Want to know exactly what to say to get hired on Upwork & LinkedIn?
Not theory. Not fluff. The actual messages I sent that landed me high-paying gigs, fast replies, and long-term clients.
Because here’s the thing:
Most people either oversell, undersell, or write like a robot.
So they get ignored.
But with the right words, you can flip cold messages into hot leads.
This guide gives you the copy-paste scripts (with context) that worked for me—and why they work.
Let’s get into it.
Why Your First Message Matters More Than Your CV
No one cares about your background until they care about your value.
And your opening message is your only shot to earn attention.
Here’s what I learnt:
- Clients decide in 5 seconds if they’ll reply.
- People scan, not read. So long blocks = death.
- Real > perfect. Speak like a human, not ChatGPT.
Whether you’re cold messaging on LinkedIn or sending Upwork proposals, your message must do one thing:
Make them think: “This person gets it.”
The Formula Behind Every Great Message
Want to steal my exact messages? Learn the structure first.
The 4-Part Message Framework:
- Hook – Start with relevance, not your name.
- Context – Why you’re reaching out (make it about them).
- Value – What’s in it for them?
- CTA – What’s the next step?
That’s it.
No life story. No resume dump. Just clear value and a confident ask.
Let’s look at real examples.
Upwork Message That Landed Me a $3,500 Client
Job Title: Shopify store redesign for cosmetics brand
My Proposal Message:
Hey! Saw your cosmetics brand project—love the clean aesthetic you’re going for.
I’ve redesigned 12+ Shopify stores in beauty and fashion niches, most focused on increasing conversion without losing brand vibe.
Quick idea: What if we split the homepage to highlight top categories above the fold? I did this for a skincare store last month and their add-to-cart rate went up 18%.
Happy to send a mockup if you’d like a preview before deciding.
Cheers,
Kashif
Why it worked:
- Opened with project relevance, not my background
- Showed proof & niche experience
- Gave free value (homepage idea)
- Offered a low-commitment next step
LinkedIn Message That Opened a $5K Retainer Deal
Target: Marketing Manager at a SaaS startup
My DM:
Hey [Name], noticed your team’s been growing fast (congrats on the Series A!)
Saw the landing page for —had a quick idea to reduce drop-off.
I help SaaS companies optimise onboarding and funnel UX (worked with [startup1] & [startup2]). Thought I’d share a quick Loom breakdown if you’re open to it.
Let me know if that’s helpful!
Why it worked:
- Opened with a compliment + proof I did research
- Framed the message around them, not me
- Used credibility + curiosity to drive response
- Low-pressure CTA (free Loom)
3 More Messages That Got Responses in 24 Hours
1. The Niche Expert Ping (Upwork)
Hi [Client name], just saw your project on building a dashboard in React.
I built something similar for a logistics startup—let me know if you want to see the UI.
Have a quick idea that might cut your dev time in half (based on your description).
2. The Warm Follow-Up (LinkedIn)
Hey again [Name]—just looping back in case my last message got buried.
Still happy to share that Loom video if you’re curious about optimising [feature]. No strings. Just thought it might help!
3. The Value Bomb (Upwork)
Saw your job post about speeding up a slow WooCommerce site. Quick win you might try: swap out Elementor for native blocks—boosted speed by 32% for another store I worked on.
Let me know if you want help applying it!
Common Mistakes That Kill Replies
- Generic intros. “Hi, I am a professional with 7 years of experience…” = snooze.
- Overexplaining. Save the essay. Lead with useful, not everything.
- No CTA. If you don’t tell them what to do next, they won’t do anything.
- Bad formatting. One wall of text? You’re ghosted.
Want to Swipe These Templates? Here’s the Rule:
✅ Change the context so it fits THEIR project
✅ Mention their business, product, or role
✅ Show you understand the problem, not just the task
✅ Keep it tight (3–5 lines max)
Tools That Help Track Messages & Replies
Here’s what I use to stay sane:
- Notion – Organise cold outreach, templates, responses
- Hunter + Mailtrack – For verified emails + tracking opens
- Loom – Game-changer for sending fast value via video
- ChatGPT – Yep, I sometimes use it to draft rough message ideas
FAQs About Messaging on Upwork & LinkedIn
How long should my message be?
3–5 sentences max. Short, punchy, and value-packed wins.
What if they don’t reply?
Wait 2–3 days, then send a short follow-up with fresh value or reminder.
Should I attach my portfolio?
Only if it’s relevant. Better to offer it as a clickable link or mockup invite.
How do I find decision-makers on LinkedIn?
Use filters like “Head of,” “Marketing Manager,” “Founder” and check the company page for clues.
Can I reuse messages?
Yes—but tailor 20% minimum to make it personal.
Final Thoughts on The Exact Messages That Got Me Hired on Upwork & LinkedIn
You don’t need perfect grammar. Or fancy words. Or 10 years’ experience.
You need relevance, value, and confidence.
The right message opens doors.
The wrong one gets ignored.
If you found this helpful, I share more in my eBook:
👉 Buy the eBook here — “Extra $100k a Year: The Upwork & LinkedIn 3-Hour Formula”
Or check out my home page for more tools, tactics, and templates.
Don’t wait for opportunities. Write your way into them.