Freelance Writer Cover Letter Examples & Guide for 2025

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.

Freelance Writer cover letter example

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.

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.

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.

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.