Creating a Pro Level Screencast Portfolio with these 5 Tips
Whether you’re working freelance or looking for a full-time job as a video screencaster, you need a portfolio.
A Screencast portfolio showcases your abilities; therefore, it allows potential clients to determine if you may be a good match for their video projects. In many respects, a well-crafted and carefully planned Screencasting portfolio has the power to give you an edge over the competition… which can mean the difference between landing a great Camtasia video project and missing out on a golden opportunity.
I’ve been working on my Screencast Portfolio on and off for a few years and every few months I find some new tweak I can do to make it easier to navigate or more demonstrative of my skills. If you don’t have a portfolio yet, here are some best practices
1. Be Selective About your Screencasting Samples
More work does not necessarily translate as more experience. Don’t be afraid that you only have 3-6 pieces of work to showcase in your portfolio. If they are 3-6 pieces of good work, and you’re taking the time to lay them out thoughtfully, they should be enough to convey your skillset and value to a potential client. Quality trumps quantity EVERY time so don’t be afraid to really put your editing eye to the task. Cut the things that don’t represent you well or are outdated.
2. Include Testimonials
Testimonials are major! Especially if you want to work in freelance. If you don’t have any testimonials yet, don’t worry! Start small: collect two, then make it a goal to add one per quarter.
Getting testimonials can be as simple as reaching out to people you know on LinkedIn to write recommendations, or it can involve writing a more personal email to a former colleague explaining what you’re trying to do and why you’d really appreciate a testimonial.
Either way, testimonials go a LONG way. They help you establish credibility, create a reliable network of “backers” who’ve vouched for you, and make it more likely that someone will reach out to you to collaborate because you seem legit.
3. Do You Have a Niche?
One of our Camtasia students has a freelance business that only works with women-owned businesses. That’s AWESOME! Embrace the niche you want to work with. If that’s your target audience, showcase work that aligns with what would be most relevant to your niche audience.
If you don’t have a niche, no worries! If you decide you want to focus on one in the future, start small and think about projects you can design to land the type of clients you eventually DO want to work with.
4. Add Some Dream Client Work
Most people include work they’ve completed in their portfolio. Duh right? But what about including one dream video that you whipped up on your own time? Be very transparent here, of course, but showcasing dream client work is a great way to show off your range. It allows you to break outside the box of the opportunities you’ve had, and allows you to show your range. Plus, it shows gusto, gumption, and guts. Have fun with this!
5. Make It Easy for People to Find You
This one’s a no-brainer but even if you’re not on the job hunt you should make it easy for people to reach out to you. Social media, email info, and a contact form are just some of the ways you can make it easy for people to get a hold of you. A contact section is all about expanding your network, opening conversations. Some may lead to work, some may not immediately, but will still widen the net you could cast in the future.
Yes, to create an online video portfolio that shows off your strengths and talents may be time consuming.
However, with these tips on-hand you can develop a screencast video portfolio that conveys your skills and puts you a notch above the other candidates vying for your next project.
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Interested in learning more about promoting yourself as a Freelance Video Screencaster? Check out our Career in Screencasting course- on sale now for $100 off (use the coupon code “career”) and you’ll also get an invitation to our live webinar on March 15th where we show you exactly how to create a portfolio playlist on YouTube then add the videos to your website.
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