How do you respond to a freelance inquiry?

Ask about scope and timeline before naming a price. Quoting against an unclear brief is how projects go wrong, and the questions themselves signal that you have done this before.

How do you follow up on a proposal with no response?

Once after about a week, with a short message that offers an easy out. "Happy to park this if the timing is off" gets a real answer more often than another pitch.

How to respond to a freelance project inquiry

The first reply to an enquiry sets whether you are a vendor or a professional. These ask about scope before quoting, state rates plainly, and follow up on the proposal once without chasing.

3 replies - free to copy or install

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The messages

Copy any of these as they are, or install the freelance pack to keep them on your keyboard. Anything in brackets is a blank the app fills as you send.

Project inquiry

Hi [Client Name], thanks for reaching out about [Project]! I'd love to hear more. What's your timeline and what does success look like for you?
Rate / availability

My rate for work like [Project] is [Rate]. I currently have availability starting [Date].
Proposal follow-up

Following up on the proposal for [Project]. Happy to walk through it or adjust scope - just let me know what you're thinking.

These are part of the Freelance pack, which installs all 9 replies in one tap.

Questions

How do you respond to a freelance inquiry?: Ask about scope and timeline before naming a price. Quoting against an unclear brief is how projects go wrong, and the questions themselves signal that you have done this before.
How do you follow up on a proposal with no response?: Once after about a week, with a short message that offers an easy out. "Happy to park this if the timing is off" gets a real answer more often than another pitch.

More freelance messages

Scope change and invoice templates for freelancers

Save your first reply in under a minute.

Then never type it again. Free to download, no account and no card - five replies of your own, and the keyboard in every app. Pro is $19.99 a year or $2.99 a month after a 7-day trial.

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