Congratulations on completing your first cover letter. However, as you look back, you realise it’s simply a copy-paste of your CV.
Repeating your curriculum vitae is a common pitfall that many candidates encounter, making the cover letter redundant.
Your cover letter should provide fresh insights, adding more value to your application. It’s also the ideal space to address career gaps or major transitions that might not be covered in your CV.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to use your cover letter to demonstrate why you’re the best candidate for the role, while confidently addressing your career history and key achievements.
Cover letter examples for freelance writer
Explore additional freelance writer cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Junior Freelance Writer
- Industry-Specific Experience: Highlight your background with high-profile companies like Conde Nast and Bauer Media Group, showcasing your experience in branded content for the fashion and lifestyle sector.
- Quantifiable Achievements: Use data to demonstrate success, such as increasing audience engagement by 15% or boosting video viewership by 25%, to give tangible evidence of your impact.
- Skill Set Alignment: Emphasise skills crucial for branding roles, such as Copywriting, SEO, and Video Production, corroborated by formal certifications in Digital Content Creation and SEO.
- Cross-Platform Experience: Mention your experience leading cross-platform content strategies and collaborations, which directly relate to the diverse content needs of modern branded campaigns.
Senior Freelance Writer
- Highlighting Relevant Experience: The cover letter effectively showcases over 7 years of editorial experience specifically in commerce journalism and product reviews, directly aligning with the job role.
- Emphasising SEO Expertise: Details on successfully implementing advanced SEO strategies that led to significant traffic increases are crucial for a role focused on digital journalism and visibility.
- Demonstrating Leadership Skills: Showcasing experience in managing teams and improving editorial processes highlights the applicant's leadership capabilities and efficiency improvements, essential for senior editorial roles.
- Showcasing Educational Background: A Masters in Journalism provides a strong foundation for specialised roles, while additional certifications in SEO solidify the candidate’s expertise.
Expert Freelance Writer
- Highlighting specific achievements in reader engagement, like the "Most Engaging Writer Award," underscores success in producing content that captures and maintains audience interest, a key metric in digital publishing.
- Emphasising SEO strategies that led to increased organic search traffic demonstrates a clear understanding of digital content optimisation, highly relevant in content roles.
- Detailing collaboration with industry experts for in-depth articles showcases an ability to research and provide authoritative content, enhancing credibility and readership.
- Mentioning an award for a research-based article in a specialised field such as automotive journalism illustrates expertise and ability to generate impactful content in niche areas.
By Role
Freelance Content Writer
- Highlighting SEO and plain English writing skills, which are critical for legal content creation roles, ensuring the content is engaging and accessible to diverse audiences.
- Mentioning experiential achievements such as content strategies that increased engagement by 30%, which demonstrates a proven track record of enhancing content effectiveness.
- Emphasising content creation experience tied to client education and legal accuracy, underscoring the ability to produce comprehensive and reliable legal content.
- Detailing advanced contract drafting techniques and SEO for legal professionals courses, showcasing a commitment to continuous professional development in key areas relevant to the role.
Freelance Technical Writer
- Specific Role-Related Experience: The cover letter highlights direct experience as a Memoir Interviewer, detailing achievements such as leading over 30 interviews and improving narrative flow by 20%. This specific experience is highly relevant to the role.
- Skills Emphasised: The candidate effectively showcases essential skills such as active listening, empathy, and structured interviewing, which are crucial for storytelling and communication roles.
- Relevant Education and Training: The mention of a Master of Arts in Creative Writing and the course in Advanced Interviewing Techniques aligns with the storytelling and interviewing requirements of the role.
- Achievements and Impact: The document quantifies achievements, such as a 40% client satisfaction increase, showcasing the candidate’s ability to make a tangible impact in previous roles.
Freelance Ghostwriter
- Highlighting over five years of ghostwriting experience is crucial, especially for showcasing expertise and reliability in the field.
- Emphasising leadership and team management skills, such as leading a team of ghostwriters at Reedsy, is beneficial for positions involving collaborative work.
