Your writing portfolio is your digital handshake—the first impression that can either open doors or get you overlooked.
It’s not just a collection of your work. It’s proof of your skills, your voice, and what you bring to the table.
But here’s the mistake most writers make: they throw everything in.
The secret? A great portfolio isn’t about quantity—it’s about quality, strategy, and showing only what truly represents you.
Here’s exactly what to include, what to ditch, and how to build a portfolio that actually gets you hired.
1. Include: Your Best Work—Not All Your Work
A common mistake? Overloading your portfolio with every single thing you’ve ever written.
The truth is, less is more.
✅ Showcase 5–10 of your strongest pieces.
✅ Choose work that highlights different tones, industries, or formats.
✅ Prioritise quality over quantity—one standout piece is better than five mediocre ones.
Ask yourself: If this was the only piece a client saw, would they be impressed? If not, cut it.
2. Ditch: Old, Irrelevant, or Low-Quality Pieces
Your first blog post from five years ago? The generic essay you wrote in university? That random short story that has nothing to do with your niche?
Ditch them.
Your portfolio should be a reflection of your best work today. If it feels outdated or doesn’t align with the work you want to be hired for—let it go.
3. Include: A Variety of Writing Styles (If It Fits Your Brand)
If you’re a versatile writer, show it off:
✔ Blog posts
✔ Copywriting samples
✔ Press releases
✔ Email marketing
✔ Social media captions
✔ Storytelling pieces
But if you’re specialising in a niche (e.g., technical writing, real estate copywriting, or journalism), focus only on that.
Your portfolio should attract the kind of work you actually want.
4. Ditch: Unfinished or Unpolished Work
That half-written novel? That article you never edited? That piece you kind of like but aren’t 100% sure about?
If it’s not polished, don’t include it.
Your portfolio is not a place for “almost good” work. If you wouldn’t feel confident sending it to a paying client, it doesn’t belong.
5. Include: Personal Projects (If They’re High-Quality)
Don’t have paid writing experience yet? No problem.
Personal projects can showcase your skills, creativity, and voice.
✅ A well-written blog you’ve maintained
✅ Thoughtful Medium or LinkedIn articles
✅ Case studies or passion projects
As long as they’re professional, relevant, and polished, they count.
6. Ditch: Anything That Doesn’t Reflect Your Current Voice
Your writing evolves. What sounded good three years ago might not match your style today.
If a piece doesn’t represent your voice anymore, don’t keep it just because you spent time on it.
Your portfolio should reflect the writer you are now.
7. Include: Testimonials or Client Feedback
Strong writing is great. Proof that people value your work is even better.
If you’ve had happy clients, editors, or collaborators, include:
💬 A short testimonial
📌 A LinkedIn recommendation
🎯 A sentence about the impact of your work (e.g., “My email campaign increased conversions by 35%”)
Social proof builds trust. Let your work speak for itself, but let others back it up.
8. Ditch: PDFs or Hard-to-Read Formats
Hiring managers don’t want to download files or dig through attachments. Make your portfolio easy to access.
Best formats?
🚀 A personal website (Wix, WordPress, or a writing-specific platform like Clippings.me)
🚀 A Google Drive folder with neatly organised links
🚀 A Notion page with clickable samples
Keep it simple, accessible, and visually clean.
9. Include: A Short Bio & Contact Info
Your portfolio isn’t just about your work—it’s about you.
✔ A short, compelling bio (Who are you? What do you specialise in?)
✔ A clear call-to-action (e.g., "Need a copywriter? Let’s chat!")
✔ An easy way to contact you (email, LinkedIn, or website link)
Don’t make people hunt for your details.
Final Thoughts
A great portfolio isn’t a dumping ground—it’s a curated showcase of your best work.
🔹 Focus on quality over quantity.
🔹 Show only the work you’re proud of.
🔹 Keep it clear, organised, and easy to access.
Because when your portfolio works for you, clients, editors, and brands won’t just find you—they’ll want to hire you.
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