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How to Write a Winning Upwork Cover Letter (+Sample)

Crafting an Upwork cover letter that wins you the job is one of the two things that drive new Upworkers crazy (the other being how to get approved on Upwork ).

This drove me crazy too when I started out. In fact, I must have spent countless hours and sent so many proposals before I started getting replies.

I almost purchased a $300 course just to get access to their community’s Upwork proposal vault.

If you’re in a similar position, you have come to the right place.

In this article, let’s discuss how to write an effective Upwork proposal cover letter that will win you the job.

Let’s get this started!

From Zero to Hero

When I started using Upwork, it was a while until I was able to land a contract.

When I did manage to land my first contract, I thought I had cracked the code and all I had to do was submit the same cover letter again and again.

Here’s what that (cringy and embarrassing) cover letter looks like:

(Good thing it happened before Upwork started banning accounts who submit way too many proposals without getting an offer.)

Using that stinky cover letter above, I still receive a few replies. But that’s it — no new offers or whatsoever.

Two realizations hit me:

• I knew then that I didn’t crack the code.
• Canned, word for word cover letters don’t work.

After three years, here’s my marketing effectiveness:

Stick until the end and I will show you an example of an Upwork cover letter I used to land a premium deal with a client.

Now, here’s how to make your cover letters better:

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Answer the Additional Questions First

Many job postings will require you to answer additional questions besides submitting a cover letter.

Here’s a good example:

As you can see, the cover letter comes first followed by the additional questions you have to answer.

Naturally, you may spend most of your energy trying to make that cover letter flawless and then, answer the additional questions with a one-line sentence only, like an afterthought.

What you may not know is that when the client reviews your proposal, he will see the additional questions first.

I discovered this when I posted a job on Upwork.

Here’s one of the answers I got:

As you can see, clients will see the answers to the questions first. The cover letter will be the last element. That’s why when you see questions in the job posts, focus your energy first on the questions.

In a way, additional questions are more important than the cover letter itself.

Address the Client by Name

Whether it’s an Upwork cover letter, a cold email, or a private message on Facebook, addressing the client by name has a great impact.

After all, names are the sweetest and most important sound in any language according to Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People book.

But does it really increase the effectiveness of your Upwork proposal?

Well, calling the client by name is just the first part of making your cover letter more personal.

It shows that you have done your research and most likely, the content of your cover letter isn’t canned.

As an example, let’s say that you’re the client and you need someone to write new articles on your website.

One of the proposals you received is this:

Would you hire him? Exactly!

The question is, where will you get the name of the client?

How to Find the Client’s Name

It’s easy enough when the job post has the client’s name.

Unfortunately, only around 1 of 10 posts has the client’s name.

If this is the case, scroll down to the client’s recent history and find reviews from past contractors that mentioned the client’s name.

For example, this job post doesn’t contain any clue about who the client is.

But on the client’s recent history, you will find two mentions of his name there.

Sometimes, you may find different names on the client’s history. Some may have addressed the client as Darren, Karen, or John.

To make matters easier, use the name mentioned in a review from a freelancer with similar services as you.

Let’s say that you’re a content writer. A past content writer left a review and addressed the client as John. In this case, use John in your cover letter.

There may also be instances when the client, together with his name, wrote the name of his company. There’s a lot of gold in here simply because you can make even more research.

One of my clients, when he posted the job, only displayed the company name. There was no clue about the recent history of his name. But since the company name was there, I was able to dig deeper.

Here’s a portion of the cover letter I sent that I’m quite sure caught his attention:

This has led to an active partnership. (I can also confirm that working with his particular client’s team is fun and exciting!)

Show Interest

By that, I don’t mean writing a line that says “I’m interested in your job post.”

There are usually two ways to do this:

• Make a suggestion
• Or ask a question

Let’s use this job post I found about a client looking for a content writer for his travel website:

Just because the job description was short, it doesn’t mean you have to put in the same effort and make your cover letter short.

This is often a mistake I see new freelancers do.

But how will you add value to a post as short as this?

If I were to submit a cover letter to do this job post, here’s what I would do:

• Explain to the client what an awesome about us page is and what it contains. (If you’re not aware, the about us page, in addition to telling your story, is an excellent waypoint to different pages or content on your website.)
• Include links to show him what I mean.
• Suggest how I can do the same.
• Ask him for a link to his website.

You can also show interest by mentioning something that only someone who dug deeper will be able to know. An example of this is the cover letter I showed in the earlier section where I mentioned something about the client’s team.

The Rate Matters

This part isn’t much about the cover letter itself but on what job post you submit your cover letter.

One of the things I have learned over the years is that there could be a mismatch between your rate and how much your client can afford or is willing to spend.

For example, no matter how good your cover letter is, it’s impossible for you to ask a high rate for this project.

How did I know this? Looking at the client’s recent history, he paid someone a measly $25 for an educational blog.

From the client’s recent history, you can be certain that he’s only looking for freelancers with (super) low rates.

One more thing: Avoid low-ballers .

These clients will not pay you for what you’re worth. You will only be wasting six connects which you could have used to submit a proposal to a premium project.

Further reading : There are a few job posts that have a high budget but will actually pay you peanuts — they lure freelancers by posting big budgets. This is one of the things I shared in my tips for Upworkers article . It’s perfect for those who are still starting out in Upwork.

Mention Your Experience

I have read numerous posts from “freelance gurus” that you don’t need experience to land premium contracts.

Although there’s truth to it, it’s not the whole truth.

As a client myself, I would like to make sure that the freelancer has the capability to do the tasks and that he’s willing to learn if he doesn’t have the skills yet.

However, freelancers who have previous similar experience and can prove it will most likely win the contract.

Why? Because it’s more certain that they will be able to do the job better and faster, which is a win for clients who go into hourly contracts with freelancers.

In addition to experience, include samples of related work or outcomes that you know the client will love.

For example, after including relevant samples of my work, this client has responded well to my cover letter and we ended up working together.

If you don’t have any relevant samples, just create one, and show it to the client.

Include a Call to Action

At the end of your cover letter, invite the client to do something. It’s proven that they will likely do something if you tell them exactly what to do.

It’s tempting to say “Hope to hear from you soon” or “Hoping for your kind consideration”. But it doesn’t really invite the client to do something.

Here are good examples of effective CTA (call to action):

• Hit that reply button over there to continue our conversation. (Favorite)
• How about we hop on a five-minute call to discuss your business needs?
• If you want to collaborate, let’s discuss it more over the chat.

I have been working with different combinations and so far, the first one has worked best for me. However, I don’t think there’s much difference as long as you keep your call to action, clear, specific, and easy to commit to.

Keep a Swipe File of Upwork Cover Letters

If you’re not familiar with what a swipe file is, it’s basically a folder where you keep all awesome ideas, copies, content, and ideas you have encountered.

In this case, keep a swipe file of Upwork cover letters that worked. Then, reverse engineer them and see why they work.

This is actually how I started improving my cover letter. I found and saved the winning cover letters I found online and try to understand why they worked.

I usually have three places where I store them:

• OneNote (favorite)
• Google drive
• Local drive

A piece of advice: save your cover letters that worked.

Here’s mine:

Since I have a record of what works and what doesn’t, I regularly update and optimize my cover letter to reflect what I recently learned.

That’s how I knew which call to action I thought worked best.

In addition, you may want to include links to your best work too. This makes it easier for you to swap out the samples you want to mention in the cover letter to make sure you only mention the most relevant work samples.

Example of a Winning Upwork Cover Letter

As promised, here is a cover letter I used to land a premium deal with a client.

Note that you can use the pattern I set but make sure you don’t use exact words. This cover letter was designed solely for the certain job post to this cover letter was submitted to.

In a gist, here’s how I did it:

Hey [name] , I’m sure you’ve got a lot of pitches to deal with so I’ll keep this short. I help [your target industry] [the outcome your client would like to get from your service] . In the past, I helped [a previous client you worked with] [the outcome you helped your previous client achieve – should be similar to the outcome the client would like to get] . Here are links to some of my work: – [link 1] – [link 2] – [link 3] [Ask a question or suggest something] Simply hit that “Reply” button over there so we could continue our conversation. Regards, [Your name]

Feel free to use this template.

Win Premium Clients With a Personalized Cover Letter

Writing a winning cover letter is easier than you think. But it will need a lot of practice and trial and error to finally get it right.

As I said, it took me so much time and proposals before I got a reply. From there, I continued optimizing it and seeing what works for my target clients and industry.

I’m definitely positive that as you practice and write more proposal cover letters, you will get better and win jobs.

And if you get lost, try the template I provided above.

Now it’s your turn. Here’s what to do now:

• Go back to Upwork and apply what you have learned from this article.
• Use the template and check my sample for inspiration.
• Get back here and let us know how it went.

And as always, let me know your thoughts by sharing your comment down below.

Alan is the founder of Work Pajama and other sites by Content Growers. When he's not writing here, he's busy helping clients generate more qualified leads and increase sales by educating readers with strategic content and writing blogs.

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25 comments.

I am new and wanted to have virtual work ASAP. Thank you for this blog, will surely help me with my application. Wish me luck!

Stay safe always.

Hey Genera! Glad you find this article helpful to you. I know you can do it! I was able to do it even without experience (or skills) at that time so there’s no way you can’t do it.

Keep it up!

Hi sir I just want to ask in upwork sometimes it offer milestone in specific job how can i break the budget into milestone and what will a put in the description of each milestone ? Thanks God bless

Thanks Alan. Let me go back and re-strategize

Thank you so much for sharing this very informative article. I’m about to start my GVA career… your blog post truly help me a lot. I hope I could make it in this industry.

Good luck on your journey!

I am inspired by your post and I made some notes out of it. I believe it will go a long way to help. Am a newbie in upwork; am good in data entry, typing and I can handle Microsoft Office. But I do not have any past experience in any company or works done before except personal. How do I start, my first cover letter was rejected. Please help out, I will appreciate it. Thanks

My most regards, Hilary

That is tricky since the skills you have are the same skills that 99% of Upworkers have. If I were you, better learn a better skill and try again. For every job post that needs basic stuff, the client probably gets 100+ proposals, so your chance of even being seen is super low. Hope this helps!

thanks so much for this awesome reply of you Alan. We’ve same issue with Hilary. I think your reply here will surely help. Better learn a better skill!

Good to know. Thanks for dropping by!

Thank you for this Allan. This is very useful specially for people like me, just starting careen on being a Virtual Assitant.

Happy to help!

Wow, great tips on writing an effective Upwork cover letter! I completely agree with you on the importance of mentioning your experience.

Including samples of related work or outcomes is also a fantastic idea. It provides concrete evidence of your skills and expertise, and it gives the client a glimpse of what they can expect from you. If you don’t have relevant samples, creating one specifically for the client is a brilliant approach to showcase your abilities.

I also appreciate the emphasis on including a clear call to action (CTA) in the cover letter. It’s true that clients are more likely to respond when you tell them exactly what to do. Your examples of effective CTAs are spot on, and it’s important to make them clear, specific, and easy to commit to.

Overall, these tips are insightful and practical. Thank you for sharing your expertise and experience in writing Upwork cover letters. I will definitely implement them in my future proposals and strive for better results. Keep up the great work!

Your style is so unique compared to other people I have read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this site.

Thanks Eileen!

That’s quite an interesting read. Of late I figured out that it is very difficult to get new jobs in Upwork, though clients are viewing my proposal. So I feel the best way is to rewrite the proposals. Thanks a lot for your input.

Hi Alan, this was very very helpful and am looking forward to learn more from you. I would hope that a Q&A platform will be provided in place for people like us who would wanna feed from your brilliant experience. Thanks!

Thanks, Alin!

Just discovered your content through Google search. Awesome and unique content. Just about to start freelancing on Upwork and I can tell it is of a great help to me. I believe I’ve just find a good teacher here.☺️

Thank you Allan and God bless you.

Hey Patrick!

Appreciate the compliment. I wish you a good fortune on your journey.

Thank you Alan! hope it works. Good luck for everyone.

Hey Alan! Best inspiration tip, Thanks alot.

Excellent information. This article offers practical tips and a clear structure for crafting effective Upwork cover letters. It’s a valuable resource for freelancers looking to stand out and secure projects on the platform.

Thank you for this fantastic guide on writing a winning Upwork cover letter! The tips and sample you’ve shared are incredibly helpful for both beginners and experienced freelancers like myself.

The sample cover letter is a valuable resource. It not only demonstrates the principles you’ve outlined but also serves as an excellent template for crafting our own personalized letters.

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Last Updated on September 6, 2023 by Alan Anthony Catantan

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Updated: November 19, 2023

4 Proven Upwork Cover Letters To Save You Time And Win More Jobs

This article is about writing effective Upwork cover letters / proposals , so you can spend less time looking for clients and more time doing paid work.