- Demonstrating a strong track record of client satisfaction and project management, such as the 95% satisfaction rate and meeting all deadlines, is vital to illustrate professionalism and client engagement.
- Showcasing educational background and relevant courses, such as a Master of Arts in Creative Writing and Advanced Ghostwriting Techniques, highlights specialised knowledge and continuous professional development.
Freelance Travel Writer
- Highlighting over 8 years of experience in the field, which showcases expertise and reliability in the role of a UK Qualifications Trainer and Education Specialist.
- Emphasising specific achievements, such as a 30% increase in training programme satisfaction and a 20% improvement in participant performance scores, which demonstrate tangible success and impact.
- Mentioning proficiency in adult education and technological integration, key skills that align well with the demands of modern educational roles, particularly those involving digital platforms.
- Illustrating a commitment to professional growth and continuous learning through relevant courses and certifications, such as the Advanced Online Facilitator Training and the Education Innovation Workshop.
Freelance SEO Writer
- Specific Role Experience: Highlighting the candidate's role as "International Marketing Manager" at Airbnb showcases relevant experience in managing global markets, which is crucial for a Global Marketing Manager position.
- Quantifiable Achievements: Mentioning specific outcomes such as a "30% increase in traffic" and "25% increase in conversion rates" provides concrete evidence of the candidate's success and effectiveness in driving results.
- Specialised Skills: Highlighting expertise in "SEO, Content Marketing, and Partnerships" clearly aligns with the essential skills required for a role centred around traffic growth and market expansion.
- Educational Background: Including a "Master of Science in Marketing" establishes a solid academic foundation, enhancing credibility for a high-level marketing position.
Freelance Sports Writer
- Emphasising Quantifiable Achievements: The cover letter effectively highlights specific accomplishments, such as a 20% increase in customer engagement and a 15% sales increase, which demonstrates the impact of her strategies with concrete examples.
- Highlighting Leadership and Innovation: Amelia's experience leading cross-functional teams and implementing innovative strategies like AI analytics showcases her leadership skills and adaptability to new technologies.
- Relevant Certifications and Continuous Learning: Mentioning courses like "Advanced Digital Strategy" from Google and the "Certified Brand Manager" course underscores her commitment to ongoing professional development and staying updated with industry trends.
- Aligning with Employer Needs: By showcasing a history of successfully launching campaigns in new markets and enhancing brand visibility, the letter aligns well with a company's potential interest in expanding market presence and reaching broader audiences.
Freelance Resume Writer
- Highlighting Client Engagement: For an Estate Planning Advisor, emphasising a track record in enhancing customer satisfaction by tailoring will writing solutions and fostering long-term client relationships is crucial.
- Emphasising Expertise and Education: Mentioning advanced degrees, such as a Master of Laws, along with specialised courses like the 'Estate Planning Masterclass,' underscores advanced knowledge and expertise.
- Demonstrating Process Improvement Skills: Noting achievements in streamlining operational processes, such as a 40% increase in operational efficiency through new electronic filing systems, shows an ability to enhance productivity and reliability.
- Showcasing Leadership and Training: Illustrating the ability to lead and train junior staff demonstrates leadership capabilities and a commitment to team development, which is valuable in collaborative work environments.
Freelance Grant Writer
- SEO Expertise: Highlighting a strong background in SEO strategies, which is crucial for a Content Lead role focused on driving web traffic and optimising content visibility.
- Proven Leadership: Mentioned experiences leading teams and cross-functional collaborations demonstrate capability in managing content creation processes and personnel, a vital skill for a Content Lead.
- Quantifiable Achievements: Use of statistics to detail past successes, such as increased traffic and subscriptions, effectively showcases performance and potential impact on future employers.
- Industry-Specific Experience: Emphasising a history in HealthTech aligns well with the current trajectory and passion for improving women's health, indicating both expertise and personal motivation.
Freelance Medical Writer
- Emphasise certifications and course completions, such as the "Medical Writing Certificate Program" from the University of Oxford, to highlight specialised training relevant to medical writing roles.
