Websites
Portfolio website for writers
A writer's portfolio is a short page that links to your best published pieces, says what you write and when you're free, and makes it easy to email you. Start from the Freelancer template and add your clips.
Clips, not everything
Editors and clients rarely read more than two or three samples. Pick pieces that match the work you want next, and group them if you write for different markets, such as B2B copy and features.
Link to the live article where you can. If a piece has been taken down or sits behind a paywall, save it as a PDF and share it as a viewer link.
What else to put on the page
Writers get hired on trust, so answer the practical questions before they're asked.
- What you write and for whom, in one line
- Three to six clips, each with the publication or client and a one-line note
- Your rates, or "rates on request" if you prefer
- When you're next available
- A button that opens an email to you
Ghostwriting and work under NDA
If most of your work carries someone else's name, describe it instead of linking it: the type of client, the format and the result. Ask past clients whether you can name them. A short testimonial is only worth adding if the client agreed to it in writing.
Set up your writing portfolio
The Freelancer template, the example here, was made for this: portfolio, rates and an email button.
- Change the title and line to your name, what you write and when you're free.
- Turn "Portfolio" into a folder of clip links, or add each clip as its own link.
- Point "Rates" at a short text block or a PDF rate card.
- Publish and add the link to your email signature.
A real example
The Freelancer template with a made-up copywriter. Replace the Portfolio link with your clips, or group them in a folder, and point the email button at your address.
Template: Freelancer
What you can do
- Folders of links
- Group clips by market or format in a collapsible folder, so the page stays short.Learn more about folders of links
- PDF clips and rate cards
- Upload a PDF and share a viewer link with pages, zoom and search. You can hide the download button.Learn more about pdf clips and rate cards
- Proposals clients accept online
- Send a quote with optional extras. Your client ticks what they want and accepts by typing their name.Learn more about proposals clients accept online
- An email link that fills itself in
- Make a mailto link with a subject line, such as "Writing enquiry", for your contact button.Learn more about an email link that fills itself in
- Your link in your signature
- Add your portfolio link to a clean email signature for Gmail or Outlook.Learn more about your link in your signature
Questions
- What's the best portfolio site for writers?
- One you'll keep up to date. A short page with clips and an email button is enough for most freelance writers. If you also want a blog on the same site, a blogging platform suits you better; Liite doesn't have a blog.
- How do I make a writing portfolio with no published work?
- Write two or three samples in the format you want to be hired for, such as a product page or a short feature, and label them as samples. Be honest that they weren't commissioned.
- Should I show my rates?
- It saves time for both sides. If your rates vary a lot by project, give a starting price or say "rates on request".
Make yours
Start from the Freelancer template, change it to suit you, and publish when it's ready.