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How to find a writing mentor and keep him close?

Writing is a solitaire profession. Writers are usually loners that sit on their laptops and put words together to create meaning. But it doesn’t mean that you have to be alone all the time. Actually, writing mentorship is not only a common thing but very beneficial. 

writing mentor

Whether you are a beginner looking for a specific niche or a more experienced author, a creative writing mentor can guide you, inspire, and help to find your unique voice and style. 

Why Do You Need a Mentor? 

Let’s start with what your offline or freelance mentor can help with. You should not expect them you become your BFF or devote all their time to you. But there are several major benefits that writing with mentors can offer. 

  • Accountability. This is a person that will hold you to your words, deadlines, and duties. It gives a boost of motivation to continue; 
  • Inspiration. A writing mentor is someone you look up to, someone that can inspire you to overcome writer’s block or challenge to expand your creative limits;
  • Improvement. Due to their experience in the field, they can provide valid feedback and criticism on your works. It is the best way to improve your writing skills and find new ways to approach them;
  • Developing style. Writing mentors will help to find your unique voice and style, something that makes you stand out. 
  • Professional advice. Also, someone who has been in the industry for a long time can advise on publishing options and help to make the right decisions. 
  • Support. Working in the creative field is not easy and can be overwhelming. Sometimes a word of advice or a little support can go a long way. Your mentor will help you to move forward in the right direction and not bail off when it becomes hard. 

It is all about cooperation, being more focused, and achieving goals with the help of someone more experienced and knowledgeable. A mentor generally sees a big picture, something that you do not notice, and encourages you to go further. 

How to Find a Writing Mentor? 

how to find a writing mentor
Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash

There are several ways to find a mentor. First of all look for someone busy in the same writing sphere. For example, if you are a comedy author, it is better to find someone with a similar experience. And also look for someone who has similar interests and values, someone you can look up to. 

You can find mentor writing in several places, such as: 

  • Writing groups online or offline; 
  • Professionals courses, events, seminars; 
  • Joining professional organization; 
  • Reaching out to someone individually. 

Look for a person with experience and a career path you’d like to follow. And make sure that this person is available or has an interest in sharing their knowledge. 

How to Reach Out and Keep Relationship

The first rule is not to rush into mentorship right away.

After all, it is a relationship, so be patient the same way you’d be in other personal relations. You might have several candidatures and be not sure which one is the best for you or who is willing to work with you. 

Show Professional Admiration

When you first reach out to the person you want to be your mentor, who them the professional admiration rather than personal emotional involvement. Be honest and tell why you look up to them and why you think their advice can help you. 

Present Yourself 

Another thing to remember is that you need to pitch yourself. After all, if it is a well-known author, they can be getting such messages all the time. Show them why you will be a suitable mentee for them.

Tell them about what types of advice you are interested in and why. How their mentorship can help you achieve your goals. 

Ask Something Specific

Do not ask right away something like “will you be my mentor?”. You both do not know each other well enough to make such a decision. At first, you can reach out with a proposal to meet for a coffee. Keep the meeting short, up to an hour, and have specific questions to ask. 

If the meeting is not available, you can reach out with a couple of specific questions via email or public social media. 

Follow Up 

After the meeting or initial response with your writing mentor – follow up and be grateful. You can also propose help from your side – like assistance with something. You need to show that you are serious about your intention and interested in further cooperation. 

Mention that you’d like to meet again or have another professional conversation online. You can even propose a date or specific subject. 

Ask for Feedback 

In the beginning, you’ll need to be proactive with pushing these relations. But keep it professional and not too much. Always ask for feedback and expert opinion on your work.

IMPORTANT! Be ready to hear something that is not entirely flattering – it is completely normal and will help your growth. 

And when you are sure that both of you are ready for mentorship, commit to it. Do not be afraid of a challenge or stepping out of your comfort zone. Such inconveniences will help to find new creative powers and form a unique style. 

Lets finalize

Finding a mentor is a great opportunity to become a better writer. Even though the writing is a solitary process, you can hugely benefit from expert advice and guidance.

Remember to be grateful, respectful, and open to suggestions.

Have you ever been using assistance from writing mentors? Share your experience in the comment section below 😉 

Vasy Kafidoff
Vasy Kafidoff

Vasyl Kafidoff is a founder and mastermind of KAFIDOFF.COM. He has a strong interest in education, modern technology, marketing, and business management.

If Vasy is not working, you can find him somewhere in the world attending a Rock Concert with his mates.

