I already have an online portfolio, so why add it to Pinterest? It’s one more way to get my work in front of potential clients. It also shows current and potential clients that I know how to use the third most popular social network in the U.S. In her fantastic Copyblogger post, Beth Hayden shared some persuasive numbers: In January 2012, Pinterest drove greater traffic to websites than LinkedIn, Google Plus, Reddit, and Youtube—combined.

Beth convinced me. Now that I’ve figured out how to showcase my copywriting on Pinterest, I’m sharing what I learned with you. 

Five tips for publicizing your portfolio on Pinterest

1. Most important: each portfolio “pin” should link back to your website (or your main online portfolio). If you simply post (“pin”) an image from your computer hard drive, you might lose track of where that image goes if it’s “re-pinned” and shared by others.
2. Add the “Pin It” Button to your browser, which is available at Pinterest Goodies. This little browser button will make it extremely easy to create a portfolio. (see #3)
3. Once you have the button, click on an image or post you’d like to add to Pinterest. Then click your “Pin It” button. All you have to do then is follow the prompts.
4. Match tone. Since Pinterest is a social network, keep descriptions of your work short. Save the longer, in-depth explanations or related case studies for your website. The pieces I highlight are upbeat, so I kept my Pinterest descriptions light, yet smart.
5. Link back to your Pinterest portfolio. I added it to my LinkedIn profile as a second “see my work” option and I’ve added it to other professional profiles sites.

How have you used Pinterest to highlight your copywriting?

This blog: not so focused. But I’m going to fix that.

Because this site has housed my portfolio and been the launching point for my business a.k.a writer, I’ve been mindful of being professional. I’ve written every post as though as prospective or current client might read it. That’s fine, but it’s felt very confining when it comes to the creative non-fiction writing that I love so much. It muted my voice and created a distance that didn’t feel write right.

So now I’m going to focus a.k.a writer on copywriting and freelancing, which includes things like tips for building a business and “ask a.k.a.” I’ll also be posting related images to my pinterest boards. For a more creative outlet, I’ve started a new tumblr  a written life: the alphabet’s personal. My tumblr is more of a playground and will include quotes, links, photos and posts about writing. Topics will range from memoir to finding an agent to what strikes me at the moment. (You may see some content seeded from old a.k.a writer posts; I will also be writing new pieces.) Having the two sites has been re-energizing and inspiring. There’s so much to write!

There’s no obligation to visit both sites, but I hope one of them will speak to you. If there’s anything you’d like to see on a.k.a writer, let me know in the comments here.

While that accomplishment was worth celebrating, the real moment was writing the final line of the final chapter—so that’s what I’ve been writing towards! Gaining that insight changed everything and I was ready to revise immediately. However, I forced myself to go “writing free” for two weeks. It was one of the hardest things I’ve done, but it was so worth it. By the time I started revisions, I had a fresh perspective and more energy.

During my writing hiatus I also realized this blog needs a better focus, both for you and me. Once I sent my manuscript off to my first reader, I finally gave this neglected site some thought. And I’ve got big changes almost ready to roll.

Look for news, and something new, here soon. (I promise very soon, not two months down the line.)

Okay, enough about me. How’s 2012 treating you?

I can see myself meeting that goal and can’t wait for the day I can print out the full draft (sorry trees) to start the revisions. As a writer, here are the top three things I’m thankful for right now:

1. time to write
2. supportive friends and family
3. access to writers

What do I mean by access to writers? Whether it’s connecting 140 characters at a time on Twitter or hearing an author speak about his or her writing via video, we can find inspiration from our favorite writers on a daily basis. One of my most treasured experiences from the last two years of Aspen Summer Words Writing Retreat has been hearing Nikky Finney read her poetry and share her stories. I could listen to her strong, powerful, tender voice all day long. In the video here, she reads “Left,” from her latest collection of poetry Head Off and Split.

What are you thankful for this year?

Whether you’re looking for a two-minute break from your writing, or need a “you can do it boost,” here’s a little clip for you.

Sample sorting

To scroll through examples, you can use your trackpad, mouse or left and right arrow keys. You can also use the “older entries” link on the bottom right-hand side of the pages. (There are more than a dozen samples.)

To find specific types of work, you can click on tags on an individual post or use the links here. Available sorting:

B2B (business to business)

B2C (business to consumer)

Brochures (print and online)

Email

Web

To request a sample not shown here (e.g., script writing) or to discuss your needs for a brand and marketing writer, contact me [jesaka @ jesakalong.com].
Let’s distinguish your copy.

Postcard copy (on the back):

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