Upwork Cover Letter: Proven Tips & 10 Sample Letters

Upwork has over 10 million registered freelancers and 4.5 million registered clients. Through the Upwork platform, clients can interview, hire and work with freelancers.

The company has a real-time chat platform which helps the clients find and hire freelancers in a very short time. There remain no time zones and geographical barriers and clients can access the world’s talents very easily.

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How to Write an Upwork Cover Letter

What is Upwork?

Upwork is a marketplace for freelancers in fields such as writing, graphic design and web development that helps them find projects, communicate with clients and get paid. In the new age of a gig economy, Upwork is one avenue for people to find work.

If you’re a new freelancer, or working in a new field, you can rack up valuable experience without always having to pitch clients cold. However, the site is full of new workers who are willing to take work for a lower rate, which can impact your earning potential.

Upwork makes it easier to find jobs and make some money but think carefully about which gigs you want to apply for.

How to Find Gigs on Upwork

To find work on Upwork you need to first set up a good profile. Your profile serves the same purpose as a general résumé for prospective employers. You can’t get work without one. This may take 4-5 hours which includes a series of tests in the areas of your expertise.

Fill out the job type you’d like to do, the specific areas in which you’re skilled and your level of expertise. This is all self-reported, so be honest. If you get hired for jobs you can’t deliver on, your account could be put on hold or closed.

After that, add a headshot and a detailed description of your background. You can include links to a portfolio or to specific work samples.

You can also fill in your education, how many hours per week you can work, location and preferred rate. If you’re not sure what to charge, check out the rates of other freelancers on Upwork who have similar experience. If a voice or video chat is required, please do so.

Upwork will typically approve your profile within 24 hours, assuming your profile is verifiable and accurate. Then you can get working. If you don’t have the skills you need to get started, you can learn that from programs like Hustlers University and The Real World.

What is an Upwork Cover letter

After creating and completing a profile on the Upwork freelance marketplace, the first thing that should come to your mind is Upwork Cover Letter or Proposal. This is critical for you to start landing gigs and earning from Upwork.

The major reason most freelancers struggle to land clients on Upwork is failing to write a convincing cover letter. The Upwork cover letter is where the freelancer, will write a personal letter to the potential client letting them know why they are the right person for the job.

There is difference between the Upwork cover letter and the proposal. A cover letter is a broader term used in bidding, job application, and resume submission.

On the other hand, the Upwork proposal is used solely on the Upwork freelance website.

What should you include in your Upwork cover letter?

Every good cover letter you send should include:

A confident understanding of the requirements
Details about the job description*
A genuine interest in the work
Your professional qualifications
A unique selling point
A link to an off-site portfolio or your Upwork profile**
A call to action

Also, consider installing Grammarly. It’s completely free and catches all sorts of typos and grammar mistakes.

Tips of writing a winning Cover letter

Here are some key tips of writing the perfect cover letter when applying for a job on Upwork.

Stop sending copy-pasted letters

This may seem obvious; however, it is a major mistake so many freelancers make. A copy-pasted template is the most annoying thing for a client to get. This instantly destroys your chances to be even contacted.

This usually implies you are that you are not serious enough about the job and are likely to treat the job as carelessly as you wrote your proposal.

Instead, write a clear and concise cover letter that specifically addresses the issues stated in the job postings. Don’t write a lengthy letter, sometimes less is more. Be precise and to the point. Show the client that you’ve actually read their job post and that you’ve crafted your proposal precisely for them. This will significantly increase your chances of being hired.

Example not to follow:

Example to follow:

Use the client’s name in your proposal

You probably know that there are few things in the world that people love more than hearing the sound of their own name.

Whenever possible use the client’s name in your proposal as reading their name, the person subconsciously believes that the letter has been crafted specifically for them, which instantly generates a positive feeling.

Of course, using the client’s name alone won’t guarantee you a contract, but it’s an easy way to attract their attention and stand out from the crowd.

Reduce the use of the word “I” in your proposal

Yes, this is your proposal where you should cover your experience and skills, however overusing I, me, and my could turn out to be destructive. Otherwise, your proposal may turn into a self-centered, one-sided story very unappealing for the client.

Remember, the client isn’t interested in how cool you actually are. And they are certainly not interested in how many diplomas you have, nor even where you’ve graduated from, nor at what companies you’ve worked before.

They want to know exactly what you can do for them. In other words, they want to learn what they’ll get in return if they chose to hire you.

