Your Upwork Proposals and Profile (From The CLIENT'S PERSPECTIVE)

Summary

In this video, the speaker demonstrates how clients view freelancer proposals and profiles on Upwork, providing insights into the platform's interface from the client's perspective. The importance of crafting an impactful profile and proposal is emphasized, particularly focusing on the first two sentences of the profile description and cover letter. The speaker also discusses key factors clients consider when hiring, such as skills, job success, and relevant experience. Tips on optimizing these elements are shared to help freelancers stand out and increase their chances of being hired. A strong profile and concise, goal-oriented proposal are essential for success on Upwork.

Takeaways

• 😀 Clients view freelancers' profiles by job title, availability, hourly rate, skills, and a brief first sentence of their profile description.
• 😀 Freelancers should ensure their first two sentences clearly communicate how they can help clients achieve their goals (Goal A) in their profile and proposals.
• 😀 When searching for freelancers, clients see the first sentence of their description, making it crucial for freelancers to optimize this opening sentence for clarity and relevance.
• 😀 Freelancers should include a targeted job title that matches what clients are searching for to improve visibility in searches.
• 😀 In proposals, the first two sentences should focus on how the freelancer can help the client achieve their goal, ideally mentioning past results.
• 😀 Clients shortlist freelancers based on their proposals, so it’s vital to stand out in the first two sentences of the cover letter.
• 😀 Upwork’s system shows the first two sentences of a cover letter and then displays answers to screening questions before the full cover letter.
• 😀 Freelancers should answer screening questions briefly but effectively, ensuring they don’t overwhelm clients with lengthy responses.
• 😀 It’s important to have a well-constructed portfolio; if there are no Upwork jobs, include relevant work in the cover letter to showcase experience.
• 😀 Freelancers should be aware that Upwork’s search engine and proposal review system often display information in a non-linear order, making it crucial to structure applications with this in mind.
• 😀 Clients can interact with freelancers via Upwork’s messaging system once they've shortlisted a freelancer or viewed their full profile.

Q & A

Why is it important to understand how clients see your Upwork profile and proposals?

Understanding how clients view your profile and proposals is essential because it helps you tailor your presentation to catch their attention. Clients only see limited information at first, so optimizing the most critical sections like your title, first sentence, and cover letter can significantly increase your chances of being noticed and hired.

What key elements do clients see when they invite freelancers to a job on Upwork?

When clients invite freelancers, they see the freelancer's name, profile title, availability, hourly rate, selected skills, and a preview of the profile description. The first sentence of the description is particularly important as it’s what clients see first and can influence whether they click on the profile.

How should the first sentence of your Upwork profile description be crafted?

The first sentence of your Upwork profile description should directly address your target client's primary goal and explain how you can help achieve that goal. It should be clear, concise, and result-oriented to immediately capture the client's attention.

What does the search feature look like for clients when they search for freelancers on Upwork?

When clients search for freelancers on Upwork, they can filter results by factors such as job success score, freelancer category, location, and top-rated status. They’ll see the freelancer’s name, job title, and the first sentence of their profile description, making it important to optimize these sections for visibility.

What is the importance of the first two sentences of a freelancer's cover letter on Upwork?

The first two sentences of a cover letter are crucial because they are what clients see first. These sentences should address the client’s goals and demonstrate how you can help them achieve their objectives. Including a result you've achieved for a past client can further strengthen your application.

Why do clients sometimes gloss over proposals, and how can you prevent this?

Clients may gloss over proposals if the first two sentences don’t stand out or clearly address their needs. To prevent this, make sure your opening sentences immediately highlight the client’s goals and your relevant experience or results. This will encourage the client to read the rest of your proposal.

How do screening questions factor into the client’s review of your proposal?

Screening questions are often displayed before the cover letter in the proposal review process. It’s important to answer these questions clearly and concisely, without providing lengthy responses. This helps clients quickly get to your cover letter, where they can see more details about your qualifications.

What role does a portfolio play in your Upwork proposal?

A portfolio is crucial for showcasing your past work and proving your skills. If you have work samples or previous Upwork jobs, including them in your proposal can significantly enhance your chances of getting hired. If you don't have Upwork-specific jobs yet, include external portfolio links in your cover letter.

How do clients decide whether to hire, shortlist, or decline a freelancer’s proposal?

Clients usually decide based on the relevance and quality of the freelancer's cover letter, their profile details, and the answers to screening questions. A strong first impression, particularly in the opening sentences of the cover letter, can lead to a shortlist or direct hire, while vague or irrelevant proposals are more likely to be declined.

What are some common mistakes freelancers make when submitting proposals on Upwork?

Some common mistakes include submitting overly long proposals, failing to address the client’s specific goals in the opening sentences, and neglecting to include relevant portfolio samples. Additionally, not answering screening questions properly or leaving them blank can hurt your chances of being considered.