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Marketing Cover Letter: 10 Examples & Writing Tips

When applying for a marketing position, submitting a cover letter alongside your resume is essential to stand out to hiring managers. A marketing cover letter serves as an opportunity to explain your relevant experience, skills, and passion for the industry.

The purpose of a marketing cover letter is to highlight your unique selling proposition (USP) and showcase how your skills and experience align with the job requirements. It is also an opportunity to demonstrate your communication skills and attention to detail.

Importance of writing a customized Marketing Cover Letter

A customized marketing cover letter can increase your chances of landing an interview as it shows you have put in the effort to tailor your application to the specific role and company. This demonstrates your enthusiasm for the position and your ability to market yourself effectively.

Best practices for writing a marketing cover letter

When writing a marketing cover letter, it is important to keep it concise, highlighting only the most relevant experiences and skills. It should also be personalized, addressing the specific needs of the job and the company. Finally, it should showcase your creativity and writing abilities.

A well-written marketing cover letter serves as an important tool for job seekers to showcase their qualifications and demonstrate their fit for the role. In the following sections, we will explore 10 examples and writing tips to help you craft a compelling marketing cover letter.

Research the Company and Job Position

In today’s competitive job market, having a polished and effective cover letter can be the difference between landing an interview and getting passed over. One key element of this process is conducting thorough research on the company and job position.

A. Importance of researching the company and job description

Before you start writing your cover letter, it’s crucial to have a deep understanding of the company and its values, brand, and culture. Your goal is to show how your skills and experience align with the company’s goals and mission. Additionally, researching the job description will allow you to customize your application to the specific position you’re applying for, highlighting your relevant experience and qualifications.

B. Tips for conducting research on the company and job position

To begin your research, start with the company’s website, social media accounts, and any recent press coverage. Look for information about the company’s history, mission statement, values, and how they’re making a positive impact in their industry. Pay attention to any recent news related to the company, such as new product launches, partnerships, or any awards or recognitions.

Next, review the job description carefully and consider how your skills and experience match with the specific requirements and qualifications outlined. Do your best to speak to the specific skills and qualities that the company is looking for in a candidate.

Another way to gather insights on the company is to talk to current or former employees, industry professionals, or business contacts who have knowledge or experience in the company’s field.

C. The benefits of tailoring your cover letter to the job description and company culture

By customizing your cover letter to the company’s values and the job position, you’re showing the employer that you’re invested in their vision and eager to work for their organization. Hiring managers are always looking for candidates who are a good fit for the company culture, and tailoring your cover letter to match their values can set you apart from other candidates.

When writing your cover letter, be sure to use specific examples of your achievements, skills, and experience that relate to the job description and the company’s mission. By demonstrating your understanding of the company’s goals and showing how you can contribute to their success, you’re more likely to catch the employer’s attention and get an interview.

Conducting thorough research on the company and job position shows the employer that you’re serious and invested in the opportunity. By tailoring your cover letter to match the company’s culture and the job’s requirements, you can make a strong case for why you’re the right fit for the job.

Tips for Formatting your Cover Letter

A strong marketing cover letter can make a huge difference in your job application process. As you craft your cover letter, keep in mind that presentation and formatting are just as important as the content you include. Here are some tips for formatting your marketing cover letter:

A. Basic format of a marketing cover letter

A marketing cover letter should follow the standard format of a business letter. This means including your contact information at the top, followed by the date and the recipient’s contact information. Use a professional font and keep your letter to one page.

B. Essential elements to include in the cover letter

In addition to the basic format, there are certain elements that should be included in a marketing cover letter. First, make sure you address the hiring manager by name – this shows that you’ve done your research and are invested in the position. Next, introduce yourself and briefly explain why you’re interested in the job. Be sure to highlight your relevant experience and skills, and explain how they would make you a strong fit for the position. Finally, close your letter by expressing your enthusiasm for the job and thanking the hiring manager for their time.

C. Best practices for formatting your marketing cover letter

Here are a few additional best practices to keep in mind as you format your marketing cover letter:

• Use bullet points to break up dense text and draw attention to important information.
• Avoid using long paragraphs and blocks of text – keep it visually appealing and easy to read.
• Bold or italicize keywords to make them stand out and emphasize your skills.
• Use white space to your advantage – don’t cram too much content onto the page.
• Use a professional tone and avoid using slang or overly casual language.

Formatting your marketing cover letter correctly can help ensure that your application stands out in a competitive job market. Remember to follow the basic format of a business letter, include all essential elements, and use best practices to make your content visually appealing and easy to read. With these tips in mind, your marketing cover letter can help you land your dream job in the field of marketing.

Opening lines for Marketing Cover Letters

Crafting a compelling introduction is critical in marketing cover letters. It sets the tone for the entire document and leaves a lasting impression on the hiring manager. In this section, we will discuss some effective introductions to use, tips for crafting a strong introduction, and common mistakes to avoid.

A. Effective introductions to use in your marketing cover letters

The following are some examples of effective introductions for your marketing cover letter:

“As a seasoned marketer with over 5 years of experience in driving brand awareness and revenue growth, I am excited to apply for the Marketing Manager position at XYZ company.”

“Having honed my skills in digital marketing through working with top e-commerce businesses, I am confident that I can help ABC company achieve its marketing goals.”

“I have a passion for marketing and a proven track record of developing innovative marketing strategies. I would love the opportunity to apply my skills to the Marketing Coordinator position at LMN company.”

B. Tips for crafting a strong introduction that grabs attention

Follow these tips to craft a strong introduction that grabs the hiring manager’s attention:

Personalize the introduction by using the hiring manager’s name.

Start with an attention-grabbing statement that highlights your skills and experience.

Mention the company and position you are applying for in the introduction.

Tailor your introduction to the company and position you are applying for by researching the company’s values and mission.

End your introduction with a clear statement of your interest in the position and how you can help the company achieve its goals.

C. Common mistakes to avoid in the opening statement

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when crafting your opening statement:

Using cliches or generic phrases that do not differentiate you from other applicants.

Focusing too much on your experience without mentioning your interest in the company or position.

Writing a lengthy introduction that loses the reader’s attention.

Using informal language or slang.

Starting with a weak or irrelevant statement that does not grab the reader’s attention.

By following the above tips and avoiding these common mistakes, you can create a strong introduction that sets you apart from other applicants and impresses the hiring manager.

Showcase Your Skills and Experience

When it comes to crafting a winning marketing cover letter, it is crucial to showcase your skills and experience effectively. Here are some tips to help you highlight your marketing skills and craft a convincing narrative of your achievements:

A. Tips for Highlighting Your Marketing Skills

• Focus on the skills that are most relevant to the position you are applying for. Take a close look at the job description and tailor your skills to match the requirements of the position.
• Use specific examples to showcase your skills, such as successful campaigns you have worked on or specific marketing techniques you have used.
• Highlight any awards or accolades you have received for your marketing work, as this can add credibility to your skills.

B. Crafting a Convincing and Relevant Narrative of Your Achievements

• Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your achievements. This will help you tell a compelling story of how you contributed to the success of a marketing campaign or project.
• Use quantitative data whenever possible to demonstrate the impact of your achievements. For example, instead of saying you increased website traffic, state exactly by how much.
• Tie your achievements back to the requirements of the job you are applying for. This shows the recruiter that you have the skills and experience they are looking for.

C. Understanding What the Recruiter is Looking For

To make sure your cover letter stands out, it is crucial to understand what the recruiter is looking for. Here are some tips to help you do this:

• Research the company and the position thoroughly. Look for information on the company’s values, goals, and marketing strategies, as well as the requirements of the position.
• Use the job description as a guide. Look for keywords and phrases that match your skills and experience, and make sure to include them in your cover letter.
• Show that you understand the challenges and opportunities the company is facing. This demonstrates your knowledge of the industry and your ability to contribute to the company’s success.

Showcasing your marketing skills and experience effectively in your cover letter can make all the difference in landing your dream job. By following these tips, you can craft a compelling narrative of your achievements and demonstrate your understanding of what the recruiter is looking for.

Give Specific Examples

One of the most effective ways to make your marketing cover letter stand out is by giving specific examples of your past achievements. Not only does this demonstrate your experience, but it also shows that you have a concrete understanding of the industry and a proven track record of success.

A. The Value of Giving Specific Examples

Recruiters and hiring managers want to see evidence that you can deliver results. Simply stating that you are a “results-driven marketer” will not be enough to catch their attention. By providing specific examples of how you have contributed to successful marketing campaigns in the past, you can clearly demonstrate your abilities and differentiate yourself from other candidates.

Moreover, specific examples can help you to paint a clearer picture of your skills and expertise. Rather than making broad, sweeping statements about your experience, which can be easily dismissed as generic buzzwords, specific examples add specificity and credibility to your claims.

B. Recent Accomplishments and How to Present Them

When selecting examples to include in your marketing cover letter, it is generally best to focus on recent accomplishments. This is because recent achievements are generally more relevant and indicative of your current abilities than those from several years ago.

When presenting your accomplishments, make sure to describe the results you achieved in a clear and concise manner. Use metrics and numbers whenever possible to quantitatively show your impact. For example, instead of saying “I managed a successful marketing campaign,” you might say, “I managed a marketing campaign that generated a 30% increase in website traffic and a 20% increase in sales.”

C. Tailoring Your Examples to the Recruiter’s Needs and the Company Culture

Finally, it is important to remember that every marketing role is different, and recruiters will be looking for specific skills and attributes based on the needs of their company. To make sure your examples resonate with recruiters, tailor them to the specific needs of the company and the role you are applying for.

Research the company’s culture and values, and try to identify examples that demonstrate how you align with their mission. Additionally, study the job description and identify the key skills and attributes the company is looking for. Then, select examples that showcase your abilities in those specific areas.

