As a freelancer, knowing how to sell yourself is what ultimately lands you the job. I know a lot of fashion designers, and it’s not always the “best” ones who have the most success in freelancing. It’s the ones who know how to pitch and sell themselves, on UpWork and beyond, that get the most clients and make the most money.

The first step to standing out is by writing a great proposal that grabs your potential client’s attention and addresses their needs. 

It’s kinda insane how many freelancers on UpWork write terrible proposals. I have hired a lot of people – fashion designers and beyond – on UpWork, and 80% of the pitches I get go straight in the trash. They’re generic, templated copy/paste cover letters that don’t even show they read my job post.

This is your opportunity to show potential clients why YOU are the perfect fit for the job. With a little extra effort, you can win a lot more gigs.

Top 8 Tips for Writing an UpWork Proposal for Fashion Designers

Here are my best UpWork proposal tips that have helped me and my students snag hundreds of thousands of dollars in projects and clients.

1. Keep it short and sweet: Clients go through DOZENS of proposals for a single UpWork job posting. You only have a few seconds to grab someone’s attention, so my rule of thumb is to keep it to 3-4 paragraphs. If it’s a really long description, you may need to include more to address all their points.
2. Add a personal touch: Use the client’s name or company name whenever possible. This simple trick shows that you are attentive, but it’s crazy how many people don’t do this! (I hire from UpWork a lot, and let me tell you, most people don’t use my name even though I sign every post, “Thanks, Heidi.”) If their name isn’t in the job description, check their reviews. Sometimes past freelancers have mentioned it! If you can’t find it there, try and at least use a company name.
3. Highlight relevant skills and work experiences: Showcase your education, work experience, and past projects relevant to the job description. And don’t be afraid to name-drop any recognized brands you’ve worked for to boost credibility, as long as they’re relevant to the category or role.
4. Address the client’s needs: Tailor your proposal to the client’s specific needs and showcase how your skills align perfectly with their project requirements. Most of the time, the answers are already in the client’s job posting. If they mention they need an activewear tech pack designer that can get the job done in 3 weeks, tell them about your experience in making tech packs and activewear, and show them your commitment to meeting their deadline. (And of course, make sure to follow through!)
   
   Pro Tip: Use the exact words from the job listing in your UpWork proposal cover letter. If they say they want someone who can help with “design through bulk production,” and who can “create professional tech packs with specs,” use that exact phrasing. This works because as they read your proposal, they’ll think, “yes, this is exactly what I need!”
5. Showcase your curated portfolio: Your portfolio should be doing 80% of the talking. Include a curated portfolio with sample projects relevant to the client’s needs. Sure, it’s tempting to dump in every single project you’ve worked on but when you only have 3 seconds to impress, you need to make it count! If you want more tips on crafting your portfolio, head over to my Guide on Creating Your Fashion Portfolio (in a weekend!).
6. Address the elephant in the room: The reality is, a lot of newbies struggle to snag their first clients on UpWork. One technique that works great for this is mentioning your expertise beyond UpWork. For example, you can say “Although I am new to UpWork, I have 3 years of experience as a womenswear pattern maker in the garment manufacturing industry.” Then attach your CV and portfolio as proof. Everyone starts from zero at some point, and I know clients who personally hire UpWork newbies just based on their determination and a standout cover letter. (I have!)
7. Express genuine interest: Compliment them, ask a thoughtful question, and invite them to discuss further. This shows your commitment to not only understanding their needs but also fostering a productive and collaborative partnership from the get-go.
8. Always proofread: Sounds super basic but do not take this for granted! Seemingly small grammatical errors and typos can make your proposal look unprofessional, and you might even miss out on an awesome opportunity just because of these minor mistakes.

True Story: I know some clients who automatically filter out applicants with spelling or grammar mistakes in their proposals. You don’t want to miss out on opportunities just because of something as simple as “your” vs “you’re.” 

How to Write an UpWork Proposal for Fashion Designers: Step-by-Step (with samples)

To help you learn how to write a winning UpWork proposal, I’ll guide you through the step-by-step process using a job posting and include samples you can follow.

Step 1: Understand the job description carefully

Read through the job description and assess which key aspects stand out to you.

For example, in this job posting, the client is looking for an experienced fashion designer for an affordable luxury petite brand’s first collection. They need someone with a strong background in product development, from trend forecasting up until the production of the clothing line. 

Keep these points in mind while writing – you will use the exact words and phrases from the post in your proposal.

