Oct 6, 2022 07:41:25 AM Edited Oct 10, 2022 12:13:35 PM by Cody H
Hello fellow Upwork freelancers!
If you are like me, proposals are one of the most fun, but frustrating aspects of Upwork! Always getting outbid, clients never responding, and even proposals getting declined for no reason at all. I found a bunch of templates on the internet on how proposals should be written, and my biggest takeaway from that was to make it less about me and ALL about how I can provide value to the client! It sounded easy enough! I began intensely reading job postings and thinking about how I could provide value based on the problems that clients were sharing. I noticed I was getting more responses when I changed my tone and framework, but I still didn't feel like it was great, BUT then I discovered my secret sauce.
Clients on Upwork want to work with freelancers that are friendly, genuine, and skillful. The skillful part can be assessed by reviewing our profiles to see if we've taken assessments, reviewing our portfolio, etc. However, friendly and genuine are a bit harder to gauge through text. So I started using video. I have found that recording myself on video for a minute or so shows how enthusiastic I am to work with the potential client and also gives them an idea of who I am as a freelancer! These videos usually start with a "Hello, my name is Cody, I've read your job post, and here is how I can successfully complete the work you are asking for..." of course the opener will be vary depending on the client and the work they need to be completed, but wow—video is easy to watch, it's engaging for the client, and takes way less time than writing proposals via messenger!
I hope this tip helps others who are struggling with getting proposals over to clients and winning the bids, it sure has drastically helped my odds! If anyone else has tips on successfully earning new client trust and work, let me know! I'd love to hear about other ways fellow freelancers are leveling up their bidding process!
Cheers,
Cody
Oct 6, 2022 07:46:12 AM by Marouane E
Amazing Cody!
I myself always write about 2 or 3 sentences on the cover letter, something about I'll be a huge help to the project, and they can check out my profile to see that I never disappoint. But I've never used video, this sounds easier.
So you just put a link to a video on your proposal? Or there's an option to add a video because I never saw that.
Oct 6, 2022 09:51:43 AM by Cody H
I use an app called Loom, it's a link based video recording software that allows viewes to watch like YouTube without downloading your video. They just click a link and view! You will also get a notification when they have watched it.
Oct 7, 2022 08:25:06 AM by Cody H
Thanks for posting Jeff! YES! That's it! On the free plan you can record up to 25 videos and store them in your library!
Oct 6, 2022 07:47:00 AM by Akindamola A
Have you received any job offer after devising
this video method
Oct 7, 2022 08:58:17 AM by Lisa B
But your profile shows you haven't landed a job since July. If your videos are really the "secret to success," where are all the jobs you've won? Please clarify.
Oct 7, 2022 05:18:24 PM by Anonymous-User A
Personally I believe some "members" aren't really members after all.
I thought it strange seeing this post and when support spoke to me they recommended recording a video....... mmmm
Now as someone else said the client would get frustrated with 50 proposal videos.
They are already frustrated at boosted proposals.
Oct 10, 2022 09:36:26 AM by Jennifer M
Lisa B wrote:But your profile shows you haven't landed a job since July. If your videos are really the "secret to success," where are all the jobs you've won? Please clarify.
lol saying what the smart people are thinking.
Also, I really hope a lot of writers follow this advice, if'n you know what I mean. lol
Oct 7, 2022 09:40:11 AM by Faith A
I am definitely going to try this video secret.
I am tired of this whole thing
Oct 7, 2022 10:07:30 PM by Martin W
Do not be tired Faith, it took me over 4 months before I landed my first good job.
Oct 6, 2022 07:51:45 AM by Md Mobarok H
Of course, I will follow these tips and let you know. Thank you.
Oct 6, 2022 08:09:51 AM by Marco C
Hi Cody, it seems like a good aproach and i have no doubt it works for now.
I say for now, simply because the reason it's working is that there maybe be just a few freelancer using it and the client looks at them and sees originality and dedication from the freelancer.
But now picture a large number of proposals using video....
