Feedback Form
Home Features Mastermind Forums About Advertise Blog Network Contact Be An Author

How to Write a Killer Freelance Bid Cover Letter

How to Write a Killer Freelance Bid Cover Letter

There are hundreds of ways a freelance professional can ruin a bid cover letter. Outsourcing buyers often have to weed through a list of 30, 50 or 100 freelance candidates, and every little detail that's off irritates the person who reads your cover letter. It's the freelance professional's first -- and perhaps only -- chance to impress a potential outsourcing buyer. One mistake and they're immediately crossed off the list (freelance professionals who understand this harsh reality can use it in their favor).

So, how does a freelance professional write a more refined and effective bid cover letter? These tips will help to make your cover letter stand out from the freelance crowd:

* Keep it short. If your cover letter is as long as this essay, cut it by at least a third. All the outsourcing buyer wants to see is a polite greeting, a sentence or two summarizing your freelance profile’s relevant highlights, perhaps another sentence or two about things that don't show up on your freelance profile (you recently completed two projects similar to the job at hand, for instance), and a polite closing.
* Beware of typos: Use word processing software, and heed the spelling & grammar checks suggested by the program. Also, try reading your cover letter aloud, or ask a friend to review it before you send it in -- even native speakers will benefit from the feedback.
* Follow the outsourcing buyer's directions. If you're asked to answer specific questions regarding your freelance experience or include a key word in your reply -- do it!
* Never use a canned cover letter. Outsourcing buyers can tell. The right words will prove you read the entire freelance job post, including the requested skills, links, and freelance work history.
* Watch your tone. Even if the outsourcing buyer writes in a casual voice, you as the freelance professional should sound serious, yet relaxed in your bid cover letter. Remember that this is a letter from one professional to another. You shouldn't try to be funny or overly flattering. Even more important, you should never be arrogant about your abilities, or seem needy in your wording. A good bid cover letter is helpful, confident and to the point.
* Go easy on the jargon. Use technical terms correctly and cut the marketing-speak. The outsourcing buyer won't be impressed by your plans to "actualize" your "proven potential" to "deliver maximal results" to "drive customer satisfaction." Contrary to some job-hunting guides, you cannot hypnotize the buyer with "energizing" buzz words.
* Link to examples. List and link to or attach freelance work samples to demonstrate your aptitude for the outsourcing project. If your freelance portfolio doesn't already include the relevant items, don't forget to add them afterward!

You've worked hard to polish your freelance profile. But the outsourcing buyer will never bother to look at it unless your bid cover letter serves as a concise, effective teaser. If Hollywood can boil a two-hour movie down to a 90-second preview, you can get your cover letter under 300 words and manage to leave your audience wanting more.





How to Write a Killer Freelance Bid Cover Letter - To learn more about this author, visit Daryl James's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends

Article Feedback
 Article Feedback No article feedback found.
  Leave Your Feedback
article feedback

Article Feedback

To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us.

About The Author


Daryl James
(Visit Daryl's Website) Daryl writes/blogs for oDesk, the marketplace for online workteams. oDesk offers the best business model for both buyers and providers with a unique approach that guarantees that an hour paid is an hour worked, while also guaranteeing that an hour worked is an hour paid.

Daryl James is a Platinum author on EvanCarmichael.com
About The Author

View Author Blog
View Author Blog

View Author Video
View Author Video

Free Downloads


Daryl James's

Complete
List Of
Work-Life
Articles

Name
Email
If you enjoyed this article, get Daryl James's Complete List of Work-Life Articles For FREE!

More Daryl James
Are you Freelance Ready
Outsourcing has become a mandate for recessionhit firms
Gartner New technology jobs will be filled by social scientists
Small businesses turning to contractors
10 tips for an EyeCatching Freelance Profile
9 Ways Social Media Can Expand Your Online Marketing
Workers still concerned about job security
These days Twitter is a jobskill must
Make Money as a Freelance Customer Support Representative
How to Conduct Effective Outsourcing Interviews
Free Downloads


 
 
 


Evan Elite Authors
George Ludwig  
Dianne Crampton  
Anne Barr  
Evan Elite Authors

Become An Author
Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details.
Become An Author

Evan's Latest Video
Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media
Evan's Latest Video

Business Opportunities
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"

How to Start An Online Business

Click Here To Learn More
Business Opportunities



Evan's Newsletter
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Evan`s Newsletter

Free Downloads
The Leader’s Edge Icon The Leader’s Edge
Instant Brochures Icon Instant Brochures
The Idea Compass Icon The Idea Compass
Why New Businesses Fail Icon Why New Businesses Fail
Dismiss a Franchise Icon Dismiss a Franchise
Free Downloads - Complete List

Entrepreneur Tools and Guides
Top 50 Blogs For Startups To Watch In 2008
Top 50 Blogs For Startups
Top Blogs To Watch In 2008
 
The Top 10 GTD Times Posts - Best Posts for Productivity
The Top 10 GTD Times Posts
Best Posts for Productivity
 
Entrepreneur Tools and Guides

SEO For Africa
SEO For Africa
Sarah Kofie Cape Coast, Ghana,
Sarah Kofie
Cape Coast, Ghana
SEO For Africa

If I Were A Startup...
John Zarei and Shaan Parekh , $516k to $1.5 Mil in 2 years
John Zarei and Shaan Parekh
$516k to $1.5 Mil in 2 years
Jeff Roick, $1.4 to $6.5 Mil in 2 years
Jeff Roick
$1.4 to $6.5 Mil in 2 years
If I Were A Startup... - Complete List

Famous Entrepreneurs
Gordon Ramsay, Gordon Ramsay
Gordon Ramsay
Gordon Ramsay
Gerry Schwartz, Onex
Famous Entrepreneurs - Complete List

Entrepreneur Advice
John Jantsch, Duct Tape Marketing
John Jantsch
Duct Tape Marketing
Michael Gerber, The E Myth
Michael Gerber
The E Myth
Entrepreneur Advice - Complete List

Popular Articles
(Premium Authors)


Have A Suggestion?
Toronto Salsa Classes / Toronto Salsa Lessons Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
Have A Suggestion?

More Evan Carmichael
More Information