Giving specific examples in your marketing cover letter can be a powerful way to differentiate yourself from other candidates and demonstrate your expertise. By focusing on recent accomplishments, describing them clearly and concisely, and tailoring them to the needs of the company, you can increase your chances of landing your dream marketing job.

Benefits and Value Proposition

As a candidate for a marketing position, it’s crucial to showcase the value you can bring to the company. Your value proposition is a statement that explains what sets you apart from other applicants and how you can benefit the organization.

A. The importance of showcasing the value you bring to the company

Employers are always on the lookout for candidates with a unique skill set and experience that can add value to their company. By emphasizing your value proposition, you can demonstrate how you can contribute to the organization’s overall success. This can increase your chances of getting hired and getting the compensation you deserve.

B. How to emphasize the benefits of hiring you

To emphasize the benefits of hiring you, you should first understand the organization’s objectives and expectations. This can help you tailor your value proposition to align with their needs. You should also highlight your accomplishments and successes in previous jobs that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Another way to emphasize your value is to demonstrate your industry knowledge and expertise. Highlight your certifications, training, or relevant publications. You can also showcase your soft skills, such as critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork, which can help you stand out as a well-rounded candidate.

C. Best practices for positioning your value proposition

To effectively position your value proposition, you should keep the following best practices in mind:

Be specific: Avoid vague or general statements. Instead, provide concrete evidence and examples of how you have added value to previous companies.

Focus on the employer’s needs: Tailor your value proposition to address the employer’s needs, objectives, and expectations.

Be concise: Keep your value proposition succinct and to the point. Avoid rambling or going off-topic.

Use persuasive language: Use persuasive language to engage the employer and convince them of your value.

Highlight your unique selling proposition: Identify what makes you unique and valuable compared to other candidates. Also, don’t hesitate to mention your passion and enthusiasm for the position and the industry.

Showcasing your value proposition can significantly increase your chances of landing your dream marketing job. By being specific, focusing on the employer’s needs, and highlighting your unique selling proposition, you can position yourself as an invaluable and irreplaceable asset to the organization.

Professionalism and Tone

Professionalism and tone are essential elements of any effective marketing cover letter. A well-written and professional cover letter can not only make a good first impression but also set the tone for a successful job application process. Here are some essential guidelines for maintaining a professional tone in your marketing cover letter:

A. Essential Guidelines for Maintaining a Professional Tone

Use a formal tone: Your marketing cover letter should convey professionalism and expertise, so it’s essential that you use a formal tone throughout. Avoid using colloquial language, abbreviations, or slang terms.

Address the recipient appropriately: Address the recipient by their name, instead of using generic salutations like “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam.” This conveys attention to detail and shows that you have taken the time to research the recipient.

Keep it concise and to the point: Your cover letter should be concise and to the point, generally not exceeding one page. Use short, clear sentences without unnecessary elaboration or repetition.

Use active voice: Writing in the active voice imparts a sense of action and can make your cover letter more engaging. Avoid passive voice constructions that can make your writing appear lackluster.

B. Best Practices for Language and Tone

Apart from the essential guidelines outlined above, here are some best practices for language and tone in your marketing cover letter:

Show confidence: A confident tone shows that you believe in your abilities and are capable of delivering what the company needs. However, avoid overstatements or unrealistic claims.

Customize your language: Use language that resonates with the company or the job requirements. Use keywords, phrases, and terminology that the company or industry uses in their communications.

Use appropriate tone: The tone of your cover letter should match the company culture and values. If the company culture is informal, you may adopt a slightly informal tone. However, maintaining a professional tone is always recommended.

C. Avoiding Overused Phrases and Verbs

Using generic phrases and verbs can make your cover letter seem unimaginative and unoriginal. Here are some overused phrases and verbs to avoid:

“I’m a results-driven individual.”

“I’m a team player.”

“I have excellent communication skills.”

“I’m a problem solver.”

“I’m passionate about what I do.”

Instead, use specific examples that highlight your skills and experience. Use action verbs that convey power and describe a specific contribution you have made. For example, “Managed a successful campaign that increased sales by 20%,” or “Developed and executed a comprehensive social media strategy that increased engagement by 30%.” This approach not only makes your cover letter more compelling but also gives the employer a clear idea of your skills and accomplishments.

Call to Action and Follow-Up

One of the most important aspects of a marketing cover letter is the call to action (CTA) and follow-up. A well-crafted CTA can help differentiate you from other applicants and increase your chances of landing an interview. In this section, we will discuss the importance of CTAs, how to craft an effective one, and the best practices for following up with recruiters.

A. Importance of Call to Actions in Cover Letters

CTAs are crucial because they provide a clear and concise invitation for the recruiter to take action. Without a CTA, your cover letter may be considered incomplete or lack direction, leading the recruiter to move on to the next applicant. On the other hand, a well-placed CTA can guide the recruiter to take the desired action, whether that means scheduling an interview or reviewing your portfolio.

B. Crafting an Effective Call to Action

A good CTA should be brief, compelling, and aligned with your objective. The language used in the CTA should also be action-oriented, so the recruiter feels compelled to take the desired action. For example, a great CTA for a marketing cover letter might be:

“Let’s connect! I would love to discuss how my digital marketing expertise can help your company grow. Please feel free to reach me at [insert phone number or email] to schedule an interview.”

This CTA is both inviting and clear, indicating that the applicant is interested in the company’s growth and ready to discuss their qualifications during an interview.

C. Following up with the Recruiter after Submitting Your Cover Letter

The follow-up process is just as crucial as crafting a winning CTA. After submitting your cover letter, it is essential to follow up with the recruiter to express your continued interest in the position. Keep in mind that most recruiters receive numerous applications, and a follow-up can help you stand out from the competition.

A few tips for following up with the recruiter include:

• Wait a few days after submitting your application before following up.
• Keep your message clear and concise, reminding the recruiter why you are interested in the position and highlighting your qualifications.
• Be professional and polite in your approach, keeping the recruiter’s schedule and workload in mind.
• Use a call-to-action in your follow-up, such as asking for a phone call or in-person interview.

By following these tips, you can build strong relationships with recruiters and increase your chances of landing an interview. Remember, crafting an effective call to action and following up are both key components of a successful marketing cover letter.

Review and Editing Tips

As with any important document, your marketing cover letter requires thorough proofreading and copyediting. Even a small mistake can significantly reduce your chances of being considered for the position. Here are some tips to ensure your cover letter is error-free:

A. Proofreading and copyediting your marketing cover letter

• Start by taking a break after writing your cover letter, then come back later with fresh eyes to review it.
• Read your cover letter out loud to catch any awkward phrasing or spelling mistakes.
• Use grammar and spelling tools such as Grammarly or Hemingway to help you identify any issues.
• Have a friend or colleague review your cover letter as a second set of eyes.

B. Common mistakes to avoid

There are some common mistakes that applicants make with their marketing cover letters. To avoid these mistakes, keep the following in mind:

• Do not simply repeat your resume – your cover letter should expand on your experience and skills.
• Keep the tone professional, avoiding overly casual or slang language.
• Avoid cliches and generic statements – instead, use specific examples to showcase your achievements and skills.
• Make sure to address the hiring manager or recruiter by their name (if available) instead of using a generic greeting such as “To whom it may concern.”

C. Tips for submitting your marketing cover letter

When submitting your marketing cover letter, make sure to follow these tips:

• Proofread your cover letter one last time before submitting it.
• Save your cover letter as a PDF before submitting to ensure formatting remains intact.
• Customize your cover letter for each position by highlighting how your skills and experience align with the job description.
• Follow any specific instructions provided by the employer regarding submission or formatting.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your marketing cover letter effectively showcases your skills and experience while avoiding common mistakes. Remember, a well-crafted cover letter can make all the difference in landing your dream job.

Sample Marketing Cover Letters

When it comes to searching for a job in the marketing industry, drafting an effective marketing cover letter is vital. The cover letter serves as a chance for you to showcase your skills, experiences, and qualities relevant to the position you’re applying for. In this section, we’ll discuss examples of effective marketing cover letters, tips for leveraging these cover letters, and analyzing the structure, style, and content of sample marketing cover letters.

A. Examples of Effective Marketing Cover Letters

There are countless ways you can write your marketing cover letter, but the key is to create a compelling and impressive one. Here are some examples of effective marketing cover letters that you can use as a guide.

The “Storytelling” Cover Letter – In this type of cover letter, the writer tells a compelling story about their past experiences and how it led them to apply for the position they’re seeking. This way, the hiring manager can get to know the candidate, their achievements, and what drives them to succeed.

The “Data-Driven” Cover Letter – This type of cover letter emphasizes the candidate’s analytical and data-driven background. The writer should highlight their expertise in research, analysis, and data interpretation, and how these skills can add value to the company.

The “Creative” Cover Letter – This type of cover letter is perfect for those in the creative marketing field. The writer can showcase their creativity by adding visuals such as graphs or charts, or by presenting their information in an unconventional way.

B. Tips for Leveraging These Marketing Cover Letters

While these cover letter examples can serve as excellent templates, it’s crucial to customize and personalize it to fit your particular situation. Here are some tips for leveraging these marketing cover letters:

Analyze the job description – It’s essential to understand the requirements and responsibilities of the position you’re applying for so you can tailor your cover letter to address them. Make sure you showcase how your skills and experiences align with the job requirements.

Highlight your unique value proposition – What makes you stand out from other candidates? Make sure to showcase your unique qualifications and how they can add value to the position you’re applying for.

Be concise and to the point – Keep your marketing cover letter brief and to the point. The hiring manager shouldn’t have to read more than one page.

