A useful sample shows how you think about a relevant problem. It gives a prospective client something concrete to discuss before either person accepts a larger commitment.
Choose an example close enough to their situation to be understandable while keeping all private information protected. Label invented data clearly. Explain the task, the assumptions and what the sample can establish.
Invite a specific response
In a fictional reporting sample, show how an unresolved item moves from observation to an owned decision. Ask whether that structure addresses the way information currently disappears between shifts. The answer can clarify the problem more effectively than asking whether the prospect likes the design.
Keep the sample proportionate. Extensive unpaid custom work can create confusion about ownership and expectations. Agree a suitable next scope before proceeding further.
Use the discussion to learn whether there is a genuine fit. A sample has served its purpose even when it reveals that your offer is unsuitable. Accurate understanding gives both people a better decision than a persuasive presentation that leaves the real requirements unexplored.