How to Choose the Best Writing Samples for Your Portfolio: A Step-by-Step Guide for Writers

Choosing the right writing samples can make or break your chances of landing clients or writing jobs. In a market crowded with over 130,000 professional writers in the US alone, how you showcase your expertise matters more than ever. In this guide, I’ll walk you—step-by-step—through how to select the very best samples for your online writing portfolio, whether you’re just starting out or looking to stand out as a pro.

And if you need help getting your writing portfolio off the ground, check out my complete guide on How to Build a Writing Portofolio.

Why Picking the Right Writing Samples Matters

Your writing portfolio isn’t just a collection of your work. It’s your strongest tool for attracting editors, clients, and collaborators. Whether you’re a freelance writer, journalist, copywriter, ghostwriter, or author, your samples need to serve as both proof of your skill and a persuasive argument for why you’re the right fit for the opportunity in front of you.

Yet, research shows that 99% of educators can’t even agree on what a “writing portfolio” should be. Little wonder choosing what to include feels overwhelming!

Step 1: Define What Makes a “Best” Writing Sample

Let’s go deeper than just picking your “favorite” or most polished work. Here’s a practical checklist I use (and recommend to Writer’s Residence users) for every potential portfolio piece:

• Relevance: Does the sample match the type of writing jobs or clients you want?
• Quality & Craft: Is it clear, concise, well-structured, error-free, and engaging?
• Diversity: Does it showcase range—style, voice, audience, and/or format?
• Originality & Voice: Does it reflect your unique value or perspective?
• Results & Impact: Can you point to concrete outcomes (metrics, testimonials, shares, influence)?
• Recency: Is the piece current and relevant to today’s standards, not just your earliest “best”?

Most experts suggest that 5–12 truly high-quality samples is plenty. This keeps your portfolio focused and digestible. And if you do have a large archive of work, organize your portfolio into categories. Showcase your best samples on your writing portfolio homepage so readers are funneled to your best quality work.

Step 2: Start with Goals—Specialize or Show Versatility?

Your chosen samples should map directly to your aspirations:

• If you’re a specialist: Lean into samples that directly support your niche (e.g., healthcare blog, B2B case study, or travel journalism).
• If you pitch a broad range of work: Curate a balanced mix—articles, blog posts, email campaigns, social media content, technical guides, etc.—to showcase adaptability.

How to Tailor Samples for Different Audiences

Think about who will view your portfolio. Here are a few audience-centric strategies:

• Creative writing roles: Emphasize style, originality, and your range of genres (essays, fiction, poetry, script).
• Technical or business writing: Focus on clarity, accuracy, and instructional value.
• SEO or digital content: Highlight pieces that rank in search results or demonstrate keyword optimization, using tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs.
• Copywriting & content marketing: Choose samples tied to conversions, leads, or engagement metrics.

Whoever your audience, studies show that impactful, relevant, and easy-to-navigate portfolios are key deciding factors for clients and editors. 

Step 3: Evaluate and Score Your Samples—Rubric for Success

Don’t rely just on instinct. I recommend rating each piece from 1–5 on the criteria in Step 1. If you use a platform like Writer’s Residence, you can easily upload, reorder, and experiment with your lineup. Here’s a sample scoring table:

Criteria Score (1–5)

Relevance to your goal
Technical quality (grammar, structure)
Original voice/style
Results/Impact
Diversity/demonstrates range
Recency/up-to-date

Tip: Ask for feedback from writer friends or use free tools like Grammarly and Hemingway before your final selection.

Step 4: Curate for Variety—But Don’t Lose Focus

Balance is everything. Too much variety can be confusing; too much repetition can look limiting. Here’s how to strike the right mix:

• For generalists: Show a range of formats (blog posts, guides, short stories, product descriptions) and tone.
• For specialists: Demonstrate deep knowledge with samples across several angles of your niche (e.g., interviews, analyses, reviews in food writing).

I love seeing portfolios that feature a case study, a how-to article, and a compelling essay. That’s why Writer’s Residence lets you sort samples by project, publication, or topic—with customizable sections for every need.

Case Study: Picking 3–5 Standout Samples

1. Start with your strongest, most recent published piece.
2. Add an example that shows your unique tone or creative voice.
3. Include at least one sample that demonstrates results (traffic, engagement, sales, etc.).
4. If you’re a career-shifter, spotlight a transferable skill (e.g., a technical report if you want to write user manuals).
5. Finish with your personal favorite—but only if it supports your story and target audience.

Learn more about choosing samples if you haven’t been published yet.

