How to Craft Compelling Copy to Gain More Leads with Your Portfolio

Writing effective copy for your portfolio can help turn it into an effective lead generation tool. Usually, your portfolio will be viewed by others without you present, meaning the viewer will have to make assumptions about you without any other outside information. If you understand the target market you are trying to attract with your web design portfolio, you can become more effective at enticing the right people to contact you.
 

Defining Your Target Market

Building your online portfolio is very much the same as working for a client, except the client is yourself. Just as with a client, you need to ask yourself, “Who is my target market?” Below, we will have a look at the different types of web design portfolios and how to write persuasive copy for each.

A portfolio that is used for garnering more client leads should always follow the“What’s in it for me?” approach. Clients are going to hire you because they are looking for a solution to their problem, which in most cases is building them a web presence. Chances are, these leads are very uncertain about whether to hire you or not. This means that keeping copy short and sweet will give prospective clients an idea of what problem your services solve.

Be aware that some clients might not know what they want. Even if they do, they may not be aware of what they could have. Providing a more detailed explanation of the process and the desired outcomes will help these types of clients get a solid grasp on how you work.

"Some clients might not know what they want. Even if they do, they may not be aware of what they could have."

Benefits vs. Features

It is important to distinguish the difference between a benefit and a feature. A benefit is the positive outcome a client will get when they invest in your services. Such as, receiving a well-tailored website design that will convert visitors into customers. A feature is the process or tools you use to achieve the said result. In most cases, many clients won’t be interested in this step in your design process.

For example:

Service: SEO Specialist/Content Specialist

Feature: These services can provide you with high-quality, well-written articles that are high in traffic and low in competition

Benefit: Clients will receive higher rankings in Google, therefore more traffic directed to their website rather than their competitors. Ultimately, this leads to more business online through search engines.
 

Start Blogging

Your blog content should be used for building reputation within the industry. Blogging has many economic benefits as a web designer, even if you are just starting out in the industry. Writing consistently on a blog reveals a lot about your character and personality. To clients, blogging demonstrates you have a good handle on your practice and know what you are talking about.

Don’t feel like you have to be an “expert” on a certain subject to write about it. Sometimes the best way to learn it yourself, is to teach someone else.
 

Things to Avoid:

• Information Overload: It can be tempting to cram as much information as possible into our portfolio. If you try to overload your visitors with too much information, it can appear cluttered. The fact is, employers or clients only need to know the essential qualities about you pertaining to business upfront. Keep your copy to the point – don’t use 20 words when 10 words would convey the same message.
   
• Being Negative: Remember that you are marketing yourself as a business, so don’t be “spammy.” It is not a good idea to come off as condescending. It’s great that you have confidence in your work, but if clients or employers perceive you as cocky, it can be a turnoff.Persuasive copyrighting is not about lying to get clients into hiring you or being overly aggressive. This won’t get you very far.
   
• Never Updating: Once you’ve completed the copy for your portfolio, don’t assume it’s set in stone. You should revisit your portfolio every once and a while to keep your content fresh. Maybe your target market has shifted or your objective as a web designer has changed. Either way, updating your portfolio to reflect these changes will help realign you with appropriate leads.
   
• Not Having a Call to Action: Effective copy will ultimately persuade your visitor to move forward with contacting you about a project or a job. Enable your potential leads to contact you with ease. Nothing is more frustrating for employers who are interested in hiring you, and they can’t locate an e-mail address. This might lead them to pick someone else over you, simply because you didn’t provide sufficient contact information.

When done properly, compelling copy it can have a profound effect on your potential clients or employers. Tailoring your content to your target market will help you stand out among other generic designers who haven’t taken the time to properly write their own copy. Persuasive copy on your portfolio can help you attract the kind of clients you want to work with.