How to Ask for Freelance Work in an Email: A Complete Guide
Whether you’re cold-emailing or responding to a job posting, your email pitch can make or break your chances of landing freelance work.
But writing professional and persuasive mail to clients may have you second-guess how to introduce yourself, showcase your value, and ask for what you want without sounding desperate or pushy.
This guide on how to write an email to a client requesting for project will help you impress any client, potential or existing, and get you more freelance work.
How to write an email to clients - Before You Hit Send
Before you start pitching to offer your freelance services, you need to do some preparation.
- Be Clear of Your Goals
What are you trying to achieve with your email? Are you cold-emailing a potential client you’ve never contacted earlier, or are you responding to a job posting you found online? What type of work are you looking for, and what are your rates and availability?
- Research the Potential Client
Find out as much as possible about their industry, values, and existing projects to tailor your email to their needs and interests. It shows that you’ve done your homework.
- Craft a Strong Subject Line
Make it clear, concise, and catchy. Avoid generic or spammy subject lines, and use keywords relevant to your niche and the client’s needs.
Once you’ve prepared, you can start email writing to clients as prescribed in the steps below.
Structure of Your Email
1. Opening
- Address the recipient by name
This will make your email more personal and respectful. If you don’t know their name, you can use their title or role or simply say “Hello”.
- Introduce yourself and state your expertise
Tell them who you are, what you do, and why you’re contacting them. Be brief and confident, and highlight your main skills and qualifications.
- Briefly mention how you found them (optional)
If you’re cold emailing, you can mention how you came across their website, social media, or blog. If you’re responding to a job posting, you can mention where you saw it and what caught your attention.
2. Highlight Your Value
- Articulate why you’re the perfect fit for the job
Convince that you can deliver per their requirements and you’re better than the competition in your mail draft to the client.
- Showcase relevant skills and experience
Provide specific examples of your work, and link to your portfolio or website if possible.
- Quantify your achievements with data whenever possible
Numbers and statistics can make your email more credible and impressive.
- Emphasise how you can solve their specific needs
Address their pain points, challenges, or opportunities, and explain how your work can solve them.
3. Call to Action
- Clearly state your request
After you’ve established your value, you need to ask for what you want.
Do you want to schedule an interview, send a project proposal, or start working right away? Be clear and direct, and avoid vague or passive language.
- Offer next steps
Don’t leave the ball in their court, but suggest a concrete action they can take to move forward.
- End with a polite and confident closing
Use a professional and friendly sign-off, such as “Sincerely”, “Best regards”, or “Cheers”, and include your name and contact information.
4. Additional Tips
These tips will make your email stand out and increase your chances of getting a positive response.
- Proofread meticulously
Spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors can ruin your credibility and professionalism. Proofread like a professional, or ask for help from one.
- Personalise your message as much as possible
Don’t use generic or template emails that sound like they could be sent to anyone.
- Keep it concise and relevant
Don’t write a long and rambling email that will bore or overwhelm your recipient. Keep your email short and to the point, and only include information that is relevant and valuable to the client.
- Show genuine enthusiasm and passion for the project
This will show that you’re looking for any work and are passionate about what you do and how you can help them.
- Follow up politely if you don’t hear back after a reasonable timeframe
Sometimes, your email may get lost in the inbox, or the client may be busy or indecisive. If you don’t get a response after a week or two, you can send a polite and friendly follow-up email to remind them of your offer and ask if they have any questions or feedback.
Don’t be pushy or aggressive, but show that you’re still interested and available.
Email Templates
To help you get started, here are some sample emails asking for business opportunities. Feel free to customise them according to your situation and style, and remember to personalise them as much as possible.
Cold Outreach
Here’s a sample email to a client asking for work using cold outreach:
Responding to a Job Posting
Below is a sample email to approach a new client for freelance work after seeing a job post.
Following Up on a Previous Application
Given below is a sample email to the client asking for requirements.
Conclusion
Writing a professional and persuasive email is one of the most effective ways to ask for freelance work and land more clients. However, remember that every client and situation is different, and you need to personalise your email accordingly.
Don’t use generic or template emails that sound like they could be sent to anyone. Instead, do your research, tailor your message, and show genuine enthusiasm and passion for the project.
Q1. How do I reach out for freelance work?
Ans. The best way to reach out for freelance work is to write a professional and persuasive email that showcases your value and skills and specifies what you want.
Q2. Which skill is best for freelancing?
Q3. What is the best freelance website for beginners?
Q4. At what age can you start freelancing?
