What are the best ways to balance variety and coherence in your portfolio?

1 Choose your best work

The first step is to select the pieces that demonstrate your range and quality as a journalist. You want to include samples that cover different topics, formats, audiences, and tones, but also show your expertise and voice. Don't just pick the most recent or popular ones, but the ones that you are most proud of and that highlight your strengths and achievements. Aim for 10 to 15 pieces that represent your career so far.

2 Organize by categories

The next step is to arrange your portfolio in a way that makes sense for your readers. You can use categories to group your work by topic, genre, medium, or publication. For example, you can have sections for news, features, opinion, podcasts, or magazines. This will help your readers navigate your portfolio and find the samples that interest them. You can also use subcategories or tags to further refine your categories and show your versatility.

3 Write summaries and introductions

The third step is to write concise and compelling summaries and introductions for each piece and category. Summaries are short descriptions of the main points, goals, and outcomes of your work. They should include the title, date, and source of your piece, as well as the key facts, arguments, or insights you provide. Introductions are brief paragraphs that explain the context, purpose, and relevance of your work. They should highlight your role, approach, and impact as a journalist.

4 Use a consistent design

The fourth step is to use a consistent design for your portfolio that reflects your brand and personality. You want to create a visual identity that matches your style and tone as a writer. You can use colors, fonts, images, and layouts that suit your genre and audience. You can also use logos, icons, or banners to identify your categories and sections. Make sure your design is clear, professional, and easy to read on different devices.

5 Update regularly

The fifth step is to update your portfolio regularly with new and relevant work. You want to show your readers that you are active, current, and evolving as a journalist. You can add new pieces that showcase your latest projects, achievements, or skills. You can also remove or replace old or outdated pieces that no longer reflect your standards or goals. Updating your portfolio will help you maintain your variety and coherence, as well as your credibility and visibility.

6 Get feedback

The sixth step is to get feedback on your portfolio from different sources. You want to know how your portfolio is perceived by your target audience, peers, mentors, or experts. You can ask for feedback on your content, design, structure, or impact. You can also use analytics tools to measure your traffic, engagement, or conversion rates. Getting feedback will help you improve your portfolio and find the optimal balance between variety and coherence.