How to Use Testimonials and Social Proof to Supercharge Your Writing Portfolio
Robyn Petrik
Published onIf you've ever scrolled through Airbnb reviews before booking, or checked the "Most Liked" comment before watching a viral video, you've already seen social proof in action.
We trust what other people say about a service more than what the service says about itself. And while this logic is obvious for e-commerce or software, it's just as powerful in the world of freelance writing.
But many writers skip this step. They assume their portfolio will do the talking. But, in a saturated market, good writing is expected. What sets you apart is how well you work with clients, deliver on promises, and help projects succeed. And the best way to prove that is by letting others vouch for you.
Whether you're a UX writer, journalist, or content marketer, showcasing testimonials and other forms of social proof builds instant credibility. And when placed strategically throughout your site, they help turn browsers into buyers.
What Actually Is Social Proof?
The term social proof was first coined by psychologist Robert Cialdini in his 1984 book Influence. At its core, social proof is the idea that people look to others' behavior to decide what to do, especially when they're unsure.
It's why we read restaurant reviews before making a reservation. Or why a crowd around a street performer draws more people in. In short: if others are saying it's good, we assume it must be.
This principle is especially important for freelance writers. Most prospective clients aren't comparing bad writers to great ones. They're choosing between several qualified candidates, all with solid samples and similar rates.
For writers, social proof can take many forms:
Testimonials from past clients
LinkedIn recommendations
Logos of recognizable brands you've written for
Screenshots of praise from Slack, email, or DMs
Media mentions or well-known bylines
Even follower counts or engagement metrics, if relevant to your niche
Journo Portfolio makes it easy to highlight this kind of proof across your site, from embedding testimonials in your About page to adding logos or social snippets to project pages. You just need to know which types to include, and where to place them for maximum impact.
Why Testimonials Matter For Your Writing Portfolio
Great writing is the baseline. What really convinces someone to hire you is trust, and testimonials are one of the fastest ways to build it.
When a new client lands on your portfolio, they're not just looking at your voice or tone. They're looking for signs that you meet deadlines, communicate clearly, and make their life easier. A well-placed testimonial offers immediate reassurance to your client.
In fact, in a sea of strong samples, testimonials are what help you stand out. They show you're not only talented but also reliable, collaborative, and results-driven. That's what most clients care about, especially if they're hiring a freelancer for the first time.
There's also a technical bonus: testimonials can boost performance on your site. Testimonials placed near your "Work With Me" section or sprinkled throughout your case studies can increase scroll depth and time-on-page. Both are subtle but meaningful conversion signals, especially when you're trying to turn a casual reader into a serious inquiry.
Types of Social Proof Writers Can Use In Their Portfolio
Not all social proof is created equal, and not all of it needs to live in a quote box. Here are eight types of proof freelance writers can use to strengthen their portfolio.
Client Testimonials: Aim for quotes that touch on more than just how "great" you were. Instead, highlight results, ease of collaboration, or the value you added.
LinkedIn Recommendations: If you've been recommended on LinkedIn, consider repurposing that praise on your portfolio. These testimonials often carry extra weight because they're publicly verified.
Screenshots of Praise: Got a Slack message that says "This is exactly what we needed"? Or an email saying "You nailed the tone"? Screenshots of genuine, casual praise can be just as powerful as formal testimonials.
Brand Logos: If you've written for recognizable brands, their logos act as instant credibility markers. Even if you ghostwrote, you can often say "for an executive at [Company]" with permission.
Social Media Shoutouts: Taglines from X (Twitter), Instagram Stories, or LinkedIn comments can all count as social proof, especially if they come from clients, editors, or readers in your niche.
Media Mentions and Bylines: If your work has been published in a well-known outlet or mentioned in a roundup, use that as a badge of authority. "As seen in" sections can boost trust fast.
Follower Counts or Email List Sizes: If you're a newsletter writer or social media copywriter, audience size is social proof. Mention your follower count, open rate, or list growth if it's impressive and relevant.
Performance Metrics: Don't underestimate hard numbers. "This blog helped drive 10K monthly visits" or "Landing page copy increased signups by 18%" goes a long way in results-driven niches like content marketing or UX writing.
How to Ask For Testimonials
Even if you're confident a client loved working with you, it can feel awkward to ask for a testimonial. But the timing, tone, and ease of the request can make all the difference.
