Usually how would you showcase your free works or samples? I know most of us probably have made portfolios to exhibit what you've made and done, but what other services do you use?

I've been using a combination of my own website gallery, Photobucket and Flickr.com to share the stuff I make.

I made my own portfolio website: http://www.nancyzonneveld.nl

Galleries like deviantart and artwanted are also handy. I'm not doing much with those galleries at the moment, but I've some good experiences with it and want to upload some things there soon again.

And selling your images is very good. Especially if you can put your name or website on the project. If you make a website for someone for example put your own name on it too. You can tell the client it's handy if there's a bug, so people can contact the webmaster directly.

Actually yeah selling your projects is a great way of getting publicity. Especially if you manage to get work on a fairly popular site. I once skinned a gaming forum which got me some good free advertising since they forum admin let me keep my copyright line on the footer. I'd like to use Deviantart but the things I make don't really fit in there so its difficult. =\

I have just started to publish my portfolio online, and I have decided to stick just with Zymmetrical. It allows me to upload things easily, as well as provide an easy way to sell things. That's a tick in both boxes.

To promote my work, I've just been linking to my profile from my personal blog, or if people have inquired about my work, I've just been sending them the link. It's much easier knowing that all my work is in the one place, and can be sold throughout the day and night.

I think making an portfolio is a great idea, because your work would be neatly laid out 24/7 for a potential employer to see .

I use deviant art myself to publish my work, its superb. The biggest online artists communities in the world

Jason, what are the things you like most about DeviantArt?

I mean, aside from the just -huge- number of people in the community.  There are some nice touches like having 'your-name.deviantart.com', etc.

While it will take some time to build such a large community here on Zymmetrical, we can always add the technical touches to make things better. Any ideas?

I also like Deviantart, I think the thing I like the best is that everything is really focused on the things you made.

There is "new art" "favourite art" "popular art" etc.
And your profile is also more about your art than about you. I like it.

Well, i like the way its such a wonderful community, the fact there is awards. Like the daily devitation, i think this would be a great feature here.

A think that anything that can promote the best work here can only be a good thing. It encourages people to do the best work that they can, and recognizes them for it.

yup good idea!!
For example 3 thumbnails of designs that are the best of the week, those 3 thumbnails should be on the homepage :)

DeviantArt is good. I've also joined The Creative Loft (thecreativeloft.com). They're a fairly new site but are adding new features.

Other than that, all my work is in my online portfolio.

Nancy, your site looks great! I think that creating your own site is the greatest option, and being able to have your own unique domain. Thanks for putting up the link:)

Go Easy,
metrogirl

the creative loft, never heard of them.....you should keep us posted as to how you like it.

First of all it depends on what kind of work you are refering too. For strictly photograps and renders and so on there are tons of websites like deviantart and betterphoto and many of them have contests in which you can enter you creations.

Nevertheless having your own website is the best thing. You can then have your link attached to you user name in mostly every forum that you participate in. Not to speak about anywhere else where you showcase your work you can always put a link back to your website where your entire portfolio can be seen.

I prefer my Flickr. The only problem at the moment is that I am pushing the limit so many of my photos no longer show up. I don't know if I am willing to pay for the subscription service so I might have to delete some older things.

I agree that anyone looking to market themselves as a graphic designer or photographer HAS to have a website complete with portfolio or galleries. Other than that, I would suggest marketing yourself as a brand: either your own name or a nickname - and then just spreading it over as many graphics sites as possible. DeviantArt is one of the tops, definitely. Submitting some freebie stock or graphics to various sites can also increase exposure for your name.

I will be starting a blog to showcase my work then will add a cart to it so people can order my services. I don't know if a blog is the best way but it is fast and easy to maintain.

Everyones websites look so great. I need to take note and start one showing my talents. I think adding a cart to your site will do you very well in the end and get you more exsposure.