Upwork Proposals: 8 Golden Rules for Writing Upwork Cover Letters to Get Top-Level Jobs 

can you be my mentor?

@@veronicahnyamoita7302 Everyone would want that ;D

How to get cover latter free

Best video on RU-vid for upwork cover letter tips :)

I only follow your strategy partially but I got a response. Thank you for creating valuable content. 💗

Wow, that is insane. It's crazy but I know that it literally can happen like that so, I'm super glad for you!!❤️ #freelancewins

Lpppppppllĺl

Hi sis

Please, how do I start?

Hey can you or share some lines that you have uploaded on the cover letter

Thanks @Ibrahim!

hi Jared, can you please help me out in this matter. I am also facing the same issue on upwork that you had in the past. It would be highly appreciated Thanks!

You seem to be a fellow Nigerian, I have some other free Upwork resources if you're interested.😊

FAKE ASF

Thank you so much Braum, I really appreciate you!

Fantastic! That's wonderful!!!! 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌 Keep the wins going! #freelancewins

@Nouman Jaffar stick with it, and you'll do really well!

Maybe… that will work!

Wow, incredible job!! Keep on crushing it! #freelancewins

@Michelle we share the same name I'm from Ghana..can you share your letter or the proposal you sent to get the gig please?

@@amoasiwa.n6598 Sure. Here is a link to the document in my google docs. docs.google.com/document/d/1wwNf3QOw6wcGQC0eHPFZMkx2pa0B4B_I0JLeCEG5x_8/edit?usp=drivesdk Let me know if it works.

@Teacher Waseem Height I think you're right, there's a lot of technique involved in writing a great proposal. When I first started out, I had LITERALLY NO CLUE what I was supposed to be writing to people. I just guessed, used what I had learned in the past, and tried all kinds of different things. Long, short, direct, indirect, demand-focused, objective-focused, I tried all kinds of proposals. Ultimately, when you think about "What happens NEXT" that's where you start uncovering some really good stuff. I wrote you a kind-of-long reply to your previous comment on the other video going into a bit more detail on this, but pretty much if you look PAST the "job posting" and focus more on the client's frustrations and desired end goal state, then you'll start to really be successful. Same example of "I need a website"... Frustrations: It takes a lot of time Because I don't know what I'm doing Other people can do it better and faster, and I'm tired of struggling I just need a website that looks great and does what I need it to do Desired End Goal State: No more headaches about creating my website My website makes me money because it converts prospects to leads/clients / showcases my business effectively so I win more clients / rank high in search so I save advertising dollars I'm finally relieved that what feels like such a big task, is taken off my shoulders, and is just DONE Bonus: The person I hire will show me how, in a quick walkthrough video, to do the minor changes and updates I can manage as time goes on ^^Feelings can be just as valuable as business results!

You are so welcome Stacy! Glad you found this helpful!!

How much you made so far? I am two weeks in and made nine dollars

@Grace Awolaja Thanks for commenting, it really means a lot to me! 🤗 I'm glad you enjoyed the video - did you check out any of the others on the channel? I think they might be helpful in improving your Upwork profile & proposals.

@Muhammad Arbaz thank you so much - I really appreciate it!😻

Thanks Morgan, I really appreciate it! On questions, I'd say that's more "Advanced" mode stuff - the reason why it's a "no-no" for most is because tons of FLs will ask "the boring questions"... i.e. -What technology are you using? -What's your timeline? etc. I agree with you that the "question" approach does work, but it probably requires a pretty good handle on sales copywriting / persuasion in order to make it work effectively, moreso than most freelancers will have early on in their Upwork career (what I'm saying is, you're a PRO at it 🤣). Thoughts?

@@FreelanceMVP I will always agree with flattery Evan ;)

hahahaha! I wrote to a client today, “So, here’s the thing: flattery will get you EVERYWHERE 🤗”

So what kind of questions did you ask?

@@reeltalk268 I try to engage the client in conversation. I ask questions about the project, questions about the client, etc.