Personal website
  • How to find a writing mentor and keep him close?
    Writing is a solitaire profession. Writers are usually loners that sit on their laptops and put words together to create meaning. But it doesn’t mean that you have to be alone all the time. Actually, writing mentorship is not only a common thing but very beneficial.  Whether you are a beginner looking for a specific […]
  • Why create a writer’s portfolio?
    A writer’s portfolio is an essential tool to get more clients and build a personal brand. It is not a simple business card; it is a presentation of your skills and expertise. Some might think that it is not that big of a deal to have one.  But in reality, any professional writer needs to […]
  • Usage of infographic in your blog
    Infographic is a visual representation of data, concept, or a process. You’ve probably seen a lot of them online. They are used in blog posts, articles, presentations, and website landing pages. The wide use of infographics is quite understandable – it is a sure way to make your writing more engaging.  It is a great […]
  • Blog content plan and how it helps for your blogging needs
    You shouldn’t underestimate a blog content plan and its benefits! For beginners, it might sound boring, but it a necessary tool if you are serious about blogging. It is a must-have step to be more productive, consistent, and provide quality content. And it will make your life so much easier, as everything is already planned.  […]
  • I can’t write anymore! Stuck with your writing?
    Can’t write anymore! What should I do? Every writer fears this day but eventually, we all find ourselves there. Am I stuck forever? Am I even a good writer?  Stop. The answer is YES, you are a good writer. And NO, this block won’t last forever. Writer’s block is a common occurrence among all authors, […]

Why create a writer’s portfolio?

A writer’s portfolio is an essential tool to get more clients and build a personal brand. It is not a simple business card; it is a presentation of your skills and expertise. Some might think that it is not that big of a deal to have one. 

But in reality, any professional writer needs to have one. If you do not know why and how to create an online writing portfolio, this post is for you. 

Photo by Damian Zaleski on Unsplash

What is Writing Portfolio For? 

Let’s start with what it actually about. The portfolio holds the best examples of your work and demonstrates what you can offer to new clients. And it also highlights your writing niche.

Even if you are a beginner or generalist, you need to have one; it just will be more diverse in topics and forms. 

Should I make a writer portfolio? Yes, you definitely should. And here are the main reasons why:

  1. It helps to get more work. As simple as that, if you are interested in new ways to earn as a writer and finding new customers – it is the way to go. Every client wants to know what they can expect and what they are ordering. No diploma or certificate will be as effective as a portfolio in demonstrating your expertise. 
  2. To sell your writing. For example, if you have a couple of pieces in stock, you can sell them via a freelance writer portfolio. 
  3. It is necessary to build your brand. A personal brand relies hugely on online performance. It goes along with being active on social media, creating a blog, and crafting an excellent freelance writing portfolio. 

So whatever your niche are and whatever goals you have – there is no way around it. The portfolio is a must-have for an expert in the industry. Now, let’s talk about how to make a writer’s portfolio step-by-step.

How to Create a Writing Portfolio

Do not worry, even if you are a beginner, you can still do it and update as your career grows. Here are several steps to take.

portfolio for a writer
Photo by Green Chameleon on Unsplash

What does a writing portfolio look like? You can find a writing mentor who will guide you through the whole process or start researching on your own. The layout depends on personal preferences, but it usually includes these parts:

  • 10-30 sample pieces;
  • Layout or site presentation;
  • Biography;
  • Social media handles; 
  • Clear Call to Action;
  • Recommendations (optional but if you have them – it is a plus!).

For example, this portfolio is slick, professional-looking, yet laconic. Now, let’s craft your portfolio!

Define Your Goals 

Writing sample portfolio is a lot like writing any other piece you’ve done – you need to have a clear objective and audience in mind. Objective means goal – what do you want to achieve. We’ve got them covered previously. It will help to choose what text exactly to put into the presentation. 

The audience is who you want to attract or interest in your works. Generally, it corresponds with your writing niche.

For example, if you are looking for business writing gigs, put in press releases, study cases, and presentations you’ve done. On contrary, if you are interested in comedy writing jobs, you can choose blog posts, scenarios, or sketches you’ve done. 

What to put in a writing portfolio depends on what type of gigs you want to land. 

You can also include several types of writing and divide them into sections. But do not put all types because usually, clients look for someone with a specific set of skills and experience.

If you want to cater to different niches, you can create a couple of portfolios instead of mixing them all together. 

Choose What to Put in a Writing Portfolio

The easiest way to select specific texts is by creating a spreadsheet with all your publications. And from there you can find the best ones that illustrate your skills. 

Usually, a portfolio holds 10-30 pieces. So 10 are fine, and 30 are enough. There is no need to put everything in – clients will just get lost in the pile of texts. 

