One of the best ways to make a good first impression for a freelance writing or guest blogging opportunity is to present someone with your writing portfolio. A portfolio that showcases your best work can go a long way at turning a maybe into a yes!
While I typically suggest that freelance writers have a portfolio set up on their own domain like I have done with my own freelance writing portfolio using the My Resume design from Elegant Themes, there are other great networks that allow you to create an online portfolio. The best part is that most of them are free for writers.
Introducing Contently
Contently is the newest site to allow writers to create a free online writing portfolio. Their tagline is “Empowering And Connecting Quality Writers And Brands.” Their goal is to help writers and journalists manage their freelance careers while helping publishers connect experienced journalists and writers.
The Contently service is currently in beta. As a writer, you can sign up for a beta invite.
Setting Up Your Writing Portfolio with Contently
When I received my invite this morning, I thought I would see just how easy it was to create my online portfolio. They say it only takes seconds, and that might be a bit of an exaggeration. The process did take about 10 minutes, but that is only because I was finicky about editing each of my clips.
Basic Information
The first thing you will do is enter your name, email address, and password. You will also choose your username, which will be a part of your portfolio’s URL. I always go with my first and last name, kristihines, making my URL http://kristihines.contently.com/. This is always a good option for strong personal branding.
Adding a Clip
Next, you will start adding clips which are simply URLs to your writing. You can enter the URL of each piece of writing directly, or you can enter the full URL of a website for which you are a contributor.
You can edit each clip discovered by clicking on the Edit link, or you can remove clips that you do not want on your portfolio by clicking on the red X.
Be sure to use the Load More button at the bottom of the list to get more selections from that publication, or click the Save button once you have found and edited all of your clips from that publication.
You can add more publications, or edit clips under your publications by going under your Portfolio menu and selecting Manage Portfolio.
Featuring Clips
If you want to highlight particular pieces of writing on your portfolio, you can use the Star icon next to clips under each publication to mark them as Featured Clips under the Manage Portfolio section.
Once you have selected a few pieces of writing, you can change their order using the drag and drop in the right sidebar.
These clips will now be shown first when someone visits your portfolio.
Update Your Bio
To update your bio information, you will go to the Update Bio option under the Your Portfolio menu. Here, you will add your photo, a 140 character bio, your location, and topics you write about.
Next, you can add your education, awards, and recognition. I chose to highlight some of my blog’s awards and recognition as they correlate to my writing and areas of expertise.
Beneath that, you will add your website and blog URL, plus extended bio information.
Finally, if you’re a freelance writer, be sure to tick the Available for Freelance checkbox before saving your bio.
Connecting Your Social Accounts
Last but not least, go to your portfolio. At the top next to your name, you will see your social icons.
When you click on each, you will be asked to connect your social account to your profile. I connected all of mine and did not have any issues with any unwanted status updates.
The Completed Online Writing Portfolio
Once you are done setting up your profile, it should look a little something like this. You can click on the image to make it larger or just go check out my writing portfolio on Contently.
Need a Contently Invite
If you’re ready to put up your online writing portfolio on Contently today, I currently have three invites. They will go to the first three people who tweet this post and leave a comment!
UPDATE: Thanks to Contently, I now have 25 beta invites – please let me know if you would like one in the comments!
Share Your Online Writing Portfolio
Do you have an online writing portfolio on Contently, your own website, or on another free network? Please share yours in the comments!
Hat tip to Karl Staib of Party Biz Connect and Work Happy Now for letting me know about this site!
About Kristi Hines
Kikolani covers blog marketing and blogging tips for personal, professional, and business bloggers to succeed in search and social media marketing. Kristi Hines is a 
This seems like a great idea. Writers need to cover all bases to get their work noticed while offering a different way of displaying written content.
From the step you show, it seems like a simple process to get started with Contently also. Any freelance writer or website owner who produces fresh content constantly needs as many outlets as possible. Putting all your written eggs in one file cabinet will not spread the words you have worked so hard on.
Thanks for the info Kristi, I will check it out.
Steve
Steve recently posted New Rules by the FTC for Work at Home Scam
I definitely like spreading the portfolio love. You never know what site a client might find to start their search for writers!
It will be handy for clients by having a portfolio online for easy access.
Do I need to do anything else to get the invite information? Is there an access code ETC.
Thanks again for the informative article and the free invite.
Steve
Steve@work from home recently posted New Rules by the FTC for Work at Home Scam
I actually need your last name to submit the invite Steve.
E. Steve McLaughlin
Thanks Kristi
Steve@work from home recently posted New Rules by the FTC for Work at Home Scam
Kristi, great post! I’ve been working on building portfolios with my team for guest blogging outreach. I find that it greatly helps in getting the opportunities to guest blog. I would love an invite, feel free to email me or use my email to sign me up.
Miguel@OrganicSEOConsultant.com recently posted SEO Perspective on Subdomains Vs. Subfolders
It definitely does help make a good impression on blog owners. I hope you enjoy the network!
Thanks Kristi, will I get an email from them? I’ve not yet received anything and am excited to use the service.
Miguel@Organic SEO Consultant recently posted SEO Perspective on Subdomains Vs. Subfolders
I submitted the invite… since they are in beta, they might only let a certain amount of people in at a time. I’m sure you’ll get something soon – my email took a week.
Have I made comment number three – this looks like just what I’ve been looking for. Off to tweet now – thanks, Kristi.
