How to build a portfolio without having customers
July 28, 2008 9 comments

A professional in any area of activity that is, must have a good portfolio to present to their potential customers and also to current customers who want to see the reason for something. Mount portfolio is a task that, once started, there never ends, because the tendency is to continue developing projects and increasing the portfolio of jobs "that has.
A few days ago, when I wrote the article about closing of contracts and designs for web, appeared to doubt the reader Nu on the situation of not yet have a portfolio of work for mostragem and paints an indication of a job. It really is a delicate situation and, on reflection on the matter, decided write this article.
About "portfolio"
To begin with, I announce that I agree with what you've written Luiz Gonçalves, in his article "Portfolio, portfolio and portfolio… what the correct spelling?", Which explains that in the case of Brazilians, the most convenient is to opt for the use of spelling "Portfolio" rather than the "portif ó lio" and "portf ó lio."
I think one of the first steps to do things properly is to establish what terminology you use and vai, accompanying serious reviews and studies on the topics of their field, choose those judges relevant. This is the case for "portfolio".
Some considerations on portfolio
Having a portfolio serves, primarily, to show clients what you've already made and how their development of their quality of work - comparing past work with more recent projects - and the portfolio is intended to show the quality of their work and if you fits trends in your area of expertise.
Through its portfolio customers can evaluate their work, as is his style, if you are able to "adapt", is known contextualize their work to the needs of each client. The portfolio serves to show that you're capable of.
How to start a portfolio
Having a portfolio is extremely important to begin to attract new customers. After all, as well Wellington Carrion said in his article "Portfolio, enemy or ally?",
It is a complicated measure that does not have a professional portfolio. How do you evaluate a professor who does not have web sites of its authors? Does a client to accept a site with someone who does not have to show? You contrataria a bricklayer to work in your home without references? (Sic)
I fully agree with the saying, but before discussing these issues, the important is to have work ready, is to have quality content to place on the portfolio!
This is a complicated issue because, erroneously, you might think that happens a "looping infinite": you can not because a customer does not have a portfolio, but does not have a portfolio because they can not be a client… Learn a thing, Mr: things are not so well. ;-)
If you do not have something, create! It has always been thus with the inventions of the world and continues to be vai! Whenever someone wanted something and this "thing" did not exist, that "someone" to create - and is so today. The same applies to the case of portfolios: if you do not have a portfolio, create one!
Some suggestions to create a portfolio, even without taking "official clients":
- Make hot sites for events / events of the school / college where he studied, festival of family, occasions with friends and so on. Add a hot site for events such activity is great, that everyone will like and which serves as training for professional work;
- Make sites for small businesses, friends, relatives and acquaintances. Doing a site for the bakery of his uncle, grandfather or some pages for vendinha of his cousin is a good way to add some work to the portfolio. It may seem somewhat anti-é tico not charge anything for the service, but these tips are for those who are not professionals in the industry and, hence, does not actually have a "code of ethics" after (actually Nor is there a formal code of ethics for Web developers…);
- Sites of fan clubs that you belong. The Daniele Viana, in his article "Portfolio - Techniques, tips and examples of creation", is this beautiful suggestion of creating sites for fan-club of which you or a friend part. Apart from counting more a job to you, for sure everyone involved will have fun much in development;
- Web sites for weddings, noivados, etc.. Weddings, and noivados anniversary of their relatives may be great opportunities for you to do more work. Take this as the site for "pombinhos" they will love!
- Develop sites for NGOs and charitable organizations. This is a "classic" among developers to make web sites for NGOs, charities, philanthropic and related entities. Besides you further develop your skills of web developer / web designer, to another job in your portfolio and you have to develop a noble cause (theoretically).
Final considerations about having a portfolio without having customers
The suggestions on how to start a portfolio without taking "official clients" are not limited to that, actually, the limitation of your mind is unlimited! It? ;-)
Start doing work for third parties is not as difficult as it seems, the most important is to keep updated in their field of expertise and develop their technical development to become a reference in the making, whether in your city, in your country or in the world!
After having some projects in the portfolio - the exact number is a controversial issue, but, personally, believe that something around 10 sites are of good size - it's time to seek customers "of truth", towards the initiation of his career No professional web development.
Then, when the (hot) sites to your friends, colleagues, relatives, etc., have fun in the process but lead to serious! After all, these are the first work that you have in your portfolio and make sure, the customers will seriously when deciding on a contract or not. Do the best you can!
As I said, the suggestions made on how to start a portfolio does not contain that list; you have any suggestions on how to start work on developing web to assemble a portfolio?














Hello Tárcio, earned the tips! :) I will try to do what I said. [] s
Hello Tárcio. Another great article. The title was very measured and very attractive course.
Your level of limited vai up and improving. I am pleased to see: D
Abraço.
I liked your article this again.
Can forward and your point of view and you do with the notice that any person also, congratulations:)
Cara I had thought this, it needed an incentive. Vlw
Nu @
You are welcome! I hope the tips to help you with your portfolio! Then to get us the results! Abraços!
@ Paulo Faustino
Thanks, Paul! I am happy that you enjoyed and thank you for your kind words! It is by reading blogs and reviews of quality that I will improve my techniques! ;-)
@ Bfms
Thank you for consideration! I am happy to know I can convey what I think so clarar and, I believe, suggest reflection and critical thinking! Apareça!
Felipe @
The biggest incentive you should bucar itself, even, Felipe! Trust yourself, use the tips to start your portfolio that, sure, with studies and perseverance you become a good web developer!
Hello Tárcio
Again I must thank you for a most beautiful area with great ideas and proposals… ..
Congratulations, get people that this is getting difficult because we have still very open mind.
And that'll'll Araços
@ Andrew Birth
There is what thank! My goal is to help, when I started, it was rather difficult to have access to information and "Skip the cat" and, in order to save people than I did, we write the articles!
Subscribe to the feed of development for web and stay tuned on the news! ;-)
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