Last week we reviewed some of the best ways to create an online visual portfolio, but what if you’re a writer who creates with words instead of images? Don’t feel left out! You should have an online portfolio, too.

An online portfolio boosts your Google-ability, raises credibility with editors, and makes it easy to share and organize writing clips. Instead of sending huge, space-consuming files via email (most editors don’t appreciate that–ahem), send a link to your organized, well-thought-out site!

What to include

Your portfolio should contain three to seven writing samples demonstrating a range of styles. Include:

• a how-to article
• a review
• an interview
• a personal experience essay
• an article based on research
• an article that demonstrates your knowledge in your area of expertise.

Organize your clips and samples

Make sure you have permission to post published clips, and organize your clips by subject or type of publication (i.e. magazine, website, custom publication, etc.).

Show off your ancillary skills

Take a few lines to explain your contribution to each sample (editing, writing, layout), and the tools and software you used to create them (Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe InDesign, HTML).

Post the clip in context

Allow editors to see the clip in the context it was published. You can do this by linking to the site on which the clip appeared, or by the scanning the hard copy. If you choose to scan, save the clips as PDFs instead of JPEGs–you can always include a link to the PDF on your site, or upload it to a site like Scribd, DocStoc, or issuu if you wish to embed it directly into the page.

Keep your clips updated

Sometimes links change once an article gets archived, so check them frequently. If you’re concerned about a website removing your article, take a screenshot and save it for your portfolio. Searching Google’s cached pages is another way to retrieve “dead” articles.

Creating the portfolio

Now that you’ve gathered everything you need, it’s time to set up your portfolio. Some options include:

Writer’s Residence

For $8.99/month, Writers Residence helps you create your own website and easily edit pages, add writing samples, and create a writing resume/CV–all with no need for HTML.

Big Black Bag

With Big Black Bag, you get a free domain name, multiple templates to choose from, Paypal integration for sending invoices, an e-commerce feature, and custom form creation for $8.99/month.

MediaBistro Profile

Your MediaBistro profile features a customized display of your professional background and experiences, provides you with disk space to upload your work samples and writing clips, and is searchable by the 100,000+ editors and managers in mediabistro.com’s member database for $21/month or $145/year.

Book style

Set up a “clip book” by inserting  your clips into a document or page layout program, then creating a PDF to upload to a site like issuu or Yudu. If you need PDF creation software, you can do it online at Adobe.com, or try a free PDF creator like CutePDF.

Your Blog

If you blog about more than your writing (and really, who doesn’t?), create a separate page for your writing portfolio. Develop categories for the major writing areas or topics you cover, and tag them for greater refinement. Add a link to your sidebar or main navigation to take visitors to a page dedicated to your work.

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Style blogger Jessica Schroeder of What I Wore just announced some great news: she got a book deal!

I’m sure there are plenty of other bloggers who are aspiring authors, and while working with an agent and an established publishing house is the most desirable way to write a book, there’s also another option: self publishing.

What is self publishing?

“Self publishing” is just the term for when authors produce and distribute their written work themselves, instead of working through third-party publishing specialists. Self publishers are usually able to keep a larger portion of their profits, in addition to having more control over content and promotion. The web, blogging, and the increasing number of media channels have spurred the self-publishing movement, and several services make it easier than ever to create your own book!

Print on demand technology (similar to the service we use to create print editions of Style Sample) is probably the best bet for independent authors and bloggers without a lot of capital to invest. You’ll want to look for a company with low-to-no set up fees–which vary depending on the size of the book, number of pages, binding, and cover (hardcover vs softcover).

Book binding options

Some of the most reputable services include:

Lulu

Lulu is one of the longest-running printing and distribution services online, and offers free publishing (no set-up fees) as well as paid marketing and design services. You choose your book’s binding, size, and paper, upload your files, build a cover, set the price, and start promoting!

