Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Publicity
Getting publicity for your Web portfolio means free promotion. Publicity can
be generated in a number of ways. Press releases sent to media outlets such as
newspapers and radio stations can provide news of your Web portfolio if there
is something newsworthy about it. Winning competitions, having innovative
content that presents something unique, and having important writings that
others quote and cite all make the Web portfolio have newsworthy qualities.
For example, if you are an artist who is presenting work in a gallery you might
send out a press release telling the public about the event and about the art. In
addition, you add the Web portfolio address to the press release under the
promise of more information. You direct readers to get more information about
the exhibit and the artist by going to the Web portfolio address. If you are a
scholar or a teacher with a unique research project, you might query out
research proposals to journal editors. In doing so, you can direct the editors to
the Web portfolio to let them explore more about you and your work.
Invitations
You can design invitations for your Web portfolio launch. Invitations can
created and sent in print or online. Print invitations are obviously much more
expensive and time-consuming to develop and mail. Using print invitations
might be a good approach to promoting your Web portfolio if you are a
freelancer or a business that has a small targeted population of clients. By
focusing on a small group you can maximize your advertising budget by sending
out a small highly targeted communication that asks the reader to visit your Web
portfolio. In the communication you must persuade the user by telling them
about the virtues of the site which should include project samples, processes
and philosophies, and an engaging experience. Print invitations work well when
announcing redesigns or even for letting clients and potential customers what is
new and fresh in your skills and experience.
You can send out Web invitations in the form of e-mail blasts and individual e-
mails. E-mail blasts can be effective when targeting larger audiences with
general announcements. Be sure that you get permissions and send blasts to
only people who want them. Do not send spam, it is illegal. If you want to reach
the customer or potential client in a more personal way you can send an
individual e-mail that suggests viewing the Web portfolio. You can add direct
links to the e-mail that brings the reader directly to a specific project that you