C. Analyzing the Structure, Style, and Content of Sample Marketing Cover Letters

The structure, style, and content of your marketing cover letter can make or break your chances of getting hired. Here’s how you can analyze them:

Structure – Your marketing cover letter should start with a captivating introduction, followed by your qualifications, experiences, and how they align with the job requirements. Lastly, end your cover letter with a compelling call to action.

Style – Use a professional and conversational tone in your cover letter.

Tips for Writing a Successful Marketing Cover Letter

Crafting a marketing cover letter that stands out from the rest can be a challenging task. However, with the right approach and a bit of creativity, you can write a compelling cover letter that will grab the attention of potential employers. Here are some tips to help you get started:

1. Highlight your achievements and skills

The goal of your cover letter is to demonstrate to the employer how you can add value to their organization. Therefore, it’s important to highlight your achievements and skills that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. For example, if you’ve successfully executed a marketing campaign that resulted in increased sales or engagement, mention it in your cover letter.

2. Research the company

It’s essential to research the company you’re applying to before writing your cover letter. This will give you a better understanding of their values, mission, and products/services. Use this information to tailor your cover letter to show the employer how you can contribute to their organization.

3. Be concise

Keep your cover letter brief and to the point. Employers receive dozens of applications, so you want to make sure that your cover letter stands out without being too lengthy. Ideally, your cover letter should be no longer than one page.

4. Use a professional tone

Your cover letter should be written in a professional tone. Avoid using casual language or slang. Instead, use formal language and proper grammar.

5. Show your passion for marketing

Employers want to hire someone who is passionate about their work. Use your cover letter to demonstrate your enthusiasm for marketing and the industry as a whole.

6. Include a strong call-to-action

End your cover letter with a strong call-to-action. This shows the employer that you’re serious about the job and that you’re eager to hear back from them. For example, you could express your interest in scheduling an interview or ask to discuss your qualifications further.

Writing a successful marketing cover letter requires a combination of research, skill, and creativity. By highlighting your achievements, tailoring your letter to the company, being concise and professional, demonstrating your passion for marketing, and including a strong call-to-action, you’re sure to impress potential employers and increase your chances of landing an interview.

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5 Marketing Cover Letter Examples That Worked in 2024

• Marketing Cover Letter
• Marketing Coordinator
• Marketing Intern
• Marketing Assistant
• Marketing Director
• Write Your Marketing Cover Letter

You’re a promotional wiz. Target markets are identified, sales campaigns are created, and conversion rates are increased successfully with you on the job. 

But does your cover letter complement your marketing resume and help you convert job leads into interviews?

You thrive when writing promotional copy, so all you need is a push in the right direction when writing a great cover letter and really grab a hiring manager’s attention. You can use our marketing cover letter examples as templates or our free cover letter builder for success in your job hunt.

Marketing Cover Letter Example

USE THIS TEMPLATE

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Block Format

Why this cover letter works

• Your marketing cover letter will be successful when you show how your experience with web content optimization, email marketing campaigns, and social media targeting addresses the requirements associated with a media publication role.

Level up your cover letter game

Relax! We’ll do the heavy lifiting to write your cover letter in seconds.

Marketing Coordinator Cover Letter Example

• Harness the power of metrics in your cover letter to further illustrate your tangible success as a marketing coordinator skilled in tools like CMS platforms, Joomla, and SEO.

Marketing Intern Cover Letter Example

• Can you connect personal passion (think: passion for sustainable energy practices) with a company’s mission (think: Chevron’s mission of sustainability)?
• Reinforce this connection in your closer to reaffirm alignment with the company’s mission and eagerness to contribute to its goals.

Marketing Assistant Cover Letter Example

• Notice how Leo highlights his past interaction with Blue Diamond Growers during their Homegrown Goodness Tour? Why not use such associated memories or personal experiences with the hiring company’s products or initiatives to add a unique twist to your masterpiece?

Marketing Director Cover Letter Example

• Did you lead a marketing team to spend less yet reap more? Do you recount that workplace where you nurtured marketing rookies into champions? Turn these episodes of success into a compelling tale that will have the hiring manager root for you, envisioning you replicating the success in their company.

Related cover letter examples

• Business analyst
• Social media manager
• Data analyst
• Product manager

Harness Your Skills for the Perfect Marketing Cover Letter

When creating a marketing campaign, you understand the importance of tailoring your message to the brand’s target market. The same is true for your cover letter. 

Every company markets its products and services in varying ways. One company may focus on social media marketing, whereas another wants to boost its email marketing efforts. Therefore, the skills and values you emphasize here should be customized for each company.

Engage employers instantly with your greeting and intro 

You’re used to grabbing attention in ads within the first few sentences to get readers interested in your offer. The same is true for your cover letter. You want to grab attention right away. 

First, you want to address someone by name, if possible. Some companies will list a contact person in the job description , or you could try to find the hiring manager’s name on the company website or LinkedIn. It’s the same as how using someone’s name in an email marketing subject line makes it feel more personal and engaging. Otherwise, “Dear [name of company] hiring team,” can work well too.

The next step is connecting with the company’s mission or needs, just like you’d connect with a customer’s pain points or ideals in promotional content. For instance, if the company emphasizes environmentally-friendly products or team culture, you could try to highlight those aspects. 

Just like customers don’t like generic ads with irrelevant information, hiring managers won’t like your opening if it reads like the one below. 

You’re not selling your skills with this one!

I’m writing to apply for the marketing position at your company. I have a few years of experience in marketing and have been quite good at it. The position appeals to me and is one I’d like to fill, and your company sounds like a pleasant place to work.

A better idea is to connect with the company and make your opening feel specific to their needs, just like you’d do for everyone in your marketing campaign’s target audience. The example below perfectly connects with GoDaddy’s focus on customer-centric innovation and cutting-edge web services. 

Use an opener aligned with the company’s vision! 

Dear Ms. Sharma,

As an admirer of GoDaddy’s impressive achievements in empowering entrepreneurs and businesses through cutting-edge web services, I’m thrilled to apply for the marketing coordinator position. GoDaddy’s commitment to customer-centric innovation resonates deeply with me.

Emphasize achievements in your marketing cover letter body

In any marketing message, you know it’s essential to share the facts about what a product or service can help a customer achieve. You want to do the same with your abilities in a cover letter. 

Leaning on marketing metrics from previous achievements is a great way to stand out. Consider metrics like engagement or click-through rates that many companies will focus on. 

Additionally, tailor what you put in the body to the company’s needs to better connect with each specific marketing role. For instance, if you’ll be focused on SEO, sharing how you boosted organic traffic by 59% using keyword research tools like Semrush would be a great idea.

A good body paragraph optimized with relevant marketing metrics

With over 6 years of experience in digital marketing, I have honed my skills in connecting with audiences and optimizing web content. While working as a marketing coordinator at Carvana, I led a social media campaign that increased our follower base by 44% within six months and boosted engagement rates by 32%. 

Seal the deal with a strong closing for your marketing cover letter

As you end your cover letter, think about how you would close out a sales call. You’d want to summarize the key information you covered and end with a CTA. 

Do the same for your cover letter, but remember you’re not going for a hard sell. A light CTA like “I look forward to hearing from you soon” is the right level of persuasion to aim for here. 

Additionally, just like you’d want to thank a customer for their time, saying thank you somewhere in the closing or sign-off is a good idea. 

What you don’t want to do is have a closer like the one below that shares the wrong personal information and doesn’t relate to the company or specifics of the marketing position at all.

Providing the wrong information here! 

Thanks for considering my application.

I can start immediately since I’m currently unemployed and I’m really keen to get this job. I hope you choose me for the marketing position.

Instead, aim for a closer like the one below that reconnects with GoDaddy’s mission of providing excellent web services and finishes with a nice CTA, as you would do with any of your marketing messages. 

A CTA-infused closer for success!

I am excited about the opportunity to leverage my skills to further GoDaddy’s mission of providing excellent web services. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing how I can be a valuable asset to the GoDaddy team. 

Sincerely, 

Luna Torres

Marketing Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid

• The last thing you want to spotlight in your marketing cover letter is a poor knowledge of market trends! Demonstrate key knowledge about your target market (the company you’re applying to) by appealing to their vision. You can find more info on their organizational values or how you can help solve current obstacles by doing some research. Find their website, and definitely revisit the original job listing to see what the role emphasizes so you know what to reflect in your marketing cover letter.
• This tip goes hand-in-hand with staying on top of trends and lingo that apply to your dream job’s target market. Right now, your target audience is the recruiter or hiring manager who’s reading your cover letter! So seize the chance to appeal to them by name—not the dreaded sir or madam —you’ll make a much better impression.
• While writing your cover letter, demonstrate your marketing knowledge by getting super specific about company needs. (This will be your job once you nail that interview, after all!) You want to offer up key examples of how you can better the organization and contribute to their team. For instance, discuss specific SEO tools, such as Ahrefs or SEO Testing, to provide memorable context for accomplishments that align with the company’s current goals.
• You don’t want to send out a promotional email or make a social media post only to discover a typo you previously overlooked! And you definitely don’t want to do this with your cover letter, either. It’s well worth your time to proofread, especially if you used ChatGPT for your cover letter , just in case you left out a comma or misspelled an important keyword.
• Marketing is all about results! How are your customer acquisition and retention rates? Has your work resulted in a measurable increase in star ratings on Google Reviews? Look for numerical, quantifiable metrics for the positive impact you’ve made with your knowledge of Adobe software and Google Suite.

Your cover letter shouldn’t go over one page. The optimal word count is somewhere between 300-500 words. This allows you enough room to provide details about your market analysis and campaign strategizing abilities while keeping it highly specific to each job’s needs. 

Candidates without much experience will want to pull from what they gained through education, transferable skills like customer service, and passion for each position. For instance, you could talk about your passion for creating a great customer experience and how your consumer behavior courses provided you with the skills needed to achieve that. 

