If you do want to have an article portfolio online, here are a few suggestions I have:
- Use excerpts with links or just links alone.
- Ask for permission from the client who originally purchased the article.
- Create your own blog to serve as your writing portfolio.
- Send article examples privately, through email, rather than posting them online.
- Retain reposting rights when you sell an article.
Need more advice at creating an online writing portfolio? Here are some great resources from across the web:
- Clips ‘n Things at Freelance Writing Jobs
- How to Create a Writing Portfolio at Get Paid to Write Online
- Creating an Online Portfolio at Writing-World
- Creating a Successful Online Portfolio at Smashing Magazine
- Freelance Writing: Online Portfolio Guide by Nikki Freeman at Associated Content