How to AVOID writing PROPOSALS that clients won’t SEE on UPWORK (or even READ)

3 min readDec 12, 2023

My student and I were having a session where I was showing them how Proposals are from a Client’s POV

Then we saw something shocking

Some proposals are purposely taken away from the client’s view, they go down below to “Other Proposals”

And this happens even if you are the first to apply for that job

So how do you Avoid that? How do you ensure Clients SEE your proposals?

You be the BEST MATCH for the job

Your Optimized Profile contribute to making you a best match for any job

And two Major things there that does this is;

1. Skills

You have to ensure your skills section is updated and tailored towards the jobs you want to apply for

As this is what the algorithm uses to make you a BEST MATCH

You can check what other top freelancers use for their skills

OR check the skills clients highlight in their job posts

(You can also do both)

Whether it’s a $5 dollar job or a $10 dollar job you have completed,

they can contribute to making you a BEST MATCH

It doesn’t have to be small jobs, (but I am using them as extreme examples)

The point is this;

The algorithm Favours proposals from freelancers that have completed similar jobs to the jobs they are applying for

Making them BEST MATCH

For example; The client will be notified that freelancer X is a best match for this $1000 graphic design job

Because they completed graphic design jobs (and as I have said, it doesn’t care about the price of the previous job)

These 2 things help you to avoid your Proposals entering “Other Proposals”

But There’s a third option?

Boosting your proposals gets you to the top 4 slots for the client’s view (Provided you are not Outbidden)

Seeing your proposals alone won’t cut it

Whether being the best match or using boosted connects

You have to make clients READ them, How?

Use the right HOOK

A client can only see your first 2 lines in your proposals,

that’s your HOOK, so Make it COUNT

I wrote an in depth article on that HERE

P.S. Here are 15 FREE proposal templates you can use, get them HERE

IN CONCLUSION

By being the best match with the skills on your profile and work history (or boosted connects) your proposals get SEEN

By using the right hooks, your proposals get READ

I hope you learnt