Choosing the right tone is similar to choosing your brand’s voice for a specific target market. Analyze how the company speaks in the job description and try to match their levels of energy and formality as best as possible. 

Marketing Cover Letter Example and Writing Tips

• Job Listings
• Skills & Keywords
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• Cover Letters
• Career Advice
• Work-From-Home Jobs
• Internships
• Writing a Marketing Cover Letter
• How to Analyze a Job Posting

Sample Job Posting

Include related skills in your cover letter.

• Cover Letter Template
• Cover Letter Example

Sending an Email Cover Letter

More cover letter examples.

Are you interested in making marketing your career? When applying for your first position in marketing, make sure to include in your cover letter any previous experience that highlights your related skills and abilities, and builds upon your resume. 

The following is a sample cover letter for an entry-level marketing position. Use this example as a guide and make adjustments based on your qualifications to fit the position you are applying to.

Tips for Writing a Marketing Cover Letter

• Include related experience:  In the body of your letter, include any experiences that are related to the job you’re applying for. Even if you have never had a marketing job, include experiences where you demonstrated the skills and abilities required for the job.
• Use specific examples:  You want your cover letter to expand upon your resume. One way to make your cover letter stand out is to provide specific examples of times you demonstrated skills or qualities needed for the job. Examples prove that you have what it takes to do the job well. 
• Use keywords:  Look for keywords in the job description—words that emphasize the skills or qualities needed for the job. Include some of these keywords in your cover letter.
• Begin with a sample or template:  A cover letter sample or template can help you decide what information to include, and how to format your cover letter. However, when you use a sample or template, be sure to change the information to fit the job you are applying for.
• Use business letter format:  Use the  official business letter format  when writing your letter. You want this letter to be professional.

Be sure to thoroughly proofread your cover letter. Your letter needs to be polished and professional so that you make a strong first impression.

Match Your Qualifications to the Job

The first step to take before you actually put pen to paper to write your cover letter is to take a highlighter to the job announcement. Mark the most important skills or qualifications it requires (these are typically placed under subheadings such as “Job Requirements,” “Required Qualifications,” or “Preferred Qualifications”). 

Next, try to pepper your cover letter as well as your resume with these keyword phrases. Since many employers now use automated applicant tracking systems (ATS) to review the first round of submissions they receive, your application documents all need to contain the keywords that these systems are programmed to seek.

Applications are ranked according to the positioning of significant keywords and the number of times they are used. If your cover letter and resume do not contain these keywords, they may never reach the human eye of a hiring manager.

Here is a sample job posting for an entry-level marketing position. The most significant keywords are highlighted in boldface.

Job Summary

Our team at ABC Marketing Group is seeking a talented Marketing Assistant / Coordinator to be our next rising star!

We are looking for a charismatic communicator with superb interpersonal and client relations skills. If you are creative , diligent , and passionate about formulating unique and dynamic marketing strategies for major players in the eCommerce sector, we’d love to talk with you about the career opportunities we offer.

Job Responsibilities : Facilitate print , digital , and email marketing campaigns and promotions . Create and administer web pages ; manage social media platforms for clients. Communicate with clients through email and in one-on-one meetings.

Job Skills & Qualifications

Required Qualifications:  Bachelor’s degree in Marketing , Advertising , or Communications . Strong writing , digital design , and communications talents.

Preferred Qualifications:  Successful intern experience in marketing or public relations . WordPress and HTML.

You can see that common keywords for an entry-level marketing job include words like “marketing,” “public relations,” “email,” “social media,” and “web pages.” Many of these are used in the text of the following cover letter example.

Marketing Cover Letter Template

You can use this cover letter sample as a model. Download the template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online), or read the text version below.

The Balance

Marketing Cover Letter Example

Entry-level marketing cover letter sample.

Trent Applicant 123 Main Street Anytown, CA 12345 555-555-5555 trent.applicant@email.com

April 20, 2022

Sarah Lee Director, Marketing ABC Marketing Group 123 Business Rd. Business City, NY 54321

Dear Ms. Lee,

I am very interested in the open marketing position with ABC Marketing Group. I believe that my education and employment experiences make me an ideal candidate for the position.

During my tenure at XYZ College, I developed a passion for marketing and public relations. I have sought out multiple opportunities to develop my marketing skills. For example, last summer, I interned at the National Sculpture Society in New York City. My position entailed developing web pages and slideshows publicizing the success of the society's artists. I was able to utilize my web authoring skills to assist the organization in its goal to promote sculpture.

As an assistant at XYZ College’s career services office, I am responsible for updating information on alumni, career advisors, and companies that publicize internships with our office. This involves heavy calling during my shifts at the office. In addition to calling, I also email clientele. This calls for me to employ interpersonal skills to communicate with clients effectively. Due to my strong communication skills, I have been given even more responsibilities. For example, I now publicize all career services events via multiple social media platforms.

I believe that my experiences in marketing and my interpersonal skills make me a prime candidate for this position. I am a diligent worker, and passionate about my work. I will be a valuable asset to your company and will use this as an opportunity to grow and further the development of my marketing skill set.

Thank you very much for considering my application for candidacy. I will follow up within a week to confirm that all of my materials were received and hopefully set up an interview time.

Best regards,

Your Signature  (hard copy letter)

Trent Applicant

If you're sending your cover letter via email, list your name and the job title in the subject line of the email message:

Subject:  Marketing Position - Your Name

Include your contact information in your email signature, and don't list the employer's contact information. 

Here are more cover letter examples for college students and graduates that you can use as a starting point for your own correspondence.

• Sample Professional Letter Formats
• Reference Letter Examples
• Important Marketing Skills That Employers Value
• Retail Cover Letter Examples and Writing Tips
• Cover Letter Examples for Students and Recent Graduates
• Public Relations Cover Letter Example
• Cover Letter Examples for Sales and Marketing Jobs
• Admissions Counselor Cover Letter and Resume Examples
• Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Social Media Manager Resume and Cover Letter Examples
• Receptionist Cover Letter Examples and Writing Tips
• Consulting Cover Letter Samples and Writing Tips
• Event Planner Resume and Cover Letter Examples
• Teaching Assistant Cover Letter Samples
• Teacher Cover Letter Example and Writing Tips
• Cook Cover Letter and Resume Examples

Digital Marketing Cover Letter Example (w/ Tips for 2024)

You’ve mastered the digital domain.

When it comes to innovative campaigns and data-driven strategies, you can craft something effortlessly.

Yet when it comes to writing your own cover letter, it feels like you're trying to write ad copy without a target audience.

We get it. Turning your vast experience into a concise, engaging letter can seem daunting.

No need to stress, though. In this article, we’ll show you everything you need to know about cover letters.

Here's what we're going to cover:

• What a Great Digital Marketing Cover Letter Looks Like
• 5 Steps to Writing the Best Digital Marketing Cover Letter
• 3 Essential Cover Letter Tips for Digital Marketers

Ready to leave those cover letter jitters behind? Let's dive in!

Digital Marketing Cover Letter Example

5 Steps for the Perfect Digital Marketing Cover Letter

Now that you've seen what a great digital marketing cover letter looks like, it's your turn to shine!

Write your own cover letter by following these steps:

#1. Put Contact Information in the Header

Let’s start from the top. Your digital marketing cover letter needs contact information. Put this in the header , just like you would on your resume. 

Here's what you should add:

• First and Last Name. Make sure your full name is right at the top.
• Professional Title. Match it with the exact title of the job you're aiming for. Hiring managers juggle applications for different positions, so clarity helps everyone here.
• Email Address. Keep it professional and straightforward, like a blend of your names. Those quirky high school email addresses won't cut it here. (e.g.: [email protected] isn’t good but [email protected] is spot on.)
• Phone Number. Double-check that it's accurate so they can reach you easily. If you're applying for international positions, add the dial code.
• Location. Typically, city and state/country are enough, but if you're open to remote work or relocating, mention it.
• Relevant Links (optional). Share your LinkedIn or other social media profiles that highlight your digital marketing prowess.

Now, let's add the hiring manager’s contact information :

• Company Name. Add the name of the company you're applying to.
• Hiring Manager's Name. Make sure to add the hiring manager’s name if you can find it.
• Hiring Manager's Title. If you find out the hiring manager is the department head, address them accordingly instead of using the generic “Hiring Manager”.
• Location. City and state/country details are crucial, especially for global companies.
• Email Address (optional). If you can find their email, there’s no harm in including it.
• Date of Writing (optional). Adding the date you wrote your letter gives it a professional touch.

#2. Address the Hiring Manager

Your digital marketing cover letter should always start with a greeting. But first things first—you have to know who you’re addressing your cover letter to.

And “To Whom It May Concern” just won’t cut it here.

Choosing the right greeting can make a positive impression on the hiring manager and set the tone for your entire cover letter.

Do some research first . Check the job listing, the company's website, or their LinkedIn profile to identify who’s hiring for the digital marketing position you want. Just find their name and email address.

Then it’s time to actually address them formally. We recommend using “Ms.” or “Mr.” , followed by their last name. But if you're unsure about their gender or marital status, simply use their full name. For example:

Example Addressing Hiring Manager:

• Dear Mr. Smith
• Dear Alex Smith

But if you can't find any information about the hiring manager or even the head of the digital marketing department you’re applying to, just address your letter to the department or the company as a whole:

• Dear Company X
• Dear Digital Marketing Department
• Dear Recruitment Team
• Dear Human Resources Team

#3. Write an Eye-Catching Opening Statement

Hiring managers go through tons of applications every day. So, they only take a few seconds to glance at each candidate’s cover letter before deciding whether it’s worth reading more.

