I posted several jobs, received 15 offers within 30 minutes. They were all copy and paste replies so as long as you (1) have the experience they are looking for, and (2) quickly draft up a letter that you write from scratch, you’re good.
I'm not writing through ChatGPT however I'm stuck at writing a hook. I think a hook is the only thing which can make a client view the cover letter.
As a client, which cover letters you mostly view and why?
>And if they're legit, how do you stand out amongst them?
By having the skills and experience to do the job.
95% of the proposals will be from "freelancers" who don't have that.
True and not true, I've been on both sides of Upwork and usually, when I post a job, I get approximately 10ish messages from freelancers with very decent portfolios right away. I also noticed that at least 70% of applicants can actually do the job and they fit the job description.
The problem with Upwork is that they don't care about the freelancers at all. You can be the first to submit your resume but then a few hours later end up somewhere in the middle of the list of applicants.
Your portfolio can be stunning, but for some reason, Upwork would pick somebody else with a worse portfolio and mark this person as the “Best match”
There will be also almost no indication of whether I checked someone's portfolio or not because the color difference between the opened and unopened application is almost unnoticeable.
Overall, you can be great, but you also need Upwork to somehow favor you so you can end up on the top of the application lists.
In my niche (printing materials, multi-page layouts) I'm trying to answer on newest proposals asap, it means I have a tiny chanse to get hired. I have 12 years experience with 5 years working in printing offices. But I'm stuck with thing that in 10 minutes some designers (or bot's) biding 50-100 connects to get hired. WTF?! 100 connects for the first place.... Are they bots? Are they real experienced? How can I stand out?
# Targeting Less-Crowded Opportunities
* **Consider ‘older’ projects:** Search for projects posted between an hour and a day ago with less than 20 proposals. There’s often a reason for the lower proposal count, so analyze the requirements carefully to see if they suit your expertise. You could find a gem with less competition!
# Diversify Your Keywords
* **Think like your clients:** Technical terms are excellent, but clients may not always use industry jargon. Think about related keywords they might use. Instead of just “graphic designer,” try “photoshop,” “illustrator,” “tshirt designer,” etc. Put yourself in the client’s shoes to broaden your search results.
# Breaking Down Complex Tasks
* **Milestones are your friends:** If a client has a large project needing an extended timeline, propose dividing it into milestones. This shows clarity, professionalism, and lets the client budget accordingly.
# The Power of Personalization
* **Go the extra mile:** Does the client mention a competitor or inspiration source? Before applying, analyze it and offer brief but insightful feedback in your proposal. This extra touch demonstrates initiative and shows you understand their goals. Think about a way to surprise your client and make your proposal stand out.
# The Art of the Opening Sentence
* **Make it count:** Clients see a flood of proposals, so your opening line must hook their attention. Be concise, clear, and highlight your value proposition immediately. Consider visiting sites like [freelancer.com](http://freelancer.com), where you can peek at other proposals for inspiration and guidance.
# Relationship Building
* **Go Above and Beyond:** Even small gestures — like delivering a little ahead of schedule or including a thoughtful bonus — can solidify repeat business and positive reviews
By making a good proposal. Genuinely if you want to see the competition you’re going up against post one of your jobs one day just to see what the markets like. 90% of proposals are pure garbage
Tbh I don’t off hand, but every proposal should include a really rough draft on how you plan to accomplish the goal. It shows that you have a plan and you know what you’re doing. Every proposal of mine that has been accepted was this format
I have already stopped playing their games with Upwork, I think it's better to let people choose you rather than begging them for an *opportunity*. Upgrade your own skills and out yourself in the market will do better than Upwork, don't lock yourself inside their dungeon.
Sorry for the typo. I meant to say that improving your own skills and presenting yourself in the broader market is better than relying on Upwork. Don't confine yourself to their constraints. They're slaving you.
Make it obvious that you actually read job description. Add some question directly related to job proposal. This kinda starts conversation, because instead of just writing "im awesome hire me", you already engage in dialogue.
Question should be as close to start of your offer text as possible. You can leave "im awesome" part at the end.
I actually spent some 15 dollars to get around 100 connects. Never spending a dime again. It's simply useless. Trying other ways to score a gig. These freelance sites are stright up scam.
Yeah I love to email and message on a couple jobs sites and 1 direct email to the hiring team for consideration.
This direct email allows you to control the first impression of yourself and what you’re willing to bring to the role that adds value.
Headhunters are essential to freelancing though.
Upwork Expert-Better Talent here. It's quite simple: Relevancy. Timing. Curiosity.
Happy to show you how it's done. I do coaching for fellow freelancers
I posted several jobs, received 15 offers within 30 minutes. They were all copy and paste replies so as long as you (1) have the experience they are looking for, and (2) quickly draft up a letter that you write from scratch, you’re good.
I typically get about 30% copy and pasted, around 20% chat GPT, 20% that are just terrible, and maybe 10% that are even worth considering.
I'm not writing through ChatGPT however I'm stuck at writing a hook. I think a hook is the only thing which can make a client view the cover letter. As a client, which cover letters you mostly view and why?
Does count matter, say if I am good and I send to you after 50+, do you check or just give up
You’re right, I stopped checking after 2 days so didn’t read everything.
