Step 1: Define Your Brand Identity
Before diving into the creation of your portfolio, take the time to define your personal brand identity. Consider the unique skills, strengths, and experiences that set you apart in the marketing industry. Your portfolio should reflect your brand, conveying a consistent and authentic message about who you are as a marketing professional. This is one of the key ways you are going to stand out, don’t be shy to be a bit different.
Step 2: Select Your Best Work
Quality over quantity is a mantra to live by when curating your portfolio. Choose a selection of your best and most relevant work that demonstrates a range of skills. Whether it's successful marketing campaigns, social media strategies, or innovative content creation, each piece in your portfolio should tell a story about your capabilities. And they should all be pieces you’re proud of and willing to talk about.
Step 3: Showcase Results
Don't just display your work; highlight the results it achieved. Use metrics, such as increased website traffic, engagement rates, or conversion numbers, to quantify the impact of your marketing efforts. Demonstrating tangible outcomes will provide concrete evidence of your effectiveness as a marketing professional. It also shows you’re a results-driven marketer with an eye for data, and who doesn’t love that?
Step 4: Tell Your Story
A compelling portfolio is not just a collection of work samples; it's a narrative that tells the story of your professional journey. Introduce yourself with a concise and engaging bio, explaining what you like or even love about marketing, key experiences, and what drives you in the industry. Use this opportunity to connect with whoever you are aiming to work with or for on a personal level.
Step 5: Include a Variety of Formats
Diversify your portfolio by incorporating various formats and mediums. Include case studies, blog posts, infographics, video snippets, or any other format relevant to your work. This not only showcases your versatility but also caters to different learning and engagement styles.
Step 6: Highlight Your Skills
Create a dedicated section to showcase your skill set. Whether you excel in data analysis, social media management, content creation, or market research, explicitly list and describe each skill. Consider incorporating endorsements or testimonials from colleagues or clients to add credibility. We’ve seen some great ones where people have rated their experience level for key skills e.g. intermediate CRM skills, senior copywriting skills.
Step 7: Optimise for Accessibility
Ensure that your portfolio is easily accessible and navigable. Use a clean and user-friendly design, and consider creating an online version that is compatible across various devices. Canva has some epic templates. This accessibility will make it convenient for potential employers or clients to review your portfolio.
So there you go. A well-constructed portfolio is a powerful tool to help you cut through and make an impression. It can also be really fun and rewarding for you to put together. By defining your brand, showcasing your best work, telling your story, and covering your skills, you can create a portfolio that really feels like you. So go forth and create!
