How Many Proposals Should You Send Before Worrying?
Yes, sending proposals is part of freelance life, but worrying about them doesn’t have to be.
If you’ve ever stared at your sent proposals folder or Upwork history wondering “Is something wrong with me?”, you’re not alone. Not at allllll.
I’ve been here, and even after years of freelancing, I still worry when I send a lot of emails or pitches and get nothing back instantly.
The truth is, there’s no magic number that suddenly means you should panic. What matters far more is how you’re sending proposals and how you respond when things feel slow.
Let’s break it all down.
How Many Proposals Should You Send Before You Start to Worry?
This might be a tough pill to swallow, especially if you’re feeling anxious, but most freelancers start worrying far too early.
Sending five or even ten proposals without hearing back is completely normal, especially on competitive platforms or when pitching higher-paying clients.
As a general guideline, many freelancers see results after 10 to 30 well-targeted proposals — and sometimes only after sending even more.
That doesn’t mean something is wrong with you or your skills. It usually means clients are busy, comparing options, or not ready to decide yet.
Before worrying, ask yourself:
- Are you applying to projects that genuinely fit your skills?
- Are you customizing each proposal?
- Are you clear about the value you provide?
If the answer to those is “yes,” patience is often the missing ingredient.
Don’t just “spray and pray” as people crudely call it. Make sure you’re targeting properly, otherwise you’re wasting your time. Which brings us onto….
Quality Over Quantity: What Makes a Strong Proposal
Sending more proposals won’t fix weak ones, no matter how tempting it is to hit send.
A few strong, focused proposals can outperform dozens of generic submissions.
Strong proposals usually:
- Speak directly to the client’s problem
- Show relevant experience or results
- Are clear, concise, and easy to skim
If you’re sending many proposals quickly just to hit a number, it may be time to slow down and refine your approach. Back to the drawing board, my friend!
Learn why some proposals get no responses here.
How to Stop Obsessing Over Proposals
Proposal anxiety can easily take over your day if you let it. And don’t get me started on when you can’t sleep due to this stress.
Likewise, refreshing your inbox repeatedly doesn’t make replies come faster. It just drains your energy.
Instead, shift your focus from outcomes to actions:
- Set a daily or weekly proposal goal, then stop*
- Track responses and conversions, not just sent proposals
- Use the waiting time to improve skills, portfolio pieces, or outreach methods
- Remind yourself that silence is not rejection
* Just a note, this must be a goal of quality proposals. No spamming!
Like it or not, freelancing requires emotional resilience. Detaching your self-worth from proposal responses is one of the most valuable skills you can develop. Honestly, I’m still kind of working on this, but the more exposure I have to rejection, the better I get. And you’ll get there too.
How Should You Follow Up After Sending a Proposal?
Following up is professional when done correctly. Be careful not to be pushy. Less is more in this domain.
A good follow-up approach includes:
- Waiting 5 to 7 business days before checking in. Even if you start worrying about it before this time frame, you should still wait.
- Keeping the message short and polite. Don’t wax lyrical!
- Reaffirming interest and value, without pressure. They don’t owe you a job.
If you don’t hear back after one follow-up, it’s usually best to move on. Some gurus will tell you to follow up three or four times. I don’t really agree with this. I’d find it annoying if it happened to me.
Silence often means the client chose another direction, not that you did anything wrong.
When to Re-evaluate Your Approach
If you’ve sent 30 to 50+ thoughtful proposals with little to no response, that’s the point to adjust.
And note that I’ve said adjust, not panic or quit freelancing completely.
Review your niche, pricing, positioning, or how clearly you explain your value. Something might need to change.
Final Thoughts
Sure, proposals are a numbers game, but don’t forget that they’re also a strategy game.
Focus on improving your process, not obsessing over results. And don’t take silence or rejections personally!
You’ve got this.