How to Create Your First Writing Samples for Your Portfolio

TL;DR

• Professional, tailored writing samples help you land journalism or copywriting assignments.
• Focus on appropriate topics and choose the correct writing style to structure your sample content.
• Edit, polish, and share your samples with editors and potential clients.

If you’re brand new to writing and slim on published clips, creating your first writing samples can be daunting. Where do you start? What do you write about? A targeted, polished portfolio is your calling card. It’s how you make potential clients or editors take notice of your work. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create compelling, polished samples that stand out—even if you’re new to this.

1. Understand Your Goals

Before you write anything, identify your target audience. Are you pitching to news outlets, blogs, or businesses? Who will be hiring you, and why? Journalists need to show they can write clear, engaging stories with a news hook and a knack for research. Copywriters, on the other hand, should highlight persuasive language and the ability to write with sales conversions in mind. Tailor your samples to fit these client and editor expectations.

2. Choose Subjects You Know Well

Writing about a familiar topic will boost your confidence and help you write stronger content. Journalists: consider writing an article about a local event, a personal essay with a universal lesson, or a community profile. Copywriters: think about advertising and business needs—product reviews, mock sales pages, or blog posts serving a niche industry.

3. Research Similar Writing

Find a handful of professional examples of what you want to create. This step will help you craft samples that meet professional standards and expectations. For aspiring journalists, look at feature articles in reputable news sites. Find 3-5 published examples of the type of content you want to produce. Use those as a guide when writing your samples. If you’re a copywriter, look at successful landing pages, email campaigns, or blog posts on company websites. Take note of their tone, structure, and content.

4. Define Format and Style

This is where you break down the published pieces you found and follow their lead. Journalists should aim for concise headlines, well-structured paragraphs, and engaging lead paragraphs. Follow the traditional inverted pyramid format: start with the most important information, then give supporting details. Copywriters should focus on writing that is persuasive, benefits-driven, and audience-focused. For example:

• Blog Post: A 600-word article that educates or entertains.
• Landing Page: A 300-word pitch that highlights the value of a product or service.
• Email Copy: Short, snappy text designed to prompt an action.

5. Plan Your Writing Sample

Here’s where you start writing! Create an outline to organize your ideas. This is especially helpful if you’re new to writing professionally. Start by brainstorming:

• A working title or headline that grabs attention.
• Key points you want to include.
• Supporting information or examples.

For example, if you’re writing a blog post, your outline might look like this:

• Title: “5 Ways to Stay Productive While Working from Home”
• Introduction: A story illustrating the challenges of remote work and why productivity matters.
• Body/5 ways:
  1. Create a dedicated workspace.
  2. Stick to a consistent schedule.
  3. Take regular breaks.
  4. Use productivity tools.
  5. Set daily goals.
• Conclusion: Recap the benefits and encourage readers to try these tips.

6. Write with Purpose

While you’re writing, focus on clarity and flow. Make it easy for readers to understand and stay with you. Start with a hook that grabs attention, like a startling fact or a personal anecdote. Copywriters should open with a statement that appeals to the target audience’s needs or desires.

Keep paragraphs short—three to five sentences max—and use subheadings and bullet points to break up long sections. For copywriting, be sure to use action-oriented language:

❌ Weak: “This product is great for organizing your day.”
✅ Strong: “Take control of your time with this simple, powerful organizer.”

7. Edit, Edit, Edit

Great writing is in the editing. Review your work for clarity, conciseness, and professionalism. Use tools like Grammarly to catch grammar mistakes and check tone. Read your piece aloud to check for awkward phrasing. If possible, ask a fellow writer or editor to give feedback.

8. Format and Polish Your Samples

Presentation matters. Use a clean, easy-to-read format. Include the piece’s title and a short description of the intended audience or purpose when you publish the sample. For example:

• Title: “How Small Businesses Can Boost Their Social Media Presence”
• Description: “A 500-word blog post written for marketing agencies.”

Upload your samples to your portfolio or a site like Clippings.me. This ensures they’re accessible and easy to share in your email signature or social media profiles.

9. Create a Few Samples

Hopefully, if you’re pitching regularly and seeking clients, you’ll have published clips quickly! But until then, create a few different samples. Potential clients and editors like to see versatility. If you’re pursuing both journalism and copywriting, create at least two or three samples for each niche. For journalists, this might include a feature article, a shorter news piece, and an opinion column. For copywriters, consider a blog post, a sales page, and an email.

10. Revisit and Update Your Portfolio

Your first samples are a starting point, and they’re an important start. But as you gain experience, revisit your portfolio monthly or quarterly to add new, higher-quality work. For now, focus on creating a few polished pieces that showcase your potential. In time, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from!

Your writing portfolio demonstrates your skills and opens the door to your first writing opportunities. Whether pitching editors or applying for gigs, strong samples help you stand out as a professional—even when you’re completely new.

Want to know more about starting your freelance writing life? Check out the free Freelance Writing Starter Kit! No email needed. 🙂