Upwork Proposals will either make or break you as a freelancer and they are typically the #1 reason why freelancers struggle to win jobs on Upwork.

Let’s take a look at an Upwork proposal sample that landed me a $167,000+ client. Want proof? Here’s the first contract that we closed and the new ongoing contract.

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FREE Upwork Cover Letter Template

Be sure to delete the headings below and customize the template after fully reading the Upwork job description. Also, be sure to replace the [ ] placeholders with details specific to your skill set and the job you’re bidding on.

If you’re a new freelancer (no reviews/feedback), remove the sentences mentioning reviews on your Upwork profile. You can replace these mentions with items from your personal portfolio that showcase your work.

— Cover Letter Introduction — Hi [insert name of client]!

Thank you so much for providing detailed information about your job. It instantly grabbed my attention and aligns perfectly with my experience as a [insert your job title].

— Provide an example of your work —

As you can view on my Upwork profile, I’ve completed numerous [insert job title] jobs with 5-star reviews, including overly positive client feedback. Two specific examples that showcase the quality of my work and relate directly to your job post are attached to this proposal for you.

— Prove your credibility — Here’s what you should know about me: [List your best accomplishments, qualifications, and anything that makes you stand out among the crowd]

— List what you can bring to the project — Here’s what I can bring to your project: [Read over the job description again and tell the client how you can benefit their project]

— Include a call to action —

Let’s schedule a quick 10-minute introduction call so that we can discuss your project in more detail and ensure that I will be the perfect fit. I have today open from [insert available times].

If those times don’t work for you, just let me know what works best and I will do my best to alter my schedule around your availability.

Questions for the call:

I am looking forward to hearing more about your exciting project and how I can help you! : )

— Closing —

Best Regards,

[Your Name]

My $167,000 Upwork Cover Letter

Okay, are you ready? I’m giving this to you completely for free. Here’s my $167,000 Upwork proposal sample.

Hi Mark!

Thank you so much for providing detailed information about your job.

It instantly grabbed my attention and aligns perfectly with my experience as a Senior SQL Server DBA. I’ve solved customer-facing SQL Server bottlenecks for fortune 500 companies and prominent clientele including Oracle Cerner, CBRE, and Stanford University.

As you can view on my Upwork profile, I’ve completed numerous SQL Server DBA jobs with 5-star reviews, including overly positive feedback. Two specific examples that showcase the quality of my work and relate directly to your post are attached to this proposal for you as well.

Here’s what you should know about me:

I have been a Senior SQL Server DBA for over 9 years, working on a vast variety of challenging projects in numerous industries. As an expert-vetted freelancer, I’m in the top 1% of all freelancers on Upwork and I’ve personally been featured on the website home page (see attachment).

I also have a YouTube channel (Josh Burns Tech) with over 100,000 subscribers, where I share my knowledge in freelancing and personal finance.

Here’s what I can bring to your project:

- Top-notch experience in all versions of SQL Server (2000 – 2019)
- Extensive experience working with large transactional databases
- Understanding of data security best practices when working with PII and PHI data
- 24/7 ultra-reliable communication: you will always be aware of the project status
- Someone who cares about helping you succeed and bringing value to your organization

Let’s schedule a quick 10-minute introduction call so that we can discuss your project in more detail and ensure that I will be the perfect fit. I have tomorrow open from 10 AM – 1 PM EDT and after 3 PM EDT.

If those times don’t work, just let me know what works best for you and I will do my best to alter my schedule around your availability.

Questions to cover on the call:

- What are your biggest pain points for customer complaints?
- Do you have different environments for production, development, and/or testing?
- Do you have any current automated database maintenance jobs?

I am looking forward to hearing more about your exciting project and how I can help you! : )

Best Regards,

Joshua Burns Expert-Vetted Freelancer (Top 1%)

Bonus Freelance Resources

For a more detailed breakdown of the cover letter template sections, check out my Upwork Proposal Sample Blog Post.

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