Welcome to the world of freelance writing! Yes, it’s a wild, wacky place where you can live in your sweatpants and set your own hours. If you’re considering starting a career as a freelance writer, that means you’ve probably already written something for someone else.
But do you know how to write an effective proposal for a client? Like so many other things in life, the answer is yes and no it depends on the situation. But not to worry! In this article, I’ll show you how to write an effective freelance proposal with my 14 favorite tips that have helped me get hired time and time again.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Tailor Your Proposal: Personalize each proposal to address the specific needs and requirements of the client. |
| 2. Showcase Your Expertise: Highlight your skills, relevant experience, and previous work samples to demonstrate your capabilities. |
| 3. Be Clear and Concise: Present your proposal in a clear and easy-to-understand manner, avoiding unnecessary jargon or complexity. |
| 4. Emphasize Unique Value: Clearly communicate the unique value you bring to the project and why you’re the best fit for the job. |
| 5. Proofread and Edit: Thoroughly review your proposal for grammatical errors and clarity before submitting to maintain a professional image. |
1. A Simple But Effective Cover Letter
Your cover letter is important. It’s the first thing a prospective client will read and it can make or break your chances of winning them over.
Let’s start with an introduction to the client, why you’re writing to them, what the job entails and how you can help them achieve their goals.
The first paragraph should be short and sweet – it should go something like this: “Dear [client name], I have been following your company/blog/etc for some time now and think that I would be a great fit for this particular project.”
This way they will know exactly who is writing to them and why they are so excited about working with said company/blog/etc.
Understanding how to navigate Upwork as a freelancer is crucial for success in the gig economy. Our comprehensive guide on how Upwork works for freelancers offers valuable insights and tips to help you thrive in this competitive marketplace.
2. A Personalized Introduction
Start by introducing yourself. The introduction should be short and sweet, written as a letter to your prospective client, not as a template. In this section of your proposal, you can include information about the scope of work and the cost associated with it.
Your introduction should begin with something like “Hello [name], my name is [your name]. I am a freelance writer specializing in business writing and have been working in this field for 15 years…” You can write more details here if you like just keep in mind that every word adds up!
The introduction should also explain why you think they’re looking for help from a freelancer. If there’s any way that you know about their company specifically (perhaps because previous clients have recommended them?), mention this too!
Be sure to make it personal; use “we” instead of “you,” for example: “We are thrilled to work with companies such as yours!”
3. An Understanding Of The Client’s Business, Goals, And History
Before you start drafting, you need to make sure that you have a good grasp of the client’s business and goals. This is especially important if they are trying to accomplish something unique in their industry.
For example, if they’re launching a new product or service; if they are an established business looking to expand into new markets; or if they are attempting to solve an issue in their industry that has never been solved before.
To properly understand what your client needs help with (and how much help), ask questions like:
- What problem do they need to solve?
- Is there anything specific about this project that would make it different than anything else I’ve done before?
- How will success be measured?
As a freelancer, efficient time management can make or break your career. Learn essential time management techniques in our article on time management tips for freelancers, and take charge of your productivity like a pro.
4. Clear Communication And Concise Language
Before you even dive into the details of your proposal, make sure that your client clearly understands what you’re offering. Be specific about what you can do for them, but also be clear about any limitations or limitations on their end (for example, if they have a small budget).
Then outline all the terms of your agreement so there are no surprises later regarding payment or availability.
It’s always best to use simple language in freelance proposals that way they’re easier to understand and digest by both parties involved in a project. If any industry-specific terms need explaining, keep those explanations short and sweet so they don’t distract from the main point at hand: getting your services hired!
5. How Your Work Benefits The Client
When you have a new client on the table, you want to make sure they understand how working with you can benefit their business. To accomplish this, you need to be able to articulate what makes you unique and why exactly they should work with you over other freelancers.
This is where your unique selling points come in the things that make your services stand out from others who provide similar content or services. Think about what makes your company and service different from everyone else’s and use that information in your proposal letter or email. You might highlight that:
- You’re familiar with the industry, so they won’t have any issues communicating their goals
- They’ll be able to save money when hiring someone who charges less than industry standard rates
- Your writing style is distinctive, which means better engagement among readers
6. Proof Of Your Expertise And Experience
Your resume and portfolio show you have the skills and experience to do this job. But what if you don’t have a resume or portfolio? How can you prove that your skills are up to snuff?
