How To Write A Winning
Upwork Proposal

Once you’ve got your Upwork profile ready to go, the next step it to craft a winning proposal that will get your hired. Here are my tips on writing a winning proposal!

Start with a template.

If you’ve ever used Upwork as a client, you know that an overwhelming number of freelancers use canned responses.  

It can be painfully obvious to clients when a freelancer simply copies and pastes the same proposal into every available job. While I don’t this, I do recommend something similar.

Pre-written templates will save you a ton of time when submitting proposals, and it has been one of the keys to my success on Upwork. Within about half an hour I can be done applying to all the relevant jobs and get on with my day.

Personalize it.  

While Upwork will not show you the client’s name within the job post, you can access the client’s reviews. Check to see if any past freelancers have left a review with the client’s name. If they have, update your proposal with that client’s name to grab their attention.

Match Their Wording.  

This is a helpful psychological trick when applying to any job. By reading the full description and using some of their vocabulary, they will be more likely to see you as a member of the team.

Focus on the Client’s Issue.  

Many freelancers focus on their years of expertise and training when applying to jobs, but I can guarantee you that clients don’t care. Instead, focus on exactly how you will help them.

Charge Your Rate, Not the Budget.  

Do not change your rate to meet the client's budget. Quite often, clients don’t know what their budget should be so they will choose a random number or whatever Upwork recommends. I recommend picking a flate rate and sticking to it.

Check for Mistakes.  

Use a spell checker or plugin like Grammarly to make sure there aren’t any typos before you send the final proposal.

craft A Short Intro that stands by itself.  

Clients are most likely to skim through your proposal without reading it all the way through so make sure the first paragraph covers your main points by itself and addresses the client and their issues quickly.

Include Examples.  

Very often clients will ask you for examples of past work. You should have examples in your portfolio but many clients will not take the extra step to get to that section of your profile. You can skip a lot of extra questions and grab the client’s attention by including examples directly in your proposal.

Include Turn Around Time.   

Clients always want to know how much a project will cost and how long it will take. Make sure you give an estimate of turnaround time so they can better compare your proposal to others or estimate the final cost of the project.

Give Free Advice.   

I always give my clients a free audit to build trust and make sure we're a good fit. By recording my screen and voice while reviewing their account and outlining my suggestions, I can start building a relationship with my clients before we ever even talk in person.

Use A Call To Action.  

I like to always ask the client for something because it will get them to start interacting with me and building a relationship. I usually end up asking for a link to the client’s social media account because it's usually not included in the job post and it gives me the information I need to record and send an audit.

Set Up An Interview.   

If a client likes your proposal the next step is usually an interview. I am often able to avoid this step by recording a free audit of their social media account with recommendations. For anyone who still wants an interview, I send them a link to my online scheduler (I use Calendly) instead of doing the interview right away. This shows them that my time is valuable and that I am in demand.

Tell them you’re new to Upwork, but not new.

If you don't have any reviews yet read how to get your first Upwork reivew. You can also tell them that even though you're new to Upwork you are not new to the industry. As an alternative, you can include recommendation letters from past employers, examples of success stories, or you can offer them a discount while you grow your portfolio.

Read the job description.   

Make sure you read the job description from beginning to end. Many clients include code words or extra questions in their posts to make sure you read it properly.

Be Thorough.

Some jobs will ask you to answer the additional question beyond just the cover letter. When applying to jobs, these questions will show up underneath the cover lover section but when the client is viewing your proposal, they show up in the opposite order. I'm important to consider that the client will read the answers to the extra questions before your cover letter when answering them since they will show up first for the client.

Use search filters.

Upwork includes search filters for the country, budget, number of proposals and payment verification. These are all great ways to make sure you’re applying to the highest quality job posts.

Be selective and look for red flags.   

It's never worth the money to work for a bad client because a bad review can make it very difficult to get any future jobs on the platform. Be careful to screen clients by looking for past reviews and be wary of anyone who is demanding or treats you like an employee. Also, be aware of clients to ask for free work.

Look for recently posted jobs without too much competition.   

If you’re having trouble finding jobs you may have too much competition. Try looking at the most recently posted jobs because fewer freelancers will have had a chance to apply. You can also use the search filters to find jobs with fewer proposals. The sooner you apply to a new job the more likely you are to get hired, so also make sure you check for new jobs every day. If you’re still struggling, check for new jobs multiple times a day or on the weekend.

Choose a Niche

If you niche your services down and choose a specialty to focus on, you will be competing with a smaller pool of talent. For example, there is more competition for “social media” jobs than for Instagram or Facebook, specifically.

Research their business

Clients don't always reveal their business in the job posting but if they do, try to find their website or social media channels and research their business when applying. By referring to their business in detail you will stand out among other freelancers.

Include references or testimonials   

Many clients will ask for examples of your past work. Even if you’ve already included these in your profile, eliminate these extra steps and cut to the chase by including references and testimonials directly in your cover letter.

Have A Winning Profile

A great profile will give your proposals an extra edge over your competition. Read how to create a winning profile here.