Readers have gotten results like this:

“Not a week later I have now secured not one but TWO long term contracts due to these templates getting me through the door and my work being up to par! Many many thanks!”

• 4 Proven Upwork Cover Letter Templates
• How To Avoid Upwork Scams And Find The Best Jobs
• What Ivan Did To Beat 50+ Freelancers On Upwork
• 8 Keys To A Killer Upwork Profile
• How To Compete With Cheap Freelancers On Upwork
• How Justin Went From $9 to $50/Hour On Upwork In 12 Months
• How Susan Earned $1,375 Her First Month On Upwork
• 81 Best Paying Freelance Jobs On Upwork

Upwork is the largest freelance marketplace online, with thousands of jobs posted every day.

Getting started as a freelancer on Upwork can be tough, because you’re often competing with dozens of other freelancers for a single job, and many of them are well established on the platform, with lots of great ratings and reviews.

So, how can you compete?

Well, it helps to submit A LOT of proposals.

In the words of Wayne Gretzky…

You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

And it follows that the more shots you do take, the more likely you are to score.

But you should also ensure that you’re submitting QUALITY proposals, proposals that will help you stand out from the crowd and give you a solid chance of winning the job.

So, QUALITY and QUANTITY.

That’s what you should be aiming for.

And that’s where the following list of Upwork sample cover letters can help. They will enable you to apply for more jobs without resorting to obvious copy-and-paste tactics.

Each sample below is derived from a real cover letter that won a real job on Upwork.

I’ve included screenshots of the original job postings and cover letters so you can see exactly what the job was and how it was won.

Below each sample you’ll find a corresponding template you can use to quickly craft your own proposal for ANY job on Upwork.

There are 4 templates in total:

The Short And Sweet

The screencast standout, the honest newbie, the quick lister.

Note that each sample you’re about to see was submitted by a member of our private Freedom Business Builder community. Two of them were responses to job invites, and two were cold pitches.

Before we dive in...

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Alright, here are the cover letter templates…

This first proposal sample comes from Justin, a freelance web designer and digital marketer.

The Job Description

The cover letter.

Justin was hired for the job at $50/hour.

The Template

Justin explains:

I typically use the same model for Upwork proposals: I ask about 3-4 relevant questions about the job in the first paragraph, and I qualify myself in the second paragraph.

So the template is as follows:

Hello [Client Name] , [If applicable: Thanks for the job invite.] It’s a pleasure to meet you. [Ask 3-4 short but relevant questions about the job here. This shows that you’ve read the description and know your stuff, and also invites the client to begin a conversation with you.] [Qualify yourself briefly here. 1-2 lines that communicate why you’d be a good fit for this job.] Best regards, [Your Name]

• Justin addressed the client by name at the beginning of his cover letter, even though the client never mentioned their name in the job description. Often you can find the client’s name mentioned in the reviews section of their profile. Going to the effort of finding their name and including it in your proposal will help you stand out from the crowd.
• Keep in mind that Justin was invited to this job, which gave him a much better chance of being hired. I asked Justin about this and he believes the key to getting hired is his strong profile and track record on Upwork.
• Justin taught himself web design in a two-month period, then started on Upwork at $9/hour. A little more than a year later he’d also taught himself digital marketing and was earning $45-55/hour consistently. Read more about his journey to Upwork success here .

This next proposal sample comes from Natalia, a freelance copywriter.

See Natalia’s screencast here:

Natalia explained to me via email:

This was my very first proposal screencast. It saves time to make a screencast to review a client’s website rather than writing endlessly to explain what you mean. This proposal was an answer to an invite to apply, but he invited a few people so I wanted to stand out.

The client was impressed:

Natalia ended up getting paid $350 for this job, but that wasn’t the end of it:

I’m still working for this client, and he is constantly thinking up new jobs I can do for the campaign because he is always happy with my work.

First, a warning:

• You should be selective including screencasts as part of you cover letter. They are are not always appropriate. Use them if you find yourself trying to explain something to a client in writing that would be more easily explained on screen.

The template is as follows:

Hello [Client’s Name] , [If applicable: Thank you for your invitation.] [Share a link to your screencast and briefly explain what it contains. You want to give the client a compelling reason to click the link and watch. Tell them what benefit they will get from it and note that it will only take up a few minutes of their time.] [1 paragraph explaining why the job appeals to you. Bonus points if you can share why the goals of the client resonate with you personally.] [1 paragraph sharing an example of your work, ideally closely related to the job you’re applying for.] If you want to collaborate with me let’s discuss it in more detail over the chat. Kind regards, [Your Name]

• Pro Tip Use the free version of Loom to create and share screencasts effortlessly.

This next proposal sample comes from Gray, a freelance graphic designer.

Gray was hired to do the job at a 10% discount, but that was only the beginning. As he explained to me via email:

This also led to ongoing work and was for the guys who I am pricing up that $8,000 job for. Its looking like it is going to be a bit more than that btw. Its for a complete game, and Im currently going through the spec with them bit by bit.

Gray explains:

I came at it with an honest approach and said basically ‘look, I have a lot of experience, but none on upwork, help me out and Ill do it for a 10% discount. Win win.’

Hello [Client’s Name], I’d really like to work with you on this one if possible! I do have a couple of questions, but first I’d like to make you an offer and some background so you can check my work out. [Short paragraph explaining your work experience relevant to the job.] However, I am new to Upwork and looking to get a few clients that I can build upon. If you take a look at my work and feel that I could help you, I’ll do it for a 10% discount. You’ll get all the expected stuff like a great professional service and a fast turn around, at a bit less, and I get a bit more exposure. [If applicable, include a link to your portfolio website here, or invite the client to check out the work samples you’ve attached to your proposal.] [Ask 1-2 short but relevant questions about the job here. This shows that you’ve read the description and know your stuff, and also invites the client to begin a conversation with you.] If the above offer sounds like something you would be interested in, I’d love to hear from you. Regards, [Your Name]

Note that the template above doesn’t contain the word TOKYO, which was included at the top of Gray’s cover letter. Gray added that as a response to the client’s request at the bottom of the job description. Many clients use this trick to quickly determine if you’ve actually read the job description.

So… make sure you actually read the job description!

This next proposal sample comes from Susan, a freelance editor and proofreader.

Susan explained to me via email:

I bid $125, and it was accepted immediately. This job took me 90 minutes to complete and 30 minutes to double check. As this was a legal document, I was careful to edit in a way that did not change the meaning of any of the sentences. This Swiss lawyer had English that was near perfect. I delivered the files within 2 hours and the client added a $40 bonus to my payment and left me 5-star feedback. $165 for 2 hours is a pretty good rate.

Hi [Client’s Name], I would be happy to work on your [document/job/whatever] immediately. [Numbered list covering the most important requirements mentioned in the job description, and how you plan to meet them. This shows that you fully understand what’s needed and have a plan for making it happen.] [1-2 paragraphs detailing your background/expertise, as relevant to the job at hand.] What you’ll receive: [Short list that paints a clear picture of what you will deliver (and by when) should the client hire you to do the job.] Send me a quick message and we can figure out if we are a good fit to work together! [Your Name]

• Not included in the template: the “Code 833” at the top of Susan’s proposal. This was a response to the client’s request hidden within the job description. Many clients use this trick to quickly determine if you’ve read it thoroughly.
• Want to know how Susan earned €1,226 in just her second full month working online? Check out an interview with her here .

What To Do Now

Five things:

• Pick your favorite template above, jump on over to Upwork, find some jobs you like, and use that template to quickly craft and submit effective proposals. (Make sure each proposal counts by learning how to avoid scams and find the best jobs on Upwork .)
• Report back and share in the comments below what kind of response you receive.
• If you’re not getting any response at all, screenshot one of the jobs you’ve applied for, and your cover letter, upload both screenshots to imgur , and post the links in the comments below. We’ll take a look and suggest some changes to help you get more responses and win more jobs.
• Join 23,276 subscribers and sign up for our weekly newsletter below. You’ll receive an email every Friday packed with tips and insights to build your online business.
• If you’re looking to improve your skills so you can win more jobs on Upwork, check out this list of FREE top-rated courses on Udemy (updated daily).

Get more Upwork success tips

This article is part of an 8-part series:

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38 thoughts on “4 Proven Upwork Cover Letters To Save You Time And Win More Jobs”

Hi, I have been an Upworker for the past several years. But of late, only very few clients are contacting me for jobs, and I could not figure out the reason. After going through community discussions, I figured out that rewriting proposals can help a bit. So I am trying to do that. This blog post is really interesting, and I could get some ideas from this. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Confirm that this approach to proposal writing works well. I get about 50% of the answers. Thanks Niall!

Hey, Thank you so much! I read your blog post the previous night and sent a proposal according to your first 1. The short and sweet. I applied it and tomorrow morning I saw a reply from that client. Thank you so much. It is crazy. I am going to subscribe you to get more and more beneficial posts.

Hi Nail, I read this writeup and some other posts (the profile remodeling and scam flags) and I have to say, I was really pumped and I put them to work. A few days later, I got my first gig. I finished in record time and got an excellent review. It’s just that after that, I’ve got nothing else. After a lot of proposals using the techniques above, I get a few responses but nothing serious. Any advice? Thanks for the tips and the first job, tho’ and thanks in advance for any tips. David

It could be a number of things, hard to know just from what you’ve written. But ultimately pitching for jobs on Upwork is a numbers game. You have to keep pitching as much as you can and perhaps even lower your rate to get the first few jobs and reviews. Once you have more reviews it becomes easier to get jobs.

Thanks a lot Niall Doherty,

Your Cover letters really helped me to win more jobs on Upwork.

Thank you again!

Thanks for the helpful tips. I’ve already had some successful contracts on upWork, and do use some of the ideas (such as addressing by name.) I’d like to increase my percentage of contracts won, and hope to do so by following some of your other tips. I’ll report back next week, after I’ve tried a few. Cheers!

Thanks for an excellent resource. For once, Google’s #1 search result truly deserved to be #1

Hi Sir Niall, Good day! I just sent my proposal today and hopefully, I’ll get a response soon. Here’s the link to my cover letter and the job posted. https://imgur.com/a/YOwNZdJ Thank you, Joshie

i won my first client in just 5 minutes thanks a lot

I cannot thank you enough for sharing this information! I used a mix of a The Honest Newbie & The Quick Lister for my very first proposal on UpWork. I got a contract back later that day!

Glad to hear that, Sam. Well done!

Hi Niall, I have been trying to freelance on Upwork for the last few months, but am getting little interest from potential clients. I am an architectural designer with 13 years experience, but have no college degree. I write cover letters offering to help with the problem the clients listed about design or construction, list the services I can give them, attach samples of my previous work, and tell that I am ready to start if they are interested. So far nobody is. It is discouraging to keep submitting offers for work that are ignored, when I try to be friendly, professional, and interested. What am I doing wrong do you think?

It’s hard to know what the issue is based only on what you’ve shared here. But first thing I’d say is that if you’ve submitted less than 20 proposals, you should keep trying. You can keep tweaking and experimenting with your proposals, but ultimately Upwork is a numbers game. Even the best freelancers on there probably win no more than 30% of the jobs they pitch for. And starting out it’s probably more like 5-10%.

Secondly, it might be worth lowering your rate for a while, if you haven’t already. Do that in combination with the Honest Newbie template above and see how you get on.

Thank you Nial.

I combined your two templates No.4 + No. 3 in order to write my proposal yesterday. And I got the first job out of 5 proposals.

I really appreciated it!!!.

Great job, Olivia!

Woow! Niall, this is an amazing content and excellent guides to upwork. Thank you and keep it up.

Thanks, Nicholas 🙂

Thanks a lot for your suggestion. Great work! I will definitely try in this process.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS! I was able to get my first job within my first round of sending out only 6 proposals because of these templates! As a student this was such a great feeling.

That’s great, Christine! Well done 🙂

Update, not a week later I have now secured not one but TWO long term contracts due to these templates getting me through the door and my work being up to par! Many many thanks!

You’re crushing it 🙂 Thanks for reporting back!

Hi Niall.. As i am new to upwork.com. I am so.much disturb due to not getting a perfect contract here on upwork. i quit my job as a teacher. But when i started sending proposals here it didn’t worked out. Will these templates of yours help me out in getting the desired job

You’ll do better with these templates than without them, Hussain. Give them a try!

wonderful, i have been much disturbed with this cover letter but now am ok.

Hi Niall Doherty. My name is Jay and Thank you for sharing your great experience Knowledge here. I has just start on upwork. and this will be big help for me. If i says honestly then i was completely tired because there is no activity acting on my profile. i have tried many things to get clients but i just got only one client in a month which is not good. and was looking for guidance and it’s my pleasure that i meet you here on your home(website). I have just read your most of articles and i would like to follow your steps. I am very exciting to leave a screenshot of my next success here on your site by following your words. do you like to give me any suggestions!! great regards, Jay R.