Blurb

If you have a lot of high quality images you’d like to turn into a photo book, Blurb is your best bet. You can download their free BookSmart book-making software (or do it yourself if you’re comfortable with page-layout programs), add graphics, text and images, and place your order for as many as you’d like. I’ve seen some great results with Blurb.

CreateSpace

Formerly BookSurge, CreateSpace is owned by Amazon.com and allows you to upload a PDF of your book to their site. You can create a cover using their cover creator, choose distribution channels to sell your book (including Amazon.com, of course), and they’ll provide you with a free ISBN.

A word of caution

Beware of vanity presses, which charge exorbitant fees (up to $10,000) with the promise of printing large quantities of your book (likely more than you need) and distributing it to big box retailers. These presses are similar to the “modeling agencies” that charge hundreds of dollars for headshots and modeling classes–you don’t need all that if you create a valuable product.

Other things to consider:

• ISBN: You may want to look into applying for an ISBN (International Standard Book Number), which allows a title to be searchable and listed for sale on websites. It’s the barcode you usually see on the back of the book.

• Design: You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but let’s face it, people will (especially aesthetically-oriented fashion people)! If you’re not a designer and can’t afford to hire a professional, keep it simple and use a high-impact image or text for your cover image. You’ll also want a nice photo of yourself for the author bio page.

• Promotion: If you already have a blog, you likely already have an audience. Make sure your readers know you’re publishing a book, put a prominent link on your site, contact other blogs, sites, and publications and offer to do interviews, find a podcaster in your niche and do an interview, contact your local indie book retailer and offer to do an in-store reading, set up a booth at fairs and trade shows…there’s a lot you can do, so be ready to work!

• E-publishing: Keep in mind that the iPad, Kindle, and other e-reader devices are opening doors for independent publishers. If you’d prefer to stick with an e-book (a book available in electronic format, usually a downloadable PDF), try SmashWords.

The barrier to entry for book publishing is diminishing as technology advances, so I encourage you to put in some work and get your piece of the pie!

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This is a guest post by Precilla of FashionArtExpression. If you’d like to write a guest post for Style Sample.com, check out the guidelines and submit your idea.

When I started blogging, I came across a lot of confusing things. I didn’t know what to expect or how to best use my resources, so I thought I’d help other new bloggers by sharing some important tips I wish I’d known.

Growing your readership

Once you’ve started your blog, you’ve probably realized the readers don’t come to visit all by themselves. You have to put forth some effort to make them come back again and again! Here are a few things you can try:

Choose your content with care

I’ve seen a lot of blogs do 5-7 posts a week, but the content might be average to not compelling at all. That’s not going to get you more readers, so you need to change your game. Choose quality above quantity! Combining your own opinion with researched facts gives you more credibility and makes it interesting to read. Honesty is the best policy, so don’t lie. Don’t say you like something if you really hate it. People appreciate honesty more than you think.

Here are 10 tips I use that guarantee growth for your blog:

1. Write something newsworthy
2. Write something insightful
3. Write something that elicits an emotional response
4. Write something inspirational
5. Write something that tells a story
6. Write something that gets a laugh
7. Write something opinionated
8. Write something about something cool
9. Write something controversial
10. Write something unique

Develop your unique writing style

The best tip I can give you is to write as if you’re talking to someone. Express your true opinions and don’t try to write like someone else – find your own voice. Find topics that keep your readers interested and take risks! Don’t be afraid to experiment with different subjects.

Learn accurate punctuation and check your spelling and grammar. This is very important because you want the readers to understand what you mean and to avoid miss communication. Use quotation marks when you’re writing something that is not your own words, and remember to link to those who inspire your ideas.

Make your blog search-friendly

SEO is short for Search Engine Optimization. It helps search engines direct people interested in what you talk about to your blog. SEO requires a lot of work, but there are a lot of websites that can teach you how to use SEO to your advantage. The two sites that are the best in the field are Problogger and SEObook.

