How to Write Upwork Proposals That Clients Actually Read (and Reply To!)

You’ve found a great job on Upwork. The client seems serious, the budget is fair, and the requirements are clear. You hit “Submit Proposal” with high hopes… but nothing.

Days pass. No response.

You wonder: Did they even read my proposal?

Chances are, they didn’t. Why? Because your proposal looked like every other one in their inbox.

Winning proposals don’t just list your skills or copy-paste a template. They start a conversation, spark curiosity, and instantly show value.

This is how you can proposal that grabs attention and gets you hired.

1?? Hook Them in the First Two Lines

Imagine you're a client. You post a job and get 50+ proposals within an hour. You don’t have time to read them all, so you skim the first two lines of each. If it’s generic, you skip it.

Most freelancers start with: ? "Hi, I am a WordPress developer with 5 years of experience." (Boring.) ? "I can do this for you." (So can everyone else.)

Your first two lines should instantly show relevance, spark curiosity, or highlight value.

? Better Opening Examples:

?? For a WooCommerce Store Setup: "I see you need a WooCommerce store with Stripe payments. A smooth checkout experience can boost conversions by 30%, so let’s get this right from the start!"

?? For a Website Redesign: "Your website should be a 24/7 salesperson, not just an online brochure. I recently helped a client increase their leads by 2x with a fresh redesign—let’s do the same for you!"

?? For a Bug Fixing Job: "Nothing is more frustrating than a broken site when customers are trying to buy. I’ve fixed similar bugs before—let’s get this resolved today."

Why this works:

? Instant relevance – It speaks directly to what the client needs.

? Shows understanding – It highlights an important aspect of their project.

? Sparks curiosity – The client wants to know more.

2?? Show You Understand Their Pain Point

Clients don’t hire because of your skills. They hire because they have a problem and need a solution. Show them you understand what they’re struggling with.

? Example: "I noticed you need help fixing a slow-loading website. A slow site can lead to lost sales, frustrated users, and lower Google rankings. I’ve helped businesses optimize their speed before, and I can make sure your site loads in under 2 seconds."

Why this works:

? It shows empathy – You understand their frustration.

? It highlights consequences – Slow sites = lost business.

? It positions you as the problem-solver – Not just another applicant.

3?? Offer a Simple, Powerful Solution

Once you’ve shown you understand their problem, don’t just say "I can do this." Explain how you’ll solve it.

? Example (for website speed optimization): "I’ll optimize your images, remove unnecessary scripts, and set up caching to make your site load lightning-fast. Plus, I’ll check your hosting settings to ensure you’re getting the best performance."

? Example (for an e-commerce store setup): "I’ll build your WooCommerce store with a clean, conversion-focused design, secure payment integration, and mobile-friendly checkout. I’ll also add abandoned cart recovery to boost your sales."

Why this works:

? It’s specific – No vague promises.

? It shows extra value – Not just fixing a problem, but improving the business.

? It reassures the client – They know exactly what they’ll get.

4?? Add a Quick Win or Bonus Value

Clients love freelancers who go beyond just "doing the job." Offer something extra to make your proposal more attractive.

? Examples of Quick Wins:

? "I’ll also record a short walkthrough video so you know how to manage the store easily."

? "I’ll optimize your checkout process to reduce cart abandonment."

? "I’ll provide a free performance report so you can track improvements."

This makes you stand out from competitors without extra effort.

5?? Ask a Smart, Engaging Question

Clients are more likely to reply when you ask a relevant and thoughtful question. This keeps the conversation going.

? Good Questions:

? "Do you already have a preferred design, or should I suggest one based on your industry?" ? "Would you like me to set up automated follow-up emails for abandoned carts?" ? "Are there any must-have features you’d like to include in your store?"

? Bad Questions (Too Generic or Obvious): ? "What is your budget?" (That’s already on the job post.) ? "When do you need this done?" (Unless it’s unclear, don’t waste words.) ? "Can you tell me more about this project?" (Vague, lazy, and unhelpful.)

Asking a smart question makes the client stop and think, increasing your chances of a reply.

6?? Keep It Short, But Powerful

A strong proposal is 100-150 words. Anything longer won’t be read.

? Perfect Proposal Structure:

? First 2 lines → Grab attention with relevance.

? Show understanding → Highlight their pain point.

? Offer a solution → Explain how you’ll fix it.

? Bonus value → Add a quick win or extra feature.

? Ask a smart question → Encourage a reply.

7?? End with a Strong Call to Action

Instead of just saying "Looking forward to your reply," guide the client to the next step.

? Better Call-to-Actions:

? "Let’s make this happen! Do you have time for a quick chat?"

? "I can start today—want me to send over a quick sample?"

? "Let me know your thoughts, and we can get started right away!"

A clear next step increases the chances of getting a response.

Final Thoughts – Proposals That Get Noticed (And Hired!)

Most freelancers think the goal of a proposal is to sell themselves. But the real goal is to start a conversation.

? Focus on the client, not yourself.

? Write for busy people—get to the point.

? Make it easy for them to reply.

Try this approach and see the difference!

Have you ever rewritten a proposal and gotten better results?

Let’s discuss in the comments!