Chris Strub Portfolio
Self-funded a solo 50-states-in-100-days trip volunteering with a different youth nonprofit in each state, turning it into a book and film that now anchors his nonprofit-focused social media and livestreaming consulting.
What makes it work
A breakdown of the choices that make this portfolio stand out.
A signature project that doubles as portfolio proof
The 50-states trip isn't just a bio anecdote — it's a documented, produced body of work (book, film, real-time social content from every state) that visitors can independently verify existed.
A tightly defined niche audience (nonprofits) instead of "everyone"
Rather than positioning as a generalist consultant, the site speaks specifically to nonprofit and fundraising use cases, which makes the pitch sharper for that audience.
Client testimonials naming the specific engagement context
Quotes reference the actual event or mission he supported, giving each testimonial a concrete anchor rather than generic praise.
What Social Media Managers can take from this
Specific, actionable tips to apply to your own portfolio — no generic advice.
A large, self-directed project — even an unpaid one — can function as your strongest portfolio piece if you document and produce it well.
Narrowing to a specific audience (an industry, a mission type) usually makes your pitch sharper than staying a generalist.
Ask testimonial-givers to mention the specific event or project, not just how they felt about you.
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