Google Docs is an incredible online word processor. Here’s how it can be used to create a structured, easy-to-navigate, and accessible writing portfolio.
Why Use Google Docs for Your Writing Portfolio?
Google has created an intuitive and easy-to-use platform with its office suite and Google Docs is a fantastic component of it.
It’s Easily Accessible
One of the areas in which Google Docs shines is just how accessible it is, which makes it perfect for both adding to and showcasing your writing portfolio. Whether you’re applying for jobs or presenting your work to clients, Google Docs provides all your work in one, streamlined place, with each of your pieces just seconds away from reading.
No Coding Required
There’s no coding to learn or website—building required. It’s just a few simple steps to set up your writing portfolio which we’ll outline in a second. This makes it extremely easy for you to organize and display your work, with each piece being presented in the style that you want it to be.
You Can Add to Your Writing Anywhere
Google Docs is also the backup you wish you’d had when your computer crashed, your work didn’t save, or one of your files got inexplicably corrupted. Google automatically saves your work to your Google Drive, so you won’t have to constantly save your work or worry about it being deleted.
As it’s not tied to your local storage, you can also work on your Docs from any device. Just sign in to your Google account and off you go. If you’re looking to upgrade your computer, Google Docs allows you to keep your work in one constant place. And, despite being an online suite, you can even work on your Docs offline.
Create Your Writing Portfolio With Google Docs
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on assembling the basic elements of your writing portfolio with Google Docs.
If you’re completely new to Google Docs, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with our guide on how to use Google Docs.
Step 1: Create Your Main Portfolio Page
This is a sort of home page with links to various pieces you’ve written. Your main page can be a new Google Doc titled ‘Portfolio’ or similar, with categories, sections, or genres for your different pieces of writing.
From docs.google.com, once you’ve signed into your Google account, under “Start a new document” select “Blank“.
Step 2: Add + Format Your Title
Once your new document is ready, simply title it something like “Portfolio” or “Joe Bloggs—Writing Portfolio“.
For presentation, you could:
- Make your title bold by highlighting it and pressing Ctrl + B for Windows and Command + B for Mac.
- Center align your title either by clicking the option or highlighting it and pressing Ctrl + Shift + E for Windows and Command + Shift + E for Mac.
- Increase your title’s font size by highlighting it and pressing Ctrl + Shift + > for Windows and Command + Shift + > for Mac.
You can change the title of your Google Doc as it appears by left-clicking on “Untitled document” in the top-left. Doing so should automatically change it to your current title but you can also change it to whatever you like.
Step 3: Create Your First Written Piece
Using steps 1 and 2 again, you can create a separate Google Doc for your first written piece.
For your written pieces you can underline your title quickly by highlighting it and pressing Ctrl + U for Windows and Command + U for Mac.
Here, you can create a new piece from scratch or copy and paste over an existing piece you might have that isn’t currently on Google Docs.
When writing your new piece or refining an existing piece, you can use our guide to creating beautiful Google Docs to create Docs that both read and look the part.
Step 4: Adding Pieces to Your Writing Portfolio
Before you add a piece to your writing portfolio, you need to ensure that whoever clicks on it can view it without asking for your permission every time.
To do this, click on the blue Share icon at the top-right of your Doc, and then in the Get link section, click on Copy link.
This will give you a shareable link for your Doc where, by default, anyone with the link can view it. You’re going to use this link to add your piece to your portfolio so make sure it’s copied and ready to paste.
There are options if you click on “change” for people to edit or comment on your piece, but as you’re using your portfolio to showcase your work, it’s probably best to stick to this default option.
Then, head back to your main portfolio page and write down the title of your piece. Highlight it and press Ctrl + K for Windows or Command + K for Mac to insert a hyperlink to your piece. In the box titled Link, paste the shareable link for your piece and click on Apply.
You’ve now added a piece to your portfolio! When you start adding more pieces, your main page will keep it all together for anyone to view any of your pieces, all just a click (well, technically two) away.
Step 5: Sharing Your Portfolio
You’ve probably guessed it, but to share your portfolio, you go through the exact same process in the previous step to get a shareable link. Except for this time, you can share that link directly with employers and clients or include it as part of your resume or job application.
Once your pieces start building up, you can streamline your portfolio by adding sections. Simply highlight your section titles and in the drop-down box where it says Normal text, select a heading. To get to a section quickly, you can now just click on it in the document outline on the left.
Using smaller headings from the drop-down box (not just decreasing the size of a heading) within your sections creates subsections, as shown in the above picture.
These will show employers and clients the variety of your work and help direct them to pick the pieces they feel stand out the most.
Taking Your Portfolio Further
Now that you can create a streamlined and easily-accessible writing portfolio, you might want to take it a step further. We’ve got 10 Google Docs tips that’ll be sure to save you time as well as 24 Google Docs templates that will make your life easier if you’re looking to use Google Docs beyond your writing portfolio. You can even format a screenplay in Google Docs.
If you’re looking for full sites to create a creative, professional portfolio, we’ve got five super simple sites that might help you out.