This is where the opening paragraph of your digital marketing cover letter comes in. Start your cover letter with a clear statement about why you're keen on the role. Expressing your enthusiasm for the industry or the specific job can immediately capture the hiring manager's interest.

Doing a bit of research on the company can also pay off here. The more you know about the employer, the better you can showcase your compatibility with their company culture. It signals that you're not just sending out applications randomly; you’re genuinely interested in this job.

We suggest adding a relevant skill or achievement in your introduction, but remember to keep it brief. The goal here is to spark the hiring manager's curiosity and encourage them to explore your digital marketing cover letter further.

#4. Use the Cover Letter Body for the Details

Next, it’s time for the details. The body of your cover letter is where you have to convince the hiring manager that you’re the right person for the job.

But this isn’t the place to replicate your digital marketing resume . Your cover letter is where you can really showcase your marketing skills and expertise in a way that ties in with the job you’re applying for.

Reference the job ad to build a narrative that paints you as the best candidate out there. For example, if you’re applying to an agency that focuses on SEO and content strategy, focus on your relevant achievements in that niche instead of more general digital marketing experiences.

If you’re familiar with the company and it’s products or services, you should mention it in your digital marketing cover letter. This shows you’ve done your research and conveys your genuine interest, which the hiring manager will notice. Mention how your career goals and values align with those of the company, and you’ll come off as a great fit for their company culture.

Make sure your enthusiasm for the job shines through your whole cover letter. Let the hiring manager know that you’re confident that you can contribute to their team, but don’t overdo it. If you’re too confident, it can come off as arrogant. You just want to let them know you’re sure you’re a great fit for this specific role, not that you’re the greatest hire they could ever hope for.

Need more inspiration? Check out more cover letter examples here !

#5. Wrap It Up and Sign It

The last few lines of your digital marketing cover letter are your chance to leave a lasting impression on the hiring manager.

You want to end your cover letter on a positive note, leaving the hiring manager reassured of everything you’ve said so far. Your conclusion should be a compelling pitch that confidently recaps why you’d be an ideal fit for the digital marketing role you’re after. You can reiterate your most important skills or professional goals that align with the company’s.

Then follow your compelling summary with a call to action. Encourage the hiring manager to take the next step, whether that means discussing your application further or diving into an interview. A strategically placed call to action can show initiative and give your application an extra nudge forward in the hiring process.

And don’t forget to wrap up your digital marketing cover letter with a professional sign-off. Not adding a closing line or signing your name is one of the most common cover letter mistakes out there. Here’s an example of how to do it right:

Please don't hesitate to reach out to me through the provided email or phone number to arrange a discussion about my application. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to explore my qualifications in greater depth at your earliest convenience.

Best wishes,

And if you're seeking an alternative to "Best wishes," consider these options:

• Warm regards,
• Respectfully yours,
• Thank you for your consideration,

3 Essential Digital Marketing Cover Letter Tips

Now you've got the basics of writing a digital marketing cover letter. So it's time to dive into the cover letter tips to take yours to the next level!

#1. Match Your Resume

Presentation matters, and maintaining consistency in your job application can make a real difference.

Make sure that your digital marketing cover letter's formatting and layout align closely with your resume to give your application a professional and organized look.

Keep your text and contact information neatly aligned on the page, and maintain uniform font styles and sizes. Pay attention to page margins and line spacing to ensure your cover letter remains concise and doesn't extend beyond a single page.

Or Use A Cover Letter Template Instead

Running short on time?

Give our free resume builder a try - select one of the free resume templates ! Pair it with one of these cover letter templates and have your application ready in minutes.

Each of our templates is crafted with insights from hiring managers worldwide to make sure your cover letter and resume align perfectly with industry standards while maintaining a sleek, professional look. Save time and make a great impression effortlessly.

# 2. Mention Qualifications

Relevant qualifications should make their way to your digital marketing cover letter.

There’s no harm in listing certifications on your resume , but you can really make a point about how suited you are to the role by expanding on them in your cover letter. Focus on your most significant qualifications and tie them into how prepared you are to start at the company you’re applying for.

For example, if you’re applying to a digital marketing agency that focuses on SEO and content writing, focus on the “Introduction to SEO” course you took instead of your certificates related to social media marketing and PR.

#3. Save It To The Right File Format

Before you send your digital marketing cover letter out there, consider what file format you should submit it in.

Generally, saving your cover letter as a PDF file is the best choice. This way, you can make sure that your carefully crafted formatting will remain the same across any device or software the hiring manager might use to open it.

But there are exceptions.  Always check the job ad first, just in case they want a different file format. In some rare cases, you might see employers request formats like DOC, RTF, or another format supported by Microsoft Word .

Key Takeaways

And that's a wrap on writing the ideal digital marketing cover letter!

We’re confident you’re ready to draft the cover letter that lands you that dream job.

But before we go, let’s recap these main points from our article:

• Begin your digital marketing cover letter by detailing your and the hiring manager’s contact information. Make sure this section is factually correct, or you might miss an opportunity for an interview.
• Your opening paragraph should be compelling enough to make the hiring manager want to know about you.
• Weave your enthusiasm through your entire digital marketing cover letter. This can show the hiring manager that you’re not just randomly applying; you’re a focused candidate who’s actually interested in the specific job.
• Wrap up your digital marketing cover letter with a worthy call to action. This can potentially prompt the hiring manager to contact you and increase your odds of an interview.
• Lastly, make certain that your digital marketing resume and cover letter are cohesive in style and presentation. If aligning these components seems daunting, consider utilizing one of our complimentary resume and cover letter templates for a flawless pairing.

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• For Small Business

The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Cover Letter in 2024

• May 12, 2024
• by steven-austin

In an era of LinkedIn Easy Apply and one-click job applications, it‘s tempting to think of cover letters as a relic of a bygone age. But while the job search landscape continues to evolve, one truth remains constant: a great cover letter is still one of the most effective ways to differentiate yourself from the competition and increase your chances of landing an interview.

Consider these statistics:

• On average, a corporate job opening attracts around 250 applicants, according to a 2022 report by Zety. That means your application needs to stand out from a veritable sea of candidates.
• A 2023 ResumeLab survey of 200 hiring managers found that 83% of respondents consider cover letters important in their hiring decisions.
• In the same study, 72% said they expect a cover letter even if the job ad doesn‘t explicitly require one.

In other words, neglecting to include a cover letter is a missed opportunity at best and a serious application blunder at worst.

But what exactly is a cover letter, and what separates an average one from one that makes a hiring manager sit up and take notice? Let‘s dive in.

Anatomy of a Winning Cover Letter

A cover letter is a one-page document that accompanies your resume and provides additional context for the experiences and qualifications you‘ve outlined. But whereas a resume is a high-level overview of your skills and work history, a cover letter is your chance to craft a compelling narrative that ties your unique background to the needs of the company and role you‘re applying for.

Think of it as your personal sales pitch – an opportunity to introduce yourself, highlight your most relevant strengths, and convey your enthusiasm for the position in a way that a dry list of bullet points simply can‘t.

According to career expert and founder of Resume Worded Rohan Mahtani, an effective cover letter consists of three core components:

A clear connection between your background and the role. The best cover letters don‘t just regurgitate the resume; they provide specific examples of how your skills and experiences have prepared you to excel in the position you‘re applying for.

Concrete evidence of your value. It‘s not enough to say you‘re a strong communicator or an experienced project manager. Use hard numbers and results-oriented language to illustrate the impact you‘ve had in previous roles.

Authentic enthusiasm for the company. Hiring managers can spot a generic template from a mile away. Great cover letters demonstrate that you‘ve done your homework on the company and have a genuine interest in contributing to its mission.

So what does this look like in practice? Let‘s break down each section of a winning cover letter.

Header & Salutation

Start with a professional header that includes your full name, email address, and phone number. You can also include links to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or online portfolio if relevant.

Then, address your letter to a specific individual – ideally the hiring manager for the role. A bit of LinkedIn sleuthing or a quick call to the company‘s main line can often uncover the right contact. If you can‘t find a name, "Dear Hiring Manager" is a safe bet.

Opening Paragraph

Your introductory paragraph needs to grab the reader‘s attention and provide a clear roadmap for the rest of the letter. Avoid generic platitudes like "I am writing to express my interest in the X position at Y company." Instead, lead with a punchy opening line that showcases your personality and unique value proposition.

For instance, you might write:

"In my 5 years as a sales manager, I‘ve learned that there are three keys to hitting aggressive revenue targets: strategic prospecting, disciplined pipeline management, and a tireless focus on customer success. It‘s an approach that‘s enabled me to grow my accounts by an average of 25% year-over-year and build strong relationships with enterprise clients like Z Corp."

This opening does several things right:

• It immediately establishes the writer‘s relevant experience and expertise.
• It uses specific metrics to illustrate their impact.
• It name-drops a high-profile client, suggesting an impressive professional network.
• It demonstrates an understanding of what it takes to succeed in a sales leadership role.

Body Paragraphs

The main body of your cover letter is where you‘ll draw explicit connections between your background and the requirements of the role. A good rule of thumb is to include 2-3 body paragraphs, each focused on a different key selling point.

Each paragraph should follow a simple formula:

• Start with a topic sentence that outlines one of your key strengths or experiences as it relates to the role.
• Provide a specific example or anecdote that illustrates this strength in action.
• Explain how this experience has prepared you to excel in the position you‘re applying for.

For example:

"In my current role as Marketing Manager at B Company, I‘ve had the opportunity to lead a number of high-impact digital campaigns. Most recently, I spearheaded the launch of a new mobile app that garnered over 50K downloads in its first month and was featured as App of the Day in the Apple store. To achieve these results, I collaborated closely with our product and engineering teams to define our target audience, craft compelling messaging, and design an intuitive user experience.