Thanks a lot! This information is so valuable. Hoping to get project soon.

This article really gave a boost to my aspirations. I believe you have just jump started my career on Upwork. Thank you.

Thanks for all the super helpful info!

This article is very helpful, thank you so much for this

Thank you very much!! Valuable info

So, Susan, in her linked interview, mentions a specific course she took with you, Niall (or perhaps it’s one you made?). She mentions that this course was what she believed helped her in her 30-day experiment with Upwork. I’ve clicked around and can find nothing but the Facebook group. What is the course she’s referring to, and are you still offering it?

Yes, I had a course (originally called “3 Months -> $1k” … later rebranded as “Freedom Business Builder”) that was available for almost 3 years but I closed it at the end of November 2018. The Facebook group for the course is still active and our Patreon supporters get access to it.

Are you looking to do similar work to Susan?

Thanks for replying, Niall! Yes I am looking to do the same line of work. I’ve landed a few jobs and would love some tips about how to really take off on Upwork.

Really Good. I strongly recommend this article

Thanks really find this article useful,will try follow the tempelates with my own works,appreciate.

Thank you so much for this, i find very helpful. I will definitely make use of these templates especially the 1st and 4th ones. Thanks once again

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How To Write a Cover Letter: Basics and Examples for Upwork Success

Creating a compelling cover letter is crucial for securing jobs on Upwork, the popular freelancing platform. A well-crafted Upwork cover letter can set you apart from the competition and increase your chances of landing your desired projects. This guide will walk you through the basics of writing a cover letter for Upwork, provide examples, and offer tips to make your proposals shine.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Importance of an Upwork Cover Letter

Basics of writing a cover letter for upwork, key elements of an effective upwork cover letter, common mistakes to avoid in upwork cover letters, step-by-step guide to writing an upwork cover letter, upwork cover letter sample for web developers, upwork cover letter sample for graphic designers, upwork cover letter sample for content writers, personalizing your upwork cover letter, using keywords effectively in your upwork cover letter, showcasing your unique selling proposition in upwork cover letters, tips for writing a winning upwork proposal cover letter, how to format your upwork cover letter for maximum impact, follow-up strategies after submitting an upwork cover letter, faq about upwork cover letters.

An Upwork cover letter is your first opportunity to make a great impression on potential clients. It sets the tone for your professional relationship and demonstrates your enthusiasm and suitability for the project. A strong cover letter can significantly increase your chances of being hired.

Writing a cover letter for Upwork requires a clear structure, an appropriate tone, and a personalized approach. Here’s a breakdown:

• Structure: Your cover letter should include an introduction, body paragraphs highlighting your skills and experience, and a conclusion with a call to action.
• Tone: Maintain a professional yet friendly tone. Show enthusiasm for the project and confidence in your abilities.
• Personalization: Customize each cover letter to the specific job post and client. Mention the client's name and address their project requirements directly.

An effective Upwork cover letter should include the following key elements:

• Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself and mention the job you're applying for.
• Skills Highlight: Highlight the skills that are most relevant to the job. Use bullet points for clarity.
• Relevant Experience: Share examples of past work that demonstrate your expertise. Be specific and concise.
• Call to Action: End with a strong call to action, inviting the client to discuss the project further.

Avoid these common mistakes to increase your chances of success:

• Generic Openings: Personalize each cover letter. Avoid using generic openings like "To whom it may concern."
• Overly Long Letters: Keep your cover letter concise. Aim for 200-300 words.
• Lack of Proofreading: Typos and grammatical errors can make a poor impression. Proofread your cover letter carefully.

Follow these steps to write a compelling Upwork cover letter:

• Analyzing the Job Post: Carefully read the job description. Identify the key skills and requirements.
• Crafting the Introduction: Start with a friendly greeting and mention the job title. Introduce yourself briefly.
• Showcasing Your Skills: Highlight your relevant skills and experiences. Use bullet points for easy reading.
• Ending with a Strong CTA: Conclude with a call to action. Invite the client to schedule an interview or discuss the project further.

Example Breakdown:

Introduction:

"Hi [Client's Name],

I’m excited to apply for your web development project. With over five years of experience in web development, I have the skills and expertise to deliver high-quality results."

Skills Highlight:

• Proficient in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP
• Experience with responsive design and cross-browser compatibility
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail

Relevant Experience:

"I recently completed a project for a client where I developed a custom e-commerce site that increased their sales by 30%."

Call to Action:

"I would love to discuss your project in more detail. Please feel free to reach out to schedule a call."

I’m thrilled to submit my application for your graphic design project. With a background in graphic design and a passion for creativity, I’m confident I can bring your vision to life."

• Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite
• Experience with branding and logo design
• Strong visual communication skills

"I designed a new logo for a startup that significantly improved their brand recognition and customer engagement."

"I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your project. Let’s schedule a time to chat."

I’m eager to apply for your content writing project. With a strong background in content creation and SEO, I can help you create engaging and optimized content."

• Proficient in SEO best practices
• Experience with blog writing and article creation
• Strong research and editing skills

"I’ve written numerous articles for a tech blog that have consistently ranked on the first page of Google."

"I’d love to discuss your content needs further. Please get in touch to arrange a meeting."

Addressing the Client: Always use the client's name if it's available. It shows attention to detail and genuine interest.

Tailoring Your Proposal: Customize your cover letter to reflect the specific job requirements. Mention details from the job post to demonstrate your understanding.

Keyword Integration: Use relevant keywords from the job post naturally within your cover letter to increase visibility.

SEO for Proposals: Just like SEO for web content, using the right keywords can make your proposal more discoverable and relevant.

Highlight what sets you apart from other freelancers. Whether it’s a unique skill, a specific experience, or a distinctive approach, make sure to emphasize your unique selling proposition.

Clarity: Be clear and concise in your writing. Avoid jargon and overly complex sentences.

Professionalism: Maintain a professional tone while being friendly and approachable.

Enthusiasm: Show genuine enthusiasm for the project and the opportunity to work with the client.

Layout: Use a clean and simple layout. Break your text into paragraphs and use bullet points where appropriate.

Readability: Choose a readable font and size. Avoid large blocks of text.

Professional Appearance: Ensure your cover letter looks professional and polished. Pay attention to spacing and alignment.

Timing: Follow up if you haven’t heard back within a week.

Politeness: Be polite and professional in your follow-up message.

Persistence: Show continued interest without being overly pushy. A gentle reminder can keep you top of mind.

What is the best length for an Upwork cover letter?

Aim for 200-300 words. Keep it concise and to the point.

How can I make my Upwork cover letter stand out?

Personalize your cover letter, highlight relevant skills and experience, and maintain a professional yet friendly tone.

Should I include a portfolio in my Upwork cover letter?

Mentioning your portfolio is a good idea. Provide links to relevant work samples.

How often should I follow up after submitting a cover letter?

Wait about a week before following up. Be polite and express continued interest in the project.

What are common mistakes to avoid in an Upwork cover letter?

Avoid generic openings, overly long letters, and typos. Make sure to customize each cover letter to the specific job post.

Can I use a template for my Upwork cover letter?

While templates can provide structure, always personalize each cover letter to the job and client.

Writing an effective Upwork cover letter is an essential skill for freelancers. By understanding the basics, avoiding common mistakes, and personalizing each proposal, you can increase your chances of success on the platform. Use the provided examples and tips to craft compelling cover letters that will help you stand out to potential clients and win more projects.

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How To Write An Upwork Cover Letter: 5 Tips + Free Template

One of the reasons most freelancers struggle to land clients on Upwork is failing to write a convincing cover letter.

The cover letter is the main component of your job proposal and if you don’t write it well, you won’t be able to get the client’s attention.

Each client who posts a job on Upwork gets dozens and sometimes hundreds of proposals from freelancers. And the only way to grab their attention is to write a cover letter that addresses their needs and requirements.

So if you’re new to Upwork and trying to land a client, keep reading. This guide will help you write better, more focused, and well-optimized Upwork cover letters to get more responses from your clients.

What Is An Upwork Cover Letter?

The cover letter is an essential part of a resume or CV. Normally, when you’re applying for a job, you include a cover letter with your CV to let your potential employer know why you’re applying for the job, what kind of goals you have, and why they should hire you for the position.

Upwork cover letters use the same concept. Whenever you’re applying for a job on Upwork, you now have to fill out a section called Cover Letter.

Here, you can write a detailed yet concise message to clients explaining how you can help the client and why you’re the best person for the job.

As you can imagine, this is a crucial part of a job proposal that will determine whether you will get the job or not.

Before You Apply For Jobs..

Before you apply for jobs and start writing cover letters, make sure you complete the following steps. Because without these steps, clients will never hire you, even if you write the perfect cover letter.

1. Improve Your Communication Skills

Improving your communication skills is the first thing you should do before applying for jobs.

Learn to write better messages to clients and learn the proper etiquette for writing emails. You can follow this guide to learn more about it.

Also, I highly recommend that you take an online course on copywriting and business communication. Think of it as an investment in yourself.

And it will go a long way to help you write great proposals, cover letters, and communicate with clients like a professional.

If you’re interested, start with these Skillshare classes:

• Business Communication Skills: Write & Speak More Professionally
• Copywriting: Essential Skills For Writing Engaging Marketing Copy
• Professional English Emails: Write Clearly and Effectively

2. Optimize Your Upwork Profile

The next thing you need to do is optimize your Upwork profile.

When you apply for a job and send a proposal to a client, one of the first things they do is check your profile.

Now imagine doing all the work to find the perfect job and write a great cover letter while you have a terrible profile. It will only send those potential clients away. Don’t make that same mistake.

I wrote a complete guide on creating an effective Upwork profile. Give it a read and optimize your profile accordingly.

3. Gather Some Samples

Now, you can say all you want about your skills and abilities in your proposal but the client will never believe you if you don’t have hard evidence to back your claims.

So make sure you have some samples of your work to show the clients.

If you’re a writer, you can include links to your previously published articles.

If you’re a graphic designer, you can include a link to your portfolio.

If you don’t have any links to show, attach sample documents and files in the proposal.

4. Ask For The Right Price

When using Upwork to find jobs, asking for the ideal price is very important. Because it’s always going to be a bidding war between freelancers.

But the key to finding the right price is not to ask too low that clients think you’re desperate. Or ask too much that turns clients away.

To figure out the sweet spot between the two, you can check the Upwork services section.

Browse the category related to your work to see what other freelancers are charging for similar jobs.

Then come up with a price that fits your client’s budget and the regular rates at the same time.

5. Only Apply For The Right Jobs

There are some freelancers out there who apply to every job that comes up in their feed while copy-pasting the same cover letters and proposals.

This is a huge mistake that will get you nowhere.

Learn to pick the right jobs that fit your set of skills. Find jobs that have detailed descriptions that give you more information about the job. So that you can research the client and their industry to write better cover letters.

What To Include In Your Cover Letter

Once you complete all the initial steps to optimize your profile and writing skills, here are the most important points you need to cover in your cover letter.

• Address the client by their first name (eg: Hi John,)
• Mention that you’ve read the entire project description
• Do some research to understand what the client is asking for
• Provide solutions to the client’s pain points
• Mention why you’re the perfect person for the job with facts (eg: I have 5 years of experience in social media marketing and I worked for client X)
• Show examples of your previous work, portfolio, or client case studies
• In the end, mention that you have a strategy in mind for the client’s project and ask them to DM you for details
• Remember to keep it short, detailed, and concise

You’ll see how all these points come together in the example and the cover letter template below.

How To Write Cover Letter for UpWork

It’s best to write the cover letter on different software like Google Docs or MS Word and then copy it over to Upwork. You wouldn’t want to accidentally hit send while you’re writing the cover letter.

As I mentioned before, learning to write well is very important. Taking a copywriting class will not go to waste.

Take all the key points I mentioned in the previous section. Write in friendly and simple words to describe your proposal for the client.

Here’s a quick Upwork cover letter example to show you how it’s done:

Hi John, I read your entire job description and I think I’m the perfect person for the job. Here’s why: -I noticed that you’re looking to build an online store website. I think WordPress is the best platform to build your website and I have over 5 years of experience building WordPress sites -I’ve built WordPress websites for many clients including CocaCola and Pepsi -Here are just a few of the links to websites that I’ve recently built for other clients (include links here. Or attach your sample documents) -I have a really great concept idea for building your website that will make your brand look even better than your competitor (Do research to find the competitors and mention the name here). Send me a DM or respond to this proposal so we can discuss more details I’m really excited about this project and to work with you to build something amazing. Looking forward to your DM. -Your name

See how simple and concise that looks. And we covered all the key points in that 150-word cover letter. You can easily edit this message to include skills and experience related to your industry.

There are also great tools you can use for writing your cover letter online . They offer more professional-looking layouts that you can easily customize, which are ideal for applying for not just freelancing jobs but for any type of job application.