Sharon Hurley Hall recently posted Teaching an Old Business Writer New Tricks
Hope you enjoy it Sharon!
Just started adding my stuff – it is really easy to use and I love the display.
Sharon Hurley Hall recently posted Teaching an Old Business Writer New Tricks
Thanks, Kristi! Awesome resource! I appreciate your taking the time to share this with us.
You’re welcome Jeff!
Hi Kristi – Joe from Contently here. Great guide! Thanks for putting it together. Feel free to shoot us a note if there are other features you’d like to see.
Thanks Joe!
Kristi, I think sites like Contently are good for all freelance writers, but especially those who don’t yet have a quality website to showcase their clips. Using Contently, or Cuttings.me, in conjunction with LinkedIn can take a new writer a long way.
John Soares @ Freelance Writing recently posted All Your Writing Clips on One Site: Cuttings.me Review and Interview
And I’d love an invite if you still have one left.!
John Soares @ Freelance Writing recently posted 25 Ways to Boost Your Freelance Writing Business in Under 5 Minutes
Thanks for the great writeup!
You’re welcome Shane – great portfolio too!
Yes, I’d like an invite as well.
As it turns out, I’m building an application working a similar notion in the project management space. I’ll send an email shortly.
Dave Doolin recently posted On-page SEO: Multiple H1 Elements Yea or Nay?
It’s sent!
I just got my invite, so I’ll be filling it out tonight. You really laid it all out for us. Thanks for putting it all together. It’s going to make my job a lot easier.
Karl Staib recently posted Trailblazer Teleseminar and Twitter Party
Wow! Thanks, Kristi. These online portfolio’s look great! I’ve been wanting something like this, thanks for showing us in the write direction.
Doug Gene recently posted Rocky Mountain Trail Coupon Code and Review
You told us about Elegant Themes and I really wanted to have their themes. The price isn’t very high (40$ / year), so I paid and now I am very satisfied, because they have a lot of interesting themes. Now I don’t have to search for new themes or try another service, because Elegant Themes have everything I need
Guess I missed it Kristi!
I just got your post in my RSS and rushed to see it, but may be it came in a little late and being a freelance writer this surely something great
I loved the way you did up your portfolio that would surely impress anyone! And of course the wonderful way you explain everything so well- making it easy for us to understand.
Thanks for sharing
Harleena Singh@Freelance Writer recently posted My Father, My Pride
I’d love a beta invite!
awesome post – lots of great info and even some ideas I can use on my self-hosted portfolio (adding beats, featured posts, etc.)
The system looks very priomisng and also keeps you very organized Kristi. i”ve requested an invite.
I would love a contently invite. It sounds like just what I have been looking for.
Stephanie Suesan Smith recently posted Pruning Trees Especially Important This Year
Looks awesome! I’d love an invite if you still have one Kristi.
Great post, you always do such a thorough job of breaking a new tool down into easy steps!
How exciting! I just started freelancing a few months ago and have not jumped into my own website, so this is perfect in the interim. I’d love an invite if you still have them available.
Hey, I want in!!
As always Kristi, incredible value in your posts and the time you spend on each. You’ll never cease to amaze me, I really mean that.
Marcus
Marcus Sheridan-The Sales Lion recently posted Why ‘Community’ is NOT the Holy Grail of Blogging and Online Success
This is very cool! First time i’ve seen anything like it. Makes me wish i was a hard-core blogger so i could put together a neat little portfolio.
Chris @ Austin Owner Finance recently posted Austin Homes For Sale: Find Austin Real Estate
This is interesting. A good idea for sure. A sort of online… Well, yea, portfolio!
Ryan Critchett@iphone LCD repair recently posted Adventures Of RMC Tech – Virus Repair On Toshiba Laptop
That sounds like a really neat site. I’m trying to set my foot into freelance writing and it would be a great place to get started,
Dominique@Dominique’s Desk recently posted Tiger Girl- Feet On
Having a good portfolio resembles the true identity of a blogger.
Ricardus @WordPress Hosting recently posted Simple guidelines for WordPress 3.3 updates
MANY THANKS!!! I was looking for such a site or application that will help me to create my own serious and right portfolio. Exactly what I was looking for! You offered your readers a very detailed tutorial to use this site, and that’s really amazing
Amanda@BuySellWordPress recently posted WordPress Themes
Hi, Kristi!
I would love an invite to Contently. Do you have any left? Thanks so much. I always enjoy reading your posts. Make it a glorious day. You deserve it!
Deb
Deb recently posted Work Motivation Tips to Help You Succeed
Hey, Kristi!
I’m a brazilian writer and I think Contently is a very interesting site! I’d like to write about it. Could you give me an invitation?
Thanks for your post! =)
WOW Kristi, I am EXTREMELY Impress with the way you have shown me that how i can make my protfolio too on Contently! that is the most koolest thing i have ever seen i am surely going to sign up here =)
I’m not sure if this is the right solution for me. I have yet to find a theme or service that presents my writing portfolio the way I would like it. I think a large part of that is because writing isn’t as visual as an art portfolio would be. Less sticks out about it. I think I will have to come up with a design that suits me.
Susan Silver recently posted 5 Marketing Leaders You Need to Know
Hi Kristi
A very good review. Am sure your invites are exhausted by now so I went to CONTENTLY and signed up for an invite. I am a freelance writer too and these kind of platform help us a lot.
If you have any other recommendations, please let me know.
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