SELECT JOB & UNDERSTAND THE NEED OF

CLIENT
a. Check the client history & reviews & find if he or she is a fit for you
b. Read the whole proposal at least twice or thrice
c. Download all the attachments & references
d. Understand what client want, how they want, & when they want

ADVANCED UPWORK PROPOSALS TIPS

1. ATTENTION GRABBING HEADLINE(OPTIONAL)
Stupid or Silly Headlines:
e. Direct Response Copywriter Wearing Polka Dot Underpants!
f. Logo Designer Who Won’t Steal Your Wife!
g. The Best Damn Web Designer Living In My House!
h. Social Media Marketing For Shut-ins With Fifty Cats!

Serious Headlines:
i. Expert 3D Motion Graphic Designer Who’s Generated Over $1,000+ In The
Local Market & Now He Is Available in Upwork.
j. Expert 3D Motion Graphic Designer Who’s Assisted Brands Like
Grameenphone, Fuwang & Hamko
k. Expert 3D Motion Graphic Designer Who’s Highly Educated & Trained In
Design & Art Department
l. Expert 3D Motion Graphic Designer Who Can Make Incredible Looking 3D
Product Visualisation

2. FIRST PARAGRAPH
a. Keep the paragraph to 3 sentences or less
b. Keep each sentence under 11 words when possible
c. Start with You whenever possible
d. Avoid using “I” whenever possible
e. Remember to spell check your work
f. Write using the active voice rather than passive (“You need” instead of
“You’re in need of”)
g. Feed their own words back to them exactly as they wrote them in their job
post

3. SECOND PARAGRAPH
a. Ask questions
i. What kind of Bottled Product do you sell?
 ii. What kind of people do you sell to and why do they choose you?
iii. How can I make this a great experience for you?

b. Connect yourself with client’s needs

4. CLOSING PARAGRAPH
Usually I direct them to look at my profile so they can decide on their own if
they like me. You could direct them anywhere you want.

a. Have a look at my website at www.website.com. If you want to know more,

let’s chat.
b. Take a look at my high test scores and if you like what you see, let’s schedule
a quick call.
(This one no longer applies on Upwork as Upwork no longer supports tests)
c. Check out my 5 star feedback and excellent reviews and if you think we’re a
fit, let’s talk.

Keep it simple. Keep it short. You don’t need 3 or 4 sentences here. Two
max. Just give them a next action to take, and invite them to a call.

5. P.S. STATEMENT
a. P.S. When you work with me you get two free revision rounds.
b. P.S. When you work with me you get fixed prices so you always know exactly
what you get up front.
c. P.S. All of my work is satisfaction guaranteed.
d. P.S. You get a 30 day money-back guarantee when you hire me.
e. P.S. If you contact me today I can start this evening and finish by tomorrow.
f. P.S. I’ve helped clients like Tom Hanks and Tony Robbins to get rid of their
Vampire problem too!
g. P.S. If you have any other questions for me, just give me a shout!

ADVANCED UPWORK COMMUNICATION TIPS

6. FOCUS ON YOU & BUILDING RAPPORT OR GAINING YES
EXAMPLES
Let’s take a look at how you should do this in your proposals.
 Job Post:(example)

Hello,
I’m looking for a freelance Expert 3D Motion Graphic Designer to create
whimsical images for my Bottled Product. I made some effort but they didn’t
turn out very well. I’d like to hand this part over to someone who has
experience making custom 3D Product Visualisation. If that sounds like you,
please send a few examples of your work and let me know how much it will
cost per 20 seconds of video. Thanks!

References & their attempts

Proposal:(example)

Greetings
Hi Name,
You’re looking for a freelance illustrator to create whimsical images for your
children’s picture book. You made your own illustrations but it didn’t go so
well. Now you’re looking for a professional with experience to take over that
part for you.

Great! I’m an experienced children’s picture book illustrator with a strong

portfolio and many examples of my work. Attached are several relevant
examples for you to view. The price is $20 per illustration, or just $15 per
illustration if you pay for all images up front.

If any of that sounds like what you need, or if you’d like to chat, I’m available
anytime.

Regards,
Jon Smith

P.S. All of my work is satisfaction guaranteed.

