Struggling to get your freelance email marketing proposals noticed on Upwork? It's a battle, especially for high-value freelance email marketing jobs and Klaviyo gigs. Most clients, particularly the thousands of Shopify brands on the platform, receive dozens of generic applications from freelance email marketers.
You know that sending custom proposals is key, but if you are like me and applying for 20+ freelance email marketing jobs a day on Upwork -- it's not sustainable to spend 1 hr customizing every proposal.
So how do you stand out as a freelance email marketer?
I recently landed a meeting with a high-potential e-commerce brand just seven minutes after submitting my freelance email marketing proposal.
The secret wasn't my cover letter; it was a custom, on-brand sample email I created for them in minutes.
Here's how I did it.
The Problem: Most Freelance Email Marketing Proposals Look the Same
I found a freelance email marketing job post from a keto food startup—a classic Shopify DTC brand—looking for a freelance email marketer to design templates and manage flows. I knew this post would attract at least 50 proposals from other freelance email marketers, most of them saying the exact same thing: "I'm a Klaviyo expert, I can increase your open rates..."
To win the client, I had to prove my value, not just state it.
The Strategy: How to Win Freelance Email Marketing Jobs with Custom Samples
Instead of just writing about the beautiful and effective email campaigns I could build as a freelance email marketer, I built one for them. I attached a single screenshot of a custom-designed email to my freelance email marketing proposal.
This instantly set me apart from other freelance email marketers and demonstrated:
- Deep understanding: I immediately understood their brand, products, and aesthetic.
- Tangible skill: They could see the quality of my design and copywriting.
- Proactive partnership: I wasn't just waiting for instructions; I was already providing value.
The client responded in five minutes. We had a meeting scheduled two minutes later.
How to Create High-Impact Freelance Email Marketing Samples in Minutes with Kopi AI
This speed is only possible with the right tool for freelance email marketing. I used Kopi AI, an AI platform specifically designed for e-commerce and freelance email marketers.
Here's the exact 4-step process I followed:
Step 1: Let the AI Learn the Brand
I pasted the client's website URL into Kopi AI. Its custom AI agent instantly analyzed their site, creating an internal "brand bible"—learning their fonts, colors, product imagery, and brand voice.
Step 2: Generate a Beautiful, On-Brand Email
With the brand profile loaded, I prompted Kopi AI to generate an email concept. It produced stunning hero graphics and compelling copy that were already 90% of the way there. The output was exactly what you promise clients: a beautiful, effective, on-brand marketing email.
Step 3: Assemble and Polish
I pulled the generated assets into the email editor, made a few minor layout tweaks, and had a finished, professional email template. The entire process took less time than writing a detailed cover letter.
Step 4: Submit the Winning Proposal
I took a screenshot and attached it to my Upwork proposal with a short, confident note: "Hi! I was inspired by your brand and created a quick email template to give you an idea of what we could do together. Let me know if you'd like to chat on Monday."
Why This Strategy Wins Freelance Email Marketing Clients
This strategy works because you are directly addressing the client's core need. Shopify brands posting freelance email marketing jobs on Upwork aren't just hiring a "freelancer"; they are looking for a skilled freelance email marketer to help them drive revenue.
By providing a ready-to-use marketing asset upfront, you shift the conversation from your hourly rate to the tangible results you can create as a freelance email marketer. You're not just another freelance email marketing proposal in their inbox; you're already a strategic partner.
If you're starting your freelance email marketing career and tired of competing in a sea of sameness, stop telling clients what you can do. Show them.
Here's the receipts:
Evidence: A prospective email marketing client on Upwork scheduled a meeting within 7 minutes of sharing this sample email
Ready to Start Your Freelance Email Marketing Career?
Head over to TryKopi.AI to create custom marketing email templates for your freelance email marketing clients. Stand out from other freelance email marketers and show potential clients exactly what you can deliver in your freelance email marketing business.