Look, I realize there are a lot of blog posts featuring sample Upwork cover letters out there on the interwebs. But how many of those bloggers can really put their money where their mouth is? Well today reader, you’re in luck. Because you’ve just stumbled upon a blog post with sample Upwork cover letters written by someone who has earned over $600,000 on the Upwork platform.
And in this article, I am not only going to offer a variety of sample cover letters but also a few tips and tricks on how to write your own. Industries and roles included in this article are as follows:
- Graphic Designer
- Web Developer and Designer
- WordPress Developer
- Video Editor
- Social Media Marketer
- Content Writer
- SEO Pro
- Data Entry Pro
- Admin Support (Virtual Assistant)
- Bookkeeper
- General
Don’t see your niche on the list? No worries, that’s why I’ve included a general “generic” example at the end that – hopefully – you can customize to fit your particular skill set. You can also learn more about how to construct your own cover letter in my other article: “Upwork proposals: 11 tips from a $600k freelancer”.
Upwork Proposal Writing Bootcamp by Morgan Overholt
This proposal writing boot camp gives you a behind-the-scenes look at exactly what the client experiences when hiring on the Upwork platform with a real-life case study that examines common mistakes freelancers make when submitting proposals. Topics covered include:
- A look at the client side of Upwork
- How I receive more invites
- How I optimize my profile
- How I optimize my proposals
Price: $19.99
Free Upwork Starter Kit
Jumpstart your freelance career with this handy dandy guide
Subscribe to my newsletter and I will send a starter kit that features my best Upwork tips and a 28-day Upwork challenge to your inbox.
What does “cover letter” mean on Upwork?
An Upwork proposal is comprised of three parts:
- Terms
- Cover letter
- Attachments
The terms section is where you will indicate an hourly rate or bid for the project. The attachments section is normally used for related work samples. And the Upwork cover letter is where you, the freelancer, will write a personal letter to the potential client letting them know why you are the right person for the job.
What should an Upwork cover letter say?
Every Upwork cover letter you send should include:
- A confident understanding of the requirements
- Details about the job description*
- A genuine interest in the work
- Your professional qualifications
- A unique selling point
- A link to an off-site portfolio or your Upwork profile**
- A call to action
* I’ve also played the role of client on the Upwork platform. And I can tell you, from personal experience, that most freelancers are just sending generic proposals and not actually reading the job post. This is why, referencing specific details about the job and customizing your prorposals and cover letters will likely make you an instant stand out.
** Linking to any external website that contains an non-Upwork method of contact in your cover letter is against Upwork’s terms of service. That includes contact forms. So if you go this route, either create a landing page without an alternate method of contact or simply link to your own Upwork profile. This may sound like a redundant step to some, but I can assure you, as a client, I find the client side interface to be confusing. I often have a hard time navigating to the applicant’s Upwork profile, and love it when freelancers save me the trouble by just including a direct link.
Also, consider installing Grammarly. It’s completely free and catches all sorts of typos and grammar mistakes. It’s been a game changer for my proposals and my blogs.
For details on how to accomplish the above tasks, check out my other article: “Upwork proposals: 11 tips from a $600k freelancer”.
Upwork cover letters samples and examples
Before we get to the samples, I want to offer a few general clarifications and disclaimers.
For context, graphic design is my primary niche on Upwork. But I am also a skilled WordPress designer, content writer and SEO expert.
All of the other examples I am providing are either industries in which I have some experience on either the freelance or client side. So I feel confident enough to tell you what I believe would attract a prospective client. (But I am also eager to hear your thoughts on these samples in the comments below.)
Also, take note that I am using brackets as placeholders in the following examples. So be sure to fill in the blanks on your own.
Speaking of which, even though you could easily copy and paste these examples and use them (mostly) as is, I encourage you to treat them more like an outline.
It’s likely that this article is going to get a lot of traffic. We don’t want every freelancer on Upwork to start using the same proposal. So I encourage you to customize these heavily to make them unique.
