How to Bid as a Freelancer: A Complete Guide

Freelancing is booming — but with opportunity comes competition. Every day, hundreds of freelancers pitch their services, hoping to land their next big client. The truth is, clients don’t always pick the most skilled freelancer — they often choose the one who communicates the most clearly and confidently.

That’s where a great freelance bid comes in.

Whether you’re applying through LinkedIn, cold emailing, sending a DM, or responding on platforms like Upwork, how you bid matters more than most freelancers think.

This guide is not about Freelancer.com-style bidding (the race-to-the-bottom game). It’s about building high-value proposals that win clients and long-term partnerships.

Why is Freelance Bidding Important?

Bidding is where many freelancers either win or lose opportunities. No matter how skilled you are, if you can’t express your value clearly, clients may skip over you.

Many talented freelancers lose projects simply because they send poor or lazy bids.

Bidding helps you:

• Stand out from the crowd
• Show professionalism
• Build trust from the first interaction
• Win more quality projects — faster

Where Does Freelance Bidding Happen?

Freelance bidding doesn’t just happen on traditional freelancing websites. In today’s connected digital world, bidding opportunities exist everywhere — and the smartest freelancers know how to spot and act on them.

1. Freelance Platforms

These platforms offer structured ways to bid on posted jobs:

• Upwork
• Fiverr (through gig proposals or buyer requests)
• PeoplePerHour
• Toptal, Guru, Truelancer, etc.

You typically write a proposal in response to a job listing. These platforms often have a bidding limit, so each proposal counts.

2. Social Media Platforms

You’d be surprised how many clients post job needs on:

• LinkedIn (e.g., “Looking for a website designer for a new product launch”)
• Twitter (especially in tech or creator communities)

Smart freelancers reply with a short pitch, then move to DMs or email to follow up with a detailed proposal.

Example:
A founder tweets: “Looking for someone to build a quick landing page for a product launch.”
A smart freelancer replies: “Hey [Name], I specialize in fast, responsive landing pages. Sent you a DM with a few ideas!”

3. Cold Emails / Contact Forms

You don’t need a job posting to make a bid.
If you identify a business that could use your help, you can send a cold pitch via email or contact form.

Example:
You notice a local bakery’s website is slow and not mobile-friendly.
You email them:
“Hi, I visited your site and love your brand. I noticed a few mobile speed issues that could affect your online orders. I help local businesses improve site speed and conversions — would you be open to a free 10-minute audit?”

This proactive approach often catches clients by surprise — in a good way.

4. Niche Online Communities

Freelance work is often shared in specialized groups:

• Slack Channels (e.g., Tech Freelancers, Remote Work communities)
• Discord Servers (for designers, writers, developers, and more)
• Facebook Groups (like “Remote Jobs for Creatives” or “Marketing Freelancers India”)

When someone posts “Looking for a logo designer,” that’s a bidding opportunity. You can comment, message, or email them with your proposal.

These communities are less saturated than major freelance platforms, which means less competition and higher chances of winning projects — if you respond quickly and with value.

Pro Tip: Bidding is About Solving, Not Selling

Most freelancers treat bidding as a way to sell themselves. But clients care less about your achievements and more about how you can help them.

Always shift your pitch from “Here’s what I can do” to:

“Here’s how I’ll solve your problem.”

Why Most Freelancers Fail at Bidding

Despite having solid skills, many freelancers struggle to land projects consistently. Why?
Because they make critical mistakes when bidding — often without realizing it. Bidding isn’t just about applying for a project; it’s about presenting a personalized solution that builds trust and makes the client feel understood.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common bidding mistakes that cause freelancers to lose out — even when they’re talented.

1. Using Copy-Paste Templates

“Dear Sir/Madam, I am a professional web developer with 5 years of experience. I can do this job. Please contact me.”

Sound familiar?

Many freelancers rely on generic templates and send the same proposal to every client, just changing the name or project title. This makes your bid look lazy and robotic — not customized or thoughtful.

