05. cover letters - some points to consider

There’s no one perfect way to write a cover letter, but there are some things that make a real difference — especially when you’re trying to stand out on freelance platforms. In this episode, I’m sharing the tips that have helped me write better proposals over the years. These aren’t hard rules, just things to consider and experiment with. Pick what works for you and make it your own. 🙂

Takeaways

• You only have a few lines to catch a client’s attention, so lead with something that matters.
• Even without a portfolio, you can still land gigs by offering small test projects.
• Showing genuine curiosity about a client’s work can make you stand out more than listing your skills.
• It’s okay to be informal if the job post is casual, just mirror their tone naturally.
• Confidence is important, but honesty matters more. Don’t pretend to have skills you don’t.
• A simple invitation to hop on a call can build trust and set you apart from other freelancers.
• Practicing your video call prep (like writing down questions and doing breathing exercises) can reduce nerves and make a great impression.

Other Notes

• Last I checked, your cover letters on Upwork can be previewed for up to 300 characters. That was a year or two ago. Now it’s between 200 and 250 characters.
• Profile Overview limits before the “Read More” link:
  • Desktop: up to ~613 characters, ~6 lines of text
  • Tablet: 969 characters, ~7 lines
  • Mobile: 202 characters, ~7 lines
  • Lines matter more than the number of characters. This includes the spaces between paragraphs.

Rec list

• Box breathing (for pre-call jitters)
• Practice: Try creating a Google Doc with your go-to cover letter structure or template
• Song: Coco Water by Wheein

Credits

• Hosted by Em
• Audio Mastering by AJ
• Stock Media provided by GojiProduction / Pond5