@Christopher Wydock Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it! 🤟 I personally made sure I did the captions manually - but please let me know if they need more work!

@@FreelanceMVP dude your captions are spot on! 👌

I love it!

That is exactly it

Hey did you land your first job?

I have done this 😀

That's great, I'm glad! Keep crushing it Steven!

Thank you Isaac - congratulations on getting started! you have a long and successful road ahead

Can you update us now if you had any success? I'm you but two months ago, just started in this platform

@Kyle Omac thanks for your comment - I would say start by collecting Testimonials! Did you check out these videos already? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-VDnIJ8gmC8c.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bfUCTD5NsvU.html

Check this livestream for more detail on that @Pamela Hellyer: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-IkinMuT6A3g.html

Thank you Evan! Your videos have instantly increased the amount of jobs I receive. Thank you for all your helpful advice.

Wow - that's AWESOME @Pamela Hellyer LETSGOOOOOO🚀🚀🚀 #freelancewins

Hi Mr. Evan I need your help siro

@@FreelanceMVPIt says video unavailable 😢

@DJANGO DEVELOPER thanks - glad to have you here! We will probably be doing a video or livestream on this soon!

@@FreelanceMVP thanks man

Wow @Aryan that was totally a test, and I only ordered them like 12 hours ago - didn't realize you would notice them so fast! Was it actually helpful? Were the subtitles accurate (well-done)? I have SO many questions !!

@@FreelanceMVP I started freelancing on Rev from about 2-3 days. The English version was accurate which I took for reference… I happened to see your project today morning and it was really fun! Rest you can be assured that the ones I translated are well done :)

That's awesome Aryan, and thanks for checking it! I think we might do more Hindi subtitles for the rest of the channel if people really start to use them :D

For context, English subtitles get used by over 40% of viewers which as I understand, is a SUPER high percentage for a channel. Lot of international viewers, and many in South Asia.

Let me ask you this Aryan: do you think that for the AVERAGE Hindi-speaking viewer, Hindi subtitles are useful? Call me uncultured, but I just do not know the level of English knowledge for a Hindi-first-language audience...☺️

Awesome Dina - LOVE THAT!!! #freelancewins

Can I see your cover? We are definitely not in the same niche so you don’t need to worry about clients receiving a similar proposal

Cover letter video drops tomorrow!

Hi, sure will drop ss here. Sorry I just read your comments.

hi dina. can u share please.

@# JD Thank you SO MUCH JD! I'd love to focus more on specific niches and industries but we're just not quite there yet - still have a LOT to cover on the "overall Upwork" side of things. How long have you been doing this kind of work on Upwork? Has it worked well for you so far?

@@FreelanceMVP You are always welcome Evan. I have been doing this work for the last 6 months. I am facing the same problem of not getting job invitations and not getting responses to cover letters. Although I have added portfolio items, done 4 jobs, 100% profile is completed. Need your further guidance.

@# JD Job invitations come after you have a solid, established reputation and track record on Upwork, so I'd focus on converting clients via Cover Letters first. Since you mentioned you've done 4 jobs, I would try to pump that number up to more like 10 jobs (that's where the first invites really started coming for me, though I guess there's more activity now). Great job on the 100% profile completion. The next place I'd try is to improve your work portfolio items to absolute world-class standard. It would be a good exercise to check out my video on Upwork Profile, specifically the part about work examples. Basically, what you're looking to do is show clients that the work they'll get with you is absolute world-class. That will most likely do a lot of work for you, when reaching out to clients as well as when inbound starts to come your way. That's where I'd focus first - AWESOME work examples that show you are doing work among the best of the best.

@@FreelanceMVP thanks man for sharing that amazing knowledge.

@# JD my pleasure - you ROCK!

No worries, you can just write "Hey, " and go into your cover letter if you can't find the name of the client

You ROCK @Taimur!

@Hence great question - I would then focus on creating some really awesome work examples to stand in for being lighter on the side of your track record. I think we might have a video already live on the channel focusing on that :D ❤️

This is a very good question. I'm having the same problem at the moment. I hope he responds.