Participate in communities and social networks

Participating in different communities and social media is also a great way to increase your readership and establish new friendships and business opportunities. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help! I’ve spoken to a lot of bloggers to see how they’re doing and mutually broaden our knowledge by sharing information.
Some popular communities include:

• Independent Fashion Bloggers
• Delance Fashion Community
• Lookbook.nu
• Chictopia

If you’re leaving comments on other blogs, try to make them more worthwhile. Instead of just saying “cute dress!”, try writing something more in depth, describing why you like something, or what you thought was unique about the post.

Send newsletters

I’ve recently discovered something cool: newsletters. There are loads of benefits to starting a newsletter for your blog, including traffic building, monetization and building a rapport with your readers. As I’m working on my own newsletter, I’m thinking about what makes a good newsletter and what makes me mark the sender as spam!

I advise keeping your newsletter small and personal–people love blogs because they have an individual touch. Campaign Monitor offers 30 free email templates, or you can use Feedburner to automatically send RSS newsletters to every subscriber.

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If you regularly follow any blogging blogs (Problogger, Copyblogger, Daily Blog Tips, etc.) you’ve heard/read the “content is king” speech a skillion times.

The thing is, there are SO many people out there creating content that the information has become somewhat repetitive. It’s usually good information, but much of it is the same stuff…kind of like the ol’ content is king directive. It can get tiring.

Hop off the blogging bandwagon

It’s very tempting to hop on the blogging bandwagon and do what everyone else is doing because, let’s face it, it works. It’s not called popular culture for nothing. If they’re talking about it on The Cut or Fashionista, it’s probably relevant to your readers, and it’s tempting–even smart–to imitate those who have achieved success. But it’s not very unique.

So, now we’re advised to focus on creating original, useful content. But what does that really mean? What’s the best way to go about it?

Tonight, on a Very Special Episode

The answer:  Be yourself. Yes, it’s an After School Special/Very Special Episode cliche, but it’s true. No one can do you like, well…you.

Your image, your thoughts, your opinions, your life are all as unique as they come. There is no one out there who can copy your life experiences, even if they can imitate your look. Instead of trying to be the next Rumi or Tavi or Garance (who are all great by the way, but they’re great because they have and express their own unique perspective), speak in your own voice, post your own pictures, and draw content from your own life.

This is why they’re hot

Many of the most popular bloggers are such because they talk about their personal activities and families and pets and lives, scan their own art, and so on. Instead of trying to imitate the tone of a standard magazine editor, they provide their personal perspective. You can only find most of the stuff they post if you go to their space. Truly unique content is only available from one source, and each and every one of us is a unique source.

Your personal spin

Fun, but ubiquitous

Instead of just posting the same images from the latest Paris Vogue spread or the most recent Lady Gaga video as everyone else, put a personal spin on it.

If the Paris Vogue April desert goddess spread featuring Natasha Poly sent you into fits of fashion bliss, try to approximate your favorite look, or break down the pieces used in one of the images.

If Gaga’s over-the-top finery reminds you of the Cirque du Soleil performers you secretly idolize, present a comparison of the two and talk about that.

Dig a little deeper and provide your own perspective. Don’t be afraid to be contrary. Share your experiences with your readers and create a personal connection.

The point here is to tell your story–in words, pictures, drawings, and the way you dress. The more personal it is, the more unique it is. And that’s good content.

Images: Vogue, Interscope, stockxchg

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With many of the New York and London shows being live-streamed and photos available on sites like Style.com mere hours after the shows are over, independent writers have more access to the fashion industry than ever (though apparently Donna Karan wishes it were still 1983 in that regard).

However, more access means more people covering the same information. Make your posts stand out by differentiating yourself from the usual onslaught of wannabe Wangsters, and address fashion week from a different point of view!

Here are a few suggestions:

Report for your readers

Fashion editors understand their readers, and you know your readers best: do they like sweetly feminine styles, hard-core rocker chic, or full on Hollywood glam? Do they prefer to see big-name designers or smaller, more modestly priced lines? Are they into avant-garde or classically pretty? Report on what your readers want to see.

