I'm a writer, but I'm also a business owner. Here's what I recommend other biz owners do to evaluate a writer's portfolio BEFORE you hire them. 1. Timeliness: Are the pieces fairly current? 2. Relevance: Is their content a match with your industry or content format? 3. Their voice: Does the writer's voice mesh with your business? 4. Their personality: Would you enjoy working with this person? 5. Their overall presence: Is their website or social media profile high-quality? Does it give you an idea of who the writer is? 6. Red flags: Bad spelling / grammar and consistency are must-haves. Also, make sure the writer's portfolio is legit! If you have a bad gut feeling, move on.