Free Upwork Cover Letter Template

I made a more beautifully formatted Upwork cover letter template that you can use when applying for jobs. You can download it below.

Make sure to edit and customize this template according to your needs.

10 Tips For Writing Professional Cover Letters

Follow these quick tips to make your cover letter look more professional.

1. Personalize Your Greeting

Avoid generic greetings like “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern.” Take the time to find out the client’s name and address them directly. A personalized greeting shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the job.

2. Start with a Strong Opening

Grab the client’s attention right from the start. Mention the job you’re applying for and briefly state why you’re excited about the opportunity. Highlight a key skill or experience that makes you a perfect fit.

3. Highlight Relevant Skills and Experience

Focus on the skills and experience that are most relevant to the job. Use bullet points to make this information easy to scan. Be specific about your accomplishments and how they align with the project’s requirements.

4. Show Enthusiasm and Interest

Clients appreciate freelancers who are genuinely interested in their projects. Express your enthusiasm and explain why you’re excited about the opportunity. A passionate approach can make you stand out from other candidates.

5. Address the Client’s Needs

Show that you understand the client’s needs by referencing details from the job posting. Explain how you plan to meet those needs and solve their problems. Tailoring your cover letter to the specific job demonstrates your attention to detail.

6. Include Samples or Links to Work

Provide links to your portfolio or attach samples that are relevant to the job. Seeing your work helps clients assess your skills and makes your application more compelling. Ensure the samples showcase your best work and are easy to access.

7. Keep It Concise and Focused

Clients are often busy and may not have time to read lengthy cover letters. Keep your letter concise and to the point, ideally no longer than one page. Focus on the most important information and avoid unnecessary details.

8. Proofread Carefully

Spelling and grammar mistakes can make a poor first impression. Proofread your cover letter carefully to ensure it’s error-free. Consider asking a friend or using a tool like Grammarly to help catch any mistakes.

9. End with a Call to Action

Conclude your cover letter by expressing your eagerness to discuss the project further. Invite the client to contact you for an interview or to ask any questions. A clear call to action can help move the process forward.

10. Follow Up if Necessary

If you haven’t heard back within a week or so, consider sending a polite follow-up message. Reiterate your interest in the project and ask if the client needs any additional information. Following up shows your persistence and commitment.

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Have You Proposed Right? Part 2: How I Wrote Winning Proposals (with Upwork Cover Letter Examples)

• July 5, 2019 April 28, 2022
• by Dr. Mike

Part 1: How NOT to Write a Winning Proposal demonstrated all the tragicomic approaches for writing proposals to projects on freelance platforms such as Fiverr, Freelancer, PeoplePerHour, Upwork, etc. The article gave plenty of tips for getting it right also.

Now for the good part. The part where you learn how to write a compelling Upwork cover letter, consistently!

I’ll give you a detailed description of the process that I take to nail the proposal process from the beginning to the end. I have to admit I haven’t had much need for this lately because of relying on direct invitations from clients, but I can still remember the process from those days back then. All the projects relate to AR/VR technologies, usually to making Microsoft Kinect apps, obviously because that is what I specialized in from the beginning.

There are two mediums here: online freelance sites that force a certain process and format, and direct proposals to clients as free-form documents which could be suitable for online and IRL quotations for larger projects.

Part 2 will cover the standard case of proposals sent via freelance platforms. Regardless of the platform, the normal process includes (as mentioned earlier) the following steps:

• Searching for a suitable project
• Crafting the Upwork cover letter
• Discussing with the client (i.e. the interview)
• Proposing the business deal
• Signing the agreement

I will try to use fewer dating analogies in this part to keep things readable for you. Some meme pics are unavoidable, though, haha.

If you are t oo fast, you just get slapped in the face. If you are too slow, someone else gets the gig. This is the art of proposing.

Step 1: Searching for a suitable project

When you are browsing for projects, be sure you know how to read what the client is asking. There are two targets you have to consider: your quotation and your profile page. Additionally, your homepage, LinkedIn page, and such would need to be consistent as some clients may do a thorough investigation on your numerous online profiles before sending you any message.

For example, if your profile on the freelance platform mentions “web developer,” your homepage lists frontend technologies being your passion, you have no reason for applying for full-stack e-commerce projects as the keywords would give different weighting of what your skills and passion actually are. Consistency, consistency, consistency.

There could be a situation where your dream project is available to you, but the project description includes keywords (perhaps written by a non-technical client) that do not match the keywords in your profile. Theoretically, you could revise all of your profiles for a while to make that perfect proposal for that particular client. “All in” is a viable approach as long as you don’t have other proposals being reviewed at the same time. (I cannot say I have tried this myself, though.)

Let’s assume all of your profiles are more or less in line. Then it makes sense to search for specific projects. It may not help you so much if you see things through your wannabe freelance rock star glasses. You would need to be able to think it from the client’s perspective. How to know which type of client you are looking at? Well, you would need to read the project description carefully, twice.

Let’s go through a couple of examples of how to “read twice.”

The project is listed as a project for the Intermediate experience level with a fixed price budget of $10.

“VR designing (make a VR simulation):

I’ll give a picture and you should make a 3D modeling and make a VR simulation.

There are several things to change their colors and shapes, so when I see through the VR simulation, I could select the options (change color or change shapes) and watch the results.

I’m not sure about the payment of this project, so I put $10 but I’ll listen your voice, so please suggest the payment of this project.”

So, at first glance, you could say this looks fake because the budget is $10 only. In case you are using some filters in the search, you would never encounter this project post. That’s why plain keyword searches work best since you will be able to see all of the projects available regardless of the client’s skill in using the platform. Some of the very vague project descriptions worked out just fine after getting a hold of the actual person behind the keyboard, so do not overlook projects that look strange at first. The second time of reading, it might look much better.

Let’s play Sherlock Holmes now. In the above case, what clues can we see? What is obvious and what can we deduce?

Look for clues about what the client is like. You don’t need to be Sherlock Holmes to read between the lines, but it sure does help! In the best case, you don’t need to doubt.

Let’s list conclusions and clues leading to them point by point.

• He seems not to know the difference between design and programming. The job looks like being mainly about 3D modeling, actually.
• No programming language is mentioned.
• No hardware is mentioned.
• The expression “see through the VR simulation” is something not used by techies. Techies would also probably not say “several things” but “several objects.”
• The price level seems to be unknown (and in fact, it is possible to quote without knowing at least the hardware which may define the development stack and so on).
• The client does not specify the VR hardware to be developed for.

I’d say there’s a great opportunity in this project! You would be able to:

• Define the requirements and explain them to the client in a way he understands them.
• Set the price according to the value of the client (once you hear more).
• You might be in the position to suggest the hardware that you already have. (Yes, you deduce correctly that I have done a number of projects on hardware sent to me by the client.)

Only one way to find out: go and propose! Preferably, do it right. 🙂

The project is listed as a job for Expert experience level with a high hourly rate.

“Kinect-based game:

Hi, I’m looking for a professional game developer to create a simple Kinect game (Kinect 1 or 2).

The game is based on this Kinect game: [Link to a YouTube video]

Our version is much simpler, but the concept is similar.

See mockups attached to this link – [Dropbox link]

This is a two-week project that starts as soon as possible, so please only people with high availability needed. The project can be in Unity, Unreal or a different engine.

[Nickname of the client]”

Let’s list conclusions again:

• He seems to know about the keywords (Unity/Unreal) but has no clear idea about the programming side.
• There’s a clear idea about the scope, cost, and a number of people, so project management seems to be his strong point.
• Mockups are provided, i.e. just the programming needs to be done on any stack preferred by the developer (as most design assets can be imported to any game development tool).
• Deadline is coming soon (no offense to any designers, but that’s how all of my designer clients seem to be, so far).
• The video links show the reference app being used in an event.
• Saving the day is good business for everyone! Failed projects kill small businesses, so failure is not an option here for this client.
• You can choose the stack you can develop fastest.
• The project looks like not having much time for design iterations and there are already mockups from the client, so the chance of stretching the project’s end date is very small.

I’d say again that there’s a great opportunity in this project! You would be able to:

• Work with good, capable designers in a setup where everyone is doing what they do best.
• Select much of the stacks and tools as you prefer and are fast to develop with.
• Charge your expert rate “to save the day” for the client, who is apparently in need of fast and good freelancers. (Slow and good would not do, and fast but not good are never needed.)

Only one way to find out: go and propose right! Again. 🙂

The project is listed as a job for Intermediate experience level with a mid-range hourly rate.

“Kinect depth camera recorder:

Looking for an individual who has experience developing with the Kinect 2.0 SDK. The individual must be knowledgeable with C# and/or C++.  We are looking for a programmer who can help us develop a recorder for the Kinect depth stream with Visual Studio. Will be working alongside one of our employees to get this completed.”

My conclusions this time are:

• Uses technical keywords such as C#, C++, and names the SDK version specifically as 2.0.
• The experience level is not Expert level although the job is far from typical in the marketplace.
• There is a clear expectation of working in collaboration with one of the software developers on client’s side who will probably do integration work. The freelancer is expected to know Kinect better than the company’s own software engineers.
• The project is split so that there is no need for additional non-disclosure agreements because the interface of the software to be developed will be specified very accurately by the client’s employee. That’s mentioned upfront (which is good).
• If the project leads to a new product, the client might want to take all credit for creating it.

There’s nothing wrong with this project! It’s well specified and can go really well as long as you can:

• Accommodate the collaboration mode (time zone, language, communication style, and frequency, etc.)
• You can give a rough estimate of the job, even it is mentioned to be a job with hourly rate compensation. A technical project manager is sure to ask for this.
• If the start of the project goes well, there could be more to be done than what is mentioned, so the project could grow from the initial scope.

The project is listed as a $2,000 fixed price gig with minimal description.

“Kinect solution:

We want to develop a solution for retail.”

That’s it. The obvious conclusions can be drawn in a few seconds, of course:

• There is little more here for you than an endless discussion on what hardware and what overall solution you would need to deliver.
• After long discussions, you would most likely need to help the client specify the hardware after which the communication might stop. Possibly a Shopper who only wants to get partial or complete specifications of a good solution for free or a Flash who has no time to do anything properly.
• The price, even if tentative, is probably too low to be considered seriously (because of the above reason).

You will be better off skipping these kinds of project descriptions. Mere title-level descriptions correspond with the client’s ability and/or time for writing up the requirements. I’ve sent tentative quotations to some projects of this type and none of them worked out. 0%.

There are a number of these kinds of “bad apples” listed in the online marketplaces, in fact. You cannot quote properly and you can hope to be called for an interview for which you cannot prepare for, so you can only “swing it.” All you really end up doing is spending time with the client to plan the project for free. After some early trials and failures, I started to skip all these kinds of opportunities.

How to pick?

Now, let’s say you have a couple of good projects shortlisted for sending a quotation. You can choose to quote for all of them quickly or save your time and do one quotation really well. I have a couple of principles that help to make the decision:

• Favor non-technical clients if you are up for it (see my discussion on the sweet spot ).
• Pick the most interesting one (as a happy freelancer is always the most productive freelancer).
• Pick the most realistic-looking one (i.e. enough info, reasonable budget) which should produce the least amount of hassle.
• Work for the most interesting person (if any info about the client is available) as the connection could turn out to be very useful later on.

In any case, no matter how many quotations you are planning to send, don’t copy-paste anything ! Every project is different, so you bet every proposal needs to be different. You are about to propose a business deal to another person so that the other person needs to feel that you wish to work in particular with him or her. It is much better to take the time to craft the proposal properly than send some quick stuff over to someone else, especially when your aim is to get the person to pay you real money. Only the properly done proposals lead to proper projects … and you don’t want to get the other ones anyway.

Step 2: Crafting the Upwork cover letter

Now the juicy part. How to write a great Upwork cover letter, i.e. a short description of what you can do for the client in a way that attracts the client enough to step into a closer discussion with you? It’s not so easy and takes some thinking every time. Think carefully, write skillfully.

Your goal in this phase is to attract the client in the right way. Not the wrong way.

Let’s go with the above examples. Please note these are all real-world cases from my logs, i.e. proven to work!

I’m not sure about the payment of this project, so I put $10 but I’ll listen to your voice, so please suggest the payment of this project.”

My Upwork cover letter looks like this:

“Hello! I’m Dr. Mike, an expert in creating VR simulations of all kinds, usually for training simulators. I could do this very quickly. Mainly I’d need to know which VR device you’re planning to use. I can also offer some help deciding the device if needed.

Feel free to take a look at my portfolio here and ask for more information. I can send my portfolio PDF as well.

I offer very fast turnarounds on these kinds of small projects and I execute them on a CTO level. You don’t need to worry about anything even slightly technical.