- Include quantifiable achievements such as "raising document approval rates by 30%" to demonstrate the measurable impact of your work and proficiency with regulatory documentation.
- Highlight experience with content marketing strategies, as seen with the "new content marketing strategy" development, which increased online engagement by 40%, showing capability in enhancing content reach and engagement.
- Mention proficiency in skills like statistical analysis and team collaboration, which are important for medical writing and working in cross-functional environments.
Freelance Financial Writer
- Highlight Specialised Expertise: The letter effectively showcases the candidate's 8+ years of experience in business law and financial services, which is crucial for roles in those domains.
- Emphasise Achievements with Metrics: Using specific metrics, such as the increase in exam pass rates by 25% and client satisfaction by 20%, provides concrete evidence of the candidate's impact and effectiveness.
- Showcase Leadership and Initiative: Leading projects that increased legal accessibility by 35% and conducting tailored workshops portray the candidate's leadership and commitment to expanding legal knowledge.
- Detail Continuous Learning and Development: Including advanced courses and certifications demonstrates a commitment to maintaining and advancing expertise in legal research and assessment methodologies.
Freelance Science Writer
- Highlighting Expertise and Achievements: By showcasing specific achievements like managing content streams that increased engagement by 40% and expanding readership by 25%, the cover letter effectively demonstrates a proven track record in enhancing digital media presence and audience interaction.
- Emphasising Relevant Experience: The varied roles in reputable technology-focused publications such as TechCrunch and WIRED UK underline the applicant's extensive experience while simultaneously associating their skills with well-known industry leaders.
- Aligning Skills with Industry Needs: The cover letter effectively balances specific skills, such as SEO optimisation, digital content creation, and analytical tools proficiency, with the demands of a technology writer and researcher, highlighting the applicant's suitability for the role.
- Demonstrating Passion and Continuous Learning: Including personal passions related to technology and automotive innovation, alongside additional courses in creative content strategy and advanced copywriting, reflects an ongoing commitment to professional growth and industry involvement.
Freelance Legal Writer
- Highlighting Specialized Skills: Emphasizing legal writing and content development is crucial for a Legal Content Writer role, as these skills ensure content is not only legally accurate but also engaging and accessible to the target audience.
- Showcasing Specific Achievements: Mentioning quantifiable successes, such as boosting website traffic by 30%, can effectively demonstrate expertise in content strategy and audience engagement.
- Relevant Certifications and Courses: Listing completions like "Advanced Legal Writing & Editing" can underline a commitment to enhancing writing skills and adapting to the latest industry standards, making the candidate more appealing for the role.
- Experience with Dispute Resolution: Including experience as a Dispute Resolution Solicitor highlights the ability to process complex legal concepts and produce concise, understandable content, which is valuable in legal content creation.
Freelance Proposal Writer
- Highlighting measurable achievements: The cover letter effectively uses quantifiable achievements (e.g., "25% increase in bid success rate") to demonstrate the impact of the applicant's contributions in previous roles.
- Emphasising specific skills: Key skills such as bid writing, tender management, proposal development, and stakeholder collaboration are prominently featured, aligning with the typical requirements of a Bid Writer/Tender Manager role.
- Demonstrating industry knowledge: The applicant's experience in conducting market analysis and aligning proposals with industry trends shows a deep understanding of the competitive landscape, which is critical in proposal development roles.
- Showcasing process improvements: The development of a comprehensive library of reusable bid documents, which reduced preparation time by 30%, is highlighted as a significant efficiency improvement, illustrating the candidate's ability to innovate processes.
Freelance Blog Writer
- Highlight Achievements: The cover letter effectively illustrates specific achievements such as developing tutorials that became top-read articles and leading a successful AI-powered marketing campaign, crucial for demonstrating impact in content creation roles.
- Detail Technical Skills: The inclusion of diverse technical skills like Python, SQL, and AI writing emphasises expertise in data science, which is essential for a tutorial writer focusing on AI and machine learning.
- Emphasise Collaboration: Notably, the letter mentions collaboration with data scientists and editors, showcasing the ability to work within a team to produce high-quality, engaging content.
