What is an Online Portfolio? (And How to Create One)

When I first started sharing my work online, I had no idea how transformative it would be for my career in football. Growing up as a Nottingham Forest supporter, I began by posting analysis and insights about the team. This simple act of sharing my passion and willingness to learn opened doors I never imagined, leading to opportunities with clubs like Wigan Athletic and Hearts. This journey taught me the immense power of an online portfolio in the world of football.

The Problem: Hidden Talents

Many aspiring football analysts and scouts struggle to showcase their skills and knowledge. Often, their work remains hidden in personal drives or on platforms that don't naturally distribute content. This lack of visibility can hinder career growth and limit opportunities.

Why Traditional Methods Fall Short

• Limited Reach: Blogs and personal websites require active promotion to gain visibility.
• Lack of Engagement: Without a platform to naturally distribute content, reaching the right audience becomes challenging.
• Missed Opportunities: Potential employers or collaborators may never see your work.

The Solution: Creating an Online Portfolio

An online portfolio serves as a dynamic hub for your football-related work, allowing you to showcase your skills and knowledge to a broader audience. Here's how you can build one effectively:

Steps to Building Your Online Portfolio

1. Choose the Right Platform:
   • Opt for social media platforms like Twitter (now X), LinkedIn, or BlueSky, which naturally distribute content.
   • Consider platforms that align with your content style, such as TikTok for video content too. The main thing is finding a platform which will share your work with their algorithm.
2. Focus on a Niche:
   • Identify a specific area within football that you are passionate about, such as analysis, scouting, or nutrition.
   • Tailor your content to this niche to attract a targeted audience. If your goal is to work in football you should be targeting “football people” by answering specific football questions.
3. Showcase Your Skills:
   • Highlight technical skills like data visualization, coding, scouting and game analysis.
   • Demonstrate your understanding of football by providing insights and answering industry-specific questions.
4. Engage Consistently:
   • Regularly share your work to maintain visibility and engagement.
   • Use the platform's features to interact with your audience and build a network.
5. Measure Impact Beyond Likes:
   • Focus on the visibility of your work rather than just likes or retweets.
   • Consider the connections and opportunities that arise from your online presence.

If you're wanting help creating your online portfolio then I have a free 5 day email course which will walk you through all the steps. 

The Benefits: Opportunities and Growth

By building an online portfolio, you can significantly enhance your career prospects in football. Here's how:

• Increased Visibility: Your work reaches a wider audience, including potential employers and collaborators.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with other professionals in the field, learn from their experiences, and grow your network.
• Career Advancement: Showcase your expertise and attract attention from clubs and organizations looking for talent.

Creating an online portfolio is a powerful tool for anyone looking to advance their career in football.

By choosing the right platform, focusing on a niche, and consistently sharing your work, you can increase your visibility and open doors to new opportunities. Remember, the goal is not just to gain likes but to ensure your work is seen by the right people. As you embark on this journey, consider subscribing to resources and communities that support your growth as a football analyst or scout.

Your online presence could be the key to unlocking your full potential in the world of football. 

Remember if you're looking to get started with an online portfolio then I'll walk you through everything you need in a free 5 day email course.

Whenever you’re ready there are 3 ways I can help you:

1. The Online Portfolio Blueprint - My flagship course for helping new, current and aspiring football professionals. We give you the blueprint on how grow your knowledge, network and opportunities in football by writing online through an online portfolio.
2. Pro Scout Edge - Our scouting tool has be created by professionals and tested by experts in football. It’s the ultimate online scouting database you need for your scouting journey. It forms an all-in-one system for player and team scouting, with templates, dashboards and more.
3. Football Connective Community - Bringing together like-minded new, aspiring and current analysts & scouts to share knowledge and learn together to improve and progress our football careers. This is done through the four pillars of analysis, scouting, online portfolio and employment.