The price I listed is tentative and matching a couple of weeks’ work. It is subject to changes as soon as I hear more about your exact aim. If possible, please share the image you want to be turned into a VR experience.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

The tentative price I set is $5,000. Why? Mainly because I just don’t do any smaller projects to protect my profile. All projects the past couple of years have been $10-20K whereas most go in the $1-2K range. Past big projects attract new big projects, the rest is left for those freelancers who enjoy their proposal battles against their peers with a similar skillset and background.

Why did I write as I did? A couple of reasons:

• I don’t see the person’s name, so I cannot include that in my “hello.”
• The word “simulation” indicates something possibly relating to training simulation, so I’m simply taking a blind guess here. I cannot know, but it does not matter. If I guessed right, and the project is really about training simulations, there is a good basis for hiring me as I have an extensive background in that specific types of applications as shown in the latest portfolio item. If it is not, I don’t probably miss anything really good, actually. No way to lose!
• I offer to send an additional portfolio in case there is something not mentioned that could be relevant here. Normally, I do not mention it, but the client may get it upon request.
• Taking care of everything technical (as this is clearly a non-technical client) including the choice of hardware, which should make my proposal look like a safe choice.
• Tentative schedule (even if I’m not sure about the scope).
• Tentative pricing. This is important to mention so they do not jump to conclusions.
• I ask questions about the hardware and if the image could be shared, both done as an indirect questions in the sentence. Now the barrier for sending the next message should be minimal. The client can simply answer those questions and then we are already in the next step: Discussion.

There we go. If the client accepts the proposal at least to the extent of discussing further, the project is mine and the price is good, for sure. For my part, if the tentative price is the problem, I would not want this client anyway. Everybody wins! That’s how a good deal should be in any case. 🙂

Although the project is vague, writing and sending the proposal didn’t take many minutes. I don’t even know if I have the right hardware, but in case I get to suggest, of course, I would recommend one of those that I already have. Cost-efficiency with speed.

My Upwork cover letter with the full hourly rate (which was about double to most others at that time):

“Hello [nickname of the client],

I’ve developed a bit more complex games to be used in a shopping mall (please see my portfolio). I’ve made two similar installations, both with 0 bugs reported.

This is doable in 2 weeks, especially if we only use the depth image from Kinect to visualize those 2 players (no 3D avatar animations). I’d book a day or two for making a decent scoring algorithm using just the depth image matched against the target hole/silhouette. I’d implement this using Kinect 2 for Windows (Windows 8, 8.1 or 10) and Unity3D 5.4.

How many levels would you need (or how many minutes of gameplay)? Would you provide graphics or shall I make something up? Where do you plan to deploy this?

For Kinect installations in public places, there are some concerns that I recently wrote an article about… can share with you later, if interested in my empirical tips & tricks.

The timing happens to be perfect, I can start on 16th and finish by the 28th.

This was something I know before even sending the proposal that I nailed it. What the client is asking is so similar to what I just finished, so even the timing was in my favor! Unfortunately, by the rules of the platform, I cannot include direct links to my blog post which I just wrote about the previous project.

The only thing could be an issue with the price, in case the client has not been able to charge their customer very much. That’s the only unknown here. So, what I did this time is:

• I jump straight to the topic and skip everything else except the most relevant thing. I guessed the purpose of the application (an event of some sort) so I can directly mention that being similar to what I just did in a previous project.
• I claim I can provide high-quality work by pointing the client to my portfolio items of projects that were finished flawlessly.
• I suggest the best hardware for the purpose and its practical impact so that at least one problem is already solved before we enter the discussion phase.
• I mention the stack that I’d use, which matches the one the client had already imagined, just to confirm we’re are “technically compatible.”
• I ask three questions about the specifics, which shows that I’m interested and curious and that I can find a collaborative mode easily (e.g. who should be in charge of making the graphics).
• I indicate that I write a technical blog on this very topic. What the client is asking is what I just did for someone similar to this client and have experience of making the whole thing work, not just the technical bits. So, obviously, in the client’s eyes, I should be the guy who also knows the client’s domain and not just the technology.
• I promise the delivery time to be within safe limits so the client does not need to worry.

All in all, my proposal is a bit longer than the client’s but still exactly to the point. Nothing irrelevant is included. Of all the freelancers available to the client, working with me should look like the safest option. Everything necessary is covered: quality, deadline, and collaboration mode.

The project is listed as a job for the Intermediate experience level with a mid-range hourly rate.

My short Upwork cover letter with full hourly rate price is matching with the length of the project description:

My name is Mike, I’ve worked for the last 4 years exclusively on Kinect and Kinect 2.0. I’ve made color/depth/skeleton stream recorders for a couple of clients as well as a recording analysis tool of my own. Also, I’ve developed a very compact file format and encoder/decoder library for Kinect data.

We could have a quick Skype call and discuss your requirements for development or just consulting to guide your employee through the development steps.

I hereby attach a short portfolio that includes a slide on my analysis tool among other Kinect projects.”

What I did here is:

• I skip “Dr.” here that I usually include. I just thought being less formal in this case might fit better the short story I give him.
• Unlike in other proposals, I mention the exclusive focus on this type of application and the number of years doing it. Usually, the number of years does not impress very much.
• Keep it short and to the point. As this is a technical client, I want to save his time from reading a lot of introductions or list any other things than exactly those technical bits that are relevant (image streams and encoders).
• Invite the client directly here to a Skype call (which I don’t do always at this stage) as I assume to talk with the employee directly which is not the same person as the one posting this job. So, let’s open the communication channel ASAP.
• I give two options for the collaboration model to appear flexible and goal-oriented. Whatever works, works, let’s do it.
• I add a portfolio PDF so that the client does not need to read more when browsing the proposals.

Additional portfolio documents may come in handy sometimes. Most of the time you don’t need them, especially if working through platforms that offer portfolio pages linked to your freelancer profile.

I have a master version that includes all notable freelance projects I have done from which I can cut a specific shorter version for any client to keep things concise and to avoid overwhelming the client with too much information.

In this case the portfolio PDF I sent included:

• A short introduction of my own background
• Five pages, one project per page.
• Every project that had any kind of recording function is highlighted so that the client cannot miss seeing my previous experience on the exact challenge is his project.
• One of the projects is obviously the encoder/decoder thing that I made years earlier.
• The first project is from four years ago, thus backing up my claim of years of experience.

The project is listed as a $2,000 fixed-price gig with minimal description.

As deduced earlier, this minimalism is evident in the case of less serious clients, but as this was one of the discussions long ago, I can demonstrate the main steps of what you expect.

I didn’t spend two minutes writing my proposal, in which I mention the most similar project I’ve done and the minimum price of a project that I do. It led to a long discussion over the next almost three weeks, where:

• We exchanged images to understand the exact use case.
• We stayed purely on text chat-basis for all communication.
• I got very late replies starting with “Hello, sorry for the late reply, just noticed this, …” and so on, which is a direct indication of the project not being very important even to the client.
• I got the feeling there was already part of the work completed once some of the messages and links to similar works that I sent had already some value to the client.
• After learning about the exact scope (finally), I landed the actual price being around $10K which is when the client could only say “I have to discuss with my team, but I think that is a little over budget.”

The end. That’s how these things go. Nobody good would need to engage in a project like this. Just skip.

Step 3: Discussing with the client

Now, you have got the client’s attention and there is a good positive expectation: a very rough plan and a tentative order of magnitude price. What’s left is landing the project for real, with a complete plan and collaboration mode figure out with a price tag on it.

What’s left is these remaining steps:

Unfortunately, these parts are the art side of freelancing. There is little point in giving examples of exact discussions as every single discussion is very different. All I can do here is list some principles that you could apply to your discussions. Somehow, you need to produce the right feeling on the client’s side of the table so that things start rolling. Looking too eager won’t do the job. Being unresponsive or distant will not work either. You have to be matching with the client’s style on multiple levels to succeed.

Match with the client’s style to create a good connection, whatever the style is. People are wired to like similarities and dislike differences on a subconscious level, which is something very useful to be kept in mind.

Tips for discussion

After getting a reply from the client on your proposal, this step is the key to everything. This is when you have to:

• Being curious and enthusiastic about the client’s project and overall goal.
• Demonstration of your competence done quickly, e.g. by talking about the closest work you have done to the project in question and what came of it.
• Create a collaborative, positive atmosphere.
• Understand the exact goal of the client.
• Find a way to get your client to that goal and communicate it clearly in a step-wise manner.
• Agree on who does what when the project starts.
• Give a clear indication of the price of the project. This must never be a surprise in the next phases!

If this step is done right, few things can go wrong in the last steps. It is good to be conscious that there is a huge variety of approaches the client might prefer. Some clients:

• may ask you a lot of questions as in a job interview especially if they have a lot of experience in hiring. Nothing wrong with this approach, actually, it’s just a preference and routine thing.
• might ask some simple coding tests to be done (which I’ve never been asked to do, except in the case of that scam I wrote about earlier).
• may want to know what kind of a successful person you are and ask much about your life rather than keeping things strictly about business. Nothing wrong with this either.
• want to keep things in text-only mode all the way long because of their own preference. But I have to mention all the good clients I have found through freelance platforms have taken the step to do either voice or video calls. Creating a good business relationship is important and that’s done by the individuals involved.

Chitchat is fine if that’s the client’s preference. Some prefer to stick with the topic. Be sure to swing both ways! 😉

The language barrier

One important thing must be understood: always write and speak in the client’s language. For example: If I’m prospected to work as an expert in a technically capable team, I can use the software slang and jargon like repo , stack , names of all the code design patterns, and all the abbreviations we developers use. I may ask them to spec the work properly, as they know exactly what it means in the discussion. Part of the vocabulary works with semi-technical clients, such as design houses.

However, if I’m prospected to do CTO-as-a-Service for someone non-technical, asking about their repos , stacks, and specs only wastes the time of everyone involved. It would be part of my job to manage all that once the product or service-level business-related requirements have been defined.

I remember seeing a funny discussion where the client mentioned just vaguely “I’m looking for someone with solid experience in web development” having the intention of getting an experienced freelancer for the job and excluding all entry-level developers. The client got an extensive reply from the freelancer explaining what he knows about Solid .

It is understandably difficult to read the need for “solid experience” as “experience in Solid,” it happens. Pure text-only discussions can be tough, sometimes. Voice or video is preferred. Sometimes, text chats get so complicated that the client just gives up in frustration. You have to be able to read the type of the client between the lines to get the tone right in order to communicate on the same level, then you can get somewhere.

Do your research

Many may not realize, but once you get to know your prospective client a little bit, you may get to know the name of the person as well as the name of the business. Be sure to go online and absorb all the public information you can get! Knowing what business the client is conducting increases your chances of proposing a deal that is attractive.

You may demonstrate your understanding and high level of involvement by discussing how the project result will benefit the client’s customers. It’s is actually a good thing to say “Hey I had a look at your website and thought that …”

I would argue that doing background research is one of the most important things in getting into the head of the client. What the company does, who they sell to, who their suppliers are … all this will help you to get the big picture and reasons why they want to hire a freelancer for the job. All this knowledge will play to your advantage.

Often it is the discussion phase where you learn who the client is, but sometimes you get to know that from the beginning which helps a lot. Some project descriptions include the company’s name. In that case, do your research as early as you can to guarantee that your own understanding of the client’s ultimate aim is complete. Also, background research done well reduces the time spent on discussion, so you don’t need to take as a heavy “additional step” in the process of getting a freelance gig.

Sometimes it happens that no matter the length of the discussion, you simply won’t get much information on the client. This is always a pity and it definitely hinders you from getting a full understanding of what you need to do for the client. Not being able to do background research and staying in text chat only -mode is a combination that may lead to misunderstandings and false expectations on both sides. Avoid this at all costs.

Project type and milestones

Another aspect of the discussion phase is deciding the project type. Most platforms offer fixed-price or hourly-paid projects, both of which have their good purposes. Getting mixed up on this level will only result in a miserable outcome for the freelancer.

Fixed-price projects end only when the client is completely happy with the end results, not a second earlier. Additionally, you may have to offer some support after the payment, e.g. for bug fixes in case you make one or two. This is important to make the client feel safe about working with you.

Once the deal is there, you cannot change it so much, unless there is a clear increase in the scope, e.g. an entirely new module to be built. How to make money out of fixed-price projects as a freelance developer is related to your mastery of making estimations and managing the client’s expectations. The first part is only about your ability to manage your own work. It’s an operational aspect. The second part is all about communication and customer relationship.

I have a simple trick to nail both at the same time. During the discussion phase, I take the effort of splitting the work items that I talk about with the client into milestones (fixed price or hourly estimates) after which I list the limitations:  “within the scope” and “outside the scope.”

For any bigger project, this is very practical, as it works as a warranty for not overshooting the client’s budget (she needs to play more) or overshooting your own schedule (you need to work more and possibly miss doing other projects). More about this in the last part of this article series.

