How do you explain to someone at a cocktail party or a networking event what you actually do for a living? It sure would be easier to show them. But you can't carry your landscaping portfolio everywhere, can you?

This is why my company, Garden Concepts, developed our pocket landscaping portfolio.

Our pocket landscaping portfolio is a miniature version of the landscaping portfolio we bring to meetings with potential clients. It puts total control in the prospect's hands. It's like handing them a deck of cards. In fact, our pocket landscaping portfolio is a little smaller than that.

Create your own pocket landscaping portfolio

We found a mounting system online made by Pres-On. We used their mounting board product called "plastic backmount BM6" to create our landscaping portfolio cards.

The product is a self-adhesive, clear plastic that mounts to the face of photos. It not only protects them from bending, but also from scratching. It replaces frame, mounting and glass all in one.

We put together 60 of these landscaping portfolio cards from 5x7 photos. It's now 10 years later and they are still very presentable.

The beauty is that, not only is it a professional way to present your landscaping portfolio, but it puts control in the potential client's hands.

The cards can be sorted, stacked and passed around. They can also be put down when done. Some people are glued to our landscaping portfolio cards. Others would rather talk business. The main thing is that you are not locked into a linear process.

Okay, you could have a landscaping portfolio on your iPhone, but I think there is value to the tactile element. Also, electronic portfolios, as nice and flexible as they are, do not give the potential client the same kind of control.

Tim Thoelecke Jr., FAPLD is the founder of the American Academy of Landscape Design. The AALD is an advanced education curriculum aimed at improving landscape designer's understanding of the most sophisticated and often overlooked aspects of landscape design.