Being a Professional Freelance Writer (Part Two)

When you start to find work, you’ll notice that unless you are immediately submitting a finished piece, most people or businesses will want to see a sample of your writing. This sample might take several forms: an example of the particular type of writing they will require you to write, your best writing of any form, or a selection of different works. The common thread, however, is that you’re going to need to be prepared with some sort of portfolio.

If you are beginning to put together your portfolio, you need to think about these factors: what are you going to include and where are you going to make it accessible?

The what

For the first question, I would recommend writing at least one sample of every form and genre that you would be comfortable being employed to write. Put together your very best short stories, long stories, screenplays, poems, feature articles, reviews, recipes, travel writing, fashion writing, whatever. The more versatile you are, the better chance you have of finding work.

The where

For the second question, there are several things to consider. You can make every part of your portfolio available online, either on your own website or on writing platforms that exist precisely for that purpose. In fact, I have encountered publications that required an online portfolio for them to view when applying or submitting.

However, if you choose to do this, you need to remember that any work published online for public viewing is just that: published. Most publications require you to own first publication rights on works you submit to them, and if you have put your work up online, you have forfeited those rights. You also need to consider whether you want your work to be accessible to anyone; the more public your work is, the higher the risk that your intellectual property might be illegally ‘borrowed’.

The alternative is keeping your portfolio off the internet, instead having it well organised on your computer. Ensure that any work you have had published or have submitted already are sorted carefully so that you remember the status of each piece you've written. It’s important to note which pieces you still own the first publication rights of, as previously mentioned, as well as which pieces are currently being considered elsewhere, as some locations have rules about not allowing simultaneous submissions.

My portfolio

For the sake of example, let’s examine my portfolio.

My portfolio is scattered across the internet. I have some short prose and articles about writing available here on my website, I have longer prose, articles, reviews, recipes, and other pieces featured on other websites. I ensure that everything I have published and featured is collated here so that one simple link will allow prospective employers and clients to see my work in many of its forms.

But not all of my work is available online. I have longer pieces saved on my computer, carefully sorted into unpublished, submitted, and published folders so that I know which pieces I still own first publication rights of or which I am currently waiting for responses about.

My online portfolio is primarily made up of already published works so that I can avoid the issue of voiding my first publication rights. I keep my longer works that I still wish to have published on my computer, so I retain those rights. I have a wide variety of styles and genres, which I am increasing all the time, so that I am ready for any writing job that I might be interested in applying for. I never want to miss opportunities just because I’m unprepared.

If you haven't already, it's time to think about putting together your portfolio. You don't want to miss out on your dream job!

Being prepared (Becoming a business) »
Showing off (Creating a portfolio) »
Getting employed (Pitches and finding work) »
What are you worth? (Rates) »
Signing on the dotted line (Contracts) »
Being able to pay the rent (Invoices) »

Published

2015/02/16