This cross-functional leadership experience, coupled with my track record of driving measurable results through innovative marketing strategies, has prepared me to step into the role of Senior Marketing Manager at your company and hit the ground running from day one."

Notice how this paragraph leads with a clear value proposition ("I‘ve had the opportunity to lead high-impact digital campaigns"), provides a concrete example to back it up, and ties it directly to the requirements of the role they‘re applying for.

Closing Paragraph

Your final paragraph is where you‘ll reiterate your enthusiasm for the position and the company, and include a call-to-action for next steps. For instance:

"I‘m thrilled at the prospect of bringing my skills in data analysis and business strategy to the Business Operations Manager role at Z Corp. With your company‘s impressive track record of innovation in the SaaS space and recent Series C funding round, I‘m confident that this is the kind of fast-paced, high-growth environment where I can make a real impact.

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss further how my experience can contribute to Z Corp‘s ambitious goals. I will follow up next week to see if there is a convenient time for us to connect."

This closing paragraph does a few things well:

• It reiterates the candidate‘s relevant skills and ties them directly to the role.
• It demonstrates that the candidate has done their research on the company‘s market position and recent milestones.
• It includes a specific commitment to follow up, showing initiative and genuine interest.

Key Mistakes to Avoid

Now that we‘ve covered what goes into a great cover letter, let‘s take a look at some of the most common pitfalls to steer clear of:

Typos and grammatical errors. In a 2022 TopResume survey of 332 hiring managers and recruiters, 79% said they would dismiss a candidate if their cover letter contained spelling or grammatical mistakes. Always proofread your letter multiple times and consider having a trusted friend or colleague give it a second look.

Rehashing your resume. Your cover letter shouldn‘t just be a narrative version of your resume. Use it as an opportunity to provide additional context and color for the experiences you‘ve highlighted.

Focusing too much on yourself. While it‘s important to showcase your strengths and accomplishments, be sure to tie them back to the needs of the role and company. Use "you" language to demonstrate your understanding of the company‘s challenges and goals.

Being too formal or robotic. While a cover letter is a professional document, that doesn‘t mean it needs to be stiff or formulaic. Use clear, concise language and don‘t be afraid to inject some personality.

Sending the same generic letter for every application. Customization is key. Make sure to tailor each letter to the specific role and company, highlighting the skills and experiences that are most relevant to that particular opportunity.

Cover Letter Dos and Don‘ts

To help you craft a cover letter that showcases your unique value and leaves a lasting impression, here are some key dos and don‘ts to keep in mind:

• Address your letter to a specific person whenever possible
• Lead with a strong opening paragraph that grabs the reader‘s attention
• Use concrete examples and metrics to illustrate your accomplishments
• Research the company and demonstrate your knowledge of its mission and goals
• Tailor your language and tone to the company‘s culture and the role
• Keep it concise – aim for 3-4 paragraphs that fit on one page
• Use clear, easy-to-read formatting, with ample white space
• End with a call-to-action and a commitment to follow up
• Proofread carefully for spelling, grammar, and clarity

Don‘t:

• Use generic salutations like "To Whom It May Concern"
• Rely on buzzwords or industry jargon
• Simply repeat the contents of your resume
• Make unsubstantiated claims about your abilities
• Focus too much on what the company can do for you
• Include irrelevant personal information or anecdotes
• Exceed one page in length
• Use an unprofessional email address or file name
• Forget to update the company name and position for each application
• Send your letter without proofreading it carefully

Putting it All Together: A Cover Letter Template

To help you structure your cover letter for maximum impact, here‘s a simple template you can follow:

Remember, this is just a starting point. The most effective cover letters are those that are authentic, specific, and tailored to the unique requirements of the role and the culture of the company. Don‘t be afraid to let your personality shine through – after all, a cover letter is your chance to introduce yourself as a human being, not just a collection of skills and experiences.

Cover Letter Resources and Inspiration

As you sit down to craft your own compelling cover letter, here are a few additional resources to help you along the way:

• HubSpot‘s Free Cover Letter Templates
• Indeed‘s Cover Letter Samples by Industry
• The Muse‘s Cover Letter Examples
• Harvard Business Review‘s Cover Letter Guide

For even more inspiration, check out these examples of real cover letters that landed job offers:

• 7 Cover Letter Examples That Got Something Right
• 8 Brilliant Cover Letter Closing Paragraph Examples
• 5 Short Cover Letter Examples for Any Job

Remember, the best cover letters aren‘t formulaic or cookie-cutter. They‘re authentic, memorable, and tailored to the unique needs of the role and company. By following the strategies and examples outlined in this guide, you‘ll be well on your way to crafting a cover letter that sets you apart from the competition and brings you one step closer to landing your dream job.

How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Get You a Job

I ’ve read thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of cover letters in my career. If you’re thinking that sounds like really boring reading, you’re right. What I can tell you from enduring that experience is that most cover letters are terrible — and not only that, but squandered opportunities. When a cover letter is done well, it can significantly increase your chances of getting an interview, but the vast majority fail that test.

So let’s talk about how to do cover letters right.

First, understand the point of a cover letter.

The whole idea of a cover letter is that it can help the employer see you as more than just your résumé. Managers generally aren’t hiring based solely on your work history; your experience is crucial, yes, but they’re also looking for someone who will be easy to work with, shows good judgment, communicates well, possesses strong critical thinking skills and a drive to get things done, complements their current team, and all the other things you yourself probably want from your co-workers. It’s tough to learn much about those things from job history alone, and that’s where your cover letter comes in.

Because of that …

Whatever you do, don’t just summarize your résumé.

The No. 1 mistake people make with cover letters is that they simply use them to summarize their résumé. This makes no sense — hiring managers don’t need a summary of your résumé! It’s on the very next page! They’re about to see it as soon as they scroll down. And if you think about it, your entire application is only a few pages (in most cases, a one- or two-page résumé and a one-page cover letter) — why would you squander one of those pages by repeating the content of the others? And yet, probably 95 percent of the cover letters I see don’t add anything new beyond the résumé itself (and that’s a conservative estimate).

Instead, your cover letter should go beyond your work history to talk about things that make you especially well-suited for the job. For example, if you’re applying for an assistant job that requires being highly organized and you neurotically track your household finances in a detailed, color-coded spreadsheet, most hiring managers would love to know that because it says something about the kind of attention to detail you’d bring to the job. That’s not something you could put on your résumé, but it can go in your cover letter.

Or maybe your last boss told you that you were the most accurate data processor she’d ever seen, or came to rely on you as her go-to person whenever a lightning-fast rewrite was needed. Maybe your co-workers called you “the client whisperer” because of your skill in calming upset clients. Maybe you’re regularly sought out by more senior staff to help problem-solve, or you find immense satisfaction in bringing order to chaos. Those sorts of details illustrate what you bring to the job in a different way than your résumé does, and they belong in your cover letter.

If you’re still stumped, pretend you’re writing an email to a friend about why you’d be great at the job. You probably wouldn’t do that by stiffly reciting your work history, right? You’d talk about what you’re good at and how you’d approach the work. That’s what you want here.

You don’t need a creative opening line.

If you think you need to open the letter with something creative or catchy, I am here to tell you that you don’t. Just be simple and straightforward:

• “I’m writing to apply for your X position.”

• “I’d love to be considered for your X position.”

• “I’m interested in your X position because …”

• “I’m excited to apply for your X position.”

That’s it! Straightforward is fine — better, even, if the alternative is sounding like an aggressive salesperson.

Show, don’t tell.

A lot of cover letters assert that the person who wrote it would excel at the job or announce that the applicant is a skillful engineer or a great communicator or all sorts of other subjective superlatives. That’s wasted space — the hiring manager has no reason to believe it, and so many candidates claim those things about themselves that most managers ignore that sort of self-assessment entirely. So instead of simply declaring that you’re great at X (whatever X is), your letter should demonstrate that. And the way you do that is by describing accomplishments and experiences that illustrate it.

Here’s a concrete example taken from one extraordinarily effective cover-letter makeover that I saw. The candidate had originally written, “I offer exceptional attention to detail, highly developed communication skills, and a talent for managing complex projects with a demonstrated ability to prioritize and multitask.” That’s pretty boring and not especially convincing, right? (This is also exactly how most people’s cover letters read.)

In her revised version, she wrote this instead:

“In addition to being flexible and responsive, I’m also a fanatic for details — particularly when it comes to presentation. One of my recent projects involved coordinating a 200-page grant proposal: I proofed and edited the narratives provided by the division head, formatted spreadsheets, and generally made sure that every line was letter-perfect and that the entire finished product conformed to the specific guidelines of the RFP. (The result? A five-year, $1.5 million grant award.) I believe in applying this same level of attention to detail to tasks as visible as prepping the materials for a top-level meeting and as mundane as making sure the copier never runs out of paper.”

That second version is so much more compelling and interesting — and makes me believe that she really is great with details.

If there’s anything unusual or confusing about your candidacy, address it in the letter.

Your cover letter is your chance to provide context for things that otherwise might seem confusing or less than ideal to a hiring manager. For example, if you’re overqualified for the position but are excited about it anyway, or if you’re a bit underqualified but have reason to think you could excel at the job, address that up front. Or if your background is in a different field but you’re actively working to move into this one, say so, talk about why, and explain how your experience will translate. Or if you’re applying for a job across the country from where you live because you’re hoping to relocate to be closer to your family, let them know that.

If you don’t provide that kind of context, it’s too easy for a hiring manager to decide you’re the wrong fit or applying to everything you see or don’t understand the job description and put you in the “no” pile. A cover letter gives you a chance to say, “No, wait — here’s why this could be a good match.”

Keep the tone warm and conversational.