Please note that in the case of hourly-paid projects, it is still essential to give estimates and list the factors that may cause changes to it. At least a rough range must be given. Nobody wants to start a project that has no end date or maximum budget. There’s always a maximum budget.

The little things

After all of the above, perhaps the last tips for the discussion phase are not that many anymore:

• Keep it short and to the point, unless the client is more interested in knowing about you. Chitchat is fine if that is the client’s way. There is no need to push into that direction yourself to save time for both.
• Maintain a positive atmosphere from the start to the end. In the case of tone changes, things might end before Steps 4 and 5.
• Don’t go too deep into the negotiation mode. If the price is the biggest problem, there rarely is a good match anyway. Dropping the price, especially if done more than once, makes you look less professional and a little bit desperate, perhaps. Let it go and focus on the next client.

You can put a little “cherry on top” with simple things like starting with the greeting using the client’s language (if it is known) even if the rest goes in English. A nice little added touch that never hurts as it shows some attention to the person in question.

Moreover, you should take note of all the typical mistakes explained in Part 1 . That is what you can do. The other side of the coin is the client, of course. Some of them simply lack the skills to get the message across or define their own plan or even the end goals, which makes things difficult for freelancers. Anyway, looking at the strange examples might help to identify situations where you should just end the discussion before it expands too much and takes your work time away from you.

“But hey, where’s the value proposition?”

That’s the thing. After the early stages of trying to write very comprehensive explanations in the proposal that some others still seem to do, I found that brief to-the-point proposals work best. Only in rare cases, long proposals lead to getting the gig. The key factor here is to match the client’s style.

Once I got a gig that was posted with about a 400-word description (more than one page) that included everything from the requirements of the long-term project to the company’s vision, values, and background. This extensive description was supplemented with four typical screening questions.

My proposal text was also about 400 words, but answers to the screening texts took almost a thousand! The proposal went in and I got a reply with compliments and eventually a formal offer. Usually, you don’t need to go to these lengths to get to the discussion phase. You can see the need from the length of the project description. Match it.

In general, the value proposition is something pretty easy to do, once it is clear in your own head. Most clients appreciate conciseness, especially the good ones who are typically busy running their businesses. Then, how to describe the value you bring in the proposal?

I try to get the main point across in the first thing that the client sees, i.e. the quotation with text and tentative price. There is no point in trying to fit everything you could offer to the client in a short quotation. Instead, I break it down into small parts that I feed to the client during the discussion. It should make sense to anybody, actually. Before you fully understand the client’s problem, can you really even propose a complete solution? No, but the main point needs to be crystal clear.

I only put the most important thing that I see (or sometimes guess) the client would value in the first quotation text. I may add the second most important thing too in the way you saw in the above examples. It is important to know which string to pull in which order:

• Example A: If a non-technical client is asking for something very complicated to him/her, I have to mention the ability to take care of everything technical.
• Example B: If the client’s deadline looks like the most important thing, I have to write something to be able to meet it without having any risk on my side of the work.
• Example C: If the main worry of the client seems like finding particular technical expertise, my proposal will need to demonstrate my expertise above any other thing.

You get the picture. Address the biggest need of the client first, and build the rest of the proposal around it.

Additionally, of course, there is a tentative price tag that I have to include. My clients being small or starting businesses the usual discussion is not the exact number of thousands that need to be paid. For individuals, an additional hundred bucks could be a problem. I cannot quote ridiculous prices for something trivial, nor can I go super-cheap on something complicated.

A couple of principles that help in making the client understand what I typically offer are:

• Complete safety; A guarantee of getting to the goal, which is backed with 5-star reviews and recommendations from previous clients.
• Fast delivery; Because of the speed even in the case of hourly paid projects the final price to the client will not be too high.
• Highest possible quality; Nobody needs faulty software, so from the first delivery on, there are no bugs … only unimplemented features if we go by iterative milestones. High quality in complex software is not easy to achieve, especially if delivered fast, so this also relates to the expertise level.

Now if you look at the examples A-C, you can see the value proposed always hits some of the above. Simply, I pick the closest one based on what the client seems to be asking for.

Interestingly, one thing that I don’t do (that I see many others do) is offering a support period for bug fixes, for instance. Of course, I can give support after the final payment, but I never mention that upfront! Why? Because it would indicate that my solutions are flawed and there will be a lot of bugs. The expectation I have to create is that there won’t be any bugs. That’s the real quality factor. 😉

Also, I don’t want to sidetrack the discussion to bugs that we should expect and prepare for. What I normally do is that I reserve some hours for “fine-tuning” the design, behavior, etc. of the software before the final payment should be made. Probably better for the client this way. 😉

Actually, this kind of quite simplistic thinking applied to your case can take you pretty far already. Perhaps, after finishing reading this, you could take a look back at those proposals and see which string I pulled for each of the different clients in examples A, B, and C.

The final steps: Proposing the business deal and getting signatures on it

It is rare that after a successful discussion and planning with the client you would end up in a serious disagreement at the last stages. Only the failures listed earlier could ruin the project.

Most platforms have a function for the client’s side to send an offer to seal the deal. Usually, this is exactly matching what has been discussed. If something looks strange or out of sync with the plan agreed in the previous step, this is the last opportunity to pull off. Once the offer is accepted by you, there’s no going back anymore without consequences. Proceed with care.

Perhaps the only thing here is this: do not make the client delay more than 24h. The opportunity might pass quickly.

If still in doubt, it is better to pull off. Unfortunately, that will be the last time you see that client, as the discussion effort was wasted.

There you have it. That’s how I propose by writing an Upwork cover letter that wins! 🙂 There are a lot of unknowns, there are ways to guess certain things, there are common steps. Some things are pretty obvious, some require Sherlock. Yet, sending quotations and proposals is more on the art side of things rather than being pure science. That’s how doing business with people is anyway. Freelancing is not any different.

A proposal done right can make your client’s day so bright!

The last part, Part 3 , will take you through my proposal template for larger projects that require a little bit more formality.

Mikko J. Rissanen, Ph.D., a.k.a. Dr. Mike, is an accomplished solopreneur living in a tropical paradise, inventing cool tech and coding from his beach office... and eating coconuts all day, every day. He has been running his one-man show in Penang, Malaysia, since 2014 until he moved the business to the United States as I2 Network in 2021. He is one of the most highly paid freelancers on Upwork and he has been supporting hundreds of starting freelancers since 2017. Follow his latest tips on LinkedIn or seek his personal guidance as a CoachLancer member!

Six Steps to Writing the Perfect Upwork Cover Letter

To succeed as an Upwork freelancer, a great cover letter isn’t optional. It’s crucial.

The moment a job is posted on Upwork, it becomes visible to thousands of people who do exactly what you do. And unlike your middle school gym class, you aren’t competing against 20 neighbors with similar abilities.

You’re applying to the same projects as skilled  $3/hr Filipino writers, $300/hr startup experts from Silicon Valley, and award winning Forbes contributors.

The only way you can land any of these projects is to set yourself apart. And one of the most effective ways to  stand out from the competition  is to create a killer Upwork cover letter .

Related content:  Maximize your income with  this free freelance rate calculator .

How to create an attention-grabbing Upwork cover letter

I’ve won over 50 contracts on Upwork during the last couple of years – with many worth thousands of dollars. After a plethora of “trial and errors”, I’ve discovered how to win more clients than I can manage – for both myself and several other writers.

Here’s how I won over 50 Upwork contracts.

If you do quality work, but are still unable to find new clients, the issue probably has to do with your cover letter.

Add these six elements to your Upwork cover letter and watch the interviews roll in.

1. Start by sharing your qualifications

Why are you more qualified for this project than the other twenty applicants?

If the client doesn’t see a reason to keep you around right at the beginning, they will rapidly move on to the next candidate.

So establish yourself as a professional . Do you have a degree? State it here? Have you worked in the industry? Now’s the perfect time to state this.

But  keep it short! If this goes on for more than two or three sentences, you’re going to lose it. You can refer to a writing service, where you can not only get help in writing your essay but also get appropriate writing tips for your cover letter. The point isn’t to toot your own horn, but to show why you are the right fit for this position.

Here’s how I state my qualifications for a business blogging project:

Hi, my name is Rob and I have an MBA, experience in financial analytics, and have written content for over 50 highly satisfied clients here on Upwork – as you can see from the “Top Rated” freelancer badge on my profile. 

Although it’s a long and slightly wordy single sentence, it sums up who I am concisely.

Notice how I focus much of the attention on how I can benefit the client. I have business knowledge (MBA and work experience), keep my customers satisfied (beneficial for them), and am one of the Top Rated freelancers on Upwork (which means they will be getting the best).

I also leave a lot out. What you leave out of your cover letter is just as important as what you include. For a business client I don’t mention that I’ve traveled to five continents, am involved in my church, and love sailing the San Francisco Bay. Although I may mention those items for another project.

Ultimately, you want to tell the client why you are qualified for their project, but concisely enough to move on to the rest of your proposal.

2. Make it personal by asking a question

When possible, try to connect with the client – very briefly.

If they include a link to their website, this makes it easy. Otherwise, see if you can pull something from the job description itself.

I’ve noticed that  asking a question works best.

Asking a question is essential – whether at this point or at the end of the application. Why? Because it encourages the client to contact you to respond to your question.

If someone contacts me on Upwork, I have a 50% chance of getting the job.

I seem to get about 50% of the jobs that I am contacted for. Once the client reaches out to me, I can learn more about what they need and present myself as the perfect candidate.

Therefore, encouraging that initial contact is essential. And because we all love talking about ourselves and what we do, asking a question to make it personal is a great way to start a conversation.

Following suit with the same application, I would make the cover letter personal by saying something like:

Your job description mentions your company is in New York. Are your customers exclusively from NY or do you work with clients nationally/internationally?

Although nothing profound, this simple question treats them like a person I am interested in getting to know – rather than just a client I am trying to land. It’s also a question that helps me learn more about their needs and how I might be of assistance. Finally, it encourages a response on their part.

And that’s the most important piece – so I’ll say it again:

Once you get a client to respond to your Upwork cover letter, your odds of winning the project increase exponentially.

3. Explain why you’re interested in this project

Most projects on Upwork come from clients who are passionate about what they do. Whether they’re entrepreneurs or project managers, they have a vested interest in the success of their project.

This means that  they are in love  with their project. Whether it’s a website idea, a new app concept, or simply a poster to promote their band – the client is excited about this project.

And you should be too.

By sharing with the client why you  want  to work on their project, you’ll set yourself apart from the plethora of freelancers on Upwork who are simply trying to land their next job.

As with the other elements, keep it short – but a well-worded sentence can make a world of difference.

As you can see from my own blog, MoneyNomad.com, I love writing about entrepreneurship and would thoroughly enjoy researching and developing blog posts for your website.

This simple sentence reveals that I am already an expert on this subject and will be just as excited about this venture as the client is.

4. Share examples of similar projects

This is HUGE ! Although more and more freelancers on Upwork are showing links to their past work – there are still too many that don’t.

If you have previously published work – share links to it in your job posting. Even if the projects are on your own blog or developed under someone else’s name, it still shows a level of credibility and gives the user a feel for what they can expect from you.

If you don’t have any samples, then you probably shouldn’t be trying to sell yourself to someone else. Instead, focus on building up a portfolio of 1-3 items that you can share. Do this by offering your service inexpensively on Fiverr , starting your own blog , or writing a few articles on HubPages .

I have a wide enough collection of articles that I’ve written, that I can usually find some worthwhile samples. But if I can’t, then I’ll share related content with voice I think the client wants. And I’ll share ghost written content as well.

Here are some samples of articles I’ve written in the past:

http://www.happyfox.com/blog/gamification-employee-engagement/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/57e4746fe4b00267764fbcbe

https://moneynomad.com/6-ways-to-live-on-under-10000-a-year/

Because Upwork doesn’t allow you to add hyperlinks to your job proposals, you’ll need to add in the entire url. Also, include a space between each url so that it’s easy for the client to copy and paste into their browser if necessary.

5. Vaguely explain your rate

Sometimes I state my rate right upfront, but other times I provide a ballpark figure or don’t share it at all in the cover letter.

Ultimately, when it comes to stating your rate you want to keep two things in mind:

• Encourage the client to make contact (remember, I get 50% of contracts once a client interviews me).
• Prevent yourself from wasting time with clients looking for cheap work.

From a freelance writer’s prospective, there are ample projects that want a writer willing to develop articles for $10-25 a post. This is far too low for me – and I really don’t want to waste my time interacting with someone not willing to meet my rates.

However, if I state my rate at $0.30/word when someone else offers to do the same project for $0.15/word – they may not make contact with me, allowing me to negotiate a rate and level of quality that meets their needs.