Example not to follow: I’m a very experienced professional translator who has worked for 3 international translation agencies. I’m dedicated to providing high-quality and affordable translation.

I am proud of my comprehensive approach to translation and my unrivaled expertise. I’m passionate about my work and take great pride in my numerous happy clients.

It’s hard for the client to get excited and visualize what’s in it for them, don’t you think? Did you notice how it uses the words “I” and “my” a lot. This is a dead giveaway and it’s a mistake too many freelancers make when they’re writing their cover letter.

Example to follow: I’ll provide you with high quality translation that perfectly fits your expectations and budget. Expect to get completely error-free, fluent text that doesn’t sound like a translation but is authentic enough to be taken as original.

Rephrase the client’s problem

Read the job posting carefully and understand the exact problem the client is facing. When writing your proposal, rephrase the client’s core problem in your own words and tell them how you are going to solve it. This way you’ll show them that you actually understand their needs and thus you are more likely to handle the task properly.

There’s a psychological connotation to rephrasing the problem. This strategy is called mirroring. It involves subtly repeating the other person’s words to them thus leading them to unconsciously trust you more.

Example:

Client request: We’re looking for a creative UI/UX designer to create a unique design for our app, so that it really represents our brand.

Potential proposal: I’ll be glad to design the look and feel of your app in a way that feels 100% like you.

Watch out for “control words” in the job posting

Many clients use special, often meaningless, “control” words in their job posting to make sure you’ve read through the entire post.

They then ask you to start your cover letter with that particular word. Be attentive and use the control words to avoid your proposal being ignored.

Don’t use vogue language

Don’t use vogue words in your cover letter to your proposal stronger. Instead, they do the opposite and weaken its impact. Makes the statements less believable. Here are a few examples:

I am extremely professional / creative / super committed / well-organized and so on.

So, to emphasis your qualifications and how good of a candidate you are, redirect the client to read reviews and testimonials that other clients have written about you. This will give you much more credibility and improve your chances of getting hired on Upwork.

Tell them how you’ll solve their problem

The client wants to hire you to solve a problem, so the keyword here is “solve the problem”.

Concisely describe how you will solve their problem, what steps or approaches you will take and what kind of suitable solutions you see. This is potentially the most important part of winning cover letters. It can make or break the deal, so it deserves an extra effort.

Example:

Client request: We’re looking to hire an experienced designer to create a coffee shop website design from scratch. You’ll need to do a research and ensure good user experience so that it is easy enough for a variety of users.

Potential proposal: I’ll start with wireframing first to sort out the UX, then I’ll create a low-fidelity prototype so that you can see how it actually works in terms of functionality.

Once this is sorted and we are satisfied with the user experience and flow, I’ll step in to build the UI and the aesthetics. What do you think?

Add a link to your portfolio

Be sure to include a link to your entire portfolio or to a few relevant projects; pick the best ones. Don’t expect to be asked for your portfolio and don’t assume that the client will necessarily take a look at your Upwork profile.

Avoid typos in your cover letter

Always read your cover letter before hitting the send button. Typos will make it look less professional and decrease your chances of getting the job. This is especially relevant if you’re applying for translation, editing, copywriting or other writing jobs where improper grammar and typos are guaranteed to break the deal.

Don’t include irrelevant skills

Maybe you’re a programmer who also has a background of an accountant. While applying for a programming job, don’t include your accounting skills as this will not help you pose smarter. This will make you seem unfocused and unaware what you’re actually applying for. Say only what you believe the clients wants to hear.

Upwork cover letter samples and examples

Notice that almost all of these proposals have a few things in common, they each include the seven previously mentioned key selling points. But they are also written in a personal, semi-casual style. I have intentionally left out phrases like “dear sir or madam”, “dear hiring manager” and “best regards”.

I’ve also intentionally left out mentions of higher education like diplomas and college degrees.

In my experience, clients care less about formalities and higher education and more about results.

Now, without further ado, let’s take a look at some sample cover letters for a variety of niches.

Upwork cover letter for graphic designers

Hi [Name]!

I am a perfect fit for this project.

I would love to help you out with your [new style guide, logo, banners and related graphics]. And I can start [right away].

As you can see from the attached portfolio examples, I even have experience [in this specific industry]. I regularly work with [nationally recognized clientele including the Client Name, Client Name and Client Name].

I am an [expert] graphic designer with [20 years] of professional experience in the field and am [Expert Vetted] here on Upwork – a designation reserved for the [top 1%] of professionals on this platform.

