7 Mistakes Instructional Designers Make When Showcasing Their Work Online

Many talented instructional designers struggle to present their work in a way that speaks to recruiters and buyers. Here are seven common mistakes (and how to avoid them).

1. Only sharing static screenshots: A portfolio without interactivity doesn’t show the learner journey. Share your SCORM content instead.

   
   

2. No explanation of design process: Explain why you made design decisions. Show your instructional strategy.

   
   

3. No performance data or outcomes: Show what changed as a result of your learning content. Numbers matter.

   
   

4. No SCORM delivery: Recruiters want to experience the course, not download a ZIP file.

   
   

5. Difficult to navigate or buried behind PDFs: Make your portfolio clean and clickable.

   
   

6. Missing calls to action: Make it easy for someone to contact you.

   
   

7. Using platforms not built for learning production: Behance and LinkedIn aren’t designed for SCORM or L&D workflows.

At ID Portal:

• Courses can be launched from your profile via our LMS player

• You can explain your decisions and show results

• Recruiters can discover you based on tags like "microlearning" or "healthcare"

Advice: Update your portfolio regularly. Include a mix of styles - gamified modules, compliance training, onboarding, etc. This helps position you as a well-rounded ID.

Create your profile in minutes and start engaging prospects and recruiters the right way.

Keywords: instructional design, elearning, ID portfolio, SCORM player, freelance ID, learning and development, course showcase, instructional strategy.