10 Proven Upwork Proposal Cover Letters that consistently work
I’ve worked on both sides. As a freelancer and someone that hires freelancers on Upwork. And here is the reality
It is really hard to land consistent-high paying jobs or gigs on Upwork
There are usually more proposals than you can imagine being submitted for your job. For example, I recently posted a job, and I got 45 proposals. How do you select one freelancer out of all the proposals?
It can be very frustrating to submit a proposal and have no response.
NB: If you want the 10 free proposal templates, please click on the link below:
10 Proven Upwork Proposal Cover Letters that consistently land jobs
Trust me, I understand that. And that’s why a few years ago I decided to change my approach in the following ways:
- Optimize my processes by using templates (but not copy-and-paste templates) and using data to improve my chances of being hired. In other words, submitting a particular proposal, capturing it in a Google SHeet, and then calculating the % of hiring based on a particular approach or template
- DO NOT COPY AND PASTE TEMPLATES — trust me, it will not get you hired. Although this article is about Upwork templates, it is important to understand how to use them. Take them, personalise every section. These are more ‘approaches’ than anything else. So, see them as approaches and not as templates.
As a result, my chances of landing jobs on Upwork increased from 17% to about 55%. Not too bad. But there is a steep learning curve, and I hope to share only some of those tips with you. This guide does not provide how to set up your profile. It is about your proposal approach. An important PROFILE is a must, and there are many articles on this already.
We have included 4 templates as images in the article below. To access the rest of the templates, please follow the below link:
10 Proven Upwork Proposal Cover Letters that consistently land jobs
Here are 10 Approaches that I generally use to submit a proposal, and when I use them.
1. The KISS (Keep it Short and Simple)
The Approach
This is based on the understanding that sometimes employers don’t have all the time in the world. They are generally pressed for time, need work done urgently and find it hard to sift through thousands of freelancers to find the best hire.
So, to stand out, you KISS. Your proposal is something that is short, easy to understand and is CLEAR and STRAIGHT to the point.
When to use them
It’s best used on the following clients:
- On clients whose instructions are not very clear
- Clients that mention the words “urgent “or “quick turn around” or “avoid the fluff”
- Clients that hate long-winded proposals
Success rate
62%
2. The Experienced
The Approach
This is to demonstrate to your client that you have experience in the exact field that they mentioned. Emphasis on the word EXACT. Meaning, try and be as niche as you can. If the client requires SEO writing in Race Car Driving, then demonstrate your exact experience in that field. There are two ways to show experience in this instance
- Mention your career experience and companies you worked for
- Mention past projects you worked on and their outcomes
This is a favourite of ours, as it builds trust with the client and generally has a positive outcome.
When to Use Them
It’s best used on the following clients
- Long term clients on Upwork, that have spent over $5000
- Clients that specifically are looking for people with experience
- Clients that have highly technical projects
The Result:
69% success rate
3. The Action Oriented
The Approach
Use this to demonstrate to your client exactly what you’ll be doing, and how you will be doing it.
The most important factor is to show how you will add VALUE. That’s the key word. If you can demonstrate “VALUE” over other clients, then you will be hired. Give them that “Extra Sauce. Before they mention it, send them a short project plan. Or demonstrate what you’d do by sending a screenshot or screencast.
Clients are generally stingy to spend money. But if you can demonstrate what you’ll be doing to add VALUE through specific action plans in your proposal, then that’s a recipe for success.
When to Use Them
- Clients that are looking for a solution (i.e. I am not sure how to do this)
- On jobs that have more than 10–15 proposals
- On jobs that have been active for 3 or more days without any hires
The Result
50%
4. The HONEST Approach
The Approach
Here’s the hidden secret of Upwork — a large percentage of freelancers are hired because they are liked. They may not be the best in their field, but because of their likability in their Upwork cover letter, they are hired. Now, how do you get liked? Simple, be honest
Imagine how many boring and formal Upwork templates a company has to sift through. So, to stand out, be honest by using
- Plain and simple language
- Admit your shortcomings
- Ask not to be hired if they don’t think you will be the best fit for the job.
They’ll immediately notice a difference in the language you use and your general approach. They will also understand that your heart is in the right place — i.e. you want to ensure their project is successful, and not necessarily your OWN desires are met. In that way, you are putting the COMPANY before ME.
