How to Write a Proposal on Upwork that Actually Gets you Hired 2025

00:06:12
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuE1N6oPPxo

Summary

TLDRIn this video, a seasoned freelancer shares effective strategies for writing Upwork proposals that get noticed and lead to hiring. The key is to focus on the client's needs rather than self-promotion. The speaker outlines a formula that includes restating the client's problem, offering quick solutions, explaining qualifications, describing the process, using attention-grabbing hooks, and ending with a call to action. Empathy is emphasized as crucial for connecting with clients. A free proposal guide is also offered for those looking to improve their proposal writing skills.

Takeaways

  • πŸ’‘ Focus on the client's needs, not your experience.
  • πŸ“ Restate the client's problem in your proposal.
  • πŸš€ Offer quick solutions to show readiness.
  • πŸ” Explain why you're uniquely qualified to help.
  • πŸ“ˆ Describe your process to solve their problem.
  • 🎣 Use attention-grabbing hooks in the first sentences.
  • πŸ“ž End with a clear call to action.
  • πŸ“‚ Include relevant samples or portfolio pieces.
  • 🀝 Show empathy to connect with clients.
  • 🎁 Grab the free Upwork proposal guide for more tips.

Timeline

  • 00:00:00 - 00:06:12

    The speaker, a seasoned freelancer on Upwork, shares strategies for writing effective proposals that lead to hiring. They emphasize that success is not about luck but strategy, and that understanding client needs is crucial. The common mistake freelancers make is focusing on their own experience rather than addressing the client's problem. Winning proposals demonstrate empathy by restating the client's problem, offering quick solutions, and explaining why the freelancer is a perfect fit. The speaker outlines a five-step approach: restate the problem, offer a solution, explain qualifications, describe the process, and use attention-grabbing hooks. They also stress the importance of a call to action and suggest including relevant portfolio pieces. The formula is client-focused, positioning the freelancer as a problem solver rather than just another candidate. The speaker encourages viewers to apply these methods and offers a free proposal guide for further assistance.

Mind Map

Video Q&A

  • What is the main focus of a successful Upwork proposal?

    The main focus should be on understanding and addressing the client's needs.

  • Do I need a perfect profile to get hired?

    No, you don't need a perfect profile or numerous five-star reviews to succeed.

  • What should I include in the first two sentences of my proposal?

    Use hooks to grab the client's attention, such as expressing excitement or offering a discount.

  • How can I show my qualifications in a proposal?

    Briefly explain why you're uniquely qualified by connecting your skills to the client's problem.

  • What is a good way to end a proposal?

    Wrap it up with a call to action, inviting the client to discuss their goals further.

  • Is there a free resource available for writing proposals?

    Yes, the speaker offers a free Upwork proposal guide.

  • What is the importance of empathy in proposals?

    Empathy shows the client that you understand their problem and are ready to provide a solution.

  • How can I demonstrate my process in a proposal?

    Describe the steps you would take to solve the client's problem.

  • What should I do if I want to stand out from other freelancers?

    Focus on being a problem solver rather than just listing your skills.

  • Can I include samples in my proposal?

    Yes, including relevant portfolio pieces or samples can enhance your proposal.