Depending on the client, I will say something like this in the proposal:

I generally charge my B2B clients $0.30/word. However, because I enjoy writing about entrepreneurship and think your project would be a lot of fun, I may be able to reduce my rate slightly.

By stating the higher end for my blogging rates, and then mentioning that “I may be able to reduce my rate slightly”, the client will understand that I don’t write $10 articles, but he will recognize that he may not have to pay $150 for 500 words either.

If we ultimately agree upon $0.20-0.25/word, the client feels like he’s getting a steal. Win-win!

6. Offer something for free

If you’re confident in the service you offer, then offering an initial trial for free can help you  make a lot of money.

Particularly when you are new to Upwork, and competing with freelancers with a large portfolio and high reviews, providing a free trail offer is a great way to get started.

If you’re a freelance writer, a 500 word article won’t take you more than 1-2 hours – so offering one for free is certainly worth the potential of ongoing work.

For one-off projects, like web-design, this could be a bit more difficult. But it’s not impossible. Rather than doing the entire site for free, offer to do an analysis of their current website, a review of their top competitors, or a 30 minute mock-up of what their website could look like.

Once you’re established, offering work 100% free isn’t necessary, but it can still help to offer a “freemium” version of your work. An example of how I do it:

Finally, I would like to offer you a trial article risk-free. If you like it, you can pay for it and use it. However, if it doesn’t meet your expectations, you are welcome to improve upon it and use it for free. What topic would you like me to write about for this first post?

Other times I simply offer to write the first article for free in exchange for recognition and a link back to my own website. Usually people would rather keep the content ghost written and focused on their website – so the end up paying anyway.

The book “ Predictably Irrational ” states that  free  is a powerful word. We all LOVE getting something for free. In fact, people are more likely to take a $0.10 Hershey’s kiss for free than they are to pay $0.01 for a $1 candy bar – even though the latter is actually a better deal!

Using this same psychology in your freelance work, and offering to do a free “mini-project”, is a great way to land your next client. On Upwork, or anywhere else for that matter.

The completed Upwork job proposal – Emulate this to land your next client

And here we have it! The completed Upwork cover letter – and one that has landed me tens of thousands of dollars worth of clients:

http://bankvibe.com/how-saving-for-retirement-is-like-surfing/ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/57e4746fe4b00267764fbcbe

Since writing this article, I’ve done a lot of hiring myself on UpWork and I’ve come to realize that a cover letter is even more crucial now. With so much competition on UpWork, you as a writer needs to stand out from the pack. When hiring a freelance UpWork writer, I always read a cover letter looking for errors and misspellings. My thought is, if they can’t write a good cover letter how will they write a good piece of content. Let me know if you think this assumption is correct in the comments.

As you can see, it says a lot while still being relatively short. Additionally, it attempts to connect with the client and keep them engaged – from beginning to end.

Try this format the next time you write an Upwork proposal and let me know how it works! Finally, if you have additional suggestions for dominating Upwork, I would love to hear about them in the comments.

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22 comments.

Why do you use “Filipinos” to compare? Idk, but it feels like you’re somewhat degrading us and you would like to discourage clients to stop hiring a filipino. Although your blog is good, I would really like to ask why.

Thank you so much for commenting. And I apologize if this article came across as degrading – that is not my purpose at all! The point I was trying to make is the diversity of competition that ALL freelancers have (regardless of where they are from). We are all competing with educated and skilled individuals willing to work for $3/hr – and freelancer celebrities who charge a premium, but have name recognition.

My desire is for Money Nomad to be a website where online entrepreneurs and freelancers from ANYWHERE can come to learn and grow. Thank you for pointing this out. I included the word “skilled” in the sentence – and I hope that helps emphasize the true point I was trying to make.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to seeing more of your comments in the future!

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Website mock-ups are called “spec work” and frownded up in web development community. Also, you won’t get away with using your website URL in the proposal for too long since it’s against Upwork’s TOS.

Thanks for your response Ivan.

Since I deal with writing, I am not fully familiar with an appropriate comparison in web design. Perhaps an alternative would be offering a 10 minute analysis of their current website – or providing a 30 minute brainstorming session regarding the design of their website. Ultimately, it’s about finding a way to provide value and begin developing that relationship. I’m actually going to write an article in the near future “praising” spec work from a designer – so be ready to come harp on that post in a couple of weeks. 🙂

Regarding links in proposals – you are correct that, if you linked back to your design website, that would be against the TOS. However , linking to previous clients or samples is completely acceptable. Trying to prove that you were an exceptional designer, without providing links to your past projects, would be a very hard sell to make.

Thanks for stopping by and best of luck with your future freelancing.

Hey Rob, thanks for the tips. In my case, I’ve gotten some job offers and unto interviews but seems like the client goes MIA suddenly for a long period. Does it have something to do with my letter as well?

Great question Denny! There are two possible things going on here.

First, if you check the job posting you can tell how many interviews/hires there have been for the job. There is a chance that they interviewed multiple people and hired someone else.

Second, check out my article How to Know Which Jobs to Apply to on Upwork – it may be that you are applying to jobs for clients who aren’t established. A lot of people post “maybe” projects on Upwork and never follow through.

Thanks for your comment and let me know how I can help in the future.

I have been in business since 2009 and this is the first time that I admire a blog that got me subscribing to it’s mail-list, I admit you rock !!

I am very honored Hersham! Thank you for joining. I will definitely make an effort to continue to impress. 🙂 And feel free to reach out if you ever have questions or thoughts for topics that you would enjoy. Now that you’ve signed up, my goal is to make it worth your time!

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I appreciate these tips for Upwork. I just landed my first contract there, I just enrolled last week. It has been a small learning curve trying to figure which clients are legit or phony, and I had to enter an interview with two of them to find some red flags like doing work outside the platform.

I’m glad they’ve helped out a bit! But you’re right, there are certainly clients on Upwork that you have to filter through due to free work, outside of Upwork work, or simply low-paying requests. But there are definitely some good projects out there as well.

Best of luck!

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Hi Robs Can you please write a cover letter sample for lead generation email finding job

Hi Waheed! It will certainly depend on your personal skills and the focus of the job. If you just copy and paste what I write, you probably won’t receive much luck. However, following that format can certainly be beneficial! Good luck and feel free to run a specific scenario by me if needed.

Thanks for the helpful article. What’s your advise for a newbie? Someone who has lots of experience in a traditional work but no freelancing experience. Do you have a published article on this topic?

Hi, Alexandra here. You are not supposed to offer things for free on Upwork. It’s in the rules. That aside, I plan to use the rest of your tips to land my first job on Upwork. I plan to send in 5 proposals in the next two days!

Thanks Alexandra! You’re absolutely right — you should do free work through Upwork. However, offering a risk-free trial project (that you could use/resell if the client didn’t like it) can help you land a lot more clients. Remember, this is a high risk for the client — what happens if your work is terrible and they’ve already agreed to pay you $2,000 for it? They’ve just lost $2,000. Therefore, if you are able to say that your first article/design/etc will only be paid for if they like it (with you keeping the rights to use it elsewhere otherwise), you’ll be able to reduce their hesitancy to buy. Thanks for the comment!

Thanks a lot, Rob! I’m new at Upwork and your article is great help!

I’m so glad it helps! Best of luck as you get started. I look forward to seeing your success.

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Letter Templates & Example

10 Impressive Cover Letter Examples for Upwork: Stand Out from the Crowd

Are you struggling with crafting the perfect cover letter for your Upwork proposals? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of cover letter examples for Upwork that you can use to kickstart your writing process. These examples cover a range of industries and job types, so you’re sure to find something that resonates with you. And the best part? You can easily customize and edit these examples to fit your unique skills and experiences. No more staring at a blank screen, wondering where to even begin. With our cover letter examples, you’ll be well on your way to submitting winning proposals on Upwork. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!

The Best Structure for Cover Letter Examples for Upwork

When applying for freelance jobs on Upwork, your cover letter is often the first impression that potential clients will have of you. So, it’s important to make sure that you’re putting your best foot forward. One way to do this is by structuring your cover letter in a clear and concise way. Here’s a breakdown of the best structure for cover letter examples for Upwork:

1. Start with a personalized greeting: Begin your cover letter by addressing the client by name. This shows that you’ve taken the time to customize your application and are genuinely interested in the job.

2. Introduce yourself: Share a bit about yourself and your experience in the industry. Highlight any relevant skills or achievements that make you stand out from other candidates. Keep in mind that this should be brief and to the point.

3. Show your understanding of the client’s needs: Read the job description carefully and demonstrate that you understand the client’s needs. Explain how you can help them achieve their goals and solve any problems they may have.

4. Give specific examples: Provide examples of previous work or projects that are relevant to the job at hand. This helps to give the client a sense of your style and level of expertise.

5. Explain why you’re the best fit: Summarize why you’re the ideal candidate for the job. Highlight your strengths and explain how they align with the needs of the client.

6. End with a call to action: Conclude your cover letter by thanking the client for their time and consideration. Encourage them to take the next step by interviewing you or reviewing your portfolio.

In summary, a well-structured cover letter should be personalized, brief, and to the point. By following these guidelines, you can increase your chances of landing your dream freelance job on Upwork. Best of luck!

Cover Letter Sample for Data Entry Job

I am excited to apply for the Data Entry position you have posted on Upwork. I have been working in this field for years, and I know that my experience and skills are what you are looking for. I am confident that I can exceed your expectations and deliver outstanding results.

As a Data Entry professional, accuracy, efficiency, and speed are the core values that I possess. I understand that the data you handle is sensitive and critical to your business. Thus, I am willing to undergo additional training, if required, to ensure that I can meet your specific needs and requirements.

Thank you for your consideration. I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Cover Letter Sample for Virtual Assistant Job

Hello there!

I am thrilled to submit my application for the Virtual Assistant position you have advertised on Upwork. With years of experience in administrative and customer service, I am confident that I can provide excellent support to your business.

I have a strong command of various administrative tools, including Google Suite, Trello, Basecamp, and Asana. I am also proficient in managing emails, appointments, and social media accounts. As a Virtual Assistant, I understand the importance of being proactive, organized, and detail-oriented, which are all essential skills that I have honed over the years.

I look forward to discussing how I can help you and your business. Thank you for considering my application.

Cover Letter Sample for Content Writing Job

Dear [Client Name],

I am excited to apply for your Content Writing job posting. As a skilled writer and editor, I believe that I can produce high-quality content that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations.

I have experience in various forms of content writing, such as blog posts, website copy, social media content, and product descriptions. I am proficient in research and can write on a broad range of topics. I can also adhere to your editorial guidelines and produce content that is both engaging and informative.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I would love to discuss how I can contribute to your content needs further.

Yours truly,

Cover Letter Sample for Graphic Design Job

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am excited to apply for your Graphic Design position and showcase my expertise in creating visually appealing designs that capture your audience’s attention.

I have extensive experience in various design software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc. Additionally, I am well-versed in identifying the target audience and tailoring designs to meet the client’s needs. I can produce designs for a variety of mediums, including print, digital, and web.

Thank you for considering my application. I am looking forward to the possibility of contributing my skills to your team.

Cover Letter Sample for Translation Job

I am interested in your Translation job posting and am confident that I can deliver accurate and professional translations in a timely fashion. I am knowledgeable in both the source and target languages and proficient in using various translation tools.

I have an extensive background in translating various forms of content, including academic papers, legal documents, marketing materials, and web content. I can produce high-quality translations that are tailored to the client’s needs while maintaining their intended meaning and tone.

Thank you for reviewing my application. I am available at your convenience to discuss how I can help you with your translation needs further.

Cover Letter Sample for Social Media Marketing Job

I came across your Social Media Marketing job posting and believe that I can help you develop and implement a winning social media strategy. I have years of experience in social media marketing and can produce results-driven campaigns that engage your target audience and increase brand awareness.

I am proficient in using various social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. I have experience in creating social media content, developing social media calendars, and tracking social media analytics. Moreover, I can tailor my approach to meet your specific business objectives and goals.

I appreciate your consideration and would love to discuss how I can help you achieve your social media marketing goals.

Cover Letter Sample for Web Development Job

I am excited to apply for your Web Development job posting on Upwork. With years of experience in web development, I am confident that I can deliver the optimal website for your business.

I have a strong command of various programming languages, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP. Additionally, I am proficient in development frameworks such as React, Angular, and Laravel. I am well-versed in designing responsive websites that are optimized for search engines, fast, and user-friendly.

I appreciate your consideration and look forward to discussing your project further.

Kind regards,

Tips for Writing Cover Letters for Upwork Jobs

Upwork is one of the largest online marketplaces where businesses and freelancers connect for work. Whether you’re entirely new to Upwork or looking to improve your chances of landing more jobs, one of the most crucial parts of the application process is to write a killer cover letter. Here are some tips to help you create a cover letter that will get you hired:

Keep it concise and personalized

Avoid writing a long, rambling cover letter. Instead, make it short and to the point. Focus on the main points, and draw attention to your strengths and accomplishments. Also, make sure to personalize each cover letter for the job you are applying for. Research the company and the job description, and incorporate this knowledge into your letter. Doing so will demonstrate your interest and increase your chances of getting hired.

