Presenting writing examples to higher paying clients
A question about how to present writing experience to higher-paying clients.
I've known some of the high-paying clients, especially those working in bigger companies, request to see a copy of your writing resume as well as your writing portfolio samples.
I see this as a "catch-22" problem because:
If I tell them the names of the third-party websites where I've been writing and editing for the last few years, then it makes them aware of other places they can go to for cheaper work. Thus, I could lose potential clients.
However, if I don't say the names of these well--established websites to establish my reputation, then I have nothing to back up my claims ... which makes me look like a possible fraud.
Putting out there any links to third-party, content-writing websites where I have a profile just makes it that much easier for clients to compare me to other writers who are likely to charge less and make more "outlandish" promises. One of my biggest problems with most freelance-writing websites is that they work to eventually drive down the prices for writing projects by expanding their writing pools of authors indefinitely. That's why I'm trying to break out of them - because experienced U.S. writers with real skills deserve more for their work.
What do you guys do about this problem?
I also write premium quality articles, e-books, etc.