Building Your Portfolio

The Goal

By the end of this chapter you will have real proof that you can deliver your service: two or three finished examples, at least one statement from a satisfied person, and a simple way to show all of it on your phone. You will also know where the line is between presenting yourself well and pretending.

Understand: why proof matters more than promises

A client who doesn’t know you takes a risk when they pay you. Your job is to make that risk small. Words like “experienced”, “creative” and “reliable” don’t do that — everyone uses them. What does it:

• Examples of work you have actually done
• Before and after: what it looked like before you, and after
• Words from real people who were happy with your work
• Results, where you have them: more enquiries, faster replies, an order that came in

This collection is your portfolio.