Graphics design is a noble skill you can have. Why is that? There’s practically no place you turn to that doesn’t have graphic design elements. In our world today, you can do more for yourself as a graphics designer online, thanks to the advent of platforms like Upwork. All you have to do is open an Upwork profile and attract clients to skills.
But like every legitimate business out there, business opportunities don’t just get handed to you on Upwork.
You’d have to send applications to clients with open project offers as a graphic designer. Things could get tough along the line since you’re not the only freelancer applying.
So how do you win?
You’d need a convincing cover letter for the job. A good graphic design cover letter wastes no time convincing the client that you’re the right fit for the job.
In this piece, I’ll give you tips on how to write the best design cover letter each time you wish to apply for jobs on Upwork.
Further down, I’ll also show you examples of an effective Upwork cover letter, whether you’re writing to an individual or an organization. Let’s get right into it:
Five Basic Tips to Get Started
Planning out your cover letter strategies is crucial, even before you set a pen to paper.
Once you understand the basics, you get to write the letter with direction and conviction – which is a good thing. Below are some of the basic details you must take note of:
#1: Make your Letter Personal
If you haven’t noticed, a cover letter is completely different from your profile overview.
You can check our excellent piece on how you can Get the Best Upwork Profile Overview Sample for Graphic Designer Accounts.
While you address anyone for your overview, you must direct your tone towards the client or recruiter to whose offer you’re applying.
Why should your cover letter personalized? For one thing, it makes the client immediately feel your presence in the document; a good thing, since they likely want ‘organic’ replies to their job offers on Upwork.
Therefore, it’s best to start out with a formal salutation specifically addressing the hirer – if you can address them by name, that’s a plus. Throughout the rest of the letter, use specific second and third-person pronouns to maintain the professional, personalized precedence you’ve set.
#2: Highlight your Foremost Skills
For your cover letter to be effective, you’ve got to put your skills front and centre. In earlier paragraphs, try to include your most relevant graphic design skills and working experience. Compliment the outline by mentioning your academic qualifications as well.
However, it’s not enough to mention your skills and educational background; you must try to convince the reader that you can use them to solve their project needs effectively. While you’re at it, let them know how enthusiastic and passionate you are with designs.
#3: Tie up the Loose Ends
Remember that cover letter needs to be brief and straight to the point. Therefore, it’s best to maintain a coherence from start to finish. Clients can tell when you change styles of writing, and will lose interest at that. Choose what tone you wish to handle (enthusiastic, positive, professional and so on) and stick with it till the conclusion.
Also, link your cover letter with your portfolio. You won’t able to include the files themselves In the letter, but you can refer the reader to them with an attachment link.’
An Effective Upwork Graphics Design Cover Letter Sample
Below is an example of what a graphics design cover letter looks like in real life:
Dear Mr, Clare
From your recent job post, I understand that your graphics department currently requires the services of professional graphics designer who has demonstrated creativity and technical skills in the field. Beyond that, they must have a strong drive to continually learn and to succeed.
I’m responding to the offer by applying for the vacant post. I’ve got a sharp proficiency with web design software and design programs. Throughout the years, I’ve satisfied my clients with my creativity. I believe that graphics design is an art by which one can project different expressions for the brand. It adds so many perspectives to an otherwise ordinary creation.
I’m prepared to provide most graphics types; from logo creation, banner, animation, cartoon, 3D images, etc. Below are some of my qualifications as they relate to the job:
- A Master of Fine Arts with a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and Imaging.
- Thesis on advertising photographs on the cultural program.
- Proven adeptness of Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, CSS, Word Press, Quark Xpress web etc.
- Stellar performance in team management and Customer Care
- Proven agility in visual strategy and layout development
- Seven years of practical experience in Graphic Designing and animation programs.
- A burning passion for designing and creative work.
Besides all of these, I have a rich repository of my graphic works online, completed during these years. I’ve attached a link to these portfolios, helping you get a clearer picture of my creativity. I’m positive that my educational and professional experiences makes me the most eligible for the vacancy and I can be an asset to the entire project.
I’ve also attached my resume for your consideration. Please feel free to contact me if you’ve got anything to ask about me. I am always available via email, Slack and Skype.
Going by the sample above, the freelancer has taken the time to draft their cover letter in the most effective. You’d notice the deep coherence between each of the paragraph, and how they round it up conveniently for the reader.
Besides the fact that the letter kept to the basics of a graphics design cover letter, it also included useful transitional words at the start of some of its sentences. In the end, the sample is a professional and compelling cover letter for most clients.
Wrapping Up
Are you looking to make major inroads in your graphics design career on Upwork? You’d need to learn how to write a great cover letter. An effective cover letter significantly improves your chances of getting hired. But many freelancers will like to know where to begin, and avoid confusions along the way.
Which is why I’ve highlighted some of the most important tips you’d need to keep in mind when making your first cover letter draft. The sample I’ve also included can help you visualize a good proposal letter much quicker..
