How do you show the value of your portfolio?

1 Define your goals

Before you start building your portfolio, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with it. What is your niche, your target audience, and your unique selling proposition? What are the problems you can solve, the benefits you can offer, and the results you can deliver? How do you want to position yourself in the market and differentiate yourself from the competition? Having a clear and specific goal will help you tailor your portfolio to your ideal clients or employers, and highlight your value proposition.

2 Choose your best work

Your portfolio should showcase your best work, not all of your work. Quality over quantity is the key here. You want to select the work samples that are most relevant, most impressive, and most aligned with your goals. You also want to showcase your range of skills, your versatility, and your creativity. Don't include work that is outdated, irrelevant, or inconsistent with your brand. Instead, focus on the work that reflects your strengths, your style, and your value.

4 Make it easy to navigate

Your portfolio should be easy to navigate, user-friendly, and visually appealing. You want to make a good first impression and keep your visitors engaged and interested. Use a simple and clean layout, a consistent and professional design, and a clear and logical structure. Organize your work samples by category, type, or industry, and use filters or tags to help your visitors find what they are looking for. Use high-quality images, videos, or animations to showcase your work, and optimize them for speed and performance. Include a clear and catchy headline, a brief and compelling introduction, and a strong and clear call to action.

5 Update it regularly

Your portfolio is not a static document, but a dynamic and evolving representation of your personal brand. You should update it regularly to reflect your current skills, projects, and goals. You want to show your visitors that you are active, relevant, and up to date with the latest trends and best practices in your field. You also want to show your growth, your progress, and your potential. Review your portfolio periodically and remove any work that is no longer relevant, add any new work that is worth showcasing, and improve any aspects that need polishing.

6 Promote it effectively

Your portfolio is only valuable if it reaches the right people at the right time. You need to promote it effectively to increase your visibility, credibility, and opportunities. You can use various channels and strategies to spread the word about your portfolio, such as social media, blogs, podcasts, newsletters, online platforms, networking events, or referrals. You can also leverage your portfolio to create content, offer value, and build relationships with your audience. You want to establish yourself as an authority, a leader, and a trusted expert in your field.

7 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?