So use what makes sense to you and leave what doesn't. Right? So let's get started with point number one, which is get to the point. For example, on upwork, clients see Only the first 300 characters of your proposal. So you need to make it count. You need to figure out a way to hook them or just give them enough info for them to click and read more. Either way, don't waste that space on info that's not important. If you can take some time to research how clients actually see proposals on the freelance platform that you're on. Right.

You can create a dummy client account and see for yourself how many characters do they see? Because some platforms might only show 100 characters or 500 characters before the read more button. So knowing that that would help you optimize what to write within those first few hundred characters. Right. So let me read to you an old cover letter. The first paragraph is only three sentences long and that's only 235 characters. So I said here, hi. I've been providing high quality transcripts for more than two years now, within and outside of the odesk. It was odesk back then.

You can check out samples of my work here, here, and here. And these are all tech related podcasts. So in that one paragraph I was able to say what I do, how long I've been doing it, and my experience, and where they can find samples of my work. Which leads me to the second point, which is provide samples or offer a test. Now, if you have a portfolio, that's great, just share it. Or if you have links to where the potential client can see your work, share that with them too. But if you do not have a portfolio yet, if you're still starting out, then offer a short test project. Whether that's paid or unpaid doesn't really matter.

Just do whatever feels right for you. And that's how I started. I would offer a short transcription test and then they'd send me a one minute audio file, then I would transcribe it. If it's longer than that, then I would ask him to set up a fixed price project and eventually I was able to build a portfolio. And that made things a lot easier when sending proposals. So instead of offering a test and then proving my skills, I would just say, hey, here are some samples of my work. Let me know if you have any questions, right? And this is especially useful if you do creative work. And in relation to point number two, point number three, or tip number three is to provide references.

I mean, this is very basic, right? Make it easy for potential clients to trust you. You can ask past clients for feedback or some testimonials, or better yet, ask if they're willing to be a reference. Especially if your client uses a business email that makes them more legit. And if that past client has an online presence, even better, because your potential client can just google them and see, hey, it's a real business, right? So this shows your potential clients that someone trusted you enough to work with them. And that matters so much when it comes to online work. And point number four is be genuinely interested. Be engaged, be curious about what your client does, who they are, what they stand for, why they're doing what they're doing. You know, ask questions.

I mean, think about it. How do you talk to someone that you're interested in? You ask follow up questions, right? You're engaged with them in conversation because you want to learn more and you might want to try to find some common ground, right? It's not just about being polite, it's about making a connection. So I remember this one time I found a client who was looking for help with this podcast. But before sending my proposal, I googled his name, I checked out his website, I listened to a few episodes. Which brings me to my next point, which is do your research. So check their website, listen to their podcast, stalk their Instagram in a good way, right? Then let that guide what you write. After I did all that with that client, I remember thinking, you know, this guy is cool. I like what he's doing.

So in my cover letter, I told him that. I said, hey, M, I checked out your podcast and I like how your topics are centered around business, but there's this overall theme of doing what you love for a better future. And that's something that I agree with. I mean, what could be more satisfying than having a positive contribution to the world, right? Smiley face. So I didn't open with a long work history. I opened with a connection. And on the second paragraph, the. That's where I added my portfolio, my experience.

I said, anyway, you can check out some of my work at here, here and here. And I incorporate research in all of my work, blah blah blah blah blah. And then I mentioned my rate and ended it with I hope to hear from you soon. Point number six is to match their energy. You need to converse with them like a normal person. You know, match the tone of their job post. If they're serious, be serious. If the job post is chill and casual, then it's okay to be a little informal too.

So on platforms like Upwork, you know, I noticed a lot of COVID letters from fellow Filipinos. They start with Good day ma' am sir. I mean remember the 300 character limit, right? Don't waste it on Good day ma' am sir. Right. Most job posts are signed with a client's name anyway, so use their name like hi Chris or hi Mandy. You know, and especially if their name is on there. And then you don't use it. It just shows that you did not read the job post like you just copy pasted your proposal.

