How can you update your writing portfolio with new samples?

1 Assess your current portfolio

The first step to updating your portfolio is to assess your current one. Take a look at the samples you have and ask yourself: Are they relevant to your niche and target audience? Do they reflect your current skills and abilities? Do they demonstrate your range and diversity? Do they have clear and compelling headlines, introductions, and calls to action? If you answered no to any of these questions, it might be time to replace some of your old samples with new ones.

2 Identify gaps and opportunities

The next step is to identify the gaps and opportunities in your portfolio. Think about the types of projects, topics, formats, and styles that you want to work on or that are in demand in your niche. For example, if you're a B2B writer, you might want to include samples of case studies, white papers, ebooks, or blog posts. If you're a travel writer, you might want to include samples of destination guides, reviews, itineraries, or stories. Make a list of the samples that you need or want to add to your portfolio.

3 Create or curate new samples

The third step is to create or curate new samples that fill the gaps and opportunities in your portfolio. You have two options here: you can either write new samples from scratch or you can use existing samples that you have written for clients or publications. If you write new samples, make sure they are original, high-quality, and tailored to your niche and audience. If you use existing samples, make sure you have permission from the clients or publishers to use them in your portfolio. You can also edit or update them if needed.

4 Organize and showcase your portfolio

The final step is to organize and showcase your portfolio. You can use a platform like Contently, JournoPortfolio, or WordPress to create a professional and user-friendly portfolio website. You can also use a PDF or Google Drive folder to store and share your samples. Whichever option you choose, make sure you organize your portfolio by category, format, or topic. You can also use tags, filters, or labels to make it easy for potential clients to find what they are looking for. And don't forget to include your bio, contact details, testimonials, and social media links.

Updating your writing portfolio with new samples is a great way to keep your skills sharp, showcase your value, and attract new clients. By following these steps, you can refresh your portfolio and make it stand out from the crowd.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?