Why it fails:
Clients can spot a copy-paste bid in seconds. It shows that you didn’t care enough to understand their unique problem.

What to do instead:
Take a few minutes to read the job carefully and write a personalized pitch. Mention specific project details, goals, or pain points. It shows you’re serious, attentive, and client-focused.

2. Talking Too Much About Yourself

“I’m a top-rated freelancer, I’ve done over 100 projects, I’m great at this, I’m certified in that…”

It’s great that you’re skilled — but clients don’t hire you for your resume. They hire you to solve their problem.

Why it fails:
When your bid is filled with “I” statements and nothing about the client, it becomes self-centered. It doesn’t answer the one question on their mind:

“How can this person help me?”

What to do instead:
Talk about your experience in the context of their needs. Make it about them.

Example:
Instead of:

“I have 5 years of experience in email marketing.”
Say:
“I’ve helped startups improve their email open rates by 35% using targeted flows — I’d love to do the same for your upcoming product launch.”

3. Not Addressing the Client’s Actual Need

Some freelancers skim through the project description, then reply with a general offer without addressing what the client really asked for.

Why it fails:
Clients want to feel like you understand what they’re struggling with. If your proposal doesn’t reflect this, it sounds vague and impersonal.

Example of a weak bid:

“I’m available to start immediately. Let’s work together.”

Stronger version:

“I noticed you need help optimizing your blog for SEO. Based on what you’ve described, I’d recommend a content audit followed by on-page optimization — particularly targeting local keywords to improve your reach.”

What to do instead:

• Refer to specific challenges mentioned in the job.
• Ask thoughtful questions, if needed.
• Suggest a practical solution.

This tells the client: “I understand you — and I know how to help.”

4. Underquoting Just to Get the Job

Inexperienced freelancers often quote very low prices to win projects, thinking that being the cheapest will give them an edge.

Why it fails:
While low prices might attract some clients, they often signal:

• Inexperience
• Lack of confidence
• Low-quality work

Worse, you risk attracting bad clients who undervalue your time, haggle endlessly, and expect premium work for peanuts.

What to do instead:

• Quote based on value, not desperation.
• Offer tiered pricing (Basic / Standard / Premium).
• Justify your price with the benefits or outcomes you provide.

Example:

“My rate for this would be ₹12,000, which includes SEO optimization, responsive design, and 2 rounds of revision. I’ve seen similar work improve site performance by 30–40%.”

5. Sounding Too Generic, Robotic, or Desperate

Many proposals lack personality or professionalism. They sound like bots, not humans.

Examples of robotic phrases:

• “Please give me a chance.”
• “I can do any job.”
• “Trust me, I will not disappoint you.”

Why it fails:
Clients don’t want to feel like they’re sifting through a pile of spam. Desperate language makes you look inexperienced or untrustworthy.

What to do instead:

• Be professional, confident, and clear.
• Avoid begging or overpromising.
• Use natural language and a conversational tone.

Example:

“I’d be happy to discuss your goals and share ideas before we start. If it feels like the right fit, I can get started immediately.”

The Result of These Mistakes

Even skilled freelancers who make these mistakes can end up:

• Getting ignored
• Losing projects to less talented competitors
• Working with low-budget, high-stress clients
• Feeling frustrated or stuck

This leads to burnout, demotivation, or worse — giving up on freelancing altogether.

How to Stand Out Instead

To avoid these traps:

• Personalize every bid.
• Focus on client goals, not just your background.
• Propose real solutions.
• Communicate clearly, not robotically.
• Respect your worth — and quote accordingly.

When done right, your bid doesn’t just get you noticed — it positions you as the best solution, not just another option.

Step 1: Understand the Project (More Than Just Reading)

Before writing your bid:

• Read the job description multiple times
• Look for client expectations — do they want design, speed, conversion, support?
• Note any red flags — like unrealistic deadlines, vague scope, or very low budget
• Check if they’ve mentioned specific platforms or deliverables

Example:
If a client posts:

“Need someone to fix my WordPress site; it’s too slow and I’m losing customers.”