Finally, notice that almost all of these proposals have a few things in common. Obviously, they each include the seven previously mentioned key selling points. But they are also written in a personal, semi-casual style. I have intentionally left out phrases like “dear sir or madam”, “dear hiring manager” and “best regards”.
I’ve also intentionally left out mentions of higher education like diplomas and college degrees.
In my experience, clients care less about formalities and higher education and more about results.
Now, without further ado, let’s take a look at some sample cover letters for a variety of niches.
1. Upwork cover letter sample for graphic designers
Hi [Name]!
I am a perfect fit for this project.
I would love to help you out with your [new style guide, logo, banners and related graphics]. And I can start [right away].
As you can see from the attached portfolio examples, I even have experience [in this specific industry]. I regularly work with [nationally recognized clientele including the Client Name, Client Name and Client Name].
I am an [expert] graphic designer with [20 years] of professional experience in the field and am [Expert Vetted] here on Upwork – a designation reserved for the [top 1%] of professionals on this platform.
Also, I am extremely proficient with [Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator] and will be happy to [turn over source files at the end of the project].
I pride myself on offering [rapid turnarounds] and [quality products] to my clients. And I would like to do the same for you.
I am attaching a few portfolio pieces to this proposal. You can view additional work samples on my Upwork profile at [link to your profile].
Shoot me a quick message here on Upwork today and we can chat a bit more about yourself and the project.
[Your Name]
2. Upwork cover letter sample for webmaster/web developer
Hi [Name]!
Your project sounds right up my alley.
I can easily create a [new website] for you and your company that [is in line with your brand guide and optimized for SEO]. And, I can start [right away].
As you can see from the attached portfolio examples, I even have experience [working with clients in similar industries to your own]. And I am highly proficient with [WordPress and Shopify].
On my last project, I was even able to [grow my client’s SEO traffic by 30%], and would love to do the same for you.
I am an [expert] web developer and designer with [20 years] of professional experience in the field and am [Expert Vetted] here on Upwork – a designation reserved for the [top 1%] of professionals on this platform.
I am attaching a few portfolio pieces to this proposal. You can view additional work samples on my Upwork profile at [link to your profile].
Shoot me a quick message here on Upwork today and we can chat a bit more about yourself and the project.
Excited to work with you!
[Your Name]
3. Upwork cover letter sample for WordPress developers and designers
Hi [Name]!
This project sounds like the perfect fit for me.
I’d love to create a [new website] for you and your company. And, I can start [right away].
I have an intimate understanding of the WordPress platform. And I comprehend the importance of [responsive design, SEO optimized content and usability].
On my last project, I was even able to [grow my client’s SEO traffic by 30%], and would love to do the same for you.
As you can see from the attached portfolio examples, I even have experience [working with clients in similar industries to your own].
I am an [expert] web developer and designer with [10 years] of professional experience in the field and am [Expert Vetted] here on Upwork – a designation reserved for the [top 1%] of professionals on this platform.
I am attaching a few portfolio pieces to this proposal. You can view additional work samples on my Upwork profile at [link to your profile].
Shoot me a quick message here on Upwork today and we can chat a bit more about yourself and the project.
Excited to work with you!
[Your Name]
4. Upwork cover letter sample for a video editor
Hi [Name]!
I was drawn to this job description – this project sounds like an ideal fit for me.
I’d love to help you create [a few banger videos] for your [YouTube channel]. And, I can start [right away].
I have an intimate understanding of not only but also the [YouTube platform]. And I fully comprehend the importance of [channel growth, CTRs and duration time].
In fact, my recent video for [Client Name] just passed the [1M views mark on YouTube and brought in more than 10,000 new subscribers].
I would love to produce similar results for you.
I have over [10 years] of professional experience in this field and am [Expert Vetted] here on Upwork – a designation reserved for the [top 1%] of professionals on this platform.
I am attaching a few of my work examples to this proposal. You can view additional work samples on my Upwork profile at [link to your profile].
Shoot me a quick message here on Upwork today and we can chat a bit more about yourself and the project.
Excited to work with you!
[Your Name]
5. Upwork cover letter sample for a social media marketer
Hi [Name]!
This project sounds like an ideal fit for me.