Step 2: Make a personalized and attention-grabbing opening

Use the client’s name right at the intro. A tailored introduction shows you’re paying attention and care, rather than just blasting over a generic cover letter.

Dear [Client’s Name], 

I’m thrilled to submit my proposal for the Fashion Designer role for your upcoming affordable luxury petite brand. As a petite girl myself, your vision resonates deeply with my personal design philosophy, and I’m excited about the prospect of collaborating with you to bring this collection to life.

Step 3: Showcase your relevant skills and experience in the fashion industry

Keep in mind what skills and experience the client is looking for and make sure to reflect this in your proposal.

With a solid 3-year background as a luxury womenswear fashion designer, my specialization lies in design and product development. Additionally, my previous role as a technical fashion designer has helped me enhance my skill set, allowing me to navigate the entire design journey – from inception to final execution.

Step 4: Address the client’s specific needs

Show you understand the brief clearly and can deliver by directly answering the needs they stated in the job description.

I have worked closely with local and international brands, making their collections come to life. This includes several luxury start-up brands such as Éclat and Luxelle, where I spearheaded the design team responsible for launching their successful first collections.

Step 5: Include relevant work samples

Find relevant products that hit exactly what they’re looking for. If you’ve worked on any successful projects recently, add them.

You can browse through the most recent projects I’ve done with both luxury brands in the portfolio I’ve attached below, including other relevant projects I’ve worked on in the past. If you’re interested in seeing more of my work, feel free to check my online portfolio through this link.

Step 6: Express genuine interest

Finally, end your proposal on a good note, and add a CTA (call to action) to reach out. Make it SUPER clear that the next step they should take is to hop on a call.

I am really looking forward to the opportunity of collaborating with you on this amazing opportunity.

Your brand’s commitment to making luxury accessible to the petite demographic strikes a chord with me and I would love to know more about your vision!

If it sounds like a good fit, I’d love to schedule a call so we can discuss more details.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

The Final UpWork Proposal Cover Letter Sample

Dear [Client’s Name], 

I’m thrilled to submit my proposal for the Fashion Designer role for your upcoming affordable luxury petite brand. As a petite girl myself, your vision resonates deeply with my personal design philosophy, and I’m excited about the prospect of collaborating with you to bring this collection to life.

With a solid 3-year background as a luxury womenswear fashion designer, my specialization lies in design and product development. Additionally, my previous role as a technical fashion designer has helped me enhance my skill set, allowing me to navigate the entire design journey – from inception to final execution.

I have worked closely with local and international brands, making their collections come to life. This includes several luxury start-up brands such as Éclat and Luxelle, where I spearheaded the design team responsible for launching their successful first collections.

You can browse through the most recent projects I’ve done with both luxury brands in the portfolio I’ve attached below, including other relevant projects I’ve worked on in the past. If you’re interested in seeing more of my work, feel free to check my online portfolio through this link.

I am really looking forward to the opportunity of collaborating with you on this amazing opportunity.

Your brand’s commitment to making luxury accessible to the petite demographic strikes a chord with me and I would love to know more about your vision!

If it sounds like a good fit, I’d love to schedule a call so we can discuss more details.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Don’t Make This Beginner UpWork Mistake

One common mistake I see a lot of freelance fashion designers make is trying to cater to a wide range of services. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of thinking that offering general services or applying for a variety of roles will increase your chances on UpWork. The truth is, people go to UpWork to hire specialists – they want someone who can help them with their exact problem. Focus on being niche, and you will 10x your chances of standing out with that one change.

By zeroing in on a niche, whether it’s designing luxury petite wear, sustainable fashion, or tech packs for active and loungewear, you set yourself apart from dozens of other applicants. Yes, there will be fewer jobs to apply to, but you will be a perfect match for them.

If you’re unsure where to start, here are 24 services you can offer as a freelance fashion designer!

Is UpWork Really the Best Platform for Freelance Fashion Designers?

A lot of my students have seen great success on UpWork, and of all the freelancing platforms out there, it’s the only one I (and they!) recommend. But it can be an uphill battle to get your first few clients. You have to be on high alert and respond quickly when a job is posted, and even with a great proposal, it can be hard to get a job without any ratings. Plus, depending on your services or category, there may not be many job listings on there. I have multiple sweater and knitwear designers in FAST, and none of them have had luck finding any gigs.

The good news is you’re not limited to just UpWork and other platforms to find clients. For more tips on building your business as a freelance fashion designer, check out my free Ultimate Guide to Being A Freelance Fashion Designer. You can apply the strategies to UpWork, but I also go through a lot of other places and ways to get work.