If you’ve been applying to jobs on Upwork and hearing crickets, you’re not alone. Many new freelancers send out a dozen proposals and get nothing back. The issue usually isn’t your skills, it’s how you’re presenting them. Here I am going to share how to write Upwork Proposals That Get Noticed in 2025.
This guide isn’t about spamming more proposals. It’s about writing one that stands out from the noise, speaks to the client, and gives you a real shot at getting hired.
1. Take a Pause Before You Write
Most beginners rush into writing the proposal as soon as they see a job post. Slow down. Read the full job post at least twice.
- What’s the client asking for?
- Are they mentioning deadlines, pain points, or past failures?
- Are they casual in tone, or more formal?
Your proposal should feel like a reply to what they wrote, not a copy-paste message.
2. Start Strong — Or Lose Them Immediately
The first two lines matter the most. That’s all a client sees in the preview before clicking.
Instead of saying, “Hi, I’m a designer with 3 years of experience,” try something like, “I read your post about improving your landing page. I’ve helped SaaS teams boost conversions in the same spot.”
You’ve shown you read the post, know what they need, and can help all in one go.
3. Talk About Them, Not Just Yourself
A big mistake many freelancers make is listing their entire career history. The client doesn’t care (yet). They’re thinking, “Can this person solve my problem?”
Mention one or two quick things you’ve done that relate to their project. But always connect it back to what they need.
Here’s a better way to say it:
“Last month, I helped a UK-based clothing brand reduce cart abandonment by 22% using a new checkout layout. I’d love to apply a similar approach here.”
Short, focused, and tied to results.
4. Keep the Language Natural
You’re not writing an academic essay. Clients aren’t impressed by long words and buzzwords. Keep your tone friendly, respectful, and clear.
Instead of:
“I possess a comprehensive understanding of responsive frameworks…”
Say:
“I build mobile-friendly pages that load fast and look good on all devices.”
Plain talk builds trust faster.
5. Use Real Examples (Even If You’re New)
You don’t need a massive portfolio to show value. If you’ve done something similar, even as a practice project, mention it.
- “Here’s a landing page I built for a client in the fashion industry.”
- “I’ve written 10+ product descriptions in the past two weeks. Here’s a sample.”
- “I recently edited a short reel for a fitness coach. You can check it out here.”
If you don’t have client work, create something just for your profile. Real samples speak louder than long bios.
6. Briefly Outline Your Process
Clients want to know what happens if they hire you. Just a few lines can make you look organized and reliable.
Something like:
“Here’s how I usually work: I start by understanding your goals, send a rough draft within 48 hours, and make adjustments based on your feedback. Once you’re happy, we wrap up and launch.”
This shows you have a plan and makes hiring you feel easier.
7. Keep It Short, Not Lazy
A solid proposal doesn’t need to be long. But it should feel personal and complete.
Aim for:
- A strong, custom first line
- One paragraph showing you understand the job
- One paragraph with relevant experience or results
- A short outline of how you’ll do it
- A friendly sign-off
That’s it. Don’t copy-paste. Every client can smell a generic message.
8. Close with Confidence
Don’t end with “hope to hear from you.” Instead, give a friendly, confident closing line.
Try:
“Let me know if this sounds like a good fit. I’d be happy to chat further or start with a small task to show you my work.”
It sounds real. Not pushy. Not desperate. Just professional.
9. Following Up? Do It Right
If you feel a job is a great match, you can follow up once.
Wait at least 48 hours. Keep it short:
“Hi [client name], just checking in on my proposal for the [job title]. Let me know if you have any questions. I’d love to help.”
No pressure. If they don’t reply after that, move on.
Final Thoughts: A Good Proposal Isn’t Flashy — It’s Focused
Clients don’t hire the loudest voice. They hire the person who understands their needs and offers a clear, simple solution.
So instead of sending more proposals, take a few extra minutes to send better ones. Be human, be honest, and talk to clients the way you’d want someone to talk to you if you needed help.
Keep practicing. Improve a little every time. And trust that the right client will recognize your effort.
Also Read: Selling Digital Products: A Simple Guide for First-Time Creators.
