Finding your first freelance job can be a daunting task. You’ll want to make sure you have a solid plan in place and a good cover letter so that you don’t lose out on important opportunities. Here are 10 Upwork proposal strategies to help land your first freelance job!
What is Upwork?
Upwork is a freelancing platform that connects businesses with independent professionals. It allows businesses to post job openings and receive proposals from freelancers. Upwork also allows businesses to manage their projects and communicate with their freelancers through the platform.
Independent professionals can use Upwork to find work, submit proposals, and get paid for their services. Upwork takes a percentage of the freelancer’s pay as a service fee.
Upwork is a great way for businesses to find quality talent and for freelancers to find work. However, it can be challenging to stand out from the competition on Upwork. In this blog article, we will share some tips on how to write an effective proposal on Upwork.
Prepare Your Proposal
As a freelancer, one of the most important tools in your arsenal is your proposal. Your proposal is what sells your services to potential clients and helps you land work.
With that in mind, here are some tips to help you write proposals that will land you your first freelance job:
1. Do your research
Before you even start writing your proposal, it’s important to do your research. This means learning about the company or individual you’re writing the proposal for and understanding their needs. Only then can you start crafting a proposal that’s tailored to them and stands a chance of being accepted.
2. Start with a strong introduction
Your proposal’s introduction is vital in making a good first impression. It should be short, attention-grabbing, and explain what you’re proposing in a nutshell. This is not the time to get into the nitty-gritty details – save those for later.
3. Get straight to the point
Once you’ve caught the client’s attention with your introduction, it’s time to get down to business. Cut out any fluff or filler content and get straight to explaining what you can do for the client and why they should hire you. Be clear, concise, and persuasive in your writing.
4. Use visuals where possible
Humans are visual creatures, so using visuals in your proposal can be a great way to engage your reader and drive home your points. Use charts, graphs, and images to break up your text and make complex concepts easier to understand.
5. Offer a detailed timeline
When it comes to proposals, one of the things clients care about most is timing. They want to know how long it will take you to complete the project and when they can expect results. As such, it’s important to include a detailed timeline in your proposal that outlines each stage of the project and when it will be completed.
6. Back up your claims with data
If you want your proposal to be taken seriously, you need to back up your claims with data. This means including statistics, case studies, and other forms of evidence that support what you’re saying. Not only does this make your proposal more credible, but it also helps build trust with the client.
7. Keep it professional
Throughout your proposal, it’s important to maintain a professional tone. This means avoiding any slang or jargon that the client might not understand and sticking to formal language throughout. Remember, you’re trying to sell yourself as a professional freelancer – so act like one!
Write a Professional Upwork Cover Letter
When applying for any Upwork job, you will be asked to include a cover letter along with your proposal. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the client and explain why you are the best candidate for the job.
Here are some tips for writing a professional Upwork cover letter:
1. Start by introducing yourself and telling the client a little bit about your background and qualifications.
2. Explain why you are interested in the job and what makes you a good fit for it.
3. Be specific about your skills and experience, and mention any relevant projects you have worked on in the past.
4. Use positive language throughout your letter, highlighting your strengths and abilities.
5. Keep your letter concise and to the point, avoiding any unnecessary details.
6. End your letter by thanking the client for their time and consideration.
Screen Share and Present Your Proposal to an Expert
The first step to nailing your Upwork proposal is understanding how the site works. When you find a job that interests you, you’ll submit a proposal. The client will then be able to view your profile, read through your proposal, and decide if they’d like to award you the job.
If you want to increase your chances of being awarded the job, it’s important to put your best foot forward in your proposal. One way to do this is by sharing your screen with the client so they can see your work firsthand. This is especially helpful if you’re proposing for a design or development job.
To screen share on Upwork, simply click the “share screen” button in the upper right-hand corner of the chat window. This will allow you to share your entire screen or just a specific application with the client. Once you start sharing, the client will be able to see everything on your screen in real-time.
You can use screen sharing to present your portfolio, show off previous work, or even walk the client through your proposed solution for their project. This is a great way to build rapport and demonstrate why you’re the best person for the job.
Follow the Job Posting’s Instructions
If you’re new to freelancing, the process of applying for jobs on Upwork can seem a bit daunting. But don’t worry! The key to success on Upwork is simply to follow the instructions in the job posting.
When you find a job that you’re interested in, take a close look at the instructions in the job posting. The client will usually specify how they would like you to format your proposal, and what information they need you to include. Make sure that you follow these instructions to the letter; if you don’t, your proposal is likely to be rejected out of hand.
In addition to following the specific instructions in the job posting, there are a few general tips that will help you write a successful proposal. First, make sure that your proposal is clear and concise; clients don’t have time to wade through long, rambling paragraphs. Second, focus on your strengths and highlight your relevant experience; this is not the time to be modest! Finally, be sure to proofread your proposal carefully before you submit it; typos and grammatical errors will give clients the impression that you’re careless and sloppy.
By following these simple tips, you’ll be well on your way to landing your first freelance job on Upwork!
Say Thank You!
Saying thank you is a simple, but often overlooked, step in the proposal process. By taking the time to show your appreciation, you demonstrate that you value your potential client’s time and business. A thank you also helps build rapport and creates a positive first impression—both of which are important when trying to land a job.
There are a few different ways you can say thank you in your proposal. You can start by thanking the client for their time and consideration. You can also thank them for providing you with the opportunity to work on this project. If you have any relevant experience or skills that make you a good fit for the job, be sure to mention them here as well.
End your thank you by expressing your excitement for the project and telling the client that you look forward to hearing from them soon. This will leave them with a positive impression of you and increase the likelihood that they’ll choose to work with you.
Close the Deal with a Compelling Closing Statement
As a freelancer, your Upwork proposal closing statement is critical to landing the job.
You’ve spent all this time researching the client, customizing your proposal, and making sure you’re the perfect fit for the job. So how do you close the deal and get hired?
With a compelling closing statement!
Your closing statement should be brief, but persuasive. It should summarize why you’re the best candidate for the job and leave the client with no doubt that you can deliver on what they need.
Here are a few tips to make your closing statement even more effective:
– Use strong language that highlights your skills and experience
– Be confident without being arrogant
– focus on the client’s needs and how you can help them achieve their goals
– Keep it short and sweet – you don’t want to overwhelm the client with too much information
– End with a call to action that moves the client towards hiring you
Make Contact with the Client Following Your Proposal Submission
After you submit a proposal on Upwork, the client will have three days to respond. If the client does not respond within that time, the proposal will automatically be declined.
If the client accepts your proposal, congrats! You’re now in contact with your first client and can start working on the project. If the client declines your proposal, don’t take it personally. There are a number of reasons why a client might decline a proposal, including price, qualifications, or simply not being a good fit for the project.
Keep in mind that even if a client declines your proposal, you can still reach out and try to negotiate or discuss the project further. It never hurts to ask!
