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Writing pack · 7 templates

Freelance proposals and client messages, in English clients trust

Seven templates for the writing that wins and keeps international clients: the proposal, the gig page, the first message, the hard conversation about price, the update, the reminder and the review request. Write your notes in Arabic or English and get English that sounds like a confident professional.

See the templates

Who this pack is for

  • Freelancers on Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer.com or LinkedIn who bid for clients in English.
  • Designers, developers, translators, writers and virtual assistants who are good at their craft but lose bids on the wording.
  • Anyone who finds price talk, late payments or asking for a review awkward in a second language.

What the client looks for

  1. Proof that you read the brief Their goal, in your words, in the first two lines. That alone puts you ahead of most proposals.
  2. Relevant work One example close to their project, with a link or a result, beats a long list of skills.
  3. A clear price and timeline What is included, what it costs and when they get it, with no surprises later.
  4. Easy communication Short messages, clear questions and updates before they have to ask.
  5. Reliability Problems raised early, with a new date or a fix, not silence.

The templates in this pack

Write a draft from a short form, or open the outline in the workspace with the recommended settings and write it in your own words.

  1. Upwork proposal

    A short proposal that starts with the client's need, shows one relevant piece of work and suggests a next step.

    Write a draft Open the outline
    Tips, outline and settings

    What the client looks for

    • The first two lines: often all the client sees in the list of proposals.
    • Proof that you read the post: their goal, in your words.
    • One relevant example, with a link or a result.
    • A question or a next step that starts a conversation.

    Recommended workspace settings

    Mode
    Business
    Emotion
    Balanced
    Vocabulary
    Standard
    Length
    Shorter

    Outline

    Hi [client's name, if you know it],[Their need, in your words: one or two lines that show you understood the job.][Your most relevant work: one similar project, with a link or a result.][How you would start: the first step, or one useful question about the brief.][Price and timeline, if the post asks for them.]Best,[Your name]

  2. Fiverr gig description

    A gig page that names the buyer's problem and says exactly what is included and what you need to start.

    Write a draft Open the outline
    Tips, outline and settings

    What the buyer looks for

    • Their problem and the result they get, in the first lines.
    • Exactly what is included: concepts, revisions, files and delivery time.
    • What you need from them to start.
    • Claims you can prove, with no invented numbers or reviews.

    Recommended workspace settings

    Mode
    Business
    Emotion
    Balanced
    Vocabulary
    Standard
    Length
    Balanced

    Outline

    [The buyer's problem and the result they get, in one or two lines.]What you get:- [deliverable]- [deliverable]- [revisions and delivery time]How it works:1. [step]2. [step]3. [step][Why me: your experience, with facts you can prove.]Before you order, please send: [the files, links or examples you need]

  3. First message to a new client

    Thank them, confirm the goal in one sentence, list what you need and say when they will hear from you.

    Write a draft Open the outline
    Tips, outline and settings

    What the client looks for

    • A short thank-you, then straight to the work.
    • The goal confirmed in one sentence, so you agree from day one.
    • A clear list of what you need from them, with dates.
    • When they will hear from you next.

    Recommended workspace settings

    Mode
    Business
    Emotion
    Balanced
    Vocabulary
    Standard
    Length
    Shorter

    Outline

    Hi [client's name],[A short thank-you for choosing you.][The goal in one sentence, to confirm you agree.]To get started, could you send:- [item]- [item][The first step, and when they will hear from you next.]Best,[Your name]

  4. Scope and price negotiation

    Answer extra requests or a lower budget: what is included, what more costs, and options the client can say yes to.

    Write a draft Open the outline
    Tips, outline and settings

    What the client looks for

    • What the current price includes, said plainly.
    • A number for any extra work, not "it will cost more".
    • Options, so the client can say yes to something.
    • A friendly, firm tone, with no apologies.

    Recommended workspace settings

    Mode
    Business
    Emotion
    Neutral
    Vocabulary
    Standard
    Length
    Shorter

    Outline

    Hi [client's name],[Acknowledge the request in one sentence.][What the current price includes.][The new request: its price and the extra time.][Options: for example a second phase, or a simpler version now.][A simple question they can answer: which option suits them?]Best,[Your name]

  5. Project update

    Where the project stands in one sentence, what is done, what comes next and anything you need from the client.

    Write a draft Open the outline
    Tips, outline and settings

    What the client looks for

    • The status in the first sentence: on track, ahead or late.
    • What is done and what is next, as short lists.
    • Problems raised early, with a new date or a fix.
    • Any decision you need from them, with a date.

    Recommended workspace settings

    Mode
    Business
    Emotion
    Neutral
    Vocabulary
    Standard
    Length
    Shorter

    Outline

    Hi [client's name],[Status in one sentence: on track, ahead or late.]Done since the last update:- [item]- [item]Next:- [item, with a date][Anything you need from them, or any risk, with a date.]Best,[Your name]

  6. Polite payment reminder

    A reminder about an unpaid invoice that stays friendly and asks for a payment date, the first time or the third.

