Most of my paid content writing has been ghostwritten for B2B clients. The published articles carry someone else's byline, and my contracts include confidentiality clauses. Prospective clients keep asking for relevant samples, but I do not want to imply that public availability gives me permission to claim the work.
For writers who have faced this, what has worked as a credible alternative?
- Asking for written permission to share a specific published link privately.
- Creating original portfolio samples on similar subjects without reusing client research or strategy.
- Describing my role and editorial process without identifying the client.
I know the wording of each contract matters. My practical question is how to demonstrate subject knowledge and writing ability when permission is refused. Do clearly labelled self-initiated samples carry enough weight, and how can I present them without suggesting they were commissioned?