Pick a topic

Focus on one aspect of the shows: Shoes, hair, jewelry, bags, backstage happenings, interviews with designers, runway and set design, what Japanese fashion editors are wearing, etc.–and compile as much information as possible about that topic. Do some research and make your posts the go-to resource for readers searching for specific information.

Explore the evolution

Describe the progression of styles from one season to another. People appreciate looking at relationships between similar items in different ways.

Look to the past

Do some research and find a correlation between past fashions and present styles being shown. If you primarily talk about vintage, show how what’s currently on the runways is similar to styles from the past. Who doesn’t appreciate a comparative retrospective that illustrates where the top designers draw their inspiration?

Change your presentation

Instead of just posting pictures of your favorite looks, create a video or slideshow and narrate your thoughts on the trends and styles being shown.

Change your focus

Focus on lesser-known independent designers or Fashion Weeks happening in other cities and countries. Style happens everywhere!

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If you’re interested in becoming a writer or expanding your blog, you’ll need to know how to conduct interviews. As a blogger, interviewing comes in handy when you need content for a post or information to write a magazine article. A well-conducted interview can also help you form relationships, connect with readers, and provide exposure for someone you like or admire.

1. Do your research

Read your subject’s blog, get acquainted with their website, peruse their marketing materials or press releases. Take note of all of the basic information provided and use it as a starting point for more in-depth conversation.

For instance, instead of “When did you start your blog?”–a quick review of their archives would likely answer that–read their first post and ask them to talk about why they chose to start their blog at that time.

Don’t be afraid to let the interviewee know you’ve done your research by asking about a project or event they’ve mentioned on their blog/Facebook/Twitter. It makes you seem professional, not stalker-ish!

2. Determine the method of communication

Good ol’ technology has made it easier than ever to conduct remote interviews, though nothing replaces a face-to-face conversation. Decide up front whether you want to use phone/Skype, email, chat, or even Twitter for your question and answer session.

You can also combine media if possible–for instance, start with an email interview for basic information, then ask your follow-up questions via chat or phone.

3. Keep it fresh

Try to think of fresh, new questions instead of the same ones people are asked in every interview. Mix it up a bit, and throw in one or two weird or funny questions to help loosen up your subject and relax the tone of the interview.

4. Ask open-ended questions

We all know this one from middle school, but it still bears repeating. Once you ask a question that requires more than a yes or no answer, your subject has to put more thought into their reply and you can glean more information from their response.

Which brings us to…

5. Ask follow-up questions

Use the interviewee’s responses to ask follow-up questions. This is obviously easier if you’re conducting an interview in person, via phone, or chat, but even email interviews can include follow-up questions. Your readers will enjoy it more if the interview is more of a back and forth conversation as opposed to a static interview.

6. …But not too many

If you’re sending your interviewee a list of 47 questions, you need to edit! This is supposed to be fun, it should’nt feel like completing a corporate status report.

7. Be courteous

Always thank your interview subject for working with you, and let them know approximately when the interview will run. If you remember, send the link to the published article when it goes live.

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In 13 tips for keeping your blogging resolutions, we suggested using an editorial calendar to plan your blog posts. While the concept isn’t all that complicated, sitting down to brainstorm ideas and determine what you’re going to post when can really help you stay engaged and on schedule, thus avoiding “So sorry I haven’t posted in a while guys!” syndrome. Here are some great resources for learning more:

Your Blog’s Editorial Calendar: Get Organized, Then Relax

Why You Need an Editorial Calendar for your Blog

Creating an editorial calendar for a blog

The main points

1. Choose a few categories for posts and come up with ideas for those categories– anything from outfit posts to shopping suggestions to what you ate for dinner.

2. Use your time to research upcoming topics and write awesome posts that will keep your readers coming back–which will also bring more advertising opportunities.

