Upwork cover letter or proposal is the first thing that comes to the mind of a struggling freelancer after signing up on Upwork Freelance. Which is home to more than 18 million registered freelancers, so you get a tough competition to win frequent jobs on it.
The established freelancers have a better portfolio, job success badges, and five-star client reviews on their profiles. Finding a client will be more challenging if you are a beginner and don’t have too many reviews or endorsements on your profile.
A killer Upwork cover letter writing skill can help you stay relevant in the competition. So this article will help you craft a winning job proposal/cover letter for your Upwork bidding process.
What is Upwork Cover Letter?
Difference Between Upwork Cover Letter and Proposal
There is no bigger difference between the Upwork cover letter and the proposal. A cover letter is a broader term used in bidding, job application, and resume submission. On the other hand, the Upwork proposal is used solely on the Upwork freelance website.
Importance of Upwork Cover Letter:
The significance of writing a catchy Upwork cover letter continues to grow after the massive influx of freelancers, and the new Connects policy of Upwork.
According to the new Upwork policy, if your proposal catches the buyer’s attention and you get an interview call through an inbox message. Then connects used on that project will be repaid to your connects credit. It means a killer Upwork cover letter can save you a lot of money and bring you more chances of winning an Upwork job.
Also Read: Upwork Review: Is Upwork Legit?
12 Tips to Write Winning Upwork Cover Letter/Proposal
A won project can bring thousands of dollars in your freelance earnings. The clients will ignore a poorly written Upwork proposal with grammar mistakes and poor sentence structure.
Employers on Upwork are less price-sensitive as compared to other freelance platforms. They are willing to spend more, depending upon their skills, experience, and work quality. They are always looking for the finest fit for their job. That is why a catchy and appropriate proposal can catch their mind.
Most novices use copy-paste techniques to bid on projects. They want to show their proposal on top regardless of its relevance and quality. As a buyer at Fiverr and Upwork platforms, I mostly ignored such proposals. This is what most employers do.
1. Read, Reread, and Learn the Job Description
Most freelancers fire the proposal without even reading the job description. Employers have become more intelligent these days. They leave a word or tip within or at the bottom of their proposal, which they want a freelancer to write at the very top of the proposal.
For example: Use the word catfish at the beginning of your proposal. What if you have just fired the proposal without reading the job description?
It will earn nothing, just a waste of your valuable Connects. So it is more reasonable to read the description twice and understand it before writing the proposal. It is better to stay in the race rather than stay on top of the dead proposals.
2. Use Short Greeting Sentences
The greeting is undoubtedly an excellent thing to do at the beginning of an Upwork proposal. But it should be precise and distinct from the rest.
For example:
If a person is looking for a content writer for a blog, you may state:
Hey Jack,
I hope you are doing well with your blog XYZ.
3. Re-Explain the Client’s Requirements
The second thing a good Upwork proposal should contain is a project brief. Add a couple of sentences to demonstrate the client’s requirements and job description. It will indicate that you have read the project description thoroughly. It can also be taken as a project summary.
For example:
“You are looking for freelance contributors to write daily articles for your blog. That must be high quality, grammatically correct, and SEO optimized.
4. Use ChatGPT to Write Your Cover Letter
ChatGPT by OpenAI is the talk of the town these days. It has amazing features like data scrapping, content research, and writing.
I use it to write my cover letter. Just put the buyer’s brief requirements in the chat prompt and see the magic. You can refine it later on and must proofread this AI-generated cover letter before final submission.
Also Read: Upwork Scams: How To Spot Scam Jobs And Report Them?
5. Share Your Brief Intro
Now, this is the time to inform the client who you are. Tell the employer about your qualifications, certifications, expertise, and achievements.
For example:
“ I am Aamir, a freelance blogger and content writer. I have done my master’s degree in journalism. I am good at writing SEO articles about freelancing, digital marketing, and tech. I have crafted more than 200+ articles and blog posts on different freelance marketplaces.”
You can either mention any certification from Google, Udemy, LinkedIn, Adobe, Cisco, or Semrush or your current ranking in the platform, e.g. Rising Talent, Top Rated, Top Rated Plus, etc.
But make sure it doesn’t go too wordy. Keep things short and precise.
6. Leave a Question in Your Proposal
Leaving a question in an Upwork proposal is very tricky. It creates suspense and encourages buyers to respond through the inbox. Once an employer has jumped into your message inbox, it is already a win-win for you.
Once a client has texted you, now it is up to your communication skills to satisfy him and close the deal. Such questions are also named “Conversation Starters”.
However, they should be relevant to that project.
7. Show Personal Interest in the Project
Clients on Upwork are looking for passionate individuals who like to work from their souls. Add a line in your Upwork proposal explaining why you are personally attached to this project.
For example:
If you are a Web Developer you can add the:
“ I am in love with coding and crafting new ideas.” This shows you are not just a job seeker who only believes in completing the projects and eyeing the next one.
8. Attach Previous Work Samples
Your previous work samples are one more important thing to enclose in your Upwork proposal. You can attach links to your portfolio if it is published.
If you are a graphic designer, you can attach similar project files below in the attachments section.
Employers don’t mind looking at what you have done in the past. It will build your credibility, and you are more likely to get an interview call at least.
Be proud of what you have done previously. Making a single-page portfolio website using WordPress, Wix, or any other platform is better. Keep updating that site with your new work.
