Considering that there are about 30.2 million small businesses in the United States, the competition is fierce! How can you stand out from the crowd and impress your audience?
The answer is to have an effective portfolio. Whether you’re just beginning or an expert, knowing common portfolio mistakes is important in order to avoid them. Read this guide on common portfolio mistakes and how to avoid them today!
1. Targeting the Wrong Audience
Hiring a company such as Sundberg-Ferar portfolio can help you stand out from the crowd. If you do it alone, you might not keep your end goal in mind.
The details in portfolios need to highlight the end goal. If you don’t, you’re more likely to be targeting the wrong audience.
Remember that it’s not about impressing your friends and family, but instead your audience and your buyers. Your audience will quickly look through your content and if they don’t find what they’re looking for, they might be on their way.
It’s important to include all of the details from what the client would be looking for. Take a look at your competitors to research some ideas. Think about when you’re taking a look at portfolios, what exactly are you looking for before you hire or work with someone?
2. No Backstory
You need to include portfolio work history information in order to shine. If you have an explanation of the work you’ve created, your potential audience might not be interested.
You need to tell them why they should care. Offer some context for the photos for portfolios.
This will confuse clients and potentially turn them away. Instead, provide plenty of details in order to have them make the decision that they want to move forward with you.
Think about yourself as the client, what would you look for? Come up with a plan of what you’ll discuss for each project.
Write about past experiences and if the client was happy. Talk about what you contribute to each story.
3. Minimal Personal Information
Whether it’s a physical or digital portfolio design, you need to have at least some personal information. People are interested in reading more about you and what makes you unique. They need to know that there’s a person behind these pictures.
Add a catchy line that’ll interest the reader. It could be professional, witty, etc. Also, have an About Me/About Us section that they can read.
Pay attention to what you offer your readers. Don’t give out personal information that’ll make the clients uncomfortable either.
Let them know about you. Consider having a thank you note to the reader.
This is a great way to thank them for reading about you and your work. This will make them feel more welcome instead of like they’re snooping.
4. Too Much Work
At the same time, you could show too much work. Most people won’t spend a while going through your different portfolio documents.
They might take a look at one or two pieces and then be done. From these pieces, they might make a fast decision.
In order to make a successful portfolio, think about what’s necessary and what’s not. Have it neat and organized with content explaining each item.
5. Missing a Purpose
The detail in portfolios needs to show a purpose. Think about what you want your website to achieve as you’re creating your portfolio.
Make sure that it’s clear what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for a job, state that. Whether you’re looking to build your reputation, take on freelance clients, or other reasons, you need to decide what’ll work best for you.
6. Not Mobile Friendly
Many people will be scrolling through your portfolio or site on their phones. If you don’t have a mobile-friendly site, then you could be missing out on potential customers.
Make sure that they can view images properly on a mobile device, and if they can’t, fix that. Make sure to preview your portfolio and site before you continue.
7. An Older Design
Your digital portfolio design needs to be fresh and updated over time. If you continue the same design, your potential audience might become bored and engagement could fall. Plus, providing fresh content over time can increase engagement and potential viewers.
Potential clients might come across your site a few times a year before making a decision. If they see that it hasn’t been updated at least once, that could be a bad sign.
Make sure to check analytics in order to see how well your site is doing as far as engagement and visitors. If you’re not sure what design to try out next, check out competitors for ideas. Remember not to copy them, but just take a look for different ideas.
8. Generic Photos
Use photos that you put your heart into, and avoid generic options. Clients will notice when you haven’t been unique with the photos that you choose. Avoid photos that don’t capture your personality for your portfolio.
9. Similar Photos
Don’t use similar photos since that can hurt engagement. Your portfolio is about showing how unique and creative your work is.
Exploring Common Portfolio Mistakes
After exploring this guide, you should have a better idea of common portfolio mistakes. Take your time deciding what tips and tricks you can include in your portfolio.
Would you like to read more informative content with various businesses in mind for success? Don’t miss out! Be sure to check out our other articles on our site today.
