5 Tips For Writing Your Freelancing Cover Letter
Publié le 3 November 2022
Boost your freelance career and be your own boss with 5 tips for writing your freelancing cover letter.
Cover letters are the first, and sometimes only impressions employers get of job seekers. They tell recruitment professionals about the applicant’s talent, work experience, work ethic, and enthusiasm. Moreover, cover letters allow for a human connection in sometimes faceless job markets.
Cover letters are critical to freelancers because they tell hiring managers who you are and highlight what you can offer. For freelance writers, a well-written cover letter is a work sample in and of itself. But whether you are a writer, digital marketer, graphic designer, or web developer, cover letters allow you to showcase your personal brand. This, in turn, helps you stand out from the crowd of similarly skilled applicants.
In this article, you’ll learn 5 tips for writing your freelancing cover letter that will help you get noticed by potential employers.
5 Tips for Writing Your Freelance Cover Letter
- Add relevant keywords
- Explain why you’re the best fit for the role
- Make relevant points stand out
- Write a great conclusion
- Format and proofread for mistakes
1. Add Relevant Keywords
HR and recruit professionals receive hundreds of cover letters. They can’t read every application to find candidates that match their requirements. So, how do they trim hundreds of potential applicants to a handful of shortlisted candidates?
They use recruitment software with applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Every job post has a set of keywords relevant to the position—skills, competencies, and position names. Many organizations use automated ATS to scan and filter freelancer cover letters and resumes for these keywords. The density of a keyword in your resume cover letter improves the chances of your application passing the AI screening process.
If an application doesn’t have the relevant keywords, recruitment tools reject them before the hiring manager looks at them. Hence, you should review job descriptions, highlight keywords related to responsibilities or qualifications, and incorporate them into your freelancer cover letters.
For instance, the cover letter template above includes the following keywords that usually appear in content writer job postings: social media, search engine optimization (SEO), articles, research, English, and writing.
Adding relevant keywords to freelance application letters shows prospective clients that you can hit the ground running because your skills match the job description.
2. Explain Why You’re the Best Fit for the Role
Many postings for freelancer jobs list specific skills and competencies desired candidates should have. An effective cover letter for freelancer positions should focus on relevant skills that will benefit the company. The best way to demonstrate you are the best fit for the role is to mention and explain those skills in your letter.
Let’s say there’s a job opening for a freelance graphic designer that lists web design as one of the role’s duties. To demonstrate this competency, you could mention a certificate in web design or share links to the websites you have created. Where possible, include quantifiable achievements. Did your website design produce a responsive web experience? Don’t just mention it; give numbers. Recruiters like to see measurable impact.
In the application letter example above, for example, the applicant showcases their suitability for the role of Social Media Assistant by explaining quantifiable achievements (they managed to grow a client’s following from 12,000 to 270,000, for example).
Showing proof of what you can do isn’t the only way to show you are the perfect person for the job. You also want to show that you are the right fit for the company culture. To do this, you must research the company’s culture and values and see how you fit in. If the company values sustainability, talk about how you are working toward a zero-waste lifestyle. If the company values innovation, show how the software you introduced increased the productivity of another company.
3. Make Relevant Points Stand Out
Many job seekers repeat the information on their resume in the cover letter but in prose form. That is a mistake. Your letter should complement your resume, not echo it. A very practical tip when writing your freelancing cover is do not share details of every job you’ve had. Recruiters can read this information on your resume. Unless it is applicable to the position, you don’t need to mention your professional associations.
Mention points that are only relevant to the role and highlight these in bullet points to make them stand out. Bullet points break up the text of your resume cover letter. They make it easier to read.
See the sample cover letter below where the candidate’s qualifications immediately stand out.
In addition to technical skills, you should make your soft skills stand out. Below are some soft skills you should consider highlighting in your freelancer cover letters:
- Self-motivation: Freelancers work independently and must be able to self-start and be self-motivated to complete projects.
- Organizational skills: Time management is an essential element that enables freelance workers to meet deadlines.
- Attention to detail: Potential clients expect freelancers to follow instructions and adhere to project specifications.
- Communication: Freelancers must be able to communicate effectively (verbal and written) with future clients and listen actively to client requests and feedback.
Cover letters accompany resumes, so there’s no need to repeat the information there. Instead, highlight key points in bullet points, which draw the eye and make it easier for the reader to find the necessary information.
4. Write a Great Conclusion
An effective cover letter for freelancer jobs should leave recruiters wanting more. The closing paragraph is your last chance to secure the callback, a final sales pitch. Business owners want to hire people who want to work for them—it’s an indication of your level of engagement. So, use the conclusion to express your excitement about the opportunity.
Remind them of impressive achievements, the impact you’ve made in your current position, and how you could similarly improve the business. Include a call to action, inviting them to contact you for further discussions about your qualifications. It’s a polite way of asking for a job interview.
Try something like this: “Given my qualifications and extensive experience, I believe I am the ideal candidate for this role. I am confident I can improve your website’s user experience and generate 30% more web traffic for your organization. I look forward to discussing my strategies for XYZ company at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your consideration.”
This closing statement demonstrates initiative and interest.
5. Format and Proofread for Mistakes
You must review your application before you send it. You could have the qualifications and professional experience the potential employer is looking for, but if your letter has typos and grammatical mistakes, hiring managers may not reconsider your application. Poor grammar and incorrect spelling tell the reader that you lack attention to detail and professional maturity. Also, if indicated, use the format requested, for example, AP style for the writing style or PDF, for the content format.
Remember, your freelance application letter is proof of your written communication skills. Furthermore, for some freelance careers, it is a sample of your work. Microsoft Word and Google Docs have spelling and grammar functions. For more advanced checks, you can use apps like Grammarly and Quillbot’s online proofreading tool to review for punctuation, sentence clarity, engagement, and delivery.
Finally, read your letter out loud to identify gaps in the flow and tone of voice. Ask someone else to review it (preferably someone who works for the industry you are applying for). They may also have insights that can improve your freelance application letter. Compare your letter with the job posting and ensure you have the relevant keywords included.
In Closing
Cover letters are practical tools for attracting the attention of recruitment professionals and hiring managers. They are an employer’s first interaction with you, so the first impression must be a good one. Even when prospective employers don’t require them, submitting a professional cover letter for freelancer jobs will help you stand out among a crowd of applicants.
In this article, we discussed 5 tips for writing your freelancing cover letter, and shared cover letter examples.
To start with, you should include relevant keywords in your letters. Many freelance job applications pass through AI screening processes. Keywords ensure human recruiters see your letter.
Explaining why you are the best for the role and listing your work experience and soft skills demonstrate your enthusiasm and value. While a strong introduction gets you noticed, a great conclusion gets you the interview. Be sure to express your interest in the opportunity. Finally, proofread. Typos and grammatical errors leave a poor impression. Unless another format is requested, PDF is usually the best format for sending freelance application letters.
Shun the generic cover letter for freelancer professions. Follow these 5 tips for writing your freelancing cover letter and you’ll boost your chances of getting the best results. Happy job hunting and good luck!