Step 5: How to Handle a Lack of Published Work (Beginners & Career Changers)

If you’re just starting out, don’t stress—everyone begins somewhere. Here’s what I recommend:

• Create mock projects or spec work: Write a sample article, product description, or blog post as if it were for a real client or publication.
• Revamp old work: Polish and update essays or student assignments to present them professionally.
• Volunteer writing: Offer to write for nonprofits, small businesses, or friends for testimonials and real-world “live” clips.
• Show your process: Add before/after rewrites or editing samples in your portfolio—this shows your growth and attention to detail.

Remember: editors value potential and professionalism just as much as experience. Read my full guide on what to do if you haven’t been published for extra strategies.

Step 6: Demonstrate Results—Make Your Samples Work for You

Many writers overlook this step. If you can, add a line beneath your sample showing impact:

• “This blog post attracted 5,000+ page views and led to a 20% increase in newsletter signups.”
• “My case study was used as a sales tool for XYZ company’s business development pitch.”
• Include screenshots for social shares or engagement, or quotes from happy editors/clients.

You can also reference before-and-after rewrites if you improved a client’s results. Writer’s Residence makes it easy to add a summary, testimonial, or data box to each sample—and reorganize your portfolio based on what you want to spotlight.

Step 7: Organize and Present Your Portfolio Like a Pro

Tips for Creating a Strong Impression

• Limit to 5–12 samples for clarity and focus.
• Divide by format, topic, industry, or client—whatever highlights your strengths for your desired audience.
• Group samples logically: you might have a “Featured” section, and then “Other Projects.”
• Keep everything error-free—run a grammar check on every piece, and ask someone you trust to proofread. First impressions matter.

Platform Recommendations

I built Writer’s Residence because I couldn’t find a frustration-free, professional platform to manage my own portfolio as a working writer. It’s designed for writers by a writer—so you can:

• Add unlimited samples and reorder them on the fly.
• Customize sections, categories, and page layout for different audiences or uses (pitching, job apps, etc.).
• Host your portfolio on your own custom web address—with clean, ad-free presentation.
• Get fast, personal support (I handle it myself!) if you have any questions or need advice.

Learn more about what makes a great online writing portfolio in my detailed guide. Or dive into the best portfolio websites for writers to compare your options. 

Step 8: Don’t Forget AI and SEO-Driven Samples

Modern clients and editors often look for skills in search optimization, AI content structuring, or digital content management. If you have pieces that:

• Ranked well in Google or brought organic traffic
• Have evidence of optimization for search or AI guidelines
• Show success with AI-assisted tools (like ChatGPT for outlines or code for technical docs)

…make sure you feature them! Briefly explain the context and results. If you’re transitioning into SEO, digital, or AI writing, mock up a sample—many clients expect to see those skills in action.

Step 9: Keep Your Portfolio Evolving

Review and update your samples at least quarterly or after every major win. Outdated work—even if it was once your best—can weaken your impact. Replace older pieces as you develop your skills, especially if you shift niches or start offering new services.

Writer’s Residence makes it painless to swap samples or reorganize your portfolio on the fly. I recommend using the site’s ability to maintain drafts and hide/show samples seasonally as your focus or availability changes.

Frequently Asked Questions (and Final Advice)

How many samples should I include?

Aim for 5–12 high-quality pieces. Too few looks sparse; too many can overwhelm readers.

Should I include unpublished or mock work?

Yes—especially if it lets you show a skill, style, or specialty you want to pursue in your career. See my guide for unpublished writers for tips.

What if I’m changing niches or industries?

Emphasize transferable skills and don’t be afraid to feature mock or crossover pieces. Clearly state your intent and why the sample is relevant to your new focus.

Do employers care about metrics and results?

Yes—result-driven writing is a strong selling point. Where possible, include numbers, client quotes, or short case-study notes below each sample.

Where can I get feedback on my portfolio?

Ask peers or mentors, or reach out to me via Writer’s Residence—I love helping writers improve their portfolios!

Level Up Your Portfolio—And Your Writing Career

Choosing the right samples isn’t just a checklist item—it’s a strategic investment in your success as a writer. Whether you’re looking for more clients, higher-paying gigs, or a publication deal, a thoughtfully curated, results-driven portfolio is what makes you stand out.

Ready to build (or upgrade) your portfolio? Start your free Writer’s Residence account today—designed by a writer, for writers.

More Resources for Aspiring and Professional Writers

• The Complete Guide to Online Writing Portfolios (Writer’s Residence)
• Best Writing Portfolio Platforms for Freelancers
• Writer’s Residence Blog — tips, interviews, and sample galleries
• How to Build a Strong Writing Portfolio (Eleven Writing)
• Best Content Writing Portfolio Samples for Success (Fueler)