There are many ways to answer this question, but they all boil down to showing your expertise in one way or another:
Credentials: These are any documents that prove you have a certain level of education (e.g., degrees), training (e.g., certifications), or professional experience (e.g., years at a company).
Ideally, these should be no more than five years old because older credentials lose their value quickly as technology advances and new standards emerge from industry groups like ISO or ANSI.
Looking to attract more clients on Upwork without resorting to dishonest practices? Our guide on how to get more clients on Upwork without lying, cheating, or stealing provides ethical strategies to grow your freelance business authentically.
7. A Description Of Your Strategy And Process
You should include a detailed description of how you will approach the project. This can be part of your pitch or it can be a separate document that is included in the pitch package. Either way, this is a critical component of writing a proposal because it lets the client know what to expect from you.
This section should start with an overview of your strategy and process so that they understand why they hired you (your competitive advantage). Then, provide details about what exactly happens along each step: how long things take, who does them, etc.
8. Your Availability And Proposal Fees
The next important piece of your proposal is availability, and the way you approach this will have a lot to do with how you handle other sections of your proposal. If you’re available for freelance work only once every three months, then be upfront about it.
If you can take on more projects than that if your schedule is more open then make sure they know that as well. Take some time to consider how often they may want or need your services; if they don’t need ongoing support throughout the year, then make it clear that this isn’t something you can offer them right now.
It’s also important to include information about pricing in this section so people know what they’re getting into before agreeing with any freelance project or job offer from you.
This doesn’t mean charging them whatever amount of money comes into mind (or letting them negotiate away from an agreed price), but rather being clear about what kinds of services cost what amounts of money: “My hourly rate is $25/hour,” or “My flat-rate project rate depends on the complexity level.”
Don’t forget about payment terms either; if there’s anything special about how often clients must pay their bills or whether there are penalties for late payments, these details should be included here as well: “Payment due by Friday each week.”
9. A Professional Appearance With A Strong Design
When you’re looking to make an impression on your clients, your freelance proposal must have a professional appearance. This includes formatting and fonts, but also the overall look of the document itself.
The most important thing here is for you to use fonts that are readable and easy to read at any size (as well as being easy to read in a variety of different settings).
A good rule of thumb is that if you can easily read it on your smartphone or tablet, then it will be equally readable when printed out in 8×10 format. When it comes down to picking fonts for your freelance proposals, stick with basic ones like Helvetica Neue or Times New Roman; these are usually available on any computer system without having to install anything special!
10. Facts Backed With Research And Data
In your proposal, you’re going to want to use facts and data to demonstrate that you are an expert in your field. The more specialized or substantial the information is, the better it will be perceived by potential clients.
It can be tempting to pad out a few proposals with filler content but don’t do it! That’s not only dishonest but also makes potential clients question whether or not they can trust what else you’re saying about yourself and why someone should hire you.
11. Specifics On How You’re Going To Solve Their Problems With Your Freelance Services
Describe how you’re going to solve their problems with your freelance services. Most clients won’t be able to tell you exactly what they need help with, so this is where your experience comes in handy.
You can use that experience as the basis for a plan of action and send it along in your proposal. If you have an idea of what might improve the client’s business, say so!
It doesn’t have to be exact or even close just enough information for them to see how you’d tackle their problem and make them feel confident about hiring you on as a freelancer for that reason alone, which leads us neatly into our next point…
Transform your freelance writing endeavor into a profitable venture. Check out our article on how to monetize your freelance writing business for valuable insights on earning more from your writing skills.
12. Client Testimonials And Case Studies
Case studies and client testimonials are a great way to show off your experience, but they’re also great for showing that you have a system for solving problems. By showing how you solve problems for other clients, you can show clients that the same thing could happen to them too.
Client testimonials are always nice to have on hand especially if your prospective client is similar to one of your past ones in some way (like if they’re in the same industry or dealing with similar issues).
If you have any case studies or projects that were particularly successful, be sure to include them! Anything along those lines will help convince future clients of how valuable your services would be for them.
13. Past Examples Of Client Work That’s Similar To What They’re Looking For
A good way to show that you’re the right fit for a job is by providing examples of past projects that were similar to what your potential client is looking for. If you’ve worked with another business like theirs in the past, they will likely take notice and be more inclined to hire you.