Simple, right? The hardest part is actually sticking to it!

Blog Editorial Calendar Template

If you don’t have time to create your own calendar format, here’s the really simple Google spreadsheet I started using to plan posts on my own blog.

Now, go forth and blog! And let us know if you need some motivation…

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Ever since I can remember, I’ve loved fashion. When I was younger, I used to change three to four times a day into different outfits and would always raid my mom’s closet for her shoes. As I got older, my interest in fashion grew, along with a newfound love for writing, which led to the realization that I wanted to pursue a career in journalism (preferably fashion journalism).

Currently, I’m a L.A.-based writer who works at a national magazine and freelances on the side. I’ve also recently started my own fashion blog, The Society of Style, and am slowly embracing/transitioning to digital journalism (I’m more of an old-school print journalist). Trying to your foot in the door can be a tiresome and discouraging thing, but I’ve learned through the years to be patient and never give up no matter how many doors close on your face.

I didn’t get my degree in Journalism (I was an English major at UCLA), but I learned the basics by writing for my school’s daily newspaper. As soon as I acquired enough clips, I started pitching stories to local magazines during my senior year, which is how I started freelancing.

I mostly wrote music and entertainment features, with fashion pieces here and there. My big break came when I started freelancing for a national men’s automotive lifestyle magazine, which eventually led to my current position as their features editor.

Here’s what I’ve learned in the process:

• To become a professional or freelance writer, it really doesn’t matter what your degree is, as long as you have a knack for writing. Sure it helps to have been involved in student journalism in high school or college, but now blogging can definitely be your point of entry.

• If you want to learn journalism basics, courses at Mediabistro.com or your local community college’s extension program in writing will suffice. I’ve even taken fashion and beauty writing courses through Mediabistro.

• Once you have some writing experience, the next step is pitching a story idea to the publication or website you’d like to write for. It helps to know the publication really well so you’re familiar with the type of stories they might be interested in. Try and spin your idea to be as unique as possible, even if it has been written about many times in the past. Editors have seen it all, so it takes a really special idea to spark their interest!

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Let’s talk about how to pitch an article to real life magazines.
Why is this important? Well, you could be the next Anna Wintour, but it isn’t going to matter one bit if you don’t know how to present your ideas to a legitimate publication. However, once you learn how to share your ideas professionally, you may find yourself snagging freelance jobs left & right! Let’s get started:

Explain what makes YOU special
Tell them a little about yourself: why are you an investment for the magazine, what do you have to offer? Include your résumé, relevant qualifications, or why you think you’d make a fabulous addition to their writing team. But keep it professional and simple—leave out your personal life.

Know the publication
Double check that the subject matter you’ve chosen for your article falls inside the general theme of the magazine. Dog Fancy isn’t going to care about your take on Miu Miu’s Fall 2009 Ready-To-Wear, so use some common sense. Read previous issues to get a feel for the type of content and writing style preferred.

Create your pitch
Share your idea and clearly state why their magazine’s target audience would want to read your article. Include a short & concise description of what your article would be addressing, and attach your piece in it’s entirety if the publication encourages it. Make sure you send your pitch in the appropriate format–some editors prefer Word or PDF, while some are okay with including it in the body of the email.

For good measure, attach a writing portfolio, or a document including snippets of your best writing, any published articles, and your contact information. Be sure to proofread and re-check for spelling and grammar!

Send it to the appropriate person
Make sure that you’re sending your pitch to the right person—as brilliant as your article may be, the director of advertising isn’t going to help you get anywhere! Check out the publication’s masthead or online contact page to get an idea of the best person (or department) to send your idea.

You’re done! Press send, and if all goes well, you could be published!

For more information, visit FreelanceSwitch.com’s ‘The Ultimate Article Pitch’, or How to Pitch a Magazine on eHow.com. Many magazines also contain information about submissions on their Contact page. Good luck!

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