7. SHOW SOCIAL PROOF

a. Linking to or just mentioning great reviews on your Upwork profile
b. Name dropping past clients or companies you’ve worked with
c. Quoting testimonials from past clients
d. Mentioning how many 5 star reviews you have
e. Mentioning how many hours you’ve worked
f. Uploading examples of work you’ve done for past clients or businesses
g. Stories of past clients you’ve worked with and how the experience went
8. CLARITY QUESTIONS
Motion Graphics:
a. Is there anything specific you want in this video?
b. Is there an underlying feeling or emotion I should try and capture?
c. How will this video be used or where it will be published?
d. What formats would you like me to deliver the video in?
e. Are you okay with digital images?
f. Will you be re-selling these images and are you interested in a royalty deal for
ongoing work?

9. FUTURE PACING & PRESUPPOSITIONS

a. Once you start the contract I will…
b. When you hire me...
c. When you checkout my profile you will find…
d. Once you release the first milestone, I will…
e. After you leave feedback I will…
f. Before we go forward, I have a few questions…
g. Before you make a decision, please consider…
h. Before you completely drop all other freelancers and hire me right now…
i. After I complete the work

10. GUARANTEES
a. Satisfaction guaranteed (notice there’s no guarantee of money back)
b. I promise to do my best (nobody can fault you for that)
c. I promise to try my hardest
d. The only guarantee I make is that I follow a proven process.
e. The only promise I’ll make is to do everything I can to get you the results
you’re after.
f. I guarantee you’ll love what I create
g. I guarantee you’ll love your results
----------------------------------------------
h. The number of people you’ve helped
i. Specific dollar values you’ve generated
j. Places you’ve been featured
k. Names of clients or companies you can drop

11. SCARCITY AND LIMITED

a. I only have room for 2 new clients this month
b. I can only take on a couple of new clients this month
c. I only have a few spaces left for clients this month
d. I can only work with one more client this month
e. I have space right now, but can’t guarantee it will be there next week
----------------------------------------------
f. If you contact me by Friday I’ll give you a 20% discount
g. I’ll write two product descriptions for the price of one if you hire me by 2-31-19
 h. Reply by Wednesday, 4-17 if you want to book a call.
i. If you accept by 3PM today, I’ll throw in a month of Social Media Posts

TOUGH PROPOSAL QUESTIONS

Q - DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE JOB DESCRIPTION?

For this question ask about anything you might need clarity on. Or just ask
what a job well done looks like for them. Unless you need clarity on a
specific question, ask an open-ended question that they can't answer with
a "yes" or "no" because it gives them a reason to respond which moves
you to the next stage of the interview.

Yes! What would you consider to be a job well done? Or what can I do to
help ensure you get the results you need?

Q - DO YOU HAVE SUGGESTIONS TO MAKE THIS PROJECT RUN

SUCCESSFULLY?

Use this question to subtly suggest that they “be open” and also to suggest
“timely communications” since one of the biggest problems freelancers
have is clients who don’t respond fast.

To make this project run successfully, I ask that you please be open to
questions, and to communicate in a timely manner to keep the project on
track and moving forward.

Q - HAVE YOU TAKEN ANY UPWORK TESTS AND DONE WELL ON

THEM THAT YOU THINK ARE RELEVANT TO THIS JOB?

This question is simple. Basically just answer with a “Yes” and direct the
client to your profile should they want to view them.
Yes, there are many highly rated tests you can view in my profile.

Q - WHAT CHALLENGING PART OF THIS JOB ARE YOU MOST

EXPERIENCED IN?

Your response will be based on the actual skill requested. Focus on

something that the client might find difficult or tedious. Describe how it will
be challenging BUT not for you because...(insert some reason why it
won't be hard for you).

The hardest part of the job will be researching sources for your article and
finding reliable materials to base the content on. The good news is this isn't
hard for me because I do it every day. :)

Q - WHAT PART OF THE PROJECT MOST APPEALS TO YOU?

For this question focus on something that appeals to you that is a benefit
for them. Notice how I do this without using the words "me" or "I."

Your project is interesting for several reasons. The main one is the chance
to work with a valuable client like yourself, and to help you get awesome
results!

