Private cleaning is a strategic portfolio management practice for freelancers. It involves making past project details private to curate a stronger public profile.
What is Private cleaning?
Private cleaning refers to the act of a freelancer hiding or removing old, low-budget, or irrelevant work samples and client reviews from their public profile. This is often done on freelance platforms or personal websites. The goal is to present a more curated, professional, and high-value portfolio to prospective clients.
Why is this important?
Your public portfolio shapes your professional brand. Outdated or low-quality work can anchor your perceived value, making it harder to command higher rates. Private cleaning helps you control your narrative, showcasing only your best and most relevant work to attract the clients you want.
How does it work?
You typically access your profile settings on a platform or website. From there, you can change the visibility of individual past projects or client feedback from 'public' to 'private' or 'visible to client only'. This hides the details from general view while keeping the record for your reference.
Pros and cons
The pros include a stronger brand, the ability to pivot your niche, and attracting higher-paying clients. The cons are potentially losing social proof from volume and the risk of a sparse-looking profile if you remove too much. It's a balance between quality and quantity.
Conclusion
Private cleaning is a simple but powerful tool for career growth. By regularly auditing and curating your public work, you ensure your portfolio accurately reflects your current skills and ambitions. It's about strategically managing your online reputation to open new opportunities.
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