How to create a writing portfolio without experience?
Have you always been a great persuasive writer and thought about getting into copywriting? If you don’t have any work experience, this may sound overwhelming, but don’t stress yourself out.
There are many ways to start your online career and it doesn’t have to cost a penny to build a great portfolio. All you need is your writing experience, patience, dedication and hard work.
1. Join a copywriting course
The best way to learn any new skill is to find the perfect course. Joining a copywriting course can teach you how to open up a new source of income as well as boost your confidence. This is a great way to get a toolkit to learn practical strategies and templates for building a strong portfolio.
Courses will teach you the types of copywriting available to you, how to write compelling headlines or create sales pages, websites, brochures, reports, and more. Knowing this information will make it much easier for you to create a portfolio from scratch.
2. Join Facebook business groups
Not only is membership in Facebook business groups free for everyone, but you also have the chance to get a writing job for your portfolio. Join freelance writing groups, follow the latest posts, and take advantage of every opportunity, no matter how small.
It’s also a good idea to create your own articles and let others know that you offer writing services. Don’t know where to start? Here are some helpful ways to discover new Facebook groups. Many people are new to copywriting. So it’s a great way to connect and discover people who are in the same boat. Some may even outsource their work to you!
3. Write your own examples
Writing your own samples is a fun way to build your writing portfolio. All you need is a little creativity. For example, if you have a favorite topic in technology, write about it. You can create a fictional homepage about the season’s top tech trends, the latest iPhone, or an article about why Apple bought Samsung.
No matter what topic you choose, writing anything proves your writing skills to potential clients. You can also write texts for a friend or rework another freelance writer’s texts with his permission. This can lead to other opportunities as well as giving other freelancers an idea of your writing skills. It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.
If you’re wondering which portfolio website to use, consider using Clippings.me to start. It’s free and easy to use, and you can quickly download Word documents of your best and proudest work. You don’t need a fancy tool to present your content; the main thing is that you start somewhere!
4. Volunteer Writing Services
Volunteering for writing services is not the same as writing for people you know. Volunteering for a small business or non-profit organization can not only make your resume stand out, but you’ll also do a good job and improve your writing skills.
Explore new businesses that have just opened. Are they looking for a writer for their social media accounts or want their product reviewed? It’s a great idea to offer them exposure in exchange for an internship, especially if you’re a creative writing student or don’t know where to look for an internship.
5. Use LinkedIn Jobs
LinkedIn Jobs is an amazing feature for aspiring writers considering how easy it is to apply for jobs and attach resumes to job applications. With this platform, you can easily browse jobs by filtering job type, including remote work.
Important people use LinkedIn, so whether it’s finding and developing writing or marketing contacts, finding interesting companies or competitive freelancers, and more. is an effective way to Want to learn how to create an outstanding LinkedIn profile as a freelancer? How to optimize your LinkedIn profile to get more clients.
6. Use free sites
Freelancing sites have been around for a long time, but it’s important to know how to use them to increase your chances of finding clients. Optimizing your profile is key here. Why are you different? What makes you different?
Choose a high-quality profile picture, detail your recent and past writing jobs, mention any certifications, and be sure to create a custom profile as a creative copywriter or writer. That way, the staff will be able to distinguish you from thousands of other writers.
It’s also important to frequently check job offers posted on Upwork, for example. Apply for all positions you think you are eligible for. Contact clients and provide your references and skills. You will diligently build your portfolio and database of trusted clients.
7. Create a website
The idea of creating a website seems daunting at first, but don’t dwell on the small details. You don’t need to be a web designer to create a great website, and you don’t always need to hire a designer. When starting out, it’s best to start small and include only the basics. What is a potential client looking for in a writer? How do you want to present yourself on your site?
Start small with Squarespace or WordPress, create an About page, services page, contact page, and portfolio page. No need to create multiple content pages. Just keep it simple and easy to read. When it comes to design elements, choose colors and fonts that suit you.
If you’re a budding fashion or makeup writer, you can choose white or pink backgrounds and write in a playful tone. Likewise, if you’re writing for real estate, you may want a more professional approach to your online words. Want to get a general idea of what you can do with your site, but don’t know where to start? How to create a mockup of your website using Canva.
You can become a freelance writer without any experience.
If you don’t have experience writing freelance texts, there are always ways to learn these skills on the job. No matter what you’re doing – contacting a local business, helping out a marketing agency for free, or applying for writing jobs, there’s always a chance of exciting opportunities coming your way.