Q - WHAT PAST PROJECT OR JOB HAVE YOU HAD THAT IS MOST

LIKE THIS ONE AND WHY?

This one can be tricky if you have no jobs or if you don't have many. If that
is the case, then directly address the issue and frame it as a positive....
To be perfectly honest, I've never done a job quite like this and that's
exactly why you should hire me. It's easy for those with a lot of
experience to get set in their ways, but when you work with me you get
someone who is open to new ideas to help you get results.

If you do have jobs that are similar, then you can just list those. Be sure to
highlight any big results your clients got if you have specifics. If they didn't
mention any specific results, but left you a positive review, mention that
instead. If they didn’t even leave a review, then just be super vague and
say they got “great results.”

Many clients use my services to get great results. The client whose job was
most similar to yours was John Smith, of JohnSmithCo.com. His job was
similar in style and approach to what you've asked for. The project was
challenging but in the end he came away with excellent results, and he
even left me a glowing 5-star review which you can read in my profile's
feedback section. When you work with me you can anticipate similar
outcomes.

Q - WHAT QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE ABOUT THE PROJECT?

Usually this won’t be used if Q1 from above has already been used. The
answer is basically the same as the answer for Q1. If by some wild chance,
they ask Q1 and this question, then repeat your response from the first
question, but change it up slightly so it isn’t just a copy and paste from
above.

Yes! How can I ensure I give you the results you’re after? What is most
important to you from my services?

Q - WHICH OF THE REQUIRED SKILLS DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE

STRONGEST AT?
This question can be answered by describing one of the skills they’ve
mentioned or tagged on the job post. You can be clear and direct, and by
this point it is okay to use a “me” focused answer. Toot your own horn a
little, and add credibility markers if possible.

I’m most skilled at direct response copywriting for high-ticket coaches. I’ve
worked with more than 100 coaches and helped them generate more than
$100,000,000 in revenue over the past six years.

Q - WHICH PART OF THIS PROJECT DO YOU THINK WILL TAKE THE

MOST TIME?

For this question I usually say the “actual work” will take the most time. For
example, if I’m writing copy for a website, then writing the actual copy will
take the most time. For a web design gig, building the actual pages will
take the most time. Be clear and direct with your answer. Say it like you’ve
done this a million times so you know exactly what will take the most
time.

The part of this project that will take the most time is crafting your emails so
they capture your specific voice and style.

Q - WHY DID YOU APPLY FOR THIS PARTICULAR JOB?

For this question I do a bit of ass-kissing. Basically I describe something I

saw within their job post that told me they are a great client to work for. Be
sure to say “work for” not “work with” because at this point we want them to
believe they have power over us (though that is not the case at all!).
Good question. While the job itself seems like the exact kind of project I
usually work on, it was actually your job post and freelancer feedback that
really pulled me in. You have great reviews, and something about the way
you wrote your job description told me you’d be a great client to work for.

Q - WHY DO YOU THINK YOU ARE A GOOD FIT FOR THIS

PARTICULAR PROJECT?

This may be the toughest question of all, but it doesn’t have to be. All you
really have to do is exactly what you’ve already done. Repeat the client’s
own words back to them from the proposal, and then connect yourself to
show how you are a fit.

Good question! In your proposal you said you need a highly organized,
professional Virtual Assistant to help you manage your coaching business.
I’m a Virtual Assistant for millionaire coaches who helps plan activities,
organize webinars, and schedules events to make sure everything runs
perfectly smooth.

A COUPLE OF NOTES:

1. Your answer should always be tailored for their job post. Do not use
these as exact templates!
2. Always talk about them first and yourself second. Remember YOU
Focus!
3. Use your answer to highlight the benefits they get and prove how you
solve their problem.
4. Be direct with your answers whenever possible. Freelancers who
speak directly show authority.
5. Use your responses to add credibility markers when you can. Big
numbers, name dropping, places you’ve been featured, people
you’ve worked for etc.
6. Always keep in mind, clients don’t expect anything specific from your
answers. They didn’t come up with the questions, Upwork did. What
clients are actually looking for is whether or not you even bother to
answer, and if your answers back up your awesome proposal.