The document discusses tips for creating an effective portfolio website, including setting goals, choosing a technology, and 10 secrets of a great portfolio site. The secrets are to create a logo, tagline, portfolio of work, highlight skills, include an "About Me" section, add contact forms, start a blog, have calls to action, link to social profiles, and have fun with the site. The overall message is that an online portfolio is important for finding jobs and work in architecture.

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10 Secrets of a Great Portfolio Website
Rob Rozicki

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56% of all hiring managers are more impressed by a
candidate’s online portfolio than any other personal
branding tool

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Before you begin clarify and set your website goals.

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Please Hire Me Website
Focuses on getting you a job.
If you are actively searching
for a job then the current goal
of your portfolio is to get
hired. In this type of portfolio
you can target the work you
show to the type of company
you want to work for.

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The Reputation Building Website
Focuses on building your
name in the industry and
online. This may take the
form of an showcase.

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The Networking Portfolio Website
Focuses on building
relationships. There are many
networks that have excellent
portfolio building tools. They
have some advantages to
placing your portfolio on their
website. Chiefly among them
is to leverage the site space
for networking.

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The Sales Generation Portfolio
Focuses on keeping a flow of
work always coming in the
door. The goal here is to
generate leads. And move
potential customers through
your sales channel.

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Now choose the technology for your portfolio.

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Choose your web design adventure.
Dipping my toes in
I’m all in
Make it easy
I’m committed
Free
$5-$50
per month
$10 - $100
per month hosting
costs
Loss of
Friends + hosting costs

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10 secrets of a great portfolio website

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1. Create & Highlight Your Logo
Your logo is usually the first
thing a user sees. In the
Western world, we read
from left to right, top to
bottom, so it makes sense
to put your logo in the top
left of your website so that
users can immediately
identify who owns the
website.

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2. Create a Tagline
The right tagline provides
a clear message of what
your brand is all about.
• Start with your brand
promise
• Show personality
• Make them read it twice
• Draw on emotion or
action
• Get inspired

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3. Create a Portfolio
In today’s online
marketplace there’s just
no way around it.
Potential clients or
employers will expect to
be able to view previous
work online.
• Categorize your work
• Use high quality images
• Link to real projects
• Make sure it navigates
well
• Keep it up-to-date

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4. Highlight Your Skills
Your tagline summed up
what you do, but you’ll
want to go into a bit more
detail here about each of
your specific skills.
• Highlight your Design
talent
• Engineering ability
• Social awareness
• Business aptitude
• Work experience

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5. Get Personal with About Me
Let people see the man
or woman behind the
website. Share your
background, where you
came from, what you’re
passionate about, etc.
• Know who you’re talking to
• Don’t just lead with the facts
• Share your values.
• Show yourself
• Tell the story of your journey
• Tell people how you can help them
• Demonstrate how you’ve provided
solutions for others
• Give a sense of what it’s like to work
with you
• Don’t make it all about you

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6. Contact Forms
A potential employer or
client has browsed your
website, is impressed
with your portfolio and
can see who you are.
Now they want to contact
you.
• It’s more convenient for
users
• It’s more secure
• It guarantees that you’ll
receive the message
• It helps you get more
information

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7. Start a blog
A blog is always a good
idea. Blog about your
area of expertise; show
you know what you’re
talking about. It will help
promote you and prevent
your website from lying
static.
• Eye catching titles and
headlines
• Open with bang!!
• Use engaging images
• Proper post segmentation
• Social media friendly
• Use your own voice
• Use a call-to-action

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8. Create a Call-To-Action
Your portfolio should have
a call to action, a “Next
step.” The best way to
accomplish this is with a
button that is clear and
stands out from the rest
of the page.
• Have multiple CTAs
• Put CTAs on every
page
• Make CTAs prominent

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9. Link to Your Social Profiles
Now that people have an
interest in you and your
work, encourage them to
follow you on other
websites.

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10. Have Fun
"Be yourself - everybody
else is already taken." -
Oscar Wilde
• You'll graduate from school
• You'll switch jobs.
• You'll move cities, even
countries
• Your career ideas may evolve
• Your whole life path may
change once or twice
• But amidst all these changes,
your website remains a way to
express yourself freely and
truthfully

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Thanks For Your Attention
Contact Me
Rob Rozicki
Email: rob@startingdot.com
Tel: +1 347 419 2764
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