Preparing for FX 2020 Portfolio Showcase
The Freelance Exchange’s annual Portfolio Showcase is coming up on October 28th. Are you ready?
FX puts on this annual B2B trade show to give you, the freelancers, a prime opportunity to get yourself and your work in front of the very people who are looking for you, including ad agencies, design shops, large corporations, small businesses, non-profits, and more.
For those looking for freelance talent, it’s a one-stop shop. They can find the freelancer they need or put together an entire virtual agency. The possibilities are endless!
When / Where / What
First off, this year, everything is virtual. Let’s break down the logistics:
Thursday, November 19th
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Panel—Hiring Freelancers? What to Expect
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Portfolio Show/Open House
All of this will be conducted on Zoom for the panel discussion and meet and greet. Work will be shown through the Portfolio section of our website.
We’ll start out the event, as usual, with a panel discussion designed for our attendees (the folks looking to hire freelancers). We’ll address details they may not be familiar with, such as: what to look for when shopping for a freelancer, what to expect when engaging with one (contracts, deposits, etc.), and more.
Note: This is NOT the time for freelancers to ask questions about how to run a business. Please bring those to the FX of KC Freelance Focus in the spring, or simply ask your peers at any one of our other events throughout the year.
Portfolio pages are to be set up prior to the panel. Do not be updating your portfolio the day of the Showcase.
How do I update my member portfolio page?
- Sign in
- Click Manage Portfolio
- For each item to display:
a. For File Type, choose Image or File from the drop-down on the right (Choosing File may not render a viewable thumbnail. Choosing Image seems a better choice)
b. For a Portfolio Image, browse your device for a jpg or png work best. You may need to choose File in A above to display a pdf. If the work is a pdf, you may wish to make a png or picture of the pdf to have it display as an image.
c. Add a title
d. Add a description; 1-4 sentences will suffice.
e. For Image Link, paste in a URL if the work is live, such as a blog post.
f. Click Update to save
g. Check to see if all is displaying as desired
h. Click Add Portfolio Image at bottom right, as needed, to display another item.
i. To display Contact Info and Background to the right of your items, complete the Account Details within your sign-on or dashboard. For Background, your LinkedIn summary or your site’s About (or similar) if applicable, is a good place to start.
Best Practices for the Best Exhibits
Everyone has the same amount of space available for their portfolio on our website. Use this wisely. Upload your best pieces. Include a thumbnail image, if possible. Ensure your name, specialty and contact info is correct. And be sure to include your background.
Things to keep in mind:
- Think visually. The more visually appealing your work, the better chances of results.
- Showcase your brand. Get creative with this. Can you link to your website, your LinkedIn profile, put your logo on your work?
- Have an array of work available to view: Different mediums, industries, one-off projects, complete campaigns, etc.
- Not a creative type and no portfolio to show? No problem! Consider posting testimonials, case studies, and more. Use this opportunity as a meet-and-greet to share your services.
Be Prepared
Aside from getting your portfolio ready, there are a few things you can do to prepare, such as:
- Determine your USP. Figure out what makes you unique/different/better, and highlight that.
- Write up your elevator speech, and practice it so it comes across naturally.
- Have on hand a note pad and pen. Use this to take notes of what you spoke about and with whom so you can remember when you follow up.
- See the big picture. Figure out how you can best communicate value to your prospects. Remember, you are not just a writer, designer, etc. You are part of this amazing collective in which you can partner with others on projects, form a virtual agency, and refer other members who may be perfect for a job.
- Engage with your visitors. Have a conversation. Ask questions. And get any quality prospect’s contact info.
- Prepare for all types of questions. You may be asked about your capabilities, availability, and rates. While you get to determine how you want to answer these questions, FX suggests – in particular – you deflect any questions about your rate. Communicate your value, and ask for the opportunity to put together a formal project estimate instead.
- Don’t be surprised. While we target heavily those looking to hire freelancers in our promotional efforts, we can’t prevent others (i.e., vendors, other freelancers, students) from coming to the show.
- And, after the event? Follow up. Follow up. Follow up! Don’t miss out on a great opportunity. Make yourself memorable and begin a great relationship with your best prospects. Connect on LinkedIn, follow on other social media channels, send articles, emails, invitations for a coffee meeting, etc. (But not too much or too often. You don’t want to be a pest!)
Also, remember, results may vary. Some years may generate some amazing hot leads. Others not so much. But it’s all about brand awareness and recognition. Meeting your peers. Getting referred and offering referrals. And who knows? You may end up with an amazing project from someone you met years ago. So, do your best to have a successful show, and keep the hope alive!
What YOU Can Do to Help
We promote this event far and wide. This year, we’ll be relying heavily on the website, email, and social media. Please help us spread the word and invite your contacts as well! Forward emails, share on social media, and invite others whom you think would be interested!