Showcase your experience

When applying for a job through Upwork, it is essential to highlight your experience and success. Mention any relevant projects or clients you have worked with before, and how your skills and knowledge have helped these businesses. Be specific about how you have contributed to projects in the past and emphasize how you can help the potential client solve their problem.

Highlight your skills and achievements

Understand the job requirements and include in your cover letter how you meet these requirements with your skills and accomplishments. You should highlight what you bring to the table by explaining how your skills make you the best candidate for this particular job. Provide examples of how you have utilized your skills to solve problems in past projects or roles. Show that you have what it takes to get the project done.

Add a call to action

Conclude your cover letter with a call to action, letting the client know what you can offer them and that you are excited to work with them. Let them know that you are looking forward to hearing back from them, and they can contact you for further questions or to discuss the project in more detail.

By following these tips, writing a compelling cover letter for Upwork will become easier and will help you land not only more jobs but also the right jobs for you. Remember that your cover letter is an extension of yourself on paper. It should be thoughtful, concise, and show your potential client just how qualified and passionate you are.

FAQs about Cover Letter Examples for Upwork

What is a cover letter and why do I need one for Upwork?

A cover letter is a written document that accompanies your Upwork job proposal. It is a way for you to introduce yourself, sell your skills, and show the client why you are the perfect candidate for the job.

How can I make my cover letter stand out?

To make your cover letter stand out, you should customize it for each job you apply for. Use specific examples to show how you can help the client achieve their goals, and demonstrate that you have read and understand the requirements of the job posting.

Can I use a cover letter template for my Upwork proposals?

Yes, you can use a cover letter template as a starting point for your Upwork proposals. However, you should customize the content to fit the job posting and to reflect your unique skills and experience.

How long should my Upwork cover letter be?

Your Upwork cover letter should be concise and to the point. Ideally, it should be no more than one page long, and should highlight your most important qualifications and skills.

What should I avoid including in my Upwork cover letter?

You should avoid including irrelevant information in your Upwork cover letter, such as personal details or unrelated work experience. Additionally, do not copy and paste your resume into your cover letter – the two documents should complement each other.

Do I need to include my hourly rate in my cover letter?

It is not necessary to include your hourly rate in your Upwork cover letter – you can discuss this with the client once they have expressed interest in working with you. However, if the job posting includes a budget range, you can mention that your proposed rate falls within that range.

Should I include a call to action in my cover letter?

Yes, you should include a call to action in your Upwork cover letter. This could be a request for an interview or for the client to review your portfolio. It shows that you are proactive and interested in the job.

Thanks for reading, and happy job hunting!

We hope these cover letter examples have been helpful in guiding you towards a successful proposal on Upwork. Remember that crafting a personalized and effective cover letter is crucial to standing out from the competition and ultimately landing your dream project. Keep practicing and refining your approach, and don’t forget to visit our site for more guidance and inspiration. Here’s to your next great opportunity!

5 Effective Cover Letter Samples for Upwork Proposal to Win Your Dream Project Top 10 Sample Cover Letter for Upwork Customer Service to Boost Your Chances of Getting Hired 10 Effective Cover Letter for Upwork Proposal Sample Templates You Can Use Today Guide to Writing an Effective Cover Letter for Upwork Template How to Write an Effective Proposal Letter for Upwork: A Step-by-Step Guide The Perfect Sample Cover Letter for Upwork Proposal: Ace your Freelance Applications

The Best Cover Letter For Upwork : Tips Plus Sample! [2023 Update] 

Want to write the best cover letter for Upwork but don’t know how? Well, good news because you’re in the right place! 

When I started on Upwork as a freelancer , I had no idea where to begin and how to write the best cover letter for Upwork to get the jobs and clients I wanted. 

It’s completely understandable given that Upwork is such a huge marketplace for freelancers and clients! 

I wished I had someone show me Upwork cover letter examples so that I could have saved all that time. 

But you know what, I don’t want you to struggle as I did, so I’m here to provide help writing a cover letter so that you’ll be able to write anything from short and sweet cover letters to providing outstanding cover letter examples. 

So buckle up and dive right into some tips I learn on how to write a cover letter for Upwork during my Upwork journey, as well as provide one of the best cover letter examples. 

By the end of this article, you’d be a complete Upwork cover letter pro!

Affiliate Link Disclosure

Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. I hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.

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How To Write The Best Cover Letter For Upwork ?

1. read the job description carefully.

As a beginner on Upwork, you might be very excited to get things going and to start applying to as many jobs out there. That’s fine.

But what’s not okay is if you just blindly apply with the same Upwork proposal cover letter for different jobs and do not pay attention to individual job requirements. 

Imagine if you were a client weeding through dozens, if not, hundreds of proposals, trying to find the perfect candidate for your job, and the frustration you face if the applicant’s cover letter didn’t match your requirements.

That’s why many clients have started including instructions right at the end of their job descriptions to ensure that you’ve read their entire post, and also are sure of their requirements.

See if you can spot the special instruction below! 

This is becoming increasingly common, so make sure you read through every word on jobs you apply to! 

2. Prioritize Answering The Additional Questions

This was a mistake I made as a beginner on Upwork. I often thought the additional questions were just, well, additional questions. 

So what I would do is spend all my time, energy and creative juices on the cover letter, making it the best Upwork cover letter.

When it came to the additional questions, I would often post a single-sentence response or make a reference to my cover letter. 

My thinking was that the client would have read my cover letter first then the responses, right?

How wrong I was! 

I literally only realized this when I started hiring people on Upwork that clients see your response first, followed by your cover letter. 

This makes a lot of sense because if you have multiple applicants to weed through as a client, you’d set specific questions to zone in on your ideal candidates. Duh! 

So make sure you don’t commit the same mistake I did and invest all of your energy into writing a good cover letter for Upwork that you neglect the additional questions! 

3. Personalize Your Cover Letters 

This is extremely important. Imagine if you’re a client looking through many proposals and every cover letter starts with a generic greeting.

But suddenly one of them addresses you by name.

Wouldn’t that make you stop and read further?

Yes, granted not all job posters post their name on the job posting, but a little digging goes a long way. 

Here’s how I find out how to address the job poster if they haven’t posted their name on their job posting – I just look at past reviews they got! 

Here’s one example below:

Most of the time other freelancers would have given them feedback and addressed them by name. 

Sure I’ve gotten it wrong sometimes as it might be someone else in their team. (rarely though!) 

But the fact is they can tell if you’ve done additional homework on them as a client and are sincere in your cover letter. 

4. Ensure Your Expectations Align 

Now one thing I need to remind you before you go about crafting the best cover letter for Upwork is this – ensure that what the client requires is what you are able to provide and at the budget they’ve set.

There is no point in doing a smashing cover letter on Upwork but you realize that the client is paying too low, or that they require more availability than you are able to provide. 

This goes back to reading their job post clearly for the budget and availability required and also looking at their past history as a client.

Are they dependable? Have they paid decently for past projects? 

Once you have established this, then you can go about putting together all the tips I’ve highlighted so far to craft the best cover letter in Upwork. 

5. Tailor Your Experiences And Skill Sets To The Job Description

If you want to write a good Upwork cover letter then you jolly well make sure that your cover letter addresses your client’s requirements.

If they want someone with health and fitness experience and you have a personal trainer certification on the side, mention it.

If they’re looking for a cryptocurrency fanatic and you love following the ups and downs of the crypto market, make sure you tell them all about it too! 

Often your experiences may not be directly relevant. But dig deep and I’m sure you’ll find something.

I once saw a job posting for a wedding planner requesting SEO articles for their website .

 I told them I wasn’t married (yet!) but I loved weddings and I had actively helped some of my good friends behind the scenes for their weddings.

It didn’t get me hired, but it sure got them interested enough to start a conversation with me on Upwork. Baby steps! 

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6. Show Don’t Just Tell

You can have the best cover letter for Upwork, but this doesn’t matter much if you don’t have the chops to back up what you’re saying.

If you’re a freelance writer pitching to a new client, make sure you have your portfolio on hand to show the client just what you’ve been telling them – your writing style and areas of expertise. 

Here are some of my writing samples ! 

If you don’t have the means to purchase a site to host your writing samples, there are tons of free sites out there where you can host your portfolio! 

Psst, I go through this in detail in my freelance writing course . 

But if you don’t have time for that and want to start immediately, Journo Portfolio is an amazing platform to get started on! 

7. Make Sure You End With A Call-To-Action 

If you want to end things on a high as you craft the best cover letter in Upwork, then make sure you end your cover letter with a strong CTA.

A CTA or Call-To-Action is a statement which encourages your reader or recipient to act immediately.

It’s like when you watch an advertisement on YouTube or on Instagram and they tell you to click on a link if you’re keen to find out more. 

You can say “Looking forward to hearing back from you!”

But why do that when you can say, “I look forward to working with you and I’ll be happy to jump on a Zoom call today or tomorrow to discuss your requirements in detail.”

Imagine if a client needed something urgently and needed to speak to a freelancer within the next day to get this done. 

Your CTA would have been a godsend to them! 

Best Upwork Cover Letter Samples

Now, are you curious about how to weave together all these tips to create the best Upwork proposal cover letter? 

Here’s how! 

Now before you go ahead and copy and paste this or any best cover letter examples for your next client proposal, remember that it is always important to read every posting carefully and personalize! 

Made it this far in the article? Great! Here’s a real-life example of an Upwork best cover letter that I wrote that got me the job!  

FAQs For Best Cover Letter For Upwork  

How do i write a cover letter for upwork.

Here are some quick tips on writing the best cover letter for Upwork:

• Read The Job Description Carefully
• Prioritize Answering The Additional Questions
• Personalize Your Cover Letters
• Ensure Your Expectations Align 
• Tailor Your Experiences And Skill Sets To The Job Description
• Show Don’t Just Tell
• Make Sure You End With A Call-To-Action 

Is A 500 Word Cover Letter Ok?

No, a 500-word cover letter is not ok. You should target a word count of 250 to 400 words for a cover letter. Keep things short, sweet and concise as your prospective client or employer may have a lot of cover letters to look through. 

Some of the best sample cover letters for employment aren’t the longest ones. They’re the ones that display the candidate’s experience best in the most succinct way. 

How Do You End A Cover Letter On Upwork ?

The best way to end a cover letter on Upwork is to reiterate why you’re the best person for the job and to remember to include a call-to-action statement so that the client will be inspired to contact you right after.

Some of the best Upwork cover letter samples are those that clients can look at and go – yes, this is exactly the person we need.

By ending the letter with these elements, you can be sure your proposal will be top of mind for your future client. 

How Do I Write A Good Cover Letter?

Writing a good cover letter isn’t just for Upwork, you can also apply these skills when writing a cover letter for a job:

• Read The Job Listing Carefully
• Do Your Research On The Role
• Start With A Strong Opening Statement 
• Use Forward-Looking Statements Like What You Want To Do For Them Instead Of Just Saying What You’ve Done 
• Be Personal 
• Show Enthusiasm And Interest For The Role
• Keep Your Cover Letter Short And Succinct
• Ask For Feedback Before Sending It
• Spell-Check Your Letter

So there you have it. The steps to writing the best cover letter for Upwork to get the job and clients you want.

It’s really not that daunting or scary, right?

The steps are very straightforward and as long as you’ve read the job posting carefully, you’ll be able to craft the perfect cover letter that shows the client you are exactly what they are looking for

If you’re still unsure about your Upwork journey, don’t worry I have many other Upwork resources you can refer to! 

You’ll realize that the best way to learn to get better at finding work on Upwork is really to just start applying to jobs with these tips and then finetune your approach from there. 

Take that first step, start writing and applying, and as always reach out to me in the comment section down below if you need help! 

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Did you know that you can get paid for restaurant reviews? You absolutely can!   Before heading to a fancy restaurant, I always read their reviews before spending my hard-earned cash. I want to avoid paying $100 for a tiny piece of wilted lettuce.  So if you can describe how delicious a medium rare cheeseburger is…

Selling Candles From Home In 12 Steps [2024 Update]

Does the thought of selling candles from home as a side hustle cross your mind? Maybe you have, maybe you haven’t but here’s why you should.  Did you know that, according to the National Candle Association,  $3.2 billion dollars are spent on candles annually?  What’s that now?!  That is the sound of lots of cash…

65+ Ways to Get Paid For Your Ideas That PAY WELL In 2024!

Have a good idea? Well, Did you know that you can get paid for your ideas?  With the right idea and research, you can make extra cash or even passive income through royalties from your idea. There is a long list of companies that will pay individuals for ideas. These companies constantly seek ideas for…

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