- Evidence Continuous Learning: The cover letter reflects a commitment to ongoing learning in AI through mentioned courses and a passion for continuous learning, vital for staying updated in a constantly evolving field.
Freelance News Writer
- Emphasising extensive experience in gaming journalism, with specific achievements such as a 40% viewership increase at IGN, showcases the candidate's ability to create compelling and audience-engaging content.
- Highlighting SEO skills and measurable outcomes, like the 25% boost in search visibility, demonstrates the candidate's proficiency in driving organic traffic, a key aspect for the role.
- Mentioning awards and recognitions, such as the "Award for Excellence in Gaming Journalism," adds credibility and authority to the candidate's expertise in the gaming industry.
- Showcasing collaboration with editorial teams and participation in major conferences indicates the candidate's ability to work within a team environment and stay at the forefront of industry trends.
Freelance Social Media Writer
- Emphasising Relevant Achievements: The cover letter effectively highlights the candidate's accomplishments in improving audience engagement and increasing website traffic, demonstrating their capability in strategic storytelling and media relations, which are crucial for a News Writer role.
- Showcasing Leadership Skills: The experience section underscores the candidate's leadership abilities, such as leading a team of junior writers and conducting workshops, which are essential qualities for career advancement in journalism.
- Highlighting Advanced Education and Certifications: By mentioning a Master of Arts in Journalism and certifications like the "Digital PR and Media Relations," the cover letter signals the candidate’s commitment to continuous professional development, an asset in a competitive field.
- Aligning Skills with Industry Trends: The inclusion of skills such as social media strategy and media relations indicates awareness of current digital journalism trends, ensuring the candidate is aligned with modern news dissemination practices.
Freelance Writer cover letter example
Jack Taylor
Bristol, UK
+44 1234 567890
help@enhancv.com
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to express my interest in the Senior Copywriter position at your esteemed company. Since discovering your commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology with engaging narratives, I have followed your projects with great admiration and believe my background in crafting compelling stories for technology brands aligns perfectly with your ethos.
At TechMark Solutions, I led a team in creating a multi-channel campaign for a flagship product, resulting in a notable 30% increase in customer engagement. This achievement highlights my ability to unify leadership skills with an in-depth understanding of digital campaigns, which I believe would make a meaningful contribution to your innovative projects.
I welcome the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your team and help bring your projects to new heights. Thank you very much for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing this exciting opportunity with you.
Sincerely,
Jack Taylor, Senior Copywriter
Why this cover letter is impressive:
- Highlight Leadership and Impact: Emphasize previous leadership roles and specific results achieved, such as increases in engagement, to demonstrate the ability to drive significant outcomes.
- Align with Company Values: Show familiarity with the company’s mission and projects by aligning personal achievements and experiences with the company's objectives.
- Showcase Industry-Specific Experience: Mention expertise in storytelling, especially with relevant industries like technology, to underscore how your background aligns with the company's niche.
- Express Enthusiasm and Preparedness: Convey eagerness to contribute and willingness to bring skills and creativity to advance the company's goals, indicating readiness for the role.
Importance of cover letters in the United Kingdom
Cover letters are a vital part of professional job applications, helping shape recruiters' first impression of your profile.
Here’s why they’re important:
- Indicates your genuine interest: A well-researched cover letter reflects your knowledge of the company and role.
- Professionalism from the outset: Employers expect your cover letter to be structured, polite, and formal. If you wish to add a more personalised touch, be sure to address your recipient directly.
- Capture the recruiters' attention: For most roles, candidates tend to have rather similar experience, which is why you should use your cover letter to explain what is unique about your profile.
What UK employers expect from a cover letter
Your UK employers will appreciate your application if you've taken the effort to tailor your cover letter to their job requirements.
Here’s how to ensure yours ticks all the right boxes:
- Research the company thoroughly: It's not enough to have only read the job advert. Look into the company's history, products, services, and recent achievements to demonstrate your genuine interest and knowledge.
- Connect with the company’s values: Every company has core principles that shape its culture and operations. Identify these values and use your cover letter to show how they align with your professional conduct and ethics.
