Tips For Designing a Poetry Portfolio Website
If you’re a poet, chances are you want to create a space to showcase your work. Whether you’re a poetry pro or a hobbyist with goals of being published, consider designing a poetry portfolio website to attract editors or secure a writing gig, for example. Since creating your own website can feel intimidating and overwhelming, we’ve compiled some tips to help you get started.
Choose a website platform that fits your needs
The first step in creating your portfolio website is choosing a website platform. As you make this decision, consider your needs and goals. If you’re a professional poet or student working toward writing poetry as a career, integrating a domain name on a platform like Squarespace, for example, might work best for you. Although this route could require you to pay a fee each month, a professional online appearance can boost your credibility, encouraging editors, publishers, or potential employers to seriously consider your candidacy. On the other hand, if you’re a hobbyist who simply wants to see your work occasionally published by independent literary journals or magazines, a budget-friendly option like Wix could be the way to go.
Pick a theme that mirrors your aesthetic
Once you’ve chosen a platform and your website is ready to be customized, pick a theme that mirrors your aesthetic, communicating your personality and brand identity. Consider what fonts and colors you use when creating your poems, then choose a similar website theme. Whether you prefer simplicity and a black-and-white color scheme, or a whimsical and colorful aesthetic, pick a theme that you connect with, not one you think viewers prefer. Try a few and see what works!
Blog about your process
Since you’re a writer, why not blog about your process? This creates more content on your website for viewers to peruse while showcasing your versatility as a writer. Blog posts also allow potential editors or employers to get to know you on a more personal level beyond your “about” page. Consider blogging about your writing process, including your writing routine, favorite memories involving writing, how you got inspired to write specific poems, why you enjoy writing, etc.
Incorporate SEO
Once you’ve designed your website, consider incorporating SEO, or search engine optimization, which can increase traffic to your portfolio website. If you’re interested in learning SEO, you can sign up for free online classes to receive a certification—not only will this improve your online presence, SEO is also a valuable to skill to add to your resume.
Don’t forget to refine your poetry portfolio website’s details. Be sure to include relevant tabs, such as an “about” page, a portfolio page with links to published works, and a blog page. Add buttons that link to your social media accounts as well, including Instagram and LinkedIn, allowing visitors to keep up with your work.
Want even more career-themed poetry content? Check out our guide on how to find a poetry mentor.
