To add a blog to your portfolio website? Seems like a poor advice, doesn’t it?
Yeah, we get it, it seems crazy to add a page that requires constant updates, and that doesn’t get you gigs. But, blogging has a purpose. Hear us out.
Blogging can actually add value to your portfolio and help you get hired.
If you think about it, clients like to get to know potential employees before they hire them. They like to find as much as they can about potential employees’ personality, and that’s why they google them and stalk them on social media. Knowing this, why wouldn’t you take control of how recruiters see you online and, at the same time, promote your skills, attitude towards work, and experience?
Here’s how blogging can help you get hired:
1. Blogging allows you to show your communication skills and how you solve problems. And you already know that clients LOVE employees that have soft skills and are proactive.
2. Blogging enables you to show your attitude and personality 一 how organized, reliable, and ambitious you are. Clients love seeing employees that are willing to put an extra effort into everything they are doing.
3. Blogging allows you to talk about your skills (and even relationships with previous clients). Besides showing the recruiters your work, you can use a blog to explain the techniques you are familiar with, and the new skills you are learning.
Blogging seems legit know, doesn’t it?
But, it all sounds great in theory.
In real life, if you choose to give blogging a chance, you face two problems: how to find time to blog and what you should write about.
When it comes to time management and finding time to write and publish posts, we would advise you to take 2-3 hours per week (or two weeks, depending on how frequently you wish to post) to write a blog post. The articles don’t have to be long; you can start with a 500-word post and work your way up.
Bonus tip: If you are willing to add a blog to your portfolio website, don’t forget to determine how many posts per month/year you can write and make sure that you follow that schedule. An editorial plan can come in handy and keep your posting consistent. Writing 20 posts at the beginning of your blogging journey and not publishing anything for another 2 years will give the impression that you are not a reliable person and, frankly, a bit of a slob.
When it comes to finding topics to write about, write about your experiences. For example, as a designer/photographer/illustrator, you probably get to travel the world, visit exhibitions (and exhibit your own work), attend and speak at conferences and meetups. If that is the case, write about the events you visited, people you’ve met, books you’ve read, new skills you’ve learned. Share some tips only designers/photographers/illustrators know and show that you are not only eager to learn something new but also to share your knowledge with the world.
Bonus tip: Blog on your online portfolio is not your personal journal, so be careful about what you write. After all, your goal is to get potential clients’ attention and encourage them to hire you. So, for example, starting a post with the sentence “So, I was supposed to be at the conference 9 am sharp, but I overslept, and got there at 10.30…”, seems unprofessional and doesn’t portray that you are a reliable professional worth hiring.