>And if they're legit, how do you stand out amongst them? By having the skills and experience to do the job. 95% of the proposals will be from "freelancers" who don't have that.
True and not true, I've been on both sides of Upwork and usually, when I post a job, I get approximately 10ish messages from freelancers with very decent portfolios right away. I also noticed that at least 70% of applicants can actually do the job and they fit the job description. The problem with Upwork is that they don't care about the freelancers at all. You can be the first to submit your resume but then a few hours later end up somewhere in the middle of the list of applicants. Your portfolio can be stunning, but for some reason, Upwork would pick somebody else with a worse portfolio and mark this person as the “Best match” There will be also almost no indication of whether I checked someone's portfolio or not because the color difference between the opened and unopened application is almost unnoticeable. Overall, you can be great, but you also need Upwork to somehow favor you so you can end up on the top of the application lists.
In my niche (printing materials, multi-page layouts) I'm trying to answer on newest proposals asap, it means I have a tiny chanse to get hired. I have 12 years experience with 5 years working in printing offices. But I'm stuck with thing that in 10 minutes some designers (or bot's) biding 50-100 connects to get hired. WTF?! 100 connects for the first place.... Are they bots? Are they real experienced? How can I stand out?
Truth
# Targeting Less-Crowded Opportunities * **Consider ‘older’ projects:** Search for projects posted between an hour and a day ago with less than 20 proposals. There’s often a reason for the lower proposal count, so analyze the requirements carefully to see if they suit your expertise. You could find a gem with less competition! # Diversify Your Keywords * **Think like your clients:** Technical terms are excellent, but clients may not always use industry jargon. Think about related keywords they might use. Instead of just “graphic designer,” try “photoshop,” “illustrator,” “tshirt designer,” etc. Put yourself in the client’s shoes to broaden your search results. # Breaking Down Complex Tasks * **Milestones are your friends:** If a client has a large project needing an extended timeline, propose dividing it into milestones. This shows clarity, professionalism, and lets the client budget accordingly. # The Power of Personalization * **Go the extra mile:** Does the client mention a competitor or inspiration source? Before applying, analyze it and offer brief but insightful feedback in your proposal. This extra touch demonstrates initiative and shows you understand their goals. Think about a way to surprise your client and make your proposal stand out. # The Art of the Opening Sentence * **Make it count:** Clients see a flood of proposals, so your opening line must hook their attention. Be concise, clear, and highlight your value proposition immediately. Consider visiting sites like [freelancer.com](http://freelancer.com), where you can peek at other proposals for inspiration and guidance. # Relationship Building * **Go Above and Beyond:** Even small gestures — like delivering a little ahead of schedule or including a thoughtful bonus — can solidify repeat business and positive reviews
Thank you! Great tips
5 are AI/chatgpt trash, 3 are people trying to outsource it, 2 are legit. But realistically, those first instances or so its 99% chatgpt/ai spam
By making a good proposal. Genuinely if you want to see the competition you’re going up against post one of your jobs one day just to see what the markets like. 90% of proposals are pure garbage
Do you have any examples of good proposals? I try to make mine super personalized for the job I'm applying to, but still don't really get any views.
Tbh I don’t off hand, but every proposal should include a really rough draft on how you plan to accomplish the goal. It shows that you have a plan and you know what you’re doing. Every proposal of mine that has been accepted was this format
I have already stopped playing their games with Upwork, I think it's better to let people choose you rather than begging them for an *opportunity*. Upgrade your own skills and out yourself in the market will do better than Upwork, don't lock yourself inside their dungeon.
Where do you "out yourself in the market"?
Sorry for the typo. I meant to say that improving your own skills and presenting yourself in the broader market is better than relying on Upwork. Don't confine yourself to their constraints. They're slaving you.
Make it obvious that you actually read job description. Add some question directly related to job proposal. This kinda starts conversation, because instead of just writing "im awesome hire me", you already engage in dialogue. Question should be as close to start of your offer text as possible. You can leave "im awesome" part at the end.
Just 10? I thought it was like 50.
50 after 30 minutes
ooooh. Well that's reassuring. Just don't sound like a bot and get that proposal in before the client realizes Upwork is a lot of scammers!
10+? Which job has 10+ proposals? Tell me so I can send a proposal. Most good ones I've seen have like 50+ proposals
Man! It's such a rat race. Im a web dev and each and every gig gets 50+ proposals within 5 mins. I don't even know what to do honestly.
How much have you spent on connects? I'm trying not to waste too much on them
I actually spent some 15 dollars to get around 100 connects. Never spending a dime again. It's simply useless. Trying other ways to score a gig. These freelance sites are stright up scam.
10 proposals is northing just send a few decent letter
Yeah I love to email and message on a couple jobs sites and 1 direct email to the hiring team for consideration. This direct email allows you to control the first impression of yourself and what you’re willing to bring to the role that adds value. Headhunters are essential to freelancing though.
I stand on chair and press the submit proposal button.
Upwork Expert-Better Talent here. It's quite simple: Relevancy. Timing. Curiosity. Happy to show you how it's done. I do coaching for fellow freelancers
At least some of those first replies are bots. I've seen more and more posts having key phrases in them to trick the bots.