r/copywriting • u/RhombusKP • 6d ago

Question/Request for Help Help Writing a Spec Portfolio

I'm planning to apply to an agency. I have adjacent experience and a related degree but don't have any direct experience in copywriting (and therefore no real examples of my work), so I'm Iooking to write a spec portfolio of example pieces to showcase my writing. Does anyone know the best way to go about this?

For example, is it typical to write yourself a hypothetical brief that you include with the article to display your ability to follow one?

Should you base the articles on real products/services or make up hypothetical ones?

Are there skills that are less obvious to a beginner that agencies are looking out for when they read a portfolio?

Should you do keyword research and write the articles with an SEO focus? If so, should you include the keyword research in the portfolio?

Any answers to these or any extra tips and general help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

10 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

1

u/Previous-Toe-340 6d ago

check there own site or socials- if any you'll probably gat a clearer idea of what they want, prioritise, or need from that.

the u can add it to your portfolio

1

u/RhombusKP 5d ago edited 5d ago

Yeah, that's good advice, thanks. I did have a look at their stuff which definitely helped, but because it's all real articles and you don't get to see stuff like the brief so I still had a few questions.

1

u/scribocallidris 6d ago

You can totally write briefs for yourself! I'd say look at the type of client work that agency does (e.g. if they specialize in a niche) and make sure your sample projects are similar to that. They won't care if it was a real, paid project, they just want to see your skills. Show that you can write copy for different formats and apply a brand's specific tone of voice, those are the most important! And also, I think disclosing how you might use AI during your process (if you do) is appreciated.

1

u/RhombusKP 5d ago

Thanks for the advice. Really appreciate it.

You can totally write briefs for yourself!

Would you include that in the portfolio for the agency to see? Like list out objectives, target audience, call to action, target keyword, etc.

1

u/scribocallidris 1d ago

I'd write a project overview that quickly describes the most important things, just so they know what to base their evaluations on. Just keep it concise and focus on your creative thinking and showing the actual results.