Web Cred

Prepare for your next career move by building an online portfolio.

by Helen Gallagher

CBN Dec/Jan 2011

Not long ago, people went through life with just one career, and many worked 30 or 40 years with a single company. It’s a different world today, with more options and opportunities for people to reinvent themselves, change direction and even change careers.

You can make use of today’s web tools to build an impressive online portfolio to display your expertise. You might be surprised when the law of attraction brings interesting opportunities your way. Whether your future lies in cheer, fitness training and education, coaching, or business management, showcasing your skill set online increases your chance of becoming the top candidate in a crowded job market.

If you’re seen as an expert in your field, you could offer your unique services to others. For example, you may know many coaches who are good at what they do, but they need to work on communication and time management skills or be held accountable for their goals. You’ll benefit from having a credible profile when you need influential contacts. To display your credentials, though, you’ll need more than a business card and resumé. In today’s digital world, you need a platform to showcase your skills and talent. Keep reading for six ways to expand your online portfolio.

Utilize your website or blog.

Your website or blog is the best choice for the core of your online portfolio. Fill it with basic content about your credentials and your contact information. A blog is especially useful in creating evidence of your specialty, with targeted writing on the subject, whether it’s tumbling, stunting or choreography. And, unlike websites, blogs generally have no monthly hosting fee.

Reach out via social networking.

Use your website or blog to connect to your other online media portals, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Plaxo, StumbleUpon, Twitter, YouTube and other professional networking organizations in your field.

On each of these social media sites, your profile will attract people and opportunities aligned with your goals. Remember that your Facebook profile, if used for professional reasons, shouldn’t include late-night party pictures from some of your wilder friends. Good professionals, like coaches and gym owners who work with children, have found themselves stripped of their positions based on compromising photos on Facebook, even if they were taken years ago. Having fun with online social media sites isn’t worth ruining your reputation.

Similarly, if you’re using Twitter and LinkedIn to gain face-time with and exposure to potential career-boosting connections, bury the personal stuff elsewhere.

Build up your e-mail contacts.

Create an e-mail list. Use a “click to subscribe” link on your blog, and post an e-mail address sign-up sheet at industry events to attract visitors to your blog. As your list grows, send e-mail blasts from a service like constantcontact.com. Blasts are a fast and inexpensive way to promote your services and keep people aware of your achievements. Send the sign-up invitation to your local press, TV and radio stations and bloggers. And don’t forget your academic and professional connections.

Get published.

You’ve probably heard the advice “Write what you know.” Your experiences in life and in your work give you a unique, informed perspective on the world. There are publishing opportunities just waiting for you. Consider pitching articles to the industry magazines and websites you read regularly (cheer, fitness, business, etc.). Many accept how-to pieces, interviews and personal stories. If you need to start small and build up your publishing portfolio, take a look at the online article markets, such as DemandStudios, eHow and Hubpages. Most of these article-syndication sites work best if you care more about getting published than getting rich.

Becoming an author is a huge enhancement for your platform. It puts you on the fast track to boost your professional credentials. You may have already gathered material that could make a useful book; perhaps a handbook on team choreography, a guide to teen fitness or, if you’re also a parent, a book on how to make health and fitness a family priority.

Self-publishing is the fastest route today, thanks to digital options, such as print-on-demand (POD). While there are many reputable POD firms that can produce your book for a fee, there are other choices that have no upfront cost. Try createspace.com (owned by Amazon), which will print your book from the manuscript you upload as a PDF, and will include a cover that you design or create from a template. Once you approve the final draft, your book becomes available for sale at online retailers, such as Amazon. The only cost to you is the copies you order, as softcover or hardcover books to sell at events and to bookstores.

In this day and age of technology and e-info, more and more opportunities are popping up for e-books, which take away the cost of printing a book while upping your profit margin. Just make sure, however you’re publishing, that you include links to all your published works on your website or blog.

Showcase your work.

If your specialty is uniform design, hand-decorated gym bags or team jewelry, there’s a sales channel waiting for you at etsy.com. For independent crafters, Etsy is the top resource for you to make a living selling handmade products. The product-listing fee is tiny and the sales fee is a mere 3.5 percent.

Book public-speaking gigs.

As you build up your strengths, you’ll want to address any lingering weaknesses. National opportunities are plentiful for conference speaking gigs and media interviews. If you’re uneasy about the idea of public speaking, attend a Toastmasters meeting, where you can gain experience speaking to groups.

If you enjoy public interaction, expand beyond local media to internet radio programs, such as blogtalkradio.com. Here you can host your own radio show or make guest appearances on others, give interviews and answer questions from call-in audience members. Like most of the virtual world, these are global experiences, with programs that appeal to a worldwide audience.

The depth of your expertise might surprise you as you use these tools to build up your portfolio. Whether you’re seeking a new career or a side job where you can make your own hours, a strong portfolio is the best foundation to display your credibility.

You don’t need a degree in communications to create your own personal PR campaign. With a powerful online portfolio and links shared across your social network, you’ll have sales channels, visibility and the credibility needed to make your next move.