9. Your Rate for That Project
Although, employers on the Upwork freelance platform are less price-sensitive as compared to other websites. They are always ready to pay more for quality work.
However, It is better to mention the rough cost of your services at the end of the proposal. You can also do this by selecting the price for that project.
Upwork has a paid subscription known as Upwork Plus. If you are an Upwork Plus subscriber, you will see the maximum and lowest bid prices on the project. In this way, you can better understand what should be offered to attract the client.
10. Offer Something Extra
If you are a beginner on Upwork, several big fishes with more extensive portfolios, reviews, and credibility are ready to give you a tough time. They are about to snatch your first job. So think out of the box.
Consider offering something extra or free. If you are a graphic designer, you can offer one additional logo concept or something like a free LinkedIn cover.
You can also offer a free trial in the case of content writers. If you are an SEO professional, go for a free site audit and simple keyword research.
I usually offer free featured images for my clients from my Canva premium subscription. It costs me nothing, just 5 minutes to design a relevant featured image.
11. Answer the Additional Questions
Some Upwork clients add a few questions that they want freelancers to answer during proposal submission. Read the employer’s questions carefully and answer them all.
Don’t just fill them up; write what you have. Suppose you don’t have the answer to any of the questions; simply write it N/A. You can also say I am learning the skills mentioned in the project questions.
12. Recheck the Proposal Before Submission
Most freelancers believe in timely submission, not quality submission. That is why they don’t get a reply despite sending the first proposal.
Who will consider the first proposal full of grammar mistakes, fluff, and minor information? If I were a buyer, I would also ignore such proposals. Always recheck, make edits, and optimize the proposal before final submission.
Also Read: Websites Like Upwork For Freelance Jobs
Upwork Cover Letter Samples/Examples
I will be sharing a few Upwork cover letter samples for those who want to take some ideas. These demo proposals worked for me most of the time. Here we go:
Upwork Cover Letter Sample for Content Writers
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to express my interest in the content writing position that you have posted on Upwork. I am a skilled and experienced writer with a proven track record of producing high-quality content that engages and informs readers.
I have experience in a wide range of writing formats, including blog posts, articles, website content, product descriptions, and more.
I am also well-versed in SEO best practices and understand the importance of creating content that is optimized for search engines.
In addition to my writing skills, I am a quick learner and able to adapt to different writing styles and tone of voice. I am also a good communicator and able to work closely with clients to understand their needs and produce content that meets their expectations.
{Your Portfolio Links}
I am excited about the opportunity to work with you and contribute to the success of your company.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to see samples of my work.
Looking forward to hearing back.
Regards,
[Your name]
Upwork Cover Letter Sample for Graphic Designers
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to express my interest in the graphic design position that you have posted on Upwork. I am a highly skilled and experienced graphic designer with a strong portfolio of work that showcases my abilities.
I have experience in a wide range of design projects, including logo design, brochures, posters, and social media graphics. I am well-versed in industry-standard design software, such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, and have a keen eye for detail and a passion for creating visually stunning designs.
I can take clients’ ideas and turn them into a visual reality. I am a good communicator and able to work closely with clients to understand their needs and ensure that the final product meets their expectations. I am also a fast learner and able to adapt to different design styles and aesthetics.
{Your Portfolio Links}
I am excited about the opportunity to work with you and bring your design vision to life. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to see samples of my work.
Looking forward to hearing back.
Regards,
[Your name]
Upwork Cover Letter Example for Web Developers
To Hiring Manager,
Are you looking for a web developer who can turn your website vision into a reality? Look no further! I am writing to express my interest in the web development position that you have posted on Upwork. I am a highly skilled and experienced web developer with a proven track record of creating high-quality, user-friendly websites.
I have experience in a wide range of web development technologies, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP. I am well-versed in industry-standard web development frameworks, such as React, Angular, and Vue. I am also proficient in CMS like WordPress, Shopify, and Magento.
I am passionate about creating websites that not only look great but also provide a seamless user experience. I am a quick learner and able to adapt to different development styles and methodologies, I am a good communicator and able to work closely with clients to understand their needs and ensure that the final product meets their expectations.
{Your Portfolio Links}
I am excited about the opportunity to work with you and bring your website vision to life. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or want to see my work samples.
Looking forward to hearing back.
Regards,
[Your name]
Upwork Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid
After analyzing my proposals’ past mistakes and what beginners usually do, here are a few not-to-do things in Upwork Proposals.
- Never write wordy and meaningless sentences.
- Never use words like cheap work, cheap services, or cheap designs.
- Never insist the employer award you the job.
- Don’t show that you are desperate for the job.
- Never add empty, broken, or spam links to your proposal.
- Never copy someone else’s proposal & send a copy-paste proposal.
- Never offer the complete work for free.
- Don’t undervalue yourself for the sake of a job.
- Avoid grammar mistakes in your proposal. Use online grammar tools like Grammarly to know what is wrong before sending the proposal.
- Don’t write a novel about yourself and your skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
As discussed above, your Upwork proposal’s precision, relevancy, and sequence will earn you a job. You can’t take it for granted as the competition is rising daily and you must do your best to get new jobs.
Your Connects are worthy, so never let them waste on irrelevant or very competitive jobs. Not every job on the platform is right for you. Always use Upwork job filters to find the best ones that match your skills and experience level.