The best time to ask is right after a project wraps. The results are fresh, and the client is still feeling good about the collaboration. Wait too long, and it risks falling off their radar (or yours).
Make it Easy for Them to Say Yes
Don't just say, "Could you write me a testimonial?" That puts the burden on them. Instead, offer a few quick prompts or a fill-in-the-blank framework to guide them.
Example questions:
What problem did I help you solve?
What was it like working together?
What results did we achieve?
You can even offer to draft something for their approval if they're strapped for time.
It's okay to follow up once or twice with a gentle nudge. And if they never get around to it, you can always repurpose kind words they shared via email or Slack... with permission, of course.
Where to Put Testimonials in Your Portfolio
Even the strongest testimonial won't land if it's buried at the bottom of a page no one visits. Strategic placement matters just as much as the content itself. Fortunately, when you're building your portfolio on a platform like Journo Portfolio, you have a lot of options for where (and how) to feature social proof.
Your Homepage
Your homepage is prime real estate. Including a single, standout quote near your introduction---especially one that touches on your professionalism or results---can help hook visitors right away. Think of it like a trust signal above the fold.
Your About Page
This is where many clients go to get a sense of you. Including a testimonial that speaks to your values, work ethic, or communication style adds a human layer to your skills. Choose something that complements your personality, not just your outcomes.
Project Pages and Case Studies
Pair testimonials with the work they reference. For example, if you wrote landing page copy that improved conversions, feature the testimonial alongside the screenshots or performance metrics. This adds immediate credibility to your claims.
A Standalone Page
If you've collected more than five solid testimonials, it's worth dedicating a full page to them. You can organize by client type, niche, or service. (Bonus: Journo Portfolio's flexible block layout makes this easy to customize.)
How to Make Social Proof Work Harder for You
Once you've collected strong testimonials, don't stop at your portfolio. Social proof is a powerful marketing tool that can, and should, show up across your entire client journey. Here's how to get more mileage out of the praise you've earned:
Use Them in Pitches and Proposals
Including one or two relevant testimonials in a cold pitch or proposal can be the difference between being ignored and being considered. Choose quotes that mirror the prospect's industry or goals.
Feature Them on LinkedIn
Don't let great feedback gather dust. Share short, client-approved testimonials on LinkedIn, your Instagram Stories, or even in X (Twitter) threads. Add a short caption with context---what the project was, what the challenge was, and how you solved it.
Reshare Praise Publicly (With Permission)
If a client tweets about you or leaves a comment praising your work, don't be afraid to repost it. Organic, unsolicited praise is the gold standard of social proof, and it deserves more than a one-time view.
What to Do If You're Just Starting and Don't Have Testimonials Yet
If you're early in your writing career, you might not have glowing client quotes... yet! But that doesn't mean you can't start building credibility right now.
You should start with any character references you might have. Reach out to mentors, former professors, or even past coworkers who can speak to your professionalism, reliability, or communication style. These don't need to be long, and they help bridge the gap until client feedback rolls in.
Don't be afraid to take advantage of peer or instructor feedback, either. If you've taken a writing course or been part of a workshop group, pull a short quote from feedback you've received. Something like "This was polished, clear, and publish-ready" goes a long way when paired with your early samples.
Also, don't forget that unpaid work counts as work! If you've done a passion project or contributed to a nonprofit, ask for a testimonial after the project wraps. Even a single sentence can lend weight to the sample it supports.
No matter what your experience level is, it's important to start building the habit now. Use every project as an opportunity to collect feedback. With Journo Portfolio, you can easily add testimonials over time; so start small, and let your proof compound.
Start Using Journo Portfolio Today to Showcase Your Social Proof
As a freelance writer, your job goes beyond the writing itself. You have to build trust between you and your clients. And just like writing clean copy or crafting a solid pitch, learning how to curate and showcase testimonials is part of the craft.
Social proof isn't bragging. It's proof that your work has impact, that your clients value your contributions, and that you're a safe bet in a sea of options. When you take the time to highlight that feedback thoughtfully, your portfolio does more than showcase your skills---it sells them.
Journo Portfolio prides itself on balancing ease of use and potential for customization, making it one of the best portfolio builders online. It's in the name, after all! Check out our complete list of features, and get started with your free account today.