So anyway, again, if the client's job post is casual, I mirror that. I remember this one client, she posted something like multipotentialite wanted. The job post goes something like this, I'm looking for someone, maybe that's you to help me make client management and acquisition easy. I come from a digital marketing background so you'd think I'd know better. But the actual act of delivering my vision like automating funnels, setting up revenue trackers, calendaring systems, E lists, whatever feels like dragging a five year old to the dentist. So just reading that, I felt like we would click right? So I replied with this. I said hi C. I love your job post.

I love taking my clients current process and making them better and I feel weirdly happy when everything runs like a well oiled machine. And then I also mentioned that I have a background in science and a little bit of tech and I threw out my license and I enrolled myself in fashion school just to point out that I'm the multipotentialite that she's looking for and we ended up working together. She said that this is a no brainer. I'm glad you share your creative interests. It's exactly what this project needs. And we only worked together for a few months but she was memorable and gave me really good feedback. So yeah, match their energy if it feels right. Right? And we're now on point number seven which is be confident and be honest.

Especially about your skills and experience. Now I don't know about you, but I think some people misunderstand the Saying fake it till you make it as fake your credentials until you become it, which is just fraud, right? Don't do that. Fake it till you make it means faking your confidence until it's not fake anymore, that you keep applying your knowledge until your confidence becomes real. Not everyone starts out with the knowledge that they need to do something, right? And this is true even if you're employed. So if you're curious about, let's say, a certain tool and you want to offer a service based on that tool on that platform, research it. There's probably a YouTube tutorial out there somewhere on, you know, an overview on how that tool works. And even better, create a free account, sign up for a free account or a free trial and then explore the heck out of that platform, right? So now you have knowledge, now you know how it works. So just apply it.

You see a job post and it's, you know, a job post about that platform, about setting something up on that platform. Go and apply for it and build that confidence until it's real, right? If there's something you've always wanted to try, just say so. And if it's something you don't want to do, feel free to tell them. And trust me, they'll appreciate the honesty. And finally, tip number eight, which is make sure to invite them to a call. That in itself shows confidence and helps build trust, right? And I know a lot of us get nervous with video calls, and I used to struggle with that too. But if you want to thrive as a freelancer, that's something that you need to practice. In my cover letters I'd say something like, would you like to hop on a call this week? I'm available Tuesday to Thursday at this time in Eastern time.

Because you build confidence by doing so. The more you do video calls, the more confident you become. And I've been on a lot of video calls at this point and so now I'm able to keep myself calm and be prepared and show up as a professional who's not afraid to talk about their work, right? And here's a couple of things that I do to prepare for a call, especially when it's with a new client. That's when I still get, you know, the pre call jitters. But one, I always prepare questions in a Google Doc, questions about them, about their business, the technical stuff, you know, what they need help with, how, you know, what are they doing in their business now that's not working. And two, if I'm particularly nervous for some reason, I would calm myself down with breathing exercises. I don't know if you remember in a previous episode where I recommended box breathing. Right.

So that easily calms down my nerves, lowers my heart rate, and that prep alone gives me confidence. So when you show up calm and prepared on a call, that makes a good impression on the client. Right. So just remember to treat it like a regular conversation and that the goal is for you to connect with them, not to perform. So don't worry too much, especially about grammar. And to be honest, foreign clients are less judgmental about grammar than we are, so you don't need to worry about that. And yeah, so that's it. Eight things that have helped me write better cover letters over the years.

And again, these aren't like hard rules. Take what fits your style, experiment and refine your own way of doing things. Now, before I go, I'm leaving you with a song. It's called Coco Water by Wheein. She's my favorite mamamoo member and this song is just really good vibes. So I hope you enjoy it and thanks for listening. This is M signing off. And as always, take it easy.