Why I’m More Than Content With Contently

FREELANCING | WRITING

Whenever new writers ask me where they should set up their writing portfolio, one of the places I always recommend is Contently. There are lots of reasons for this.

1. Great Looking Portfolio

First of all, the portfolio looks great, it’s free to use, and it’s easy to set up. Once it’s set up, you can easily add new content by URL or even upload a PDF. And though I use it for written content, I know people who use Contently to show off their infographics and videos, too.

2. Google Seems to Love It

Second, Google indexes Contently portfolios. That means when someone is looking for a freelancer, they might find you. This happened to me this past week. I was on a call with a potential new client and I asked how she’d found me. (I recommend you ask this question, because it can help you market your services). She said she’d looked for Contently freelancers and my portfolio was right up there.

I’ll be the first to admit I might have an unfair advantage here. I joined Contently shortly after it launched and have been on the platform ever since. That’s probably why my Contently portfolio shows up prominently in search results. But I’ve seen other freelancers’ portfolios show up, too, so I know I’m not the only one.

3. Built-in Writer Market

Third, you can get work through Contently itself. This can take a while, but if the work you add to your portfolio gets the attention of one of the editors, they’ll invite you to work with a publication. That gives you the option to pitch or be assigned work. Once you work regularly with editors, they’ll often assign you work, or ask you to respond to specific pitches.

You can even write for Contently’s own publication, the Freelancer.

4. Excellent Rates and Prompt Payment

Another advantage is that Contently sets minimum rates for content writing which are pretty decent, and for most work you get paid 100% on submission. For some, you get 50% on submission and 50% once it passes the approval workflow step.

Once you add your PayPal details, you can cash out with one click. And Contently doesn’t take fees from freelancers (they tried once, but soon decided against it after an uproar). That means you get the whole amount you earn for a writing job, which is pretty sweet.

One way to make sure you get editors’ attention is to keep updating your portfolio. I’ve done this a couple of times now, when work coming through the platform seemed to have dried up. Usually, within a couple of weeks of updating my portfolio, I get an approach. My guess is it triggers something on the client/editorial side.

5. Useful Workflow Management

Working with Contently editors is a positive experience. Most are responsive, and they’re also amenable to moving deadlines if you need it. You can keep track of your Contently deadlines via an onsite calendar and list, though I personally add all deadlines to my work calendar, as I also do a lot of work off the platform, and prefer it all to be in one place.

Communication via the platform is good. There’s a general messaging system, and you can also leave messages on individual pieces of work. You can tag people so they see your messages. This works well, but some editors are better at checking messages than others.

The Verdict

Overall, I’ve found Contently to be the best external writing portfolio site I use. I have portfolios on many others but Contently wins for ease of use, rates, and prompt payment.

Though I also keep a portfolio on my own site (I believe in owning my online space), I almost always show potential clients my Contently portfolio as well. And I know it’s resulted in plenty of writing work, both on and off the platform, in the eight or so years I’ve been using it.

© Sharon Hurley Hall

Sharon Hurley Hall is an anti-racism writer, a professional B2B writer and blogger, and co-host of The Introvert Sisters podcast.