using your blog as your portfolio or case study display, part 1

I recently wrote about the power of using case studies instead of a portfolio of finished work. And, I’ve realized that it’s almost the equivalent of a blog versus a static site. The portfolio pieces are static end products, while the case study is action, progress, collaboration, solution, process. Then Gem from The Lady Programmer dropped by with a comment about not needing to wait until projects were finished in order to display them via case studies. And, this made my mind just spin.

For instance, maybe you don’t need an official portfolio on your static site. In terms of cost (if you have to hire your web designer or master to make changes or if you use an intricate program to make it pretty or flashy), it would be much more effective to just post the finished projects, or better, the work in progress (case study style) on your blog, wouldn’t it?

Why do I feel like I’ve just discovered the electric orange juicer?

• You can instantly upload projects – keeping your readers and the world abreast of your latest and greatest achievements.
• The content, keywords and tags for each project and the industry it represents will bring in a whole new audience to your site.
• You have total control of when you post, including edits and updates.
• You can create a PORTFOLIO place on the blog, so everything is available on one page. This could be a static page on the blog with links out to each post or simply a new category.
• You direct people from your website (if you have a brochure site attached to your blog) to the PORTFOLIO section of your blog with a link and some copy.

Anyone have any good examples of people doing this already??? I’d love to hear about them.
(A little shout out to my tireless, award winning and phenomenal designer, Leslie Tane, who is at this very moment redoing my portfolio page, reading this post and thinking, ‘finally, Julie can handle this herself and is going to stop bothering me!’)

Coming tomorrow: Building a case study portfolio on your blog. How to do it.

Filed under Blogging, The Business | Tags: blog, Blogging, case study, copywriter, copywriting, freelance copywriter, freelance copywriting, Julie Roads, Marketing, marketing writer, portfolio, writer's portfolio, Writing Roads | Comment (0)

the portfolio: case studies

Case studies are a superb way to showcase your work – whether you’re a copywriter, graphic designer, interior decorator, architect, chef or beyond. Not only do case studies allow you to describe your range and ability to work with different types of clients and situations, you also get to illustrate your process – giving people a glimpse into what it would be like to work with you, how you problem solve, what your creative practices are, the mediums you use, who your partners are and how you work with them.

Some people prefer to use case studies in lieu of a portfolio – picking a few choice clients and/or projects and displaying a definitive cross section of their work. Either way, used traditionally or creatively, case studies are a powerful tool and can include:

• Pictures of the work in process, blueprints, sketches, etc.
• Pictures of the artist in action
• Final photos or final pieces
• Pictures of the artist collaborating with the project’s team
• A summary or picture of the client’s request or the project’s original quandary
• Steps taken to find a solution, ie. the process
• Project partners, bios and collaboration notes
• Testimonials from clients and the partners
• Updates on projects in progress
• Updates on project outcomes after the project has completed
• Future plans for new work or additions to the project

Portfolio or Case Studies? or both? What do you use, how and why? I’ll post links to stellar examples.

Filed under Critical Copywriting, How To, The Business | Tags: case study, copywriter, copywriting, freelance writing, Julie Roads, portfolio, web portfolio, Writing, Writing Roads | Comments (3)