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@Leonardo Pedrogo Great question. This is just my opinion, but the things I personally think are the biggest things that many people skip on the Upwork Terms of Service: -The rules surrounding what gets paid, when, under which contract type (Hourly vs. Fixed Price) and where you are NOT actually protected, e.g. unverified client payment method or inactive milestone -What happens in a dispute situation - and how to NOT be at risk. For example, if you go to dispute, emails between you and the client don't really matter - only what's on Upwork messages -What you're definitely not allowed to do, e.g. taking spend offsite, providing contact details before having an active contract Certain technical sections such as Indemnification and General aren't really that valuable to read in full, but in my opinion, so many people skip reading the Terms because it seems tedious. But this is a platform that is allowing you to earn money through it, and it's actually incredibly easy to get banned, and "the easiest way to get a red card is by not knowing the rules." If I would choose only a few sections to read, they would be Upwork Fees, Payment Terms and Escrow Services, and Non-Circumvention - but honestly, the time investment to do your best to read through it in full, will probably save you from losing thousands of dollars or even getting banned one day. It has saved me multiple times!!!

@John Raymond B. Aguila thank YOU so much! Really glad to help 🥰 Just to make sure I understand your question, I’m assuming that you have an Upwork contract (#1) open right now. Contract #2 is proposed but #1 is not ended with feedback. (that is what I’m assuming) If that’s the case, I would NOT accept contract #2 until contract #1 is closed, with 5-star feedback and a great review. I’ve made the mistake of opening a second contract before, and the client didn’t give any feedback on #1. Then later, they got upset for some unknown reason, and threatened to give 1 star on both contracts. NOT great. I was able to “save the contracts” and got 5-stars on both, but it EASILY could have gone the other way. It was basically my mistake for allowing #2 to start, BEFORE I A. had 5-star feedback locked in on contract #1, and was therefore pretty confident that this is a “normal person” who gives good feedback and is OK to work with again. Will give you some suggested words in another comment of how to ask for more! Might even do a video on it sometime!

@@FreelanceMVP you understand it well. Thank you for the advice. I will surely ask for a 5 star review after this contract. I appreciate you replying on my concern. 🙏😊

@John Raymund B. Aguila Happy to help! Be sure to drop more comments on videos for any other questions you have!

@John Raymund B. Aguila JOHN THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT AND IS PROBABLY A LARGE PART OF THE SOURCE OF MY UPWORK SUCCESS. You are an extremely smart person for asking about this, because getting this part of the workflow right is ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL to raising your rates fast and making lots of money on Upwork. Read more below. Here's what I'd write / say: "Hey Mike [your client's name], I'm glad that we're working so well together, and I really appreciate your confidence in working together on this next project. Here's my thoughts: -I love working with clients on a long-term basis when we're a really great fit -In fact, my work is actually ~80% repeat clients and referrals -One foot in front of the other. Let's get this current project closed out, then we just open up a new job (I could even handle the admin on that) Here's next steps for now, to close out the current project: [use modified Next Steps language from my RU-vid video about asking for 5-star reviews]" Basically, you want to lock in the 5-star review at this stage, on Contract #1. Then, once you have seen that... 1. They have done what you asked (and it was very easy for them) 2. They have closed out your contract and given you a 5-star review 3. They have given you great feedback *****************The important part***************** You've just established some really key things. Past human behavior is a very strong indicator of future human behavior. If they gave you 5-stars on Contract #1 and you didn't have to ask multiple times for them to 'please don't forget to press "End Contract" and go through the feedback process', then they'll probably be easy to work with and are more likely to give you similar feedback / rating on Contract #2!! ...then at THAT POINT do you open up Contract #2! YOU can now propose them Contract #2 (go to Contract #1 in All Contracts, press "..." Propose New Contract) This is so crucial, because think of it the other way around: Imagine Contract #1 = $500 Contract #2 = $9,000 Imagine you just keep Contract #1 open, and do more work, hourly, under Contract #1. Then you have Contract #1 = $9,500, and 0 feedback so far (I do not believe that mid-contract feedback is as valuable as END CONTRACT feedback!!). You still have no idea if this is a person who will give you a 5-star rating and a great review. You are GAMBLING YOUR UPWORK REPUTATION, and therefore gambling your future earnings. The process of opening up Contract #2 after you have closed out Contract #1, is super-easy and low-friction. (See above - all they have to do is press ACCEPT) So why would you not lock in the 5-star feedback first? Your earning % won't change... only your JSS can benefit. And your rates can increase faster. P.S. - Protip - leave a Freelancer Response immediately on 5-star Upwork feedback (don't delay - there's a timer to do this!), telling them: "Hey Mike [your client's name], thank you so much for your very kind words! It was a pleasure to work together and looking forward to our upcoming project!"