If there are several categories of texts – make sure you divide them and organize them neatly. 

Decide on Portfolio Hosting 

Basically, there are two ways to post it online – on your website or a hosting website. 

I personally believe that having your website is always better. There you can host a blog, and get all the benefits a personal platform can give. Actually, you are now reading my blog post at my personal blog 😉

And I believe it is essential for building a strong personal brand. Here is a perfect example of a powerful portfolio on a personal website. 

But choosing one of the existing websites is also a valid point. I’ll list the best ones later in this guide. The pro tip is that you can actually have it posted on several platforms. 

Create Biography

This is another crucial part of your presentation. Biography is a short description of who you are and what you are good at. Remember that it is a self-promoting piece, so there is room for being shy and insecure here. 

Photo by Felicia Buitenwerf on Unsplash

How to put together a writing portfolio biography? Here is what to include: 

  • Your professional name; 
  • Job title – freelance writer, journalist, academic writer, content creator, etc. Choose what represent you the best; 
  • Short description. It includes what exactly you offer, what type of work you specialize on, etc. Be creative; use your unique style and voice. And do not be too boring or abstract – it is not a resume; 
  • Experience. If you have more than 10 years of experience in this niche, it is worth mentioning; 
  • Social Media links. Include those socials that look professional, like LinkedIn and Twitter. 

You can also list recommendations with sources and put a call to action. A call to action is what you want readers to do. It can be as simple as “Contact now” or “Reach out”.

Work on the Design

Here comes the fun part – designing the whole thing. The specifics depend on your style and goals, but there are several important rules, namely:

  • Keep it simple and clean, so it is easy to navigate and read; 
  • Organize samples logically; 
  • Make sure that the page works fine on mobile devices; 
  • Use professional-looking fonts and colors (no Comic Sans!); 
  • Consider including thumbnail images (Here is a good example of a portfolio with thumbnails – it looks amazing); 
  • Optionally add hard-copy samples, like PDF or Google Docs. 

And do not forget to use copywriting approach – include a couple of keywords and SEO-friendly captions. 

Here you go – how to make a writing portfolio guide is complete! All that is left is to post it and share it on your social media or other platforms. Include a link to it in your bio you use for guest posts. 

Update it as your list of works grows, the samples should not be older than 2 years. 

Websites to Host Your Writer’s Portfolio On

Now you know exactly how to build a writing portfolio, but maybe you do not have your own site and you need to choose an existing platform. Here are several good ones for you. 

Clippings

This is one of the most beloved platforms by freelance authors as it was created specifically for this purpose. It is user-friendly and fast to set up. You can add links and PDF files here as well as multimedia files. For example, you can even add your podcast to your portfolio, if you have one. 

My favorite part of this website is that it is incredibly easy to use. You do not need to have any specific technical skills for setting it up. There is a free version where you can add up to 10 samples.

The pro subscription costs around $10 per month. Pro subscription gives such features as SEO, privacy, password-protection, Google Analytics plugin, and unlimited samples. 

Writerfolio

It is yet another professionally done platform for writer’s portfolios. It is also simple to use and beginner-friendly. There are many pre-made themes to choose from for your presentation.

Another good thing is that the number of samples is not limited. And you can also add attachments. There is no free subscription, but there is a free demo to try before making a purchase. The service costs $4 per month. 

Journoportfolio

As the name suggests, this website is targeted at journalists and freelance writers. It is slick-looking and has examples to get inspired by. There are six themes to select for your writer’s portfolio webpage. You can add any number of pages and content blocks. 

You can also either put links on or upload different types of files, including PDF and multimedia. The site support images and videos.

There is a cool feature here – the site shows how many visitors you have and how long they’ve been on the site. The free subscription allows up to 10 samples. And there is a pro version that costs $5-10 per month. It gives a personal domain and an unlimited number of samples. 

Format 

Format is not only for writers but also for other creators, like photographs and designers. The best part of it is that it is automatically optimized for mobile devices.

There is a decent collection of themes to choose from. Other perks of this platform include unlimited samples, copyright protection, social media integration, and support of various multimedia files. 

There is no free subscription, but there is a free two weeks trial period. There are several plans that cost about $12-25 per month. But they also give access to SEO tools and constant support. 

Except for my personal website, I’m also using Contently as a place for my writer’s portfolio. Take into account that, like the Format, this website can be used not only for your writings, but for your visuals, audio, and other types of content work.

THEREFORE >>>

A portfolio for a writer is a necessity if you want to be successful and well-known in this job. Devote your time and effort to crafting the best presentation of your skills and expertise and you’ll get results fast. 

