Your portfolio is a powerful tool to attract and impress potential clients. Set yourself apart by showcasing your best work, professional expertise, service proficiency, and unique skills. When clients see the quality of work you can deliver, it builds a new level of trust, which is crucial for upselling your services.
If your service is non-visual, you can still use the portfolio to showcase your work. For services without creative samples, simply describe your work and list your relevant skills in any category (e.g., Writing & Translation, Admin Support, Web Development).
Add a Project to Your Portfolio
You can upload between 2-20 projects to demonstrate the range of your skillset.
To add a project:
- Log in > Profile
- Locate My Portfolio on the left-hand side > Add a project
- Complete the details > Save & publish
How to Maximize Your Portfolio
Note: Ensure you have personally created every item in your portfolio and that you adhere to the marketplace’s Terms of Service.
Let’s explore how to make the most of your portfolio by including various project types, highlighting your skills, and using high-quality images.
Project Types
Use your portfolio to showcase complex projects you’ve delivered. These projects might be difficult to communicate through the job gallery or description alone.
We recommend that the portfolio projects you display should:
- Demonstrate your commitment to delivering quality services
- Highlight your best work and grab potential clients' attention
- Showcase the high quality and value of your work, along with your unique skills
Expertise
Choose projects that accurately reflect your best skills and validate your professional specialty, as advertised in your job listings.
Images
First impressions are crucial in business, and visuals can convey powerful messages. When prospective clients view your portfolio, they make decisions quickly. Visually appealing portfolios are more likely to attract clicks and deeper engagement with your service offerings.
Organize Your Portfolio
Be strategic about the projects you display and their order. This varies by service category, but some common best practices across all categories include:
Quality Over Quantity
- Choose specific projects that best capture your specialization. Less is often more, so focus on displaying your best works, even if you can upload up to 20 projects.
- If your service does not rely on visuals, use creative methods to illustrate the requirements and positive impact of each project.
Emphasis on Up-to-Date Skills
- Keep your portfolio relevant by updating it with new projects and removing outdated ones. This shows your continuous ability to learn and stay current with technology.
Permission
- Obtain permission and written consent before displaying any work in your portfolio.
Tell Your Project’s Story
Your portfolio allows potential clients to see the work you’ve already done. Clients appreciate seeing examples before placing an order, so maintain an active portfolio for all your services.
Use your portfolio to tell your project's story by focusing on:
Skill Diversity
- Present your various talents to potential clients by uploading 5-20 portfolio items to show the range of your skills.
- Example: If you offer services in the “Graphics & Design” category, include different options like poster designs, book covers, landing pages, and catalogs.
Dynamic Storytelling
- Your portfolio naturally tells a story. Show potential clients that your story is evolving, improving, and getting better over time.
By following these guidelines, you can create a compelling portfolio that highlights your skills, attracts potential clients, and ultimately helps you succeed in the freelance marketplace.