Overthinking. The art of creating problems that don’t actually exist. It’s certainly a problem I’ve struggled with in the past. Luckily, I had no such issues when creating my first portfolio as a freelance iGaming writer.
Just look at it. It’s awful.
But here’s the thing: nobody cares.
Your Portfolio Doesn’t Have To Be Perfect
I wrote about this recently in a LinkedIn post, jokingly entitled How to Create the Perfect Portfolio.
If you’re a new writer, you need a portfolio. But it doesn’t have to look great.
People spend far too much time worrying about what other people will think. They want everything to look and feel perfect. So, instead of just putting themselves out there, they do nothing. This isn’t good.
Something Beats Nothing
You don’t have to spend time and money on a pretty website. Prospective clients only need to see that you can write. They’re not looking for graphic designers. They’ll view the portfolio once, maybe twice, then it’ll be erased from their memories.
By putting out my ugly portfolio, thrown together in a simple Google Doc, I was able to acquire my first clients as a gambling writer. Once I’d earned a little money, I could then invest in a website and put together a proper portfolio.
Mind you, the showcase on my website is still pretty ugly. Something to add to my to-do list, I think.
What About Ghostwriting Portfolios?
After publishing that LinkedIn post, a fellow iGaming writer contacted me privately with a related dilemma.
He’s published more than 500 articles, but none with a byline. Everything he’s done has been as a ghostwriter. He was putting off making a portfolio for a long time, because he wasn’t sure how to approach it, and asked for my advice.
Just Do It – It’ll Be Fine
Well, from my experience, this is common in the world of gambling affiliates. You’re often ghostwriting, but without an official discussion ever taking place around who owns the work.
I see it like this. Unless you signed some kind of agreement that says you can’t claim credit for the work, there’s no harm linking to it in your portfolio.
If you want to be extra careful, ask the owner if it’s okay first. I can’t imagine too many cases where the client would say no. It’s been three-and-a-half years since I turned freelance, and nobody’s ever resisted when I’ve asked.
Your main issue is whether or not the prospective client will believe that you really wrote the articles, since there’s no credit. Well, if they don’t trust you, I’m not sure that’s a good platform on which to build a new working relationship anyway. Don’t lose any sleep over it.
Besides, if you really did write it, you’ll have no problem sending the original Word or Google doc to prove it.
Be like Nike. Just do it.