Also, I am extremely proficient with [Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator] and will be happy to [turn over source files at the end of the project].

I pride myself on offering [rapid turnarounds] and [quaity products] to my clients. And I would like to do the same for you.

I am attaching a few portfolio pieces to this proposal. You can view additional work samples on my Upwork profile at [link to your profile].

Shoot me a quick message here on Upwork today and we can chat a bit more about yourself and the project.

[Your Name]

Cover letter example for webmaster/web developer

Hi [Name]!

Your project sounds right up my alley.

I can easily create a [new website] for you and your company that [is in line with your brand guide and optimized for SEO]. And, I can start [right away].

As you can see from the attached portfolio examples, I even have experience [working with clients in similar industries to your own]. And I am highly proficient with [WordPress and Shopify].

On my last project, I was even able to [grow my client’s SEO traffic by 30%], and would love to do the same for you.

I am an [expert] web developer and designer with [20 years] of professional experience in the field and am [Expert Vetted] here on Upwork – a designation reserved for the [top 1%] of professionals on this platform.

I am attaching a few portfolio pieces to this proposal. You can view additional work samples on my Upwork profile at [link to your profile].

Shoot me a quick message here on Upwork today and we can chat a bit more about yourself and the project.

Excited to work with you!

[Your Name]

Cover letter sample for WordPress developers and designers

Hi [Name]!

This project sounds like the perfect fit for me.

I’d love to create a [new website] for you and your company. And, I can start [right away].

I have an intimate understanding of the WordPress platform. And I comprehend the importance of [responsive design, SEO optimized content and usability].

On my last project, I was even able to [grow my client’s SEO traffic by 30%], and would love to do the same for you.

As you can see from the attached portfolio examples, I even have experience [working with clients in similar industries to your own].

I am an [expert] web developer and designer with [10 years] of professional experience in the field and am [Expert Vetted] here on Upwork – a designation reserved for the [top 1%] of professionals on this platform.

I am attaching a few portfolio pieces to this proposal. You can view additional work samples on my Upwork profile at [link to your profile].

Shoot me a quick message here on Upwork today and we can chat a bit more about yourself and the project.

Excited to work with you!

[Your Name]

Cover letter sample for a video editor

Hi [Name]!

I was drawn to this job description – this project sounds like an ideal fit for me.

I’d love to help you create [a few banger videos] for your [YouTube channel]. And, I can start [right away].

I have an intimate understanding of not only but also the [YouTube platform]. And I fully comprehend the importance of [channel growth, CTRs and duration time].

In fact, my recent video for [Client Name] just passed the [1M views mark on YouTube and brought in more than 10,000 new subscribers].

I would love to produce similar results for you.

I have over [10 years] of professional experience in this field and am [Expert Vetted] here on Upwork – a designation reserved for the [top 1%] of professionals on this platform.

I am attaching a few of my work examples to this proposal. You can view additional work samples on my Upwork profile at [link to your profile].

Shoot me a quick message here on Upwork today and we can chat a bit more about yourself and the project.

Excited to work with you!

[Your Name]

Cover letter for a social media marketer/ digital marketing

Hi [Name]!

This project sounds like an ideal fit for me.

I’d love to help you [grow your Instagram following by implementing creative strategies and creating engaging posts]. And, I can start [right away].

My strategies have helped my clients [improve their engagement rates by an average of 50% over a 3 month period] and [more than double their follower counts]. I would love to produce similar results for you.

A few of the accounts that I manage can be viewed here: [@handlename, @handlename @handlename].

I have over [10 years] of professional experience in [the SMM field] and am [Expert Vetted] here on Upwork – a designation reserved for the [top 1%] of professionals on this platform.

I am attaching a few screenshots of accounts that I currently manage, as well as screenshots of their analytics to this proposal. You can learn more about me and my services on my Upwork profile at [link to your profile].

Shoot me a quick message here on Upwork today and we can chat a bit more about yourself and the project.

Excited to work with you!

[Your Name]

Cover letter for a content writer

Hi [Name]!

I am a perfect fit for this project.

I’d love to [write SEO-optimized content and articles] for [your blog]. And, I can start [right away].

I even have experience in your niche. I love writing content about [the travel industry] and [I visit Disney World often].

Plus, unlike most other content writers, I am [highly skilled in search engine optimization (SEO)] and [know how to make articles rank on Google].

I also have experience with [SEMRush and AHrefs – two of the industries leading SEO platforms] and familiarity with [AP style].