Don’t say:

“I can fix your website, contact me.”

Say:

“I understand your WordPress site is slowing down customer conversions — I specialize in optimizing Core Web Vitals and caching for faster UX.”

Step 2: Research the Client

Before you pitch:

• Visit their website, Instagram, or LinkedIn
• Understand what they do, who their customers are, and where they might be struggling
• Look at their competitors (optional but impressive)

This allows you to personalize your proposal.

Example:

“I saw your site [brandname.com] and noticed it takes about 5–6 seconds to load. In e-commerce, that’s significant. I recently helped a fashion brand reduce load time by 60% — would love to do something similar for you.”

Step 3: Structure Your Proposal (The Winning Format)

A strong freelance bid should be:

• Personal
• Clear
• Relevant
• Action-driven

Here’s a breakdown:

1. Greeting

Bad: “Dear Hiring Manager”
Better: “Hi Rakesh,” or “Hello team at X Brand,”

2. Introduction

Keep it short. Just who you are and what you specialize in.

I’m a freelance digital marketer with 6+ years of experience, specializing in SEO and performance ads for startups and DTC brands.

3. Understanding Their Problem

Show them you “get it.”

From your listing, it seems you’re struggling with poor lead conversions despite high traffic — I’ve seen this before and it often comes down to landing page design and offer clarity.

4. Your Proposed Solution

Talk about what you’ll do — not just generally, but how.

I suggest reworking your landing page content and implementing heatmaps (Hotjar/Clarity) to study user behavior. This will give us real data to optimize and drive leads.

5. Timeline & Budget

Don’t dodge this. Be confident.

I can complete the first round of improvements within 5 working days. My quote is ₹18,000, including 2 revision rounds and basic tracking setup.

6. Samples or Proof

Showcase relevant work — not your whole portfolio.

You can view similar landing pages I built for SaaS brands here: [link]
One project increased email sign-ups by 40% in the first month.

7. CTA (Call to Action)

Tell them what’s next.

If that sounds good, I’d love to jump on a quick 15-minute call to understand your goals. Does Tuesday work for you?

Step 4: Bidding via Cold Outreach (Emails/DMs)

Cold pitches are powerful — but must feel warm.

Cold Email Template:

Subject: Quick suggestion for [Client’s Website or Goal]

Hi [Name],
I came across your [site/business/LinkedIn] and noticed [something specific: slow loading, lack of mobile optimization, missing ad pixels, etc.].
I work with businesses in [industry] to improve [results]. Here’s one example: [short success story or stat].
If you’re open, I’d love to send a free audit or hop on a 15-min call. Would early next week work?

Pro Tips:

• Keep it short
• Focus on value
• Offer something small (free tip or audit)

Step 5: Pricing: Should You Quote Low to Win?

Short answer: No.
You don’t want clients who only hire the cheapest freelancer.

Instead:

• Show your value
• Provide different packages (basic/premium)
• Be transparent about what’s included

Example:

• Basic Audit: ₹5,000
• Full Optimization: ₹15,000 (with tracking, consultation, and reporting)

Freelance Bidding Mistakes to Avoid

Even talented freelancers often lose projects because of common but avoidable mistakes in their proposals. Bidding is more than just applying — it’s a way to build trust, show competence, and stand out from hundreds of other freelancers. Here’s a detailed look at the most frequent mistakes — and how to avoid them.

1. Copy-Pasting Templates

Many new freelancers fall into the trap of using the same proposal over and over again. These “copy-paste” bids are usually generic, robotic, and lack any reference to the client’s specific needs.

Example of a poor template:
“Dear Sir/Madam, I am a highly skilled developer and can complete your work in time. Looking forward to your response.”

Why it’s a problem:
Clients can immediately tell when a message is reused. It signals a lack of effort and care — and no one wants to hire someone who doesn’t bother to understand the job.