If there are any challenges or obstacles they faced in their project, briefly address how these challenges can be overcome in this new project. For example: “The company we worked with last year had very specific design requirements, which we were able to handle with ease.”
The goal here is not only to show off your skills but also to make sure the client knows that you have experience working on similar projects before and can handle whatever comes your way without any problems (or at least without any major ones).
14. Clients Want To Know That You Understand Their Business
When you’re writing a freelance proposal, it’s important to remember that the client wants to know that you understand their business, have the skills to do the job effectively and can be easy to work with. In other words: clients want to know that you can be trusted.
The more trust your client has in you from the beginning of a project, the better off everyone will be in terms of delivering on time and getting great results for them.
In my experience as an editor at several companies and freelancer for many more and now as an editor helping other people become successful freelancers I’ve seen time and time again how effective proposals get jobs done right away when executed properly.
In this article, I’m sharing these proven tips so that you can ace your next job proposal too!
Time management is vital for freelancers seeking work-life balance. Explore our article on 18 advanced time management tips for freelancers to master the art of juggling multiple projects and priorities with finesse.
Conclusion
We hope these tips will help you write a winning proposal, but remember that writing doesn’t have to be hard. Even if you’re not in the business of writing proposals, we know how important it is to get your words right and that’s where our AI editor such as Grammarly can help.
Further Reading
7 Proven Tips to Make Your Freelance Writing Proposal Unforgettable: Learn effective strategies to craft a memorable freelance writing proposal that impresses clients and boosts your chances of landing projects.
Freelance Proposal Template: Simplify Your Bidding Process: Streamline your bidding process with a handy freelance proposal template, designed to save time and improve your proposal’s effectiveness.
Upwork Proposal Sample: A Guide to Stand Out on the Platform: Explore an Upwork proposal sample and gain valuable insights on how to create winning proposals that make you stand out in the competitive freelance marketplace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What If I Don’t Have Any Experience?
If you’re just starting, there’s no shame in that! We’ve all been there. The best way to get experience is by actually doing the work, which means taking on small projects for free or for very little pay until you feel confident enough to charge more.
You might be surprised at how much a client will be willing to invest in you when they see your skills and talent shine through.
What If I Don’t Have A Portfolio?
Unfortunately, many freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr do not allow freelancers to include links to their websites.
This can make it hard for potential clients to find examples of their previous work before hiring them (and it also makes it difficult for clients who aren’t tech-savvy). If this happens, try asking for references from past employers or providing screenshots/screenshots/screen recordings as proof instead.
What If I Don’t Have A Website?
Setting up an account with one of these sites takes some time and effort but once you’re ready, your profile page will become an invaluable tool for connecting with potential clients and showing off your skillset! Plus having one shows that you know what industry professionals are looking for when evaluating new candidates.”
How Much Time Should You Spend On The Proposal?
It’s important to invest your time wisely. If you’re trying to make a quick buck, then this is probably not for you. A good rule of thumb is to set aside 3-5 hours per proposal (depending on its size), but this can vary greatly depending on your skill level and experience.
How Many Proposals Should I Send Out?
If you’re having trouble getting clients, expect it to take longer than usual until you start getting results! You shouldn’t expect to get clients right away – that’s why it’s wise to have multiple streams of income in place before diving into freelancing full-time (or even part-time).
So don’t be discouraged if things don’t happen immediately; instead, focus on improving yourself so that when jobs come along, they’re ready for them!
What Is A Freelance Proposal?
A freelance proposal is the first step in the freelancing process and an essential part of it. It helps you gain customers’ trust and interest, as well as show them what you can do for them.
What Is The Purpose Of A Freelance Proposal?
The main goal of a freelance proposal is to convince your client that hiring you will be worth their time, money, and effort. The more time-consuming it is for them to find and hire someone else, the more likely they will be interested in hiring you.
What Do Clients Look For In A Freelance Proposal?
Clients want to see how much experience/skill/talent/knowledge etc., there is behind any project(s) presented by potential providers (that’s why there should be at least one example attached). They also need reassurance that everything will be done within their budget and deadline.
I am a content writer, and I love what I do! Writing makes me feel like the words are flowing through my fingers, and then onto the keyboard, like magic. My experience as a writer has taught me that writing makes me feel good, as well as helps others to feel better too!