A quick guide for freelancers on how to write a proposal on Kolabtree to help you win projects.
Submitting a proposal to a client can seem daunting, but it needn’t be! Don’t forget you are an expert in your field and this is your chance to assist someone that needs your help.
One of the most common questions asked in a job interview is, “Why should I hire you?”. This applies for all jobs, freelancing and consulting included. Clients want you to demonstrate demonstrate why you’re the best fit for the role. Here are tips on crafting a detailed, compelling pitch.
Kolabtree clients can get over 20 proposals from experts for a project. As the competition is high, make sure that you immediately address the client’s requirements to give them confidence that you are the right fit for the job. Here are some tips to write a winning proposal.
1. Tailor your proposal to the project
Read the client’s project description very carefully and fully understand the requirements. On Kolabtree you are typically asked two questions while submitting a proposal.
-Why should the client hire you?
-What is your approach to the project?
Why should the client hire you?
This is where you have to make a strong enough case for the client to trust you. When you write a proposal on Kolabtree, start strong so that you immediately cover off the main relevant points and grab the client’s attention.
- Greeting and introduction: Start with a greeting and a one-line introduction. Keep it short and simple.
- Relevant expertise: Write a couple of lines about your experience and expertise specific to the project. How many years of experience do you have in that subject area? What similar projects or products have you worked on before? Why YOU? Avoid starting your proposal with vague statements like, “I am sure I can do a good job…” as the client has not yet read anything that convinces them you can.
- Skills and tools: If any specific skills or proficiency with tools is requested, mention these so the client knows you can deliver the output in the right format.
- Fee: Is your fee in line with the client’s indicated budget? If not, mention in your proposal the reason why you’re charging higher (or lower). Will you need paid access to some tools or databases?
- Example of previous work: Link to or upload an example of similar work you’ve done previously. Don’t hesitate to share multiple examples of your work. Remember, the client knows nothing about you, and needs all the details possible to make an informed decision.
- Deliverables: List out the deliverables as per your understanding to ensure that you and the client are on the same page. This also helps remove any ambiguity about the final deliverables needed.
Important tip: Don’t copy-paste generic proposals to bid on multiple projects. The more tailored and detailed your proposal is, the higher the chance of winning the project.
If you think the project description is unclear, ask the client some questions that will help you understand more about the project.
2. Update your profile and check if it’s a match for the project
Clients will always check your profile to take a quick look at your summary, work experience and education. Do a quick check to make sure your profile does a good job at conveying your skills and experience. If it doesn’t, update it before you submit your bid.
- Make sure your profile has a good-quality professional photo of you (no logos or illustrative characters) This immediately builds trust with the client.
- Update your summary to make it as detailed as possible. Make sure your work experience and education are all complete.
- You can add as many subjects as you want to your subject matter expertise, but make sure the top 3 are selected.
You can update your profile here.
3. Communicate your availability clearly
This may sound obvious but make sure you have the availability and resource to complete a project when you bid for it. If you have any time or charging constraints, let the client know in your proposal so they know what to expect.
- Respond quickly to client messages. You can also respond to messages directly from your email.
- Offer to have an initial call to make sure you and the client are on the same page.
- Choose a deadline that’s most convenient for you. Always add a buffer of 2-3 days in case of any unforeseen delays.
Don’t forget, having a good profile is the one of the most important factors in winning projects on Kolabtree. Spend time on it and make sure it showcases your best work!
Have any more tips on how to write a proposal on Kolabtree to win freelancing projects? Share them with us in the comments below.
Kolabtree helps businesses worldwide hire freelance scientists and industry experts on demand. Our freelancers have helped companies publish research papers, develop products, analyze data, and more. It only takes a minute to tell us what you need done and get quotes from experts for free.
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