@@FreelanceMVP thank you so much for spending time giving me this advice. This really helps! 🙏🙏🙏 I will update you until I apply your advice 🙌🙌🙌

@Alik Thanks for your comment, and your kind words... some thoughts: 1. Always TRIPLE CHECK your milestones before you agree to do work - and provide a scope of work for every single project, no matter the size! It's an extra step, but it'll help you avoid situations like that! 2. Look for a "natural end" to the project - maybe the next big milestone or work delivery. Then discuss with the client (not via message, via ZOOM) that just for the purposes of Upwork, if they're OK with it, would they be willing to close this contract, go through the feedback process and start the next project under a new contract under the exact same terms as we have right now? "Upwork is a reviews-driven platform, and that would be very helpful to me if you're OK with it." You can even propose the new contract from your side, since you've worked with them before (go to the contract --> propose new contract once you've agreed). Best idea: Do it live while you're on Zoom together, so you have total continuity of work. That way you lock in the good review... and it'll also bring up your JSS (assuming this client gives you 10/10) 3. You won't be able to find out which client gave below 10/10. But if you have a contract that has been ended, with the client NOT writing any written feedback, then that could be it. BE SURE to watch my video on 5-star reviews and getting reviews - because that's how you should be closing out every single contract to maximize your chances of 10/10 + 5* + GREAT FEEDBACK every single contract.

Thanks so much Rayhanur! More content coming! Love that 💯 Should we do more videos on Upwork cover letter?

@@FreelanceMVP Yes Please :D

@@FreelanceMVP I have already tweaked my proposal based on your suggestions.

@Rayhanur kabir Will do! Once we get the content out that we currently have in the edit process, we'll come back for more improvement on Upwork cover letters

That's awesome, we love to see it! Always improving and constantly getting better!

It’s one of the videos on the agenda, @Berto - will be doing one on that soon!

Sir/Madam is confused :P

@@Rayhanurkabir hahahahhaha!!

Dear Sir/Madam I understand what you are asking. Let's book a call to discuss why he & she is wearing gloves. Thanks.😄😂

Informative lec but can you please tell me that what is P.S?

P.S. = Post Script. What you write AFTER you sign the message. Like this: Dear Ayaz Ahmad, You're an outstanding individual. Thank you so much for commenting on this video. It really means a lot to me because every time you watch the videos on this channel, and interact by leaving a like or a comment, it's an extremely helpful signal for the RU-vid algorithm to understand that you found some value in this content. RU-vid then uses the collection of all its signals to promote the videos and show them to more people who might also find it helpful. I appreciate your helpful contribution to this channel, and to our continued growth. Best regards, Freelance MVP P.S. - Don't forget to leave likes on all the videos, comment & subscribe, because remember - it's FREE 🤣

@Detective Dog 🤣🤣🤣🤣🚀

It’s barely 10 hours since I watched your video, and I already landed two clients. Thank you so much

That’s awesome, great job EzFx! Well done! Hope you’ll stick around 😉

You're welcome!

Wow that's awesome, it's so great to hear!!

Awesome!

Glad you liked it @Ifeoluwa Oladapo! Have you been on Upwork for a while?