How do you update your digital marketing portfolio as your skills grow?

Here are some ideas to feature your best work on LinkedIn: First, highlight your best work in the Featured section of your profile. This section requires you to enable creator mode in order for it it show. Once enabled, identify images, documents, and links that represent your best work, specifically for this dedicated space. Second, integrate skills within your LinkedIn headline which represent your best work. For example, you could include podcast host or social media specialist, and specific links to outside URL to your show or portfolio. Both recommendations are a great place to start.

Add new work: As you complete new projects, add them to your portfolio. Be sure to include a variety of work, such as social media posts, blog articles, website designs, and email campaigns.

Identify your growth areas: This could include aspects like search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, content creation, pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, email marketing, web analytics, or any other relevant field. Highlight your most recent and relevant projects to demonstrate your improved skills and provide measurable results. If you have obtained new certifications, completed training programs, or attended industry conferences, include this information in your portfolio. Mention the certifications you have earned and provide links or proof of completion if available.

In the fast-paced digital marketing field, staying up-to-date is vital. Attend webinars, earn new qualifications, and let these efforts shine in your portfolio. Don't shy away from sharing your successes, such as increased website traffic or boosted sales from your campaigns. Displaying these victories in your portfolio underscores your skills. Display a modern, easy-to-navigate design, reflecting your keen eye for aesthetics. Showcase endorsements from colleagues, clients, or mentors to highlight your credibility. Their words of praise solidify your reliability. Regularly update your portfolio with your achievements, whether a triumphant project or a new skill. This keeps your portfolio current and illustrates your career's steady advance.

Case studies and testimonials are so important, especially if clients make you sign NDAs. The outcome is often more important than the process, so focus on sharing the wins rather than the method.

Testimonials are a great way to show, not just tell, your impact. But the authenticity and visibility of these testimonials really matter. Asking clients to leave recommendations on credible platforms like LinkedIn or Google - spaces where potential clients can verify their authenticity for themselves - validates them and gives them additional weight. The 'realness' of these reviews can speak volumes about your work.

When updating your portfolio, lead with impact and data. Be specific. Focus on downstream metrics. Rather than, “I increased traffic for client a”, say “I did XYZ which lead to a X% increase in traffic and Y% increase in sales”. This shows how you helped the client achieve real, tangible results in a way that non-marketing professionals can easily understand.

Make sure to share your conference attendances, professional development achievements, personal “wins” and even challenges you’ve overcome with all the members of your audience (yes, clients and prospects alike). Prospects will be intrigued and get to learn more about you. Clients will feel a renewed sense of confidence that they have an evolving professional in their corner. Your mediums can include email (newsletters perhaps) and social media. Don’t forget to take personal photos and videos to add to your content! People eat these up.

Try to show real-world results. Clients and employers are interested in seeing tangible results. Include case studies or success stories that demonstrate the impact of your work. Highlight metrics, tied to the tools you now use whenever possible such as increased website traffic, conversion rates, or social media engagement. This will help showcase your ability to drive meaningful outcomes.

Here are some ways to create more engagement: 1. Offer a free consultation. Link to a digital questionnaire for the interested party to complete prior to booking 20 minutes with you using your Schedule Once or Calendly booking system. 2. Provide a free guide or webinar playback -- something so irresistible that they are willing to provide their name and email information in order to access the item. Then add them to your drip email sequence and work to nurture the relationship over time.

Save EVERYTHING - Mock-ups - Proposals - Contracts - Drafts - Final versions - Screenshots - Case studies - Testimonials - Reviews - Files - Reports - Etc. You never know when something will either come in handy, or can be re-used or repurposed in your portfolio. As you gather work and experience you’ll see how some of of those things make their way back full circle into your career and portfolio. Most importantly, organize those assets so that you have easy access to them, as you never know when you’ll need to reference them at a moment’s notice!

If you're not sure where to host your portfolio, I recommend Squarespace, Wix or Wordpress. All 3 are relatively easy to use (especially if you find a template) and affordable. If you're a content marketer or copywriter, Copyfolio is also a great platform.

Some advice for all you content marketing freelancers: As someone who has worked with clients for over two decades, I can safely say that the most difficult aspect of maintaining an online portfolio is that your work does not live forever. Digital = dynamic. 3 things I wish I'd done earlier: - Keep a local version of my most memorable and exciting work, instead of assuming I could just "link to it" later on. - Ask clients for the results of my work. This was a face palm moment for me...several times. If you're not actively involved in the entirety of a campaign or project, you're not likely to be looped in on the outcome. JUST ASK. (It's also how you improve!) - When people tell you "Great job!", get it in writing. Testimonials are gold.