While there are some industries that prize formal-sounding cover letters — like law — in most fields, yours will stand out if it’s warm and conversational. Aim for the tone you’d use if you were writing to a co-worker whom you liked a lot but didn’t know especially well. It’s okay to show some personality or even use humor; as long as you don’t go overboard, your letter will be stronger for it.

Don’t use a form letter.

You don’t need to write every cover letter completely from scratch, but if you’re not customizing it to each job, you’re doing it wrong. Form letters tend to read like form letters, and they waste the chance to speak to the specifics of what this employer is looking for and what it will take to thrive in this particular job.

If you’re applying for a lot of similar jobs, of course you’ll end up reusing language from one letter to the next. But you shouldn’t have a single cover letter that you wrote once and then use every time you apply; whatever you send should sound like you wrote it with the nuances of this one job in mind.

A good litmus test is this: Could you imagine other applicants for this job sending in the same letter? If so, that’s a sign that you haven’t made it individualized enough to you and are probably leaning too heavily on reciting your work history.

No, you don’t need to hunt down the hiring manager’s name.

If you read much job-search advice, at some point you’ll come across the idea that you need to do Woodward and Bernstein–level research to hunt down the hiring manager’s name in order to open your letter with “Dear Matilda Jones.” You don’t need to do this; no reasonable hiring manager will care. If the name is easily available, by all means, feel free to use it, but otherwise “Dear Hiring Manager” is absolutely fine. Take the hour you just freed up and do something more enjoyable with it.

Keep it under one page.

If your cover letters are longer than a page, you’re writing too much, and you risk annoying hiring managers who are likely sifting through hundreds of applications and don’t have time to read lengthy tomes. On the other hand, if you only write one paragraph, it’s unlikely that you’re making a compelling case for yourself as a candidate — not impossible, but unlikely. For most people, something close to a page is about right.

Don’t agonize over the small details.

What matters most about your cover letter is its content. You should of course ensure that it’s well-written and thoroughly proofread, but many job seekers agonize over elements of the letter that really don’t matter. I get tons of  questions from job seekers  about whether they should attach their cover letter or put it in the body of the email (answer: No one cares, but attaching it makes it easier to share and will preserve your formatting), or what to name the file (again, no one really cares as long as it’s reasonably professional, but when people are dealing with hundreds of files named “resume,” it’s courteous to name it with your full name).

Approaching your cover letter like this can make a huge difference in your job search. It can be the thing that moves your application from the “maybe” pile (or even the “no” pile) to the “yes” pile. Of course, writing cover letters like this will take more time than sending out the same templated letter summarizing your résumé — but 10 personalized, compelling cover letters are likely to get you more  interview invitations  than 50 generic ones will.

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Copyblogger

13 Writing Side Hustles To Earn An Extra $1,000

This post will introduce you to 13 excellent writing side hustles you can pursue to make an additional $1,000 to $10,000 per month.

The better question is, which one should you choose ? 

To help you make a decision, we’ll evaluate each writing side hustle by answering these two questions: 

• How scalable is this? Some writing side hustles allow you to earn passive income, whereas others are service-based, where you’re trading your time for money. 
• How long will I have to wait to make money? Some writing side hustles allow you to make money immediately, whereas others require a significant time investment before you’ll earn a dollar.

For each writing side hustle, we’ll also give you the first action step you can take to get started today.

Want us to scale your traffic?

For the first time, The Copyblogger methodology is now available to a select few clients. We know it works. We’ve been doing it since 2006.

1. Affiliate Marketing 

Plenty of companies have products and services but no customers.

As an affiliate marketer, you build a loyal audience of readers through blogging.

Then, you can promote products and services from other companies on your blog and earn a commission when your readers buy a product.

An excellent example of an affiliate marketing website is The Spruce . They write articles that rank for keywords like “best crockpots” and “ best rice cookers .” Each of the blog posts contains affiliate links to the products mentioned in the article. Whenever a reader purchases a product, The Spruce earns a commission.

The Spruce is an example of a multi-million dollar affiliate marketing website, proving that affiliate marketing can scale to be much more than just a small writing side hustle. 

Additionally, affiliate marketers don’t have to deal with customer service or product delivery. The downside is that affiliate marketers can’t control product quality, so recommending a bad product can reflect negatively on your brand.

Building an audience also takes time, so you probably won’t make money immediately with affiliate marketing. However, once you have built an audience and strong website authority, it’s a truly passive business model. Therefore, you can take a break from publishing content, and you’ll still earn money from existing blog posts.  

Scalability

Affiliate marketing can scale as brands like The Spruce are worth millions. Additionally, you can hire other people to write the content for you, making it a fairly passive business. However, The Spruce is a rarity and according to ZipRecruiter, the average affiliate marketer in the United States makes about $82,000 per year . 

Time To Money

Affiliate marketing relies on ranking for keywords, so if you’re starting a brand new site with no previous authority, it might take anywhere from six months to over a year to see a substantial ROI. 

How to Start Now

To get started with affiliate marketing , set up a website, select a niche , and begin writing content on your blog to build an audience. 

2. Content Repurposer

Content repurposing is republishing a single piece of content, like a video or podcast audio, in a different format, like a blog post or social media clips. 

Many companies pay freelancers to repurpose content because it helps them maximize the reach of a single piece of content by publishing it on different platforms.

For example, Ahrefs repurposed its video on keyword research for affiliate marketing into a blog post:

Here’s an example of a freelancer who offers content repurposing services at different pricing tiers:

Additionally, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to get content in front of the right audience, so there’s a growing demand for content repurposing. 

The only way to scale content repurposing is by building an agency, so it isn’t a great side hustle if your goal is to scale it into a multi-million dollar business as a solopreneur. 

Additionally, most clients looking for content repurposing want a solution to maximize their content marketing investments, so they typically aren’t interested in paying top dollar and you might find yourself competing with cheaper freelancers on Upwork. According to Zip Recruiter, the average content repurposer makes about $60 per hour . 

Content repurposing is currently in high demand and you can start making money immediately as it’s a service-based side hustle.

Find companies with long form video and audio content and create a blog post and four social media posts from their video/audio content. Send it to them and offer to work for free with the option to later charge.  

3. Blogging

Bloggers select a niche, such as food or traveling, and then write blog posts on the topic to build an audience. 

After building a loyal following, there are many different ways to monetize a blog, including:

• Sponsored blog posts : A brand pays to write a blog post on your blog. The average cost of a sponsored blog post is about $250 , though how much you can charge really depends on the authority of your website, how much traffic it earns, and the value of your audience. 
• Affiliate marketing : You promote products or services on your blog and earn a commission from the sales.
• Paid brand promotions : You can partner with a brand that pays you a set fee to promote their products or services. For example, travel blogger Matt of Expert Vagabond makes between $4,000 and $20,000 per brand partnership .
• Selling your own products/services : You create your own product or service and sell it to your readers. For example, Blogilates founder Cassey Ho is rumored to have a networth of about $7 to $8 million , and most of it is from POPFLEX , the brand she launched after building millions of followers through her blog and YouTube channel.

The scalability of blogging depends on how you monetize it. If you’re only monetizing it through affiliate products and sponsored posts, it will likely only be moderately scalable.

However, you can scale it to well over seven figures if you launch your own brand after building an audience. 

Some bloggers make over $1 million per year , though the average is about $62,000 in the United States.

However, it is scalable from an operations standpoint if you hire other freelance writers to write the content. You can also stop publishing and continue earning passive income from existing content.

You won’t make money immediately with blogging as you’ll likely have to spend six to twelve months building an audience before brands will pay you to promote their products or services. 

Your first step to becoming a beginner blogger is to select a niche , set up a website, and start writing blog posts to build an audience.

4. Directories/Job Boards

Directories and job boards can charge anywhere from $100 to $500 per listing, and the main strategy for building a job board or directory is to write content to build an audience and the website’s authority.

This seasonal job board, CoolWorks , charges $149 for a seven-day multi-position job ad and $169 for a 30 day single position job ad. 

To build the authority of a website like this, you would write blog posts about the topics a job seeker might search for, such as “best ski resort jobs” or “how to get a J1/H2B visa.”

Local business directories are very similar business models. For example, Visit Charlottesville is a website that provides information on the local town’s businesses.

They monetize the site by offering sponsored posts ranging from $300 to $450, and each listing in their directory ranges from about $60 to $240. 

Directories and job boards are scalable as you can add unlimited listings to the website. Additionally, it’s a passive business as businesses can purchase an ad online without any involvement on your part. 

Both directories and job board businesses can be very profitable. For example, YTJobs currently charges about $245 per listing, and each listing lasts about two months. They currently have approximately 260 active listings, meaning the website earns at least $65,000 every two months.

However, most job boards won’t scale beyond a few million dollars per year.

Job boards and directories rely on SEO strength, so you likely won’t earn money immediately with this writing side hustle.

You can watch our video on how to start a directory business:

If you want to build a job board, watch our video here on how to start a profitable job board:

5. Email Copywriting

Businesses know their email subscribers are arguably their most valuable prospects, so they’re willing to pay top dollar for a skilled email copywriter who can build trust and convert those subscribers into customers. 

The average freelance email writer charges about $25 to $50 per email or anywhere from $150 to $500 for longer emails. However, skilled email copywriters who charge revenue shares can scale to seven figures annually.

Here are a few of the most common ways to make money as an email copywriter:

1. Email nurture sequences : Many course creators, service providers, and even software companies pay email copywriters to create nurture sequences. These emails often teach the audience how to solve a problem and then pitch the product or service within the sequence. 

Here’s an example of an email nurture sequence.

2. Onboarding email sequences: Software companies usually offer onboarding sequences that show new customers how to use their product. These sequences are particularly valuable to companies that rely on recurring revenue because customers who understand how to use the product properly will receive the most value from it and, therefore, stay with the company for longer.   