I’d love to help you [grow your Instagram following by implementing creative strategies and creating engaging posts]. And, I can start [right away].
My strategies have helped my clients [improve their engagement rates by an average of 50% over a 3 month period] and [more than double their follower counts]. I would love to produce similar results for you.
A few of the accounts that I manage can be viewed here: [@handlename, @handlename @handlename].
I have over [10 years] of professional experience in [the SMM field] and am [Expert Vetted] here on Upwork – a designation reserved for the [top 1%] of professionals on this platform.
I am attaching a few screenshots of accounts that I currently manage, as well as screenshots of their analytics to this proposal. You can learn more about me and my services on my Upwork profile at [link to your profile].
Shoot me a quick message here on Upwork today and we can chat a bit more about yourself and the project.
Excited to work with you!
[Your Name]
6. Upwork cover letter sample for a content writer
Hi [Name]!
I am a perfect fit for this project.
I’d love to [write SEO-optimized content and articles] for [your blog]. And, I can start [right away].
I even have experience in your niche. I love writing content about [the travel industry] and [I visit Disney World often].
Plus, unlike most other content writers, I am [highly skilled in search engine optimization (SEO)] and [know how to make articles rank on Google].
I also have experience with [SEMRush and AHrefs – two of the industries leading SEO platforms] and familiarity with [AP style].
I have over [5 years] of professional experience [as a content writer and blogger] and am [Expert Vetted] here on Upwork – a designation reserved for the [top 1%] of professionals on this platform.
Be sure to check out some of my related work examples in the attachments below. You can learn more about me and my services on my Upwork profile at [link to your profile].
Shoot me a quick message here on Upwork today and we can chat a bit more about yourself and the project.
Excited to work with you!
[Your Name]
7. Upwork cover letter sample for an SEO professional
Hi [Name]!
I am a perfect fit for this project.
I know how to [make web pages rank on Google, Yahoo and Bing through keyword research and content optimization]. And, I can start [right away].
In fact, three of the largest sites that I manage have grown to attract more than [50M pageviews per month] due to the strategies that I implemented. And I would love to apply these proven strategies to your site as well.
I am highly proficient with [SEMRush and AHrefs – two of the industry’s leading SEM and SEO platforms] and have over [10 years] of professional experience in this industry.
I am also [Expert Vetted] here on Upwork – a designation reserved for the [top 1%] of professionals on this platform.
Be sure to check out the attached screenshots from my clients’ [Google Search Console Analytics so you can see the rapid growth for yourself]. You can learn more about me and my services on my Upwork profile at [link to your profile].
Shoot me a quick message here on Upwork today and we can chat a bit more about yourself and the project.
Excited to work with you!
[Your Name]
8. Upwork cover letter sample for data entry
Hi [Name]!
I am a perfect fit for this [data entry project]! And, I can start [right away].
I [have an average typing speed of 80 WPM (words per minute)] and am highly proficient with a variety of word processing programs including [MS Office, Word, Excel and Google Docs].
I’m not only [tech savvy], but I’m also a quick learner and can [easily adapt to any proprietary systems and software your company may use].
I am also [Expert Vetted] here on Upwork – a designation reserved for the [top 1%] of professionals on this platform.
Be sure to check out [some of the glowing testimonials and reviews on recently completed successful projects] on my Upwork profile at [link to your profile].
Shoot me a quick message here on Upwork today and we can chat a bit more about yourself and the project.
Excited to work with you!
[Your Name]
9. Upwork cover letter sample for a virtual assistant (admin support)
Hi [Name]!
This position sounds like a perfect fit for me! I can even start [right away].
I would be happy to assist with your [lead generation, data mining, web research and data extraction needs].
In fact, I already perform similar services for my other clientele. I will attach [a few case studies] to this proposal.
I can also [type up to 100 words per minute] and am [proficient with a number of systems and software including Excel and Microsoft Word].
I’m not only [tech savvy], but I’m also a quick learner and can [easily adapt to any proprietary software your company may use].
Plus, I’m also [Expert Vetted] here on Upwork – a designation reserved for the [top 1%] of professionals on this platform.
