clippings.me worked for me!
As I was cleaning out my closet, I found a binder of writing samples I started a few years ago. "I really should update this," I thought — and by "update" I mean "make digital." So I used The Google to explore my options. I'm happy to report that I found something I'm actually really psyched about. Like, kind of geeking out over.
First and foremost, if you're a writer, the key is to include "writer's portfolio" in your Google search. My first few attempts led me to platforms for graphic-based artist portfolios, which just isn't going to work for you if you're a writer. At least not easily, in my experience. And I wanted something super simple, intuitive, and geared toward sharing writing samples.
After adjusting my search, I clicked on the first website on the first list I found of "writer's portfolio websites": clippings.me. It was love at first click. This site offers a free trial that lets you to add up to 16 samples to your portfolio. You have to pay if you want to share more clips, but I figure I can give any interested parties a solid taste of my skills in just 16 (at least for now).
Once you create an account, it's time to design your page. You can choose a header image or upload your own. I tried uploading my own, but finding a photo that worked when layered with type felt like a waste of time. The clippings.me header options are on par with pre-loaded desktop backgrounds, but they get the job done. Within the header, you can easily edit your job title(s), intro text, and include a link to your website or LinkedIn page.
When it comes to loading the samples themselves, it seriously couldn't be easier. You can add clips either in PDF form or link to a URL — and you can add videos, too. Each URL entry will pull a thumbnail image directly from the page you're linking to. For each PDF, you can load your own image to accompany the file. Clippings.me even lets you crop and size your thumbnail images (neat!). You can also edit the title of each entry and the accompanying preview text. I haven't tried loading a video clip, but judging from the ease of the other options, I'd imagine it's easy peasy.
Once you load your samples, it's a cinch move them around to group like clips together or to make the page look pretty. You can add dividing lines between rows and columns, too, if that suits your needs. I admittedly haven't organized my portfolio by like items yet, nor have I added my full free 16 — really, this is a work in progress for me. I just couldn't wait to tell other writers out there about this site! I thought making an online portfolio was going to be such a major pain, but I threw mine together in about an hour, if that. Writers, see why I'm so psyched? Geek with me.
When it comes to loading the samples themselves, it seriously couldn't be easier. You can add clips either in PDF form or link to a URL — and you can add videos, too. Each URL entry will pull a thumbnail image directly from the page you're linking to. For each PDF, you can load your own image to accompany the file. Clippings.me even lets you crop and size your thumbnail images (neat!). You can also edit the title of each entry and the accompanying preview text. I haven't tried loading a video clip, but judging from the ease of the other options, I'd imagine it's easy peasy.
Once you load your samples, it's a cinch move them around to group like clips together or to make the page look pretty. You can add dividing lines between rows and columns, too, if that suits your needs. I admittedly haven't organized my portfolio by like items yet, nor have I added my full free 16 — really, this is a work in progress for me. I just couldn't wait to tell other writers out there about this site! I thought making an online portfolio was going to be such a major pain, but I threw mine together in about an hour, if that. Writers, see why I'm so psyched? Geek with me.
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