I have over [5 years] of professional experience [as a content writer and blogger] and am [Expert Vetted] here on Upwork – a designation reserved for the [top 1%] of professionals on this platform.

Be sure to check out some of my related work examples in the attachments below. You can learn more about me and my services on my Upwork profile at [link to your profile].

Shoot me a quick message here on Upwork today and we can chat a bit more about yourself and the project.

Excited to work with you!

[Your Name]

Cover letter for an SEO professional

Hi [Name]!

I am a perfect fit for this project.

I know how to [make web pages rank on Google, Yahoo and Bing through keyword research and content optimization]. And, I can start [right away].

In fact, three of the largest sites that I manage have grown to attract more than [50M pageviews per month] due to the strategies that I implemented. And I would love to apply these proven strategies to your site as well.

I am highly proficient with [SEMRush and AHrefs – two of the industry’s leading SEM and SEO platforms] and have over [10 years] of professional experience in this industry.

I am also [Expert Vetted] here on Upwork – a designation reserved for the [top 1%] of professionals on this platform.

Be sure to check out the attached screenshots from my clients’ [Google Search Console Analytics so you can see the rapid growth for yourself]. You can learn more about me and my services on my Upwork profile at [link to your profile].

Shoot me a quick message here on Upwork today and we can chat a bit more about yourself and the project.

Excited to work with you!

[Your Name]

8. Upwork cover letter sample for data entry

Hi [Name]!

I am a perfect fit for this [data entry project]! And, I can start [right away].

I [have an average typing speed of 80 WPM (words per minute)] and am highly proficient with a variety of word processing programs including [MS Office, Word, Excel and Google Docs].

I’m not only [tech savvy], but I’m also a quick learner and can [easily adapt to any proprietary systems and software your company may use].

I am also [Expert Vetted] here on Upwork – a designation reserved for the [top 1%] of professionals on this platform.

Be sure to check out [some of the glowing testimonials and reviews on recently completed successful projects] on my Upwork profile at [link to your profile].

Shoot me a quick message here on Upwork today and we can chat a bit more about yourself and the project.

Excited to work with you!

[Your Name]

9. Upwork cover letter for a virtual assistant (admin support)

Hi [Name]!

This position sounds like a perfect fit for me! I can even start [right away].

I would be happy to assist with your [lead generation, data mining, web research and data extraction needs].

In fact, I already perform similar services for my other clientele. I will attach [a few case studies] to this proposal.

I can also [type up to 100 words per minute] and am [proficient with a number of systems and software including Excel and Microsoft Word].

I’m not only [tech savvy], but I’m also a quick learner and can [easily adapt to any proprietary software your company may use].

Plus, I’m also [Expert Vetted] here on Upwork – a designation reserved for the [top 1%] of professionals on this platform.

Be sure to check out [additional information about my work history and service offerings] on my Upwork profile at [link to your profile].

Shoot me a quick message here on Upwork today and we can chat a bit more about yourself and the project.

Excited to work with you!

[Your Name]

10. Upwork cover letter for a bookkeeper

Hi [Name]!

I’d love to help you out with your company’s [taxes, bookkeeping and filings]. [I am familiar with Texas tax laws]. And I can start [right away].

I regularly work with companies of all shapes and sizes from [single member LLCs and sole proprieters who keep their books on a Google Spreadsheet] to [large corporations with multiple Quickbooks accounts].

I am also [Expert Vetted] here on Upwork – a designation reserved for the [top 1%] of professionals on this platform.

Be sure to check out [additional information about my work history and service offerings] on my Upwork profile at [link to your profile].

Shoot me a quick message here on Upwork today and we can chat a bit more about yourself and your company.

Excited to work with you!

[Your Name]

11. A generic Upwork cover letter sample for any industry

Hi [Name]!

I am a perfect fit for this project.

I would love to help you out with [the deliverables you’ve mentioned in the job description].

As you can see from the attached portfolio examples, I even have experience [in this specific industry].

I am an [expert freelancer] with [10 years] of professional experience in my field and am [Expert Vetted] here on Upwork – a designation reserved for the [top 1%] of professionals on this platform.

I pride myself on offering [rapid turnarounds] and [quality products] to my clients. And I would like to do the same for you.

Be sure to check out the [related work samples] I’ve attached to this proposal. You can view additional samples on my Upwork profile at [link to your profile].

Shoot me a quick message here on Upwork today and we can chat a bit more about yourself and the project.

[Your Name]

Hopefully, these tips and strategies will help you on your way of landing more jobs on Upwork.

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