Be sure to check out [additional information about my work history and service offerings] on my Upwork profile at [link to your profile].
Shoot me a quick message here on Upwork today and we can chat a bit more about yourself and the project.
Excited to work with you!
[Your Name]
10. Upwork cover letter sample for a Bookkeeper
Hi [Name]!
I’d love to help you out with your company’s [taxes, bookkeeping and filings]. [I am familiar with Texas tax laws]. And I can start [right away].
I regularly work with companies of all shapes and sizes from [single member LLCs and sole proprieters who keep their books on a Google Spreadsheet] to [large corporations with multiple Quickbooks accounts].
I am also [Expert Vetted] here on Upwork – a designation reserved for the [top 1%] of professionals on this platform.
Be sure to check out [additional information about my work history and service offerings] on my Upwork profile at [link to your profile].
Shoot me a quick message here on Upwork today and we can chat a bit more about yourself and your company.
Excited to work with you!
[Your Name]
11. A generic Upwork cover letter sample for any industry
Hi [Name]!
I am a perfect fit for this project.
I would love to help you out with [the deliverables you’ve mentioned in the job description].
As you can see from the attached portfolio examples, I even have experience [in this specific industry].
I am an [expert freelancer] with [10 years] of professional experience in my field and am [Expert Vetted] here on Upwork – a designation reserved for the [top 1%] of professionals on this platform.
I pride myself on offering [rapid turnarounds] and [quality products] to my clients. And I would like to do the same for you.
Be sure to check out the [related work samples] I’ve attached to this proposal. You can view additional samples on my Upwork profile at [link to your profile].
Shoot me a quick message here on Upwork today and we can chat a bit more about yourself and the project.
[Your Name]
What are your favorite Upwork cover letter tips? What other industries should I include in this roundup of best Upwork proposal samples? Let me know in the comments below. Also, don’t forget to connect with me on social media using the links below.
PS: If you’ve found this article helpful, and you feel so inclined – buy me a coffee (leave a tip) on Kofi!
Thank you so much for the ones you provided. Please Email copywriting or Copywriting
Very informative
.Thanks to you dear
That’s was a nice work. But you didn’t discuss my field, “Marketing email copy writing “
Thank you for sharing the cover letter examples for Upwork freelancers in your blog post. It’s great to have a resource that provides practical and effective cover letter templates tailored to job category. As a freelancer on Upwork, I understand how important it is to create a cover letter that stands out from the competition and highlights my skills and experience. Your blog post has given me valuable insights on how to craft compelling and targeted cover letters that increase my chances of getting hired. I appreciate the effort you put into providing such a useful resource for Upwork freelancers, and I look forward to utilizing these cover letter examples in my future applications. Thank you once again for sharing this informative blog post!
Thank you so much dear. I appreciate you.
I am a Email Copywriter freelancer.
Morgan, I’ve been on Upwork a long time and some years have earned my full time living through the platform. I’m Top Rated Plus, but I’ve never made near as much $ as you have. I do hope to up my game and become more financially successful on the platform. However, when I am reading your blog, it’s not the $600k+ earnings I’m jealous of, it’s the Upwork T-shirt!!!!!! What I wouldn’t give for a T-shirt or mug. I wish we’d get swag for hitting Top Rated ❗
I love my Upwork swag!
I love you Morgan!
Reading this article has made it easy for me ( a new entrant) in freelancing to understand how best to put up a cover letter.
I just discovered through this article that I have made some little errors in a few jobs I applied for earlier but my greatest joy is that the article has thought me how to up my freelance career.
Thank you and much love from me!
This is amazing Morgan! I joined Upwork last year, I am still struggling to land jobs, reading these proposal tips inspires me to do more. I will like to learn more!!!
Thank you so much for this information, you did save me a lot of stress. But help on email copyrighting and copyrighting
Great tips! I am a technical writer. The cover letter for that alone needs to be very simple to understand. Because our job includes but not limited to stepping down technical concepts for easy grasping. Thank you Morgan! You deserve every coffee!