If you are like I was a year ago, you probably know that you should have an online portfolio but your not convinced it's holding you back.  You send out links of the websites you've worked on and you think that should be enough to showcase your work.  Let me assure you, not having a finished portfolio is holding you back.

A few week ago, I found myself without any work coming down the line. This allowed me time to work on my portfolio with the added benefit of taking my mind off the fact that my bills were piling up.  Once I completed my portfolio, I continued to send responses to online job postings like I had always done except this time there was a HUGE difference.  Almost every email I sent received a response!  In short order, I had landed two clients and signed 3 non-disclosure agreements with design firms from all over the country.

And just last week the unthinkable happened...Someone actually found my website by typing in "Raleigh Web Design" and even filled out my contact form.  Let me tell you, it takes some dedication to find my website with those keywords.  "Raleigh Web Design" has some serious competition on google, and a freelancer like myself has trouble competing with the big boys.

A more likely benefit of having an online portfolio will be clients finding you by searching for the designer/developer of a website you worked on.  This happened to me a couple days ago.

So if you find yourself running out of work, finish that portfolio you've been meaning to get to.