Freelancer Cover Letter Examples & Guide for 2025

Writing a strong cover letter requires close attention to detail, from the tone of voice to avoiding those pesky spelling or grammar mistakes.

Overlooking similar small details can weaken your application.

Many candidates also struggle with how to address the letter, often opting for 'Dear Sir or Madam' when they can’t find the correct contact. This can make your cover letter feel impersonal.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to perfect these crucial elements, ensuring your cover letter is polished and professional without relying on clichés.

Freelancer cover letter example

Importance of cover letters in the United Kingdom

Cover letters are a crucial part of your application, offering additional details beyond your CV.

Here’s why they’re essential:

• Supporting your CV: Now's your opportunity to provide some context for your experience, with more information on your key achievements and how your profile could benefit the position and organisation to which you're applying.
• Showcases your character: Taking the time to write a cover letter demonstrates that you’re proactive, organised, ambitious, and genuinely interested in the role.
• Reflects your career goals: Use the cover letter to outline your long-term career career aspirations and how this role aligns with your broader plans.

What UK employers expect from a cover letter

You only have one chance to impress your potential UK employers, so be wise about writing your cover letter.

When doing so, follow these three simple but essential steps:

• Do your research: Begin by researching the company and the role you're applying for. Check their website, social media pages, and relevant news to understand what drives their business.
• Highlight company values: Identify the company's core beliefs and explain how your personal and professional experiences resonate with them. For instance, if the organisation prioritises innovation, provide examples where you've demonstrated creative thinking.
• Match your skills to the job: Analyse the job description carefully and pick out the most important skills or qualifications they’re seeking. Be sure to mention your relevant achievements that prove you're the perfect fit for the position.

How to format a freelancer 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 freelancer cover letter salutation

First impressions often start with the greeting and in the case of your job application, 'Dear Sir or Madam' simply won't suffice.

Find out who’s hiring for the role—by calling or emailing the company, searching online, or using LinkedIn—and address them correctly.

Generally, you should address them by their surname (e.g., 'Dear Mrs Weasley'), but if you've spoken to them before, you might use their first name (e.g., 'Dear Albus').

How to write your freelancer cover letter intro

While your cover letter should remain professional, adding a touch of personality or humour can make you stand out.

Hiring managers sift through countless applications, day in and day out. Anything unique or personable that grabs their attention could give you a competitive edge.

But do your homework first to ensure a dash of creativity would be appropriate and suitable to the company culture.

How to write your freelancer cover letter body

Your cover letter body is the most spacious and vital part of this document—it highlights your true value and the impact you can bring as a candidate.

Remember, your cover letter serves a different purpose to your CV. Here, you need to show your skills in context by telling the story of one significant achievement, hinting at how you’ll help your future employer achieve their goals.

So, when writing your cover letter body:

• Use concrete achievements to demonstrate your personality and impact.
• Support your achievements with quantifiable data and metrics.
• Tell the story of a successful project you’ve worked on and explain how you contributed to the outcome.
• Highlight both hard and soft skills to make your story more engaging.
• Focus on skills that are most relevant to the role and align with the company’s needs.

How to write a closing paragraph

Looking to leave a lasting impression with your cover letter closing?

Then, you should certainly end with a promise—one that outlines what you aim to achieve in the role. Ensure your goals are realistic and align with the company’s needs.

You might also include a call to action, enquiring when you can expect to hear back and what the next steps in the hiring process will be.

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.