One of the most effective ways to win over the trust of clients is to show them the amazing past work you’ve done. It’s a great way to prove that you have experience, as well demonstrating evidence that you’re able to deliver high quality results.
But just how you should showcase your past work? It depends a lot on the type of service you provide as to how you should exhibit it. Here are 7 popular examples of ways in which companies display their past work.
Before/after photos
Before/after photos are a simple and effective way to visually demonstrate what you’ve achieved. These photos are great for sharing on social media, displaying on your website or even using on billboards and online ads.
Industries that can benefit from using before/after photos to market their business include:
- Landscaping companies
- Cosmetic surgeons/dentists
- Hairdressers
- Cleaning companies
- Interior decorators
- Restoration companies
- Car detailing companies
- Website designers (when redesigning a website)
Multiple progress photos can similarly be used to show the various progress stages of something being made. Construction companies, artists and craftspeople may want to consider using such photos to show off their work.
Always ask for permission from clients before publicly displaying photographs of them or their property.
Written case studies
Written case studies can demonstrate in writing what you did to serve a previous client. Such case studies are ideal for describing projects that may not be easy to visualise such as legal cases, marketing campaigns or fundraising campaigns. You can also delve into the technical details and show off the breadth of your expertise.
Such case studies can sometimes be found on websites. You may also be able to print short case studies on leaflets or post them on social media as text posts. Keep these case studies short and snappy to capture and maintain clients’ attention.
Video case studies
It may be possible to create a video detailing a past project. This could involve you simply talking into the camera and detailing what you achieved. Alternatively, you could include interviews with clients. You may even be able to include behind-the-scenes video footage of you carrying out the work or even a time-lapse video.
Video case studies can be shared on social media, embedded onto the homepage of your website or shared as video adverts to be displayed on YouTube or Spotify. Make sure that videos are the appropriate length for the platform you plan to share them via (a video on your website could be a few minutes long, whereas a video advert that displays before a YouTube video should be kept as short as possible).
Physical portfolios
A physical portfolio could be ideal for presenting to clients in your store, at an event or during a quote. It could display photographs and text information about previous projects you’ve worked on.
What are some examples? Some tattoo studios will keep booklets on the counter displaying photos of previous tattoos they’ve done. Meanwhile, a wedding photographer might display a portfolio of photos they’ve taken in a booklet at a wedding fair stall. A portfolio doesn’t even have to be a booklet – a small printed folder showcasing a handful of projects you’ve worked on could be great to hand out to attendees at a conference presentation or trade show. Physical portfolios do cost more money to produce than digital portfolios, but in many physical settings they can be a lot more effective.
Slide shows
Slide shows can be another way to showcase different projects you’ve worked on. This could be a simple slideshow of images, or a slideshow of images with information and stats.
A slideshow could be presented to people at a conference on a projector or digital screen. Alternatively, you could create a slideshow banner to place on your website, or a slideshow video to share on social media.
Instagram portfolios
Instagram can act as the perfect public digital portfolio for many businesses. Tattoo studios, interior designers, craft makers, hairdressers, cake makers and landscapers often use Instagram to display photos of previous projects.
These can be shared with hashtags to help potential clients to stumble across your Instagram page who may be searching for certain terms. Make sure all photos are shared with the permission of any clients who may be involved.
Testimonials and reviews
Finally, it’s possible to demonstrate your work through positive reviews and testimonials. These can serve as proof that you’ve already made previous clients happy – so much so that they were willing to leave a review.
Online reviews are typically shared via review platforms like Google, TripAdvisor, Yelp and TrustPilot. You have less control over what people put in these reviews. However, it’s still worth asking past clients to leave reviews as this type of public praise can appear less biased than testimonials.
Testimonials are examples of client feedback that you have chosen to publish. They could take the form of text testimonials or videos that you share on social media or on your website. With testimonials, you may have more control over what clients say and how it is presented.
