What are the best ways to supercharge a writing portfolio quickly?

I'm a graduate looking to be a freelance writer; I've got a good academic record in a humanities degree, and done some work before for an agency that doesn't let its writers use their writing in portfolios etc, but it seems like a lot of places won't accept pitches without an established portfolio to go with them. Would much appreciate some help!

Replies5

  • @Isabella Morris Yep, I am interested in the film business as well, to the point that I am in the process of pitching my first screenplay (for a TV series).
  • @Christiane Lange Thank you for the advice on that! That's very worth knowing; I enjoy writing for and about film in my own time, but as someone very new to the business side of things (I'm a recent graduate) it's still all quite bewildering.
  • @Isabella Morris It is not an easy business. A lot of properly paid work for writers is in fairly humdrum areas, like technical writing, writing web pages, promotional pieces and the like.
    I saw your post about providing notes on screenplays, but that is a notoriously underpaid field, unless you already have some experience in the film business (as a producer, for example).
  • @Christiane Lange Thank you very much for the advice! I'm currently working on getting a few pieces 'out there', which is reassuring, but of course there's always more work to be done and more improvement to be made.
  • The simplest is to look for unpaid opportunities. You will find lots right here on The Dots.
    Most people simply want to see writing samples. So if you can place 3-5 pieces in various zines etc., preferably online (for easy sharing), you are on your way.
    As you do this, try to focus on areas that you would like to work in.

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