When to Use Them
- When the clients ask for no ‘fluff’
- With clients that have been on Upwork for 5+ years
- With clients that are non-formal
The Result
70%
5. THE CLIENT REVIEW
The Approach
In this approach, you’re establishing trust and credibility. Clients sometimes are not concerned about your endless years of experience and skills. They just want to know that you can do the job. And the way you can demonstrate that, is through showing the client that you have done this before. And here is how to do that:
- State the project you worked on and what the problem was
- Send the result of the project as a link or image
- Send the client feedback as a screenshot
When to Use Them
- For clients that specifically ask for testimonials
- For clients that mentioned the words ‘reliable’ and ‘past work’
The Result
52%
6. The Screen Record
The Approach
So, you want to stand out with your proposal and do something that guarantees no one else is doing? Record your screen
Yes, you heard me correctly. Using any software that you can find (Powerpoint has a built in function), send your coolest Upwork proposal you ever have. If the client has a website, article, or project attached, here is how you can use screen record:
- Open up the software that you’ll be using
- Write a quick script based on what you’ll say (i.e. suggestions for improvement of their website, article or project)
- Record your screen with your voice over, to highlight weaknesses in their project and how you will improve it.
Attach the screen record as a link. I can guarantee that you’ll be the only one doing this. Your client will also have the chance to hear your voice and instantly be impressed by your effort.
When to use:
- For clients that need a solution to a problem
- For website development
- For high-paying projects ($1000+)
7. The I Googled You
The Approach
As the name of this approach states, it’s literally to “Google” the person or company that is hiring. State a few interesting facts on your findings, and then state how you’ll do their project as well as some of your experience.
Clients love effort and initiative. More importantly, they likely started their business on their own. And it’s deeply personal to them. So when you Google them, it creates a signifier (bit of psychology here) of a time in their life when they were building a brand that now actually appears on Google. So they’ll instantly like you!
It also shows that you took the time to Google the company and showed interest beyond just your own freelancing needs.
When to use
- I’d use this for any client
- Clients that are high paying and well established
- Small companies or startups with low social media followers
- Companies that are mainly remote and digital
8. The Discount
The Approach
Clients post a budget for a particular project, but many times it is a suggested budget or not fixed. Their yardstick is generally the market price for similar projects or within their own personal budget what they can afford.
If the job is already high-paying, and you’re able to complete it at a reduced price, then offering a discount will certainly put you in the front line of your proposal being accepted.
The word “Discount”and “Sale” stands out to anyone., We have been socially programmed to become hyper alert when we see these words. And that’s the exact reaction your client will feel when they see the word discount. You may state in your proposal that you are willing to offer a 10 or 15% discount on your usual price for such a project. That will give them an indication that you are willing to do the work at a reduced price than what is offered but with the same quality.
When to use:
- On project at that are already of a high value
- On projects where the client specifically states that the budget is ‘tight’
Success:
42%
9. The cut to the chase and guarantee
The Approach
As the heading states, let’s “cut to the chase”. This is highly effective in that it uses very basic language, almost conversational as if you were talking to a friend to convince the client. It’s an element of persuasion where you are trying to show the client you’re their ‘friend’ and that you’re on their side.
You are also aiming to give them ‘aha’ moments. What is an aha moment? When, it’s that expression someone gives when they agree with something or it deeply resonates with them. So, in this technique, you’re trying to show the client you understand their struggles, not only from a technical perspective, but also emotionally.
When to use this approach
- Try and use this approach on clients that ask specifically for success on this project
- Clients that are pushed for time
- Clients that emphasise professionalism
Success rate:
75%
10. The Expert
The Approach
Clients post jobs on Upwork because:
- They don’t have the time to do it themselves
- They don’t have the expertise to do it themselves.
This technique, specifically focuses on number 2 — i.e. clients that don’t know how to do something and are looking for experts to do it. And to show your expertise, you need to :
- Demonstrate your industry knowledge
- Demonstrate your expertise in the field
- Make expert like suggestions for their problem, beyond just what any freelancer that can do a simple Google search can do
When to use:
- Use this technique when someone asks for an expert
- When clients are looking for a simple solution to a complex problem.
We have included all of these approaches as templates, that you need to customise and personalise. Remember, copy and paste templates don’t work, but different approaches for different situations do. Get your copy here:
10 Proven Upwork Cover Letters
We also run a mailing list that sends out 15 daily opportunities of external freelance writing opportunities that are high paying, verified, and with some tips on how to land each one of them.
If you’re interested, follow the link or drop your email below :)
