I have seen many posts on LinkedIn where
the Upwork coach shares a sample proposal. This is actually good but gets
abused by the freelancers who copy it verbatim, do half-assed editing on it,
and start distributing it to every job. They will get some results, but that is
not the best because you will have to send so many proposals to get one job. I
remember I once sent out 68 proposals to get one hire; in those days, I used
copied templates.
However, with my new style of sending Upwork proposals, I
get better responses. The chances that I will get the job are above 75%,
provided the client views my proposal. My methods are strange and not what many
freelance coaches teach or agree with, but my results and those I mentor prove
that my Upwork tips work!
Here are some of my magical tactics for winning jobs on
Upwork:
1. Do not copy and paste templates. If you must, re-read and
adjust it properly to fit each job you are applying for.
2. Restate the core problem of the client and probably how
you intend to solve it by describing your process.
3. Tell them you can help solve their problem, and that you
can start right away. Don’t just tell clients that you are an expert; show it!
Show it in the restatement of the problem. Show it in your sample attachments.
I attached only relevant or similar samples to the job.
4. Where possible, give free tasters. For instance, my
friend got his first job by attaching the completed job the client described in
the job description as an attachment.
5. Give back the energy the client gives. For example, if I
observe that a client is a deep Christian, I will play to their sentiment by
subtly reflecting my own Christianity too. Adding "stay blessed
increasingly" at the end of my proposal once won me a job with a church in
the USA. Now, I respond to job descriptions or invites the same way I respond
to emails. If the client sounds friendly, I respond in a friendly manner. If
not, I respond with diplomacy.