    Write a draft Open the outline
    Tips, outline and settings

    What gets you paid

    • The invoice number, amount and due date in the first lines.
    • An easy way to pay: the link or the details again.
    • A direct question: when can they pay it?
    • Polite at every stage: firmer each time, never rude.

    Recommended workspace settings

    Mode
    Business
    Emotion
    Neutral
    Vocabulary
    Standard
    Length
    Shorter

    Outline

    Subject: Invoice [number]: payment reminderHi [client's name],[A friendly reminder: the invoice number, amount and due date.][The work it covers, in a few words.][How to pay: the link or the details.][A direct question: when do they expect to pay?]Thank you,[Your name]

  7. Review request

    Ask a happy client for a review, with a specific thank-you, a link and no pressure.

    Write a draft Open the outline
    Tips, outline and settings

    What makes a client say yes

    • Good timing: right after delivery or a good result.
    • A specific thank-you, not a generic one.
    • Where to leave it, with a link.
    • No pressure: never ask for "five stars" or offer anything in return.

    Recommended workspace settings

    Mode
    Standard
    Emotion
    Balanced
    Vocabulary
    Simple
    Length
    Shorter

    Outline

    Hi [client's name],[A specific thank-you: something about working together, or the result.][The request: would they leave a short review of [project]?][Where and how: the link, and that it takes a minute.][No pressure: it is completely fine if they are busy.]Best,[Your name]

Common mistakes Arabic speakers make

Clients rarely mind an accent in writing. They mind messages that are generic, vague or hard to answer. These are the patterns that cost freelancers the most.

  1. A generic opening

    "Dear Sir, I am the best candidate" could be sent to any job, and clients can tell. Start with their project.

    Before

    Dear Sir, I have read your job description carefully and I am the best candidate for this job.

    After

    You need a Shopify store that loads fast on phones and works in Arabic and English. I built two stores like that this year; here is one of them: [link].

  2. Formal phrases from old textbooks

    "Kindly find attached herewith" and "for your kind perusal" sound stiff on a freelance platform. Plain and friendly works better.

    Before

    Kindly find attached herewith my portfolio for your kind perusal.

    After

    Here is my portfolio: [link]. The second project is the closest to yours.

  3. Vague promises

    "High quality and fast delivery" is what everyone says. A concrete first step with a date is believable.

    Before

    I will do the work with high quality and fast delivery.

    After

    I can send the first two screens on Thursday, so you can check the direction before I design the rest.

  4. Apologising for your price

    Price talk in a second language often comes out as an apology or a complaint. State the number, what it covers and an option.

    Before

    Sorry but I can't do it with this price, it is too low, please increase it.

    After

    For the full scope (10 pages in two languages) my price is $600. If the budget is fixed at $400, I can build the six main pages first.

  5. Reminders that sound angry

    An unpaid invoice is stressful, but an accusation rarely gets you paid faster. Give the facts and ask for a date.

    Before

    Why you didn't pay until now? I finished the work since 2 weeks.

    After

    A quick reminder that invoice #014 for $350 was due on 1 November. Could you let me know when you expect to pay it?

  6. Small grammar slips

    "5 years experience" and "waiting your reply" are common, and they show up in the line the client reads first.

    Before

    I have 5 years experience in this field and I am waiting your reply.

    After

    I have five years of experience with React. Happy to answer any questions before you decide.

Write in Arabic, send it in English

  1. 1 Choose a template

    Write a draft from a short form, or open the outline in the workspace and write it yourself.

  2. 2 Write your notes in Arabic

    Choose "Arabic → English". Notes are enough: you do not need full sentences.

  3. 3 Check the English, then send

    You get natural English in the recommended mode. Check every name, number and date before you send it.

Questions people ask

How long should an Upwork proposal be?

Short. A client scrolling through proposals sees only the first two lines, and most decide in seconds. About 100 to 200 words is usually enough: their need, one relevant example, a next step. The proposal template keeps to that.

Can I write my proposal in Arabic and get English?

Yes. Fill in the template's fields in Arabic, or open the outline in the workspace with "Arabic → English" selected. Names, links, prices and dates stay exactly as you wrote them.

Will clients think the proposal was written by a tool?

Clients notice generic proposals, whoever wrote them. The template asks for details from the client's post and your real work, so the result is specific to this job and in your voice. Read it once more and add a sentence of your own before you send it.

How do I ask for more money when the client adds work?

Say what the current price includes, name the new request, and give a number and a date for it. Then offer an option, for example doing it in a second phase. The negotiation template is built on that pattern, friendly and firm, with no apologies.

How do I remind a client to pay without sounding rude?

Give the invoice number, the amount and the due date, make paying easy, and ask when they expect to pay. Be friendly the first time and more direct the second, but never threaten. The payment reminder template has a setting for each stage.

Is it allowed to use writing tools on freelance platforms?

Platforms set their own rules, so check the current terms of the one you use. Whatever tool helps you write, what you claim about your skills, your past work and your reviews must be true.

Does a good proposal guarantee that I get the job?

No. Clients choose on skills, price, reviews and timing. A clear, specific proposal makes sure your real strengths are not lost in the wording.