Share your links to awesome writer’s portfolios in the comments section below to help other readers. Will be happy to check them out.

Vasy Kafidoff
Vasy Kafidoff

Vasyl Kafidoff is a founder and mastermind of KAFIDOFF.COM. He has a strong interest in education, modern technology, marketing, and business management.

If Vasy is not working, you can find him somewhere in the world attending a Rock Concert with his mates.

Personal website
  • How to find a writing mentor and keep him close?
    Writing is a solitaire profession. Writers are usually loners that sit on their laptops and put words together to create meaning. But it doesn’t mean that you have to be alone all the time. Actually, writing mentorship is not only a common thing but very beneficial.  Whether you are a beginner looking for a specific […]
  • Why create a writer’s portfolio?
    A writer’s portfolio is an essential tool to get more clients and build a personal brand. It is not a simple business card; it is a presentation of your skills and expertise. Some might think that it is not that big of a deal to have one.  But in reality, any professional writer needs to […]
  • Usage of infographic in your blog
    Infographic is a visual representation of data, concept, or a process. You’ve probably seen a lot of them online. They are used in blog posts, articles, presentations, and website landing pages. The wide use of infographics is quite understandable – it is a sure way to make your writing more engaging.  It is a great […]
  • Blog content plan and how it helps for your blogging needs
    You shouldn’t underestimate a blog content plan and its benefits! For beginners, it might sound boring, but it a necessary tool if you are serious about blogging. It is a must-have step to be more productive, consistent, and provide quality content. And it will make your life so much easier, as everything is already planned.  […]
  • I can’t write anymore! Stuck with your writing?
    Can’t write anymore! What should I do? Every writer fears this day but eventually, we all find ourselves there. Am I stuck forever? Am I even a good writer?  Stop. The answer is YES, you are a good writer. And NO, this block won’t last forever. Writer’s block is a common occurrence among all authors, […]

Usage of infographic in your blog

Infographic is a visual representation of data, concept, or a process. You’ve probably seen a lot of them online. They are used in blog posts, articles, presentations, and website landing pages. The wide use of infographics is quite understandable – it is a sure way to make your writing more engaging. 

Photo by Touann Gatouillat Vergos on Unsplash

It is a great tool that has multiple benefits, no matter what your writing niche is. Let’s discuss why and when to use it and how to do it right in your blog. 

Why Use Infographics? 

First of all, it is a very effective communication medium. People are mostly visual creatures, 65% of us are visual learners. It means that commonly readers comprehend visuals much easier and quicker than simple text. 

According to statistics, the human brain can process images 60,000 faster than text! That’s what I call a difference. But it is not the only reason to use blog infographics, here are several significant advantages. 

It makes data comprehensive

Maybe you need to explain the production cycle or brain processes – it can be quite challenging. But when you use illustration, it is much more understandable for the audience. 

And the information given in such a way is easier to remember. If you want to make your post more engaging and clear to the audience – an infographic will help tremendously. 

Illustrated infographics are sharable

It is not a secret that images are much more shared than texts. Even if your writing is outstanding, people are more likely to share illustrations.

Photo by Carlos Muza on Unsplash

Usage of infographics can boost your shares and attract a new audience as a result. You can add a share button and endorse people to use your illustration. Just make sure you put your brand name on it. 

Brand Awareness

This is also a perfect way to increase brand awareness. It doesn’t matter whether you are an individual entrepreneur and blogger or a company’s representative. Usage of the brand colors, style, and logo will do the trick. 

Brand awareness is crucial for growing a business or personal blog and its further monetization, especially if you are interested in brand deals and sponsorships. 

SEO

An infographic blog post has more SEO potential. It is more engaging and interesting for the audience. It also can be shared and used by other creators, which leads to more exposure.

And images are an excellent choice to promote your blog on platforms like Pinterest. And each picture has its SEO factors like a file name and meta description. 

When it is hard to get a higher ranking with the text, you can increase your chances with an infographic. Google, for example, shows results for texts, images, and short answers on the first page. 

 When to Use Infographics?

Now, when the benefits of an infographic blog post are obvious, let’s talk about when to use it. Of course, one wouldn’t do it for every post simply because it takes a lot of time and effort. And also because when anything is overused it loses its power. 

Here are several good reasons to use blog illustrations in a particular post. Use it if you: 

  • Need to explain something difficult to an audience; 
  • Want to present statistics, case studies, survey results, or lots of numbers – they always look better as graphs; 
  • Need to do a summary of a long and informative post; 
  • Want to make a comparison of two subjects or concepts; 
  • Want to highlight particular achievements, factors, or make an engaging presentation of the topic. 