Better Approach:
It’s fine to use a framework or structure, but always personalize your message.

Example of a customized opening:
“Hi [Client Name], I noticed you’re looking for help redesigning your Shopify store. I recently worked on a similar project for a home decor brand and helped improve their sales by 28%. Here’s how I can help you…”

Tip: Mention the client’s business name, the goal of the project, or something they said in the job post — even 1–2 sentences of personal touch make a big difference.

2. Overpromising

Freelancers often try to win the job by making unrealistic promises like:

• “I’ll deliver this website in 1 day.”
• “100% results guaranteed.”
• “Unlimited revisions.”

Why it’s a problem:
Clients have experience with freelancers who overpromise and underdeliver. These statements make you look either desperate or dishonest.

Overpromising sets you up for burnout, client disputes, or negative reviews.

Better Approach:
Set clear, realistic expectations based on the actual scope and your capacity.

Example:
“I can deliver a basic landing page with responsive design and contact form within 4 working days. If you need something faster, I’m happy to discuss how we can prioritize key elements.”

Tip: Clients appreciate honesty and clear planning more than exaggerated claims. Underpromise and overdeliver — not the other way around.

3. Talking Only About Yourself

Your bid isn’t your biography. While credentials matter, the focus should be on the client’s problem and how you’ll solve it.

What most freelancers do:
“I’m a certified expert. I’ve done 100+ projects. I’m reliable and hardworking.”

Why it’s a problem:
It puts all the attention on you, not the client. Clients want to feel seen and understood.

Better Approach:
Make it about them — their goals, struggles, and success.

Instead of:
“I have 5 years of experience in SEO.”
Say:
“I’d love to help your eCommerce store rank better for product keywords. I’ve helped similar stores increase traffic through technical audits and keyword targeting — here’s my plan for you…”

Tip: Start with their need, not your resume.

4. Avoiding Budget Talk

Many freelancers don’t mention pricing because they’re afraid of being rejected. But clients want to know what to expect in terms of cost. If you don’t talk about money, your bid can feel incomplete.

Why it’s a problem:

• It creates uncertainty.
• It makes the client do extra work.
• It looks like you’re unsure of your own value.

Better Approach:
Mention your estimated price, range, or ask for their budget to tailor your quote.

Example:
“For the scope you described, I’d estimate the cost to be ₹15,000–₹18,000. This includes design, development, and testing. If you have a budget in mind, I’m happy to adjust the proposal accordingly.”

Tip: Confidently stating your pricing shows you’re professional and organized.

5. Not Following Up

You might write the perfect bid — but if you don’t follow up, you risk being forgotten.
Many clients receive dozens of proposals. They might shortlist a few and then get busy. A gentle follow-up can put your proposal back on top of their mind.

Why it’s important:

• Shows professionalism and persistence
• Gives you another chance to build trust
• Shows you’re truly interested in the project

Following Up: Best Practices

If No Response in 3–5 Days:

Send a polite reminder.

Example Email:
Subject: Following up on [Project Name]

Hi [Client Name],

I just wanted to follow up on the proposal I sent for your [specific project, e.g., logo redesign]. Let me know if you had a chance to review it — I’m happy to adjust the proposal or clarify any questions.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

Tip: Keep it short, friendly, and easy to reply to.

Final Follow-Up After a Week:

Give them an easy exit while keeping the door open.

Example Email:
Subject: Checking in one last time

Hi [Client Name],

I understand things may be busy or you may have already chosen someone else — no worries at all. If you ever need help with [your service, e.g., Shopify store optimization], I’d love to connect in the future.

Thanks again for considering my proposal.

Regards,
[Your Name]

Tip: This final follow-up can actually win you projects months later — many clients bookmark or return to freelancers who handled things professionally.

Following Up: Best Practices for Freelancers

One of the most underrated skills in freelance bidding is knowing how and when to follow up.