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  • 00:00:00
    how to you write a proposal on uppr that
  • 00:00:02
    actually gets you hired in
  • 00:00:05
    2025 have you ever wondered why some
  • 00:00:07
    freelances seem to land on gig
  • 00:00:10
    effortlessly While others are struggling
  • 00:00:12
    to get even a single reply I get it the
  • 00:00:16
    frustration is real but here's the truth
  • 00:00:19
    it's not about luck it's about strategy
  • 00:00:22
    hi I'm cup and I've been a freelancer on
  • 00:00:25
    upward for over 10 years and earned over
  • 00:00:27
    a million dollar through the platform
  • 00:00:30
    today I'm going to reveal the exact
  • 00:00:32
    method I use to write upward proposals
  • 00:00:36
    that actually get noticed and more
  • 00:00:38
    importantly get you hired and the best
  • 00:00:41
    part you don't need perfect profile or a
  • 00:00:43
    dozen five-star reviews to make this
  • 00:00:46
    work oh and if you want a head start I'm
  • 00:00:50
    offering my free upward proposal guide
  • 00:00:53
    is absolutely free and you can grab it
  • 00:00:56
    using the link in the comment and
  • 00:00:58
    description below so let's dive in the
  • 00:01:02
    problem with most proposals most
  • 00:01:04
    Freelancers make the same mistake over
  • 00:01:07
    and over they focus on themselves I have
  • 00:01:10
    10 years of experience I work with XY
  • 00:01:13
    and Z clients I'm highly skilled at ABC
  • 00:01:17
    sound familiar the problem with this
  • 00:01:20
    approach is that it's all about you and
  • 00:01:23
    while you're experience matters clients
  • 00:01:26
    care about one thing can you solve their
  • 00:01:29
    problem
  • 00:01:30
    here's the hard truth if your proposal
  • 00:01:33
    does not address the client needs right
  • 00:01:35
    at the start then it's going to go
  • 00:01:38
    straight to trash what's winning
  • 00:01:40
    proposals do differently secret to the
  • 00:01:43
    winning proposal is empathy show the
  • 00:01:46
    client that you understand their problem
  • 00:01:48
    and have a plan to solve it let's break
  • 00:01:51
    this down number one restate the problem
  • 00:01:54
    start by restating the client problem in
  • 00:01:57
    their own words for example example I
  • 00:02:01
    see that you need help creating engaging
  • 00:02:04
    email campaign to boost your sales this
  • 00:02:07
    shows you understand their needs and are
  • 00:02:11
    already thinking about a solution number
  • 00:02:14
    two offer a quick solution next tell
  • 00:02:17
    them that you can solve the problem and
  • 00:02:19
    you can start it right away keep it
  • 00:02:22
    simple here's some samples I can help
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    you craft email campaign that not only
  • 00:02:27
    cap your attention but drive converion
  • 00:02:31
    and I can get started immediately number
  • 00:02:34
    three why you are the perfect fit
  • 00:02:36
    briefly explain why you're uniquely
  • 00:02:39
    qualified to help them don't you talk
  • 00:02:42
    about your skills connect to them with
  • 00:02:44
    their problem for example I've helped
  • 00:02:47
    similar businesses increase their email
  • 00:02:50
    clickthrough rates by 35% and I'd love
  • 00:02:53
    to do the same for you number four
  • 00:02:56
    describe your process give them a
  • 00:02:58
    glimpse of how how you solve the problem
  • 00:03:01
    this is where you can elaborate for
  • 00:03:04
    example here's how I'd like to approach
  • 00:03:06
    this first I'd audit your current email
  • 00:03:09
    campaign to identify gaps then I'd
  • 00:03:12
    create a new strategy tailored to your
  • 00:03:15
    audience finally I design and write an
  • 00:03:18
    email insuring that aligns with your
  • 00:03:21
    brand Voice number five add hooks to
  • 00:03:24
    grab attention the first two sentences
  • 00:03:27
    of your proposal are critical for grab
  • 00:03:30
    the client's attention use hooks like
  • 00:03:33
    these below show excitement hi clients
  • 00:03:36
    while viewing your job details it really
  • 00:03:39
    jumped out at me I have extensive
  • 00:03:42
    experience in that specific skill and I
  • 00:03:45
    can start immediately here's another
  • 00:03:47
    offer a discount hello client name I'm
  • 00:03:51
    new to upwork and looking to land on a
  • 00:03:53
    few clients if you are interested I'll
  • 00:03:56
    offer you 10% discount on this job be
  • 00:03:59
    friendly hi client's name I see that you
  • 00:04:02
    need help with a specific task I'd love
  • 00:04:06
    to take some of that workload off of
  • 00:04:08
    your plate past experience hey client's
  • 00:04:11
    name your job description caught my
  • 00:04:14
    attention because I recently completed a
  • 00:04:17
    similar job here's the link and share
  • 00:04:20
    that link talk about the client hi
  • 00:04:22
    client congratulations on that specific
  • 00:04:26
    Milestone achievement I'd love to help
  • 00:04:28
    you take it for further free sample hi
  • 00:04:32
    client's name I'd be happy to provide a
  • 00:04:34
    free sample of my work to show you what
  • 00:04:38
    I can do let's get started ask questions
  • 00:04:41
    hi client's name your job description
  • 00:04:44
    sparked a couple of questions in my mind
  • 00:04:47
    number one question and number two
  • 00:04:50
    question number six end with a call to
  • 00:04:53
    action wrap it up by inviting them to
  • 00:04:56
    take the next step if this sound like
  • 00:04:58
    what you're looking for let's schedule a
  • 00:05:01
    quick call to discuss your goals in more
  • 00:05:04
    details I'd love to help you make this
  • 00:05:06
    happen bonus attachment matters if you
  • 00:05:10
    can include a relevant portfolio piece
  • 00:05:13
    or a short sample for example I've
  • 00:05:17
    attached a sample of an email campaign
  • 00:05:20
    I've created for another client feel
  • 00:05:22
    free to take a look this formula works
  • 00:05:25
    because it's client focused it's not
  • 00:05:28
    about you it's about how you can make
  • 00:05:30
    their life easier when you approach
  • 00:05:33
    proposal this way you're not just
  • 00:05:35
    another freelancer you're a problem
  • 00:05:38
    solver now that you know the formula
  • 00:05:41
    it's time to put it to action start
  • 00:05:44
    applying this method to your next few
  • 00:05:46
    proposals and I promise you you'll see a
  • 00:05:49
    difference and remember if you want to
  • 00:05:52
    save time and write even better
  • 00:05:54
    proposals grab my free upper proposal
  • 00:05:58
    guide It's AB to absolutely free and the
  • 00:06:01
    link is in the comment and description
  • 00:06:03
    below good luck and you've got this as
  • 00:06:06
    always I'm rooting for you until next
  • 00:06:09
    time be fantastic
Tags
  • Upwork
  • freelancing
  • proposals
  • client focus
  • empathy
  • problem solving
  • freelancer tips
  • proposal guide
  • hiring
  • success