- Emphasise your relevant skills: Highlight specific skills that match the job description and are most in demand. Use examples from your previous experience to support your claims and set yourself apart from other candidates.
How to format a freelance writer cover letter
Before diving into the content, the structure of your cover letter should include the following elements:
- Your address and contact details
- The employer’s name and address
- Date
- Salutation or greeting
- Opening or introductory paragraph
- Middle or body paragraphs
- Closing paragraph
- Sign-off and signature
When it comes to the best font choice, consider modern options like Lato, Rubik, Raleway, Volkhov, Chivo, or Bitter as alternatives to Arial or Times New Roman.
Your cover letter should be single-spaced, with approximately 1-inch (2.5 cm) margins all around (our templates are set up automatically with this spacing in mind).
Ensure your CV and cover letter use the same font for consistency, and always send them as a PDF to prevent edits and maintian formatting.
Lastly, while Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS—the software used to match your application to set requirements) won't read your cover letter, recruiters certainly will, so make sure it stands out.
How to write your freelance writer cover letter salutation
In a world of AI and instant prompts, taking the extra time to personalise your cover letter truly makes a difference.
Address the hiring manager directly with a customised greeting (e.g., 'Dear Mr Bond', 'Dear Ms Penny').
You can often find their name on LinkedIn (under the job listing or by searching) or in the ‘About’ or ‘Meet the Team’ section of the company's website. If in doubt, you can also contact the reception for assistance.
If you can't find the name, rather than using 'Dear Sir or Madam', opt for something more personal, such as 'Dear [Company Name] Hiring Manager'.
How to write your freelance writer cover letter intro
A great option to begin your cover letter is by showing recruiters you've done your homework or research.
If the company has won an award or made headlines, congratulate them in your opening sentence, or express how impressed you are.
Provide this achievement as a reason why you admire the company, ensuring your tone remains genuine, sincere, and authentic.
Cover Letter Intro
Having followed CreativePro’s insightful journey in redefining digital storytelling, I am drawn to contribute as a freelance writer, bringing my flair for crafting compelling narratives that align with your innovative ethos.
RIGHT
How to write your freelance writer cover letter body
You’ve personalised your greeting and introduction—now it’s time to focus on writing the body of your cover letter.
Instead of listing off skills and responsibilities from your CV, focus on one career highlight that’s relevant to the role.
Use your hard and soft skills, success metrics (e.g., percentages or sales figures), and the long-term impact it had on the company.
A concise, well-told story centred on your value as a candidate will make a strong impression.
Cover Letter Body
During my tenure as a freelance writer, I had the privilege of working on a project where my responsibilities included crafting compelling blog content for a leading technology firm. Within six months, I was able to increase their website traffic by an impressive 75%, contributing to a subsequent 30% increase in lead generation for the company. This achievement was the result of my meticulous research skills and my ability to tailor content to the audience's needs, ensuring that each piece not only informed but also engaged a broad readership. My experience demonstrates the power of well-researched, audience-focused content in significantly enhancing online engagement and driving business results.
RIGHT
How to write a closing paragraph
When ending your cover letter, you have two options:
Option one is to promise how you’d contribute to the organisation—whether that’s improving a target or achieving a specific goal—or how the company could help you grow professionally. Always emphasise the tangible impact you can deliver.
The second option is to close by asking when you can expect to hear back from the hiring managers, whether for an update or to arrange an interview.
Cover Letter Closing
Thank you for considering my application for the freelance writer position at your esteemed organisation. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute my skills and creativity to your team. I am keenly interested in discussing how I can add value to your projects and would welcome the chance to further explore this in an interview. Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience to schedule a meeting. I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you soon.
RIGHT
Conclusion
Your cover letter is an opportunity to showcase your personality and skills to potential employers. Start by addressing the hiring manager by name and tailoring your content to reflect the role’s requirements.
Include a specific example of your greatest achievement to illustrate your suitability for the position, while also expressing your enthusiasm for the company. Remember to format your letter professionally, ensuring it aligns seamlessly with your CV.