It becames tiresome for the client and it's faster to just read the proposal. Don't forget there are lot's and lot's of clients out there that are just pragmatic and many are in a hurry.
My personal experience so far is just to be the first or one of the first to bid, "the early bird..." kind of thinking.
Nonetheless kudos for the post, it helps and if it works, and it looks like it is, keep on it my friend!!
Oct 6, 2022 09:54:09 AM by Cody H
Thanks so much Marco! Very good points! I also try to be the first to send my video in—you are absolultely right about that! So much higher chance if you can be in the first 10 bids! I do have some other strategies to use if I am not in the top 10 though, I'll make a post on that too! 🙌
Oct 6, 2022 08:11:27 AM Edited Oct 6, 2022 08:14:41 AM by Andre A
Hi Cody,
This idea is realy nice! I believe it will helps, but I have some questions:
How do you show the video to the client? Do you just send the link in the first setence? What do you write before sending the link? "Hi, I´m Cody, see my video explaining about myself: (wwwdotyoutubedotcom/codyvideolinkhere)".
The client must be catched in the first 2 setences to open the proposal, if he just sees a link he could think the freelancer is lazy and just copy paste the proposal. What is the best strategy to client knows that your proposal has a video and makes him open it?
Oct 6, 2022 09:55:07 AM by Cody H
Oh absolutely, you still need to get them with a hook! I usually call out the fact that I created a video for the client to see who I am to raise interest and curiosity with the client!
I use an app called Loom, it's a link based video recording software that allows viewes to watch like YouTube without downloading your video. They just click a link and view! You will also get a notification when they have watched it.
Oct 6, 2022 02:27:06 PM Edited Oct 14, 2022 07:38:04 PM by Jeanne H
Hi. I'm not clear on when or how you send the client the video. Do you put it in a link in your proposal? So you have a Loom account that stores the videos in a link? Do you make a different video for each client?
Oct 6, 2022 10:06:13 AM by Bikash Kumar M
That's great to know. Thank you for sharing your secret Cody 🙂
Oct 6, 2022 04:45:05 PM by Usama Z
great. I like your post. I think most freelancers feel the above bitter experience
Oct 6, 2022 06:58:42 PM by Cody H
I'm glad it was helpful, and I hope more freelancers take advantage of video in their proposals!
Oct 6, 2022 07:42:50 PM by Mary Margaret G
This methodology sounds terrific! Now all I have to do is see if the wall I am thinking of will qualify for good enough light. Live in a small apartment. Been wanting to make a nice intro video at the Library in private room on a sunny day. Trick is getting a ride there. Thank you incredibly much!😊
Oct 7, 2022 09:40:28 AM by Cody H
You are very right about the background, lighting, etc! You want to be well-lit, and ensure your background is inviting and not cluttered! A lot can be seen from a video, and it tells a lot about the freelancer you are! Clients are making lots of split decisions.
Oct 6, 2022 07:49:31 PM by Andrej O
Yes, you are right about the video when applying. We can even put the same thing on our profile, to introduce ourselves and what we do, I think we should be positive, smiling and friendly because everyone would like to work with such a person. Who would want to discuss and cooperate with someone who does not pay enough time and attention to work. And I think this also applies to the clients with whom we cooperate, and they should also be nice and friendly, many times it happened to me to cooperate with clients who were very rude to me and I had no desire to work at all.
Oct 6, 2022 07:53:36 PM by Mary Margaret G
I have a new motto Mr. Andrej: "Treat everyone as you yourself want to be treated."
Oct 6, 2022 07:56:19 PM by Andrej O
You are absolutely right, but not everyone would treat us the way they would like to be treated. That is, everyone wants to be treated well for himself, he doesn't care about others... I call that selfishness among the people.
Oct 6, 2022 07:58:59 PM by Mary Margaret G
I did not mean it to be selfishness. Just to be kind, nice and friendly towards others.
Oct 7, 2022 08:11:54 AM by Cody H
My pleasure! I am planning on sharing many more tips in the upcoming days! Stay tuned!
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