Expert: Sean Trapani - 4/5/2007

Question
Hi Sean--
First wrote you  when i was just starting to think about being a copywriter. A
year later, and I've just won a big internship at a big agency in a big city. I've
been showing my work in a basic plastic-sleeved portfolio book and, while
my ideas get a good response, my presentation does not.

What is a more professional way of displaying work? Laminated? Printed on
nice cotton paper? Glossy paper? Mounted? Should the book be bound, or just
in a ring-binder? Thanks for continuing to give great advice. --Andrei

Answer
Hi, Andrei

Congratulations on landing the internship. As you know, these things are awfully competitive - so you should be proud that someone has spotted something special in you.

As for your question...

I have to admit, when I was a CD I tried to look past the slickness of someone's book and look at their thinking. I can think of one person in particular who later blossomed into a successful writer and opened his own shop - but his book was a mess. But, some CD's want to see how serious you are by what level of time/money investment you've put into presenting your work.

I would suggest you invest in a nice, hard-cover portfolio - maybe a wooden or aluminum binder. You could also try a wood or aluminum attache with loose, laminated ads inside. Every CD will be different. Some will like to hold your ads individually. Some like the book look.

Check out the portfolio sites online, find something slick and classy in the $100-$150 range - and you should be fine.


Best of luck moving forward. Stay in touch.


Sean