Just because a client hasn’t replied doesn’t mean they’re not interested. They could be:

• Busy with other tasks
• Comparing multiple bids
• Waiting on internal feedback
• Simply forgot

That’s where follow-ups come in. A well-timed and respectful follow-up can revive your proposal and even win you the project — simply because you showed initiative.

1. First Follow-Up (After 3–5 Days)

If you haven’t heard back after a few days, it’s perfectly acceptable to check in — politely and professionally.

Example Follow-Up Message:

Subject: Following up on [Project Title]

Hi [Client Name],

Just checking in to see if you had a chance to review my proposal for [Project Name].

I’d be happy to tweak it based on your feedback or answer any questions you may have. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Best,
[Your Name]

Tips:

• Keep it short and friendly.
• Reaffirm your interest.
• Leave space for conversation, not pressure.

2. Final Follow-Up (After 7–10 Days)

Still no reply? Send one last message — this time, acknowledge that they might have moved on, but leave the door open for the future.

Example Final Follow-Up:

Subject: Checking in one last time

Hi [Client Name],

I understand you might be busy or may have already found someone for the project — no problem at all.

If you ever need help with [service, e.g., landing page design or SEO], I’d be glad to help. Please feel free to reach out anytime.

Wishing you the best with your project!

Warm regards,
[Your Name]

Why This Works:

• It ends the interaction on a graceful note.
• Shows professionalism and maturity.
• Keeps you in their mind for future work.

Tools to Help You Bid Better

Crafting a winning proposal isn’t just about writing well — it’s also about presenting yourself like a professional. These tools can streamline your process and elevate the quality of your bids.

Grammarly

For: Error-free writing

Why it’s useful:
Typos and grammar errors can make you look careless. Grammarly helps ensure your message is clear, polished, and professional.

Use it for:

• Proposals
• Follow-up emails
• Portfolio descriptions

Canva

For: Designing visual proposals or mockups

Why it’s useful:
If your service is visual (e.g., design, branding, social media), a well-crafted image or layout can immediately impress.

Use it for:

• Portfolio previews
• Custom proposal headers
• Visual content mockups

Notion / Google Docs

For: Creating clean, shareable, collaborative proposals

Why it’s useful:
Sometimes, clients prefer a proposal they can read, comment on, or share internally. Docs and Notion are perfect for that.

Use it for:

• Long-form proposals
• Strategy breakdowns
• Client-specific content outlines

Bonsai / Better Proposals

For: Professionally designed proposals with tracking

Why it’s useful:
These tools let you create proposals with built-in features like:

• Page analytics (know when a client opens your proposal)
• E-signatures
• Pre-designed sections for pricing, testimonials, etc.

Great for:

• Agencies
• High-ticket freelance projects
• Retainer agreements

Winning Clients Who Say “No”

Rejection is part of freelancing. But what separates pros from amateurs is how they respond to rejection.

A “No” doesn’t always mean “Never.”

Many clients may return to you months later — if you left a strong, positive impression.

Turn “No” into a Networking Opportunity

Even if you don’t win the project:

• Thank them for their time.
• Express continued interest in working together.
• Stay in touch through professional platforms like LinkedIn.

What to Say After Rejection:

“Thanks so much for considering me. I’d love to stay connected and be available for any future work. Feel free to reach out anytime!”

Stay in Touch Tactfully

• Send a connection request on LinkedIn with a short note.
• Engage with their posts or updates every few weeks.
• Share value — e.g., a blog post, tip, or case study related to their business.

Why this works:
You stay top of mind — not as a pushy seller, but as a trusted resource.

Final Thoughts: Bidding Is Your Sales Superpower

In freelancing, your proposal is often the only thing a client sees before deciding whether to talk to you. That’s why great bids lead to great clients.

Remember:

• Customize every proposal
• Focus on their problem, not your resume
• Keep it simple, respectful, and clear
• Quote with confidence
• Follow up with care

The more bids you write, the better you get. Make every one of them count.