One of the most common challenges beginner writers face is the dreaded question: “How do I get clients if I have no experience?”
The answer lies in building a writing portfolio—a curated collection of your best work that demonstrates your writing ability, style, and potential value to clients. The good news? You don’t need to be published or have paid gigs to create a strong portfolio.
In this article, you’ll learn how to build a writing portfolio from scratch, even if you’ve never written for a client before.
What Is a Writing Portfolio?
A writing portfolio is a collection of writing samples that showcase your skills, writing style, and the types of content you’re capable of producing. It serves as proof that you can deliver what potential clients are looking for.
Your portfolio should answer questions like:
- What kind of writing do you do?
- Are you good at communicating ideas clearly?
- Do you know how to format and structure content?
- Can you write in different tones or for different audiences?
Even one or two well-crafted samples can make a huge difference when pitching clients.
Step 1: Decide What Kind of Writing You Want to Showcase
Before creating your samples, think about what type of writing you want to offer. Some options include:
- Blog posts
- SEO articles
- Website copy
- Email newsletters
- Social media captions
- Product descriptions
- Technical guides
- Scripts for videos or podcasts
If you’re not sure yet, try 2–3 different formats to see what feels natural and enjoyable for you.
Step 2: Create 3 to 5 High-Quality Writing Samples
Your next step is to write original samples as if you were already working for a client. These don’t need to be published—they just need to be good.
Tips for writing strong samples:
- Choose a clear topic that solves a problem
- Write with a target audience in mind
- Include a compelling headline and subheadings
- Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and clear formatting
- Proofread for grammar and flow
Example topics:
- “5 Budget-Friendly Travel Tips for Solo Travelers”
- “How to Create a Morning Routine That Boosts Productivity”
- “Why Small Businesses Should Start Email Marketing in 2025”
You don’t need to mention that it’s a sample—just make it look professional.
Step 3: Use Free Platforms to Publish Your Work
You don’t need your own website right away. Many beginner writers build their first portfolio using free platforms that allow you to publish and share links to your writing.
Great places to publish your samples:
- Medium.com – Easy to use, professional layout
- LinkedIn Articles – Helps build your personal brand
- Google Docs – Simple, shareable, and accessible
- Notion – Allows you to create a mini-portfolio page
- JournoPortfolio – Portfolio builder with a free version
Make sure your content is easy to read and visually clean.
Step 4: Write a Brief Bio or Introduction
Introduce yourself at the top or bottom of your portfolio or each sample.
Example:
“Hi, I’m Jamie — a freelance writer specializing in productivity, wellness, and marketing. I help brands connect with their audiences through clear, engaging content.”
Keep it short and relevant to the type of clients you want to attract.
Step 5: Organize and Present Your Samples Clearly
Clients should be able to see your work quickly without clicking through confusing folders or cluttered pages.
You can organize your portfolio by:
- Type of content (e.g., blog posts, product copy, emails)
- Niche (e.g., health, marketing, finance)
- Format (Google Docs, Medium links, PDF files)
A clean, easy-to-navigate layout builds trust and professionalism.
Step 6: Improve and Update Regularly
Your first samples won’t be perfect—and that’s okay. The important thing is to start. As you grow, improve, and gain real clients, replace your old samples with stronger, newer ones.
Set a reminder every few months to:
- Review your portfolio
- Add new work
- Remove outdated or weaker samples
Treat your portfolio as a living document.
Bonus Tips to Strengthen Your Portfolio
1. Volunteer Your Writing
Offer free or low-cost writing to local nonprofits, friends, or startups in exchange for a byline or testimonial. This gives you real-world experience you can showcase.
2. Guest Post on Blogs
Find blogs that accept guest contributors and pitch them a topic. If they accept and publish your piece, you’ll have a published sample with your name on it.
3. Write Case Studies
If you’ve helped someone with writing—even informally—you can turn that into a case study.
Example:
“I wrote a product description for a friend’s Etsy store that helped increase sales by 20% in two weeks.”
Even small wins help establish your credibility.
4. Add Visual Appeal
Use Canva or similar tools to add headers or simple branding to your samples. Presentation matters—make it look good.
A Portfolio Without Clients Is Still Valuable
Too many beginner writers hold back, thinking, “I can’t make a portfolio because I haven’t been hired yet.”
That’s backwards.
You build the portfolio first to attract the clients. Clients don’t care whether the work was paid or unpaid—they care about quality, relevance, and clarity.
Starting with mock samples isn’t just okay—it’s the standard.
Final Words: Start Where You Are, With What You Have
Every successful freelance writer started with zero clients and no published samples. The difference is that they took initiative.
You don’t need permission. You don’t need a degree. You need a few well-written samples and a willingness to put yourself out there.
So start today:
- Write one article on a topic you enjoy
- Format it professionally
- Publish it on Medium or Google Docs
- Share it when you pitch clients
That’s your beginning—and it’s a strong one.
Let’s keep going. Next article coming up!