Let me be clear – if there is nothing important to put on the infographic, do not do it. Just use an image for illustration. There is nothing more boring than infographics that does nothing for a post. 

Overall, infographics can be divided into several types according to their usage, such as:

  • Statistical; 
  • Timeline; 
  • Process; 
  • Informational; 
  • Comparison; 
  • List, etc. 

Here is another cool thing to remember when you create infographics – they can be used multiple times. You can post them in your blog posts, on other services, on social media, in guest posts, and whenever you feel stuck with writing.

And it won’t get flagged by Google as plagiarism or copypaste. So be cautious of what data you want to illustrate – make it relevant for more than just one text. 

How to Create It? 

When you decide on how to use infographics, the next question is how to make it? 

Well, there are three ways to approach it. 

  1. Hire a designer. Professionals can always do it better, it is a fact. If you have an opportunity, you can invest in graphic design and get outstanding results. And order all formats for social media too. But it is, obviously, an option not available for everyone. 
  2. Use other people’s infographics. If there is something created on the topic you are covering, you can use it. Just make sure you credit the author and have a link to the source. It will add visuals to the post and make it more exciting. Of course, it is rather a quick fix, but sometimes it is necessary. 
  3. Create it yourself. You do not need to be a graphic designer to do it. There are lots of online and desktop tools that allow creating graphs and all types of visuals. And many of them are intuitive, user-friendly, and, most importantly, free. 

I have 3 top picks to create your original infographics for you:

Canva

It is free to use and there are several cool free templates. And it allows downloading the file in high-resolution. It is pretty easy to use; there are lots of features and designs to choose from. And you can learn it quickly and create slick, stylish, and simple images. 

Piktochart

This tool is also user-friendly and easy to learn. Many great features allow the creation of unique images. One can create something simple, use ready templates, or even craft something advanced.

And one can also upload their own images to use. The free version lets you download the result in PNG or JPEG. But if you want to download it in PDF, you’ll need to get a premium subscription.  

Venngage

This one is great, but has one downside – it is not free. You can try it for free, but if you want to download your design, you’ll have to pay for a subscription. But there are nice tutorials on how to use it and an extremely helpful blog on all things infographics. 

5 Cool Examples of Infographics Usage

To sum everything up, check out these incredible posts with infographics from other creators.

Good Writing Habits of Famous Writers

Making time for creative activities, Statistics Canada

The Ultimate Guide To Note Taking In Class

The Ultimate Guide to Creating Visually Appealing Content

The most Googled artist in every country in the world

Maybe these examples will inspire you to get your hands dirty and create a stunning visual for your next blog post!

Share links to your favorite infographics in the comments section, I’ll be happy to check them out 😉

Vasy Kafidoff
Vasy Kafidoff

Vasyl Kafidoff is a founder and mastermind of KAFIDOFF.COM. He has a strong interest in education, modern technology, marketing, and business management.

If Vasy is not working, you can find him somewhere in the world attending a Rock Concert with his mates.

Personal website
  • How to find a writing mentor and keep him close?
    Writing is a solitaire profession. Writers are usually loners that sit on their laptops and put words together to create meaning. But it doesn’t mean that you have to be alone all the time. Actually, writing mentorship is not only a common thing but very beneficial.  Whether you are a beginner looking for a specific […]
  • Why create a writer’s portfolio?
    A writer’s portfolio is an essential tool to get more clients and build a personal brand. It is not a simple business card; it is a presentation of your skills and expertise. Some might think that it is not that big of a deal to have one.  But in reality, any professional writer needs to […]
  • Usage of infographic in your blog
    Infographic is a visual representation of data, concept, or a process. You’ve probably seen a lot of them online. They are used in blog posts, articles, presentations, and website landing pages. The wide use of infographics is quite understandable – it is a sure way to make your writing more engaging.  It is a great […]
  • Blog content plan and how it helps for your blogging needs
    You shouldn’t underestimate a blog content plan and its benefits! For beginners, it might sound boring, but it a necessary tool if you are serious about blogging. It is a must-have step to be more productive, consistent, and provide quality content. And it will make your life so much easier, as everything is already planned.  […]
  • I can’t write anymore! Stuck with your writing?
    Can’t write anymore! What should I do? Every writer fears this day but eventually, we all find ourselves there. Am I stuck forever? Am I even a good writer?  Stop. The answer is YES, you are a good writer. And NO, this block won’t last forever. Writer’s block is a common occurrence among all authors, […]