Why Your Upwork Proposals Fail and How to Fix Them.
By Temo Name.
In this article, you will learn why they are not getting the job from your Upwork Proposals and how to fix that.
It has taken you hours to come up with the best offer ever. You have adapted it to the job description, identified your relevant experience and included your best portfolio samples. But, the days pass and nothing happens, no words. The client has rejected, or even better, they never saw your proposal.
A situation that has been frustrating for all freelancers on Upwork. It is highly competitive, with thousands of good professionals from all over the world bidding for the same projects. It can be even more difficult for Nigerian freelancers. The reality is that most proposals fail, and there are predictable, fixable reasons. By knowing what these are, and by adopting effective strategies, you can significantly increase your chances of success and attract more clients.
The following are the most common reasons that proposals fail.Below are the common reasons proposals fail.
Sending Generic Proposals
This is the top reason that proposals are rejected. Clients can identify a copied or pasted document from a mile away. If you send a general proposal that might be suitable for any position you indicate that you haven't taken the time to look at their requirements. Clients want to feel like you see them and understand them. They are looking for you to have taken the time to really understand their project and to be interested in helping them solve their problem.
The client is right, and you are wrong.You're wrong, the client is right.
It is a common mistake for freelancers to include their qualifications, years of experience, and astounding client list in their proposal. This information is important; it is the wrong way to start. Your client is not your problem, theirs is. You have to start by giving them some solutions to their problems and how you will make their life easier.
Overly Long Proposals (OLP)
Clients don't have a long attention span, and if they're going through dozens or hundreds of proposals, it's even less. Long walls of text are intimidating and daunting. But if your proposal is too lengthy, then the client will either skim through it or simply ignore it. Shortness and lucidity are your friends.
Poor First Two Lines
Your proposal on Upwork will only be seen in the client's preview window in the first two lines. This is one and only time to make a lasting impression and get the client to click on the "read more" link. If these two sentences are dull, vague or generic, your proposal will be ignored, no matter how good the rest is.
Offers are made that go beyond the Client's Budget and/or their planned timeframe.
Say that a client says they want something to cost them $500-$1000 and you quote them a $3,000 price tag and offer a four week turnaround, and they tell you they need it done in two weeks, and you will instantly lose the client's business. Not being able to meet the client's stated constraints is a lack of attention to detail and neglect of the needs of the client.
There are no errors in spelling or grammar.
You should be careful about using a proposal that has spelling and grammatical errors because in a job where communicating is essential it is a serious red flag. It indicates sloppiness and unprofessionalism. It reflects poorly on your communication and work quality for the client.
Learn how to complete your proposals and start getting clients.
Make each and every proposal personal to them.
This is non-negotiable. Read the job description several times. Define client's key pain points and needs. Afterwards, develop a proposal that tackles these points directly. If the client says that he/she needs responsive someone, tell him/her that you are available. In the event that they require a particular style, cite a portfolio work that matches this style well. Explain to the client that this is a proposal just for him or her.
Avoid starting with the Client's Problem, always lead with the Client's Problem first.
Your opening should catch the client's interest and show your understanding of what your client needs. Rather than claiming to be a proficient writer who has 5 years of experience, try something such as "I know you are looking for interesting blog posts that will turn interest into sales. This lets the client know right away that you're "with" him. This should be followed by a short explanation of how you plan to solve their problems.
Be concise and scannable.
It's important that clients get the key bits of information at speed. Organize your proposal for easy reading. Limit the number of paragraphs, bullets and bold text to emphasize important information. A well-structured and well-organized proposal will be more likely to be read and appreciated.
Learn the First Two Lines.
The first two sentences are important to capture your audience. They should be a good rephrasing of your value proposition. For instance you can, "I have successfully helped five SaaS companies grow their blogs by 40% in six months – I can do the same for you. This instantly portrays your value and draws the client's interest to learn more. Try out various openings to gauge their response with your target audience.
Work with Budget and Timeline
When a client has a definite budget, honor it. If the budget is low and you are a premium freelancer it is better to politely decline the job than to give a proposal for it which will be rejected. If you can provide them something, and maybe a little more, but in their budget, offer them a compromise. Likewise, always come up with a timeline that is as per or above the client's expectations.
Proofread Meticulously
Read your proposal to yourself before you click the submit button. Check spelling but don't assume it is correct. It's possible to miss typos. If you can, get a friend or colleague to read your proposed. When a proposal is neat and free of mistakes, it conveys a sense of professionalism and attention to detail.
Make sure to have a Clear Call to Action
Never leave client hanging wanting to know what to do next. Wrap up your proposal with a concrete and direct call for action, for example, "I stand ready to discuss this project at your convenience. Please contact me at a time convenient for you. This helps the client to take the next step in a non-pushy manner.
Advanced Strategies to Stand Out
Ask Insightful Questions
You will show your interest and knowledge of the project by asking a couple of thoughtful questions. It demonstrates that you think about them and their needs in great depth.
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