Competition on auction sites for freelance writing gigs is stiff.
You're fighting for a client's attention with other writers from different regions and countries in an open, international auction process.
Each freelancer that submits a bid proposal for a potential working contract wants one thing - to win the award.
You want that award too, which means that you're going to have to use some strategy to stand out from the crowd and get noticed by clients.
Here are some award-winning tactics to try: Have a polished bid proposal.
This is the first impression a potential buyer of your services sees, and if your proposal has punctuation errors or spelling mistakes, you've just lost your chance.
Double-check your text for errors and have it reviewed by someone else to catch the mistakes you may have missed.
Make sure your bid proposal is snappy and begs attention.
A bland proposal doesn't get as much notice as a text that stands out.
However, make sure that your bid proposal isn't the sort that leaps up, grabs the buyer by the shoulders, and shakes until teeth rattle.
Finding the happy medium between a catchy text and one that screams is important.
Cover all the details the project outlines - and then some.
Buyers want providers who have paid attention to the project guidelines, and they want to know exactly what the provider will deliver.
At the same time, add all the little details to your bid proposal, such as payment terms, turnaround time, number of revisions you'll allow, delivery format, and anything else you can think of.
These small details make big differences.
Give your bid proposal a personal touch.
Even if you use a generic template bid proposal to save yourself time and effort at auction sites, add something unique in your text that is directly relevant to each particular project.
Personal notes matter.
Sending a buyer a message after you've placed your bid increases your chances of getting noticed.
Mention your interest and your qualifications for the job, or add something that you didn't cover in your bid proposal.
Be interested.
Ask some questions about the project and show that you really do want to work on the job.
Buyers are more interested in freelancers who give the impression of being excited about the job itself, not just the potential earnings involved.
Keep in mind that any communication you have with a potential client should be just as polished and error-free as your bid proposal.
Maintaining a professional touch makes a difference in your chances of landing the job.
You can certainly be friendly, but make sure that you still portray a business image in your tone, style, and messages.
Last of all, be polite and remember your manners.
Always thank the buyer for the opportunity to worth together, even if you don't get the job.
A good, positive attitude and polite manners often go farther than anything else you've done to attract a client.
Be pleasant and cheerful, and your behavior may mean that the client remembers you above all others.
Who knows - the buyer may end up seeking you out for work in the future!