3. Weekly emails/newsletters : Once an email subscriber completes a nurture sequence, it’s important to keep them engaged so the brand can offer them another product/service at a future date (and prevent churn if it’s a recurring revenue business model). 

As an email copywriter, you can offer to write weekly engagement emails that provide helpful industry news, thought leadership content , and brand news. The Copyblogger newsletter is an excellent example of a weekly newsletter.

Scalability 

When you start as an email copywriter, you’ll probably offer a service business by charging an hourly rate or a project fee, which isn’t very scalable. Additionally, most companies won’t pay much for a weekly newsletter copywriter. However, nurture email copywriters who charge revenue shares for product launches can scale beyond seven figures. 

As an email copywriter, you can start earning immediately by offering your writing as a service and then scale over time by doing revenue sharing or even launching your own offer.

How To Start Now

You can start today by writing a free email sequence for your dream company, sending it to them, and offering to write more for them for free with the intention of eventually charging. 

6. Website Copywriter

There’s a large market for website copywriters, but there’s also a large supply of website copywriters. While it’s possible to make a healthy income as a website copywriter, many only make a few hundred dollars per project.

To establish yourself as a premium copywriter, identify a niche (such as SaaS or ecommerce) and learn basic CRO (conversion rate optimization) skills. Then, instead of just advertising yourself as a website copywriter, provide an analysis on how to improve the conversion rate of that website through better copywriting.

By positioning yourself as a premium website copywriter who can boost conversions, you’ll be able to charge significantly more than the average writer. For example, this website copywriter has earned over $500,000 and doesn’t accept engagements under $2,500 due to demand:

Website copywriting isn’t one of the most scalable opportunities, as you can really only charge for your time unless you build an agency, and there’s a very small percentage of companies willing to invest in CRO. Additionally, it isn’t a recurring revenue service. For example, once you finish the website copy, that client won’t need you anymore.

You can make money very quickly as a website copywriter because there’s a high demand for website copy, and the first step to get started (mentioned below) has a high success rate.

Identify a few dream clients and email them new copy for their website and highlight specific changes you made within the copy to increase conversions. Ask them to publish the new content and track the lift in conversions. You can then use that as a case study when pitching new clients.

7. Start a Newsletter

Newsletter businesses are highly profitable as you can write it yourself or hire a freelancer to do it for you. Then, you can monetize it through sponsorships with other brands or offer affiliate products. 

Marie Haynes newsletter is a great example of a weekly newsletter that anyone could start. 

Select a niche you’re passionate about and then provide industry news or write about your personal experience/recent discoveries. 

Building an audience for a newsletter can be challenging, so here are a few strategies to earn more subscribers:

• Promote it on social media . Tell your audience what you’ll talk about in your newsletter the next day and offer a subscribe link.

• Create a referral program . Offer a tiered referral program where people can unlock rewards by referring their friends.
• Use paid ads to scale . You can always run paid ads to earn more subscribers.

There are plenty of examples of newsletter brands that have sold for millions of dollars, including The Milk Road , The Hustle , and The Morning Brew .

Newsletters are a more scalable writing side hustle because you can earn more money as more people subscribe to your list without increasing your effort. If you run a personal newsletter, you’ll still have to write it each day/week, though you could also choose to run a branded newsletter business like the Milk Road and hire other writers to write it for you.

Newsletters are challenging to grow, and you can’t really make any money until you build an audience. Plan to spend six to twelve months before you start making money.   

Watch this video on how Tim Stoddart builds newsletter businesses:

8. Social Media Ghostwriting

Many business executives and entrepreneurs realize the value of a social media following, but don’t have time to write their own content.

Instead, they’ll hire a social media ghostwriter to create content for them. As a social media ghostwriter, you’ll interview the client to understand the audience they’re trying to attract, their viewpoints on specific topics, and their personal stories.

Here’s an example of a social media post that a ghostwriter could interview a client and then write:

Plenty of freelance social media ghostwriters and even social media ghostwriting agencies like StoryArb charge over $7,000 per month, so there’s plenty of demand for the service.

Social media ghostwriting is minimally scalable as you trade your time for money. However, skilled social media ghostwriters can charge $5,000 plus per month for quality content. You could build an agency, though the level of talent you’ll have to hire is quite high as they’ll have to interview the clients and be able to write in their voice.

As it’s a service business, you can make money almost immediately with social media ghostwriting. However, the first step to getting a client has a moderate success rate, so landing your first client could be difficult.

To get started today, use this guide on how to become a ghostwriter . It discusses how to get your first client (reach out to your dream clients with a sample social media post and offer to write for them for free) and how to build a workflow process (e.g., how to interview them, templates to help you generate content ideas, and more).   

9. SEO Copywriter

SEO copywriters write blog posts designed to rank in search engines like Google for keywords that a company’s target audience searches. For example, a webinar software company would want to rank in Google for a keyword like “best webinar platforms.”

To establish yourself as a premium SEO copywriter and charge more for your services, understand these basic SEO best practices:

• Internal linking
• Keyword research
• On-page optimization (using H1s, H2s, title tag/meta description, etc.)
• Search intent /format optimization

You can also differentiate yourself by specializing in a specific niche (like SaaS) or offering a very particular service, like content updating .

SEO copywriting isn’t a very scalable writing side hustle because you’re trading your time for money, and building an agency is the only way to scale it. Additionally, while there’s still a decent market for high quality SEO copywriters, many companies are now using AI for SEO copywriting.

As SEO copywriting is a service business, you can make money as soon as you land your first client (i.e., immediately). Additionally, the first step to getting started has a high success rate.

Spend a day or two learning about the four concepts mentioned above (internal linking, keyword research, on-page optimization, and search intent). Then, identify your dream client and reach out to them with suggestions on how to improve the rankings of specific blog posts.

10. YouTube Scriptwriter

YouTube scriptwriters are in high demand as companies and individual creators strive to increase content output.

It’s also fairly profitable. YouTube scriptwriter George Blackman shared rates he’s been paid to write scripts, and some clients are happy to pay over $1,000 per script:

He also hinted that $300 to $400 is on the low end for a quality script:

Therefore, if you want to position yourself as a premium scriptwriter, learn the basics about retention and ideation and then provide suggestions and feedback on how your clients can improve their overall video performance.

If you choose to become a YouTube scriptwriter, keep in mind that you’ll likely have to work closely with each client to understand their personality and stylistic preferences as you’re essentially putting words in their mouth. Therefore, you might have to do many more revisions than, say, an SEO copywriter or email copywriter. 

YouTube scriptwriting is likely one of the least scalable opportunities as you’ll have to build a strong relationship with your clients to really understand their tone of voice and style. Therefore, creating an agency would be very difficult and you’ll only be able to take on a limited number of clients.   

Depending on the client and your relationship with them, you might be able to ask for a revenue share agreement, which would significantly increase your scale potential.

As a service based business, you can make money almost immediately as a YouTube scriptwriter.

Learn basic YouTube retention concepts and then write some sample scripts on the niche you want to specialize in, record videos, and post them on a personal channel. You can then send your channel to potential clients and offer to do some scriptwriting for them for free. Alternatively, you could reach out to some of your dream clients and tell them specific ways they could improve retention on their videos by improving various aspects of their scripts. Then, offer to write scripts for them for free.

11. Resume and Cover Letter Writer

A resume and cover letter writer understands what employers look for when evaluating candidates and helps clients optimize their resume/cover letters accordingly. 

Most resume and cover letter writers charge between $25 and $65 per hour, which isn’t among the most profitable writing side hustle opportunities.

However, you can charge significantly more if you tie your services to outcomes (i.e., getting the dream job) and provide additional support on which jobs to apply for, how to prepare for the interview, and how to build relationships with people at the company.

For example, these resume writers charge well over $500 for their services:

You can also offer LinkedIn profile optimizations, email correspondence assistance, and other upsells.

Resume writing isn’t a very scalable option as it’s a service business where you’re trading your time for dollars. It also relies on your expertise, making it difficult (though not impossible) to scale into an agency. 

You can start making money when you land your first client, and there’s always a large market of job seekers.

Reach out to some of your friends and ask them if you can help them optimize their resumes and LinkedIn profiles. You can also use LinkedIn Recruiter to search for people looking for jobs and then reach out to them, offering to optimize their resumes for free. 

12. Grant Writer

Grant writers help non-profits and research organizations win grants for project funding, and the average grant writer can earn several hundred dollars per project.

To establish yourself as a premium grant writer and expand your services, specialize in a particular niche, and provide coaching and assistance with everything from which organizations to pitch to how to pitch them.   

The downside of grant writing is that it isn’t a recurring revenue stream as you’ll constantly search for new clients. In contrast, other writing side hustles like SEO copywriting or social media ghostwriting allow you to earn recurring revenue.

Grant writing isn’t very scalable because it’s a service-based business in which you trade time for money. There also aren’t many options to earn recurring revenue.

You can start making money as soon as you land your first client. There is a decent market of nonprofits looking for grant writers, but most of them will want to see grants you’ve won for other organizations, which can make it a little more challenging to break into the industry.

Select a niche you want to specialize in and contact a few nonprofits. Provide suggestions of specific grants they should apply to and offer to write grant applications for them for free. 

13. Sales Page Copywriting

Sales pages are designed to drive online sales for a product or service. Here’s an example of the sales page for Charisma University , a coaching course for improving social skills.

Sales copywriting is one of the most profitable writing side hustles as a great sales copywriter can charge five figures for a single sales page.  

The key to charging a premium price depends on:

• Your skill level/track record : If your sales pages consistently generate millions of dollars and outperform previous sales pages from the company, you can obviously charge more.
• Your clients : A company already making millions of dollars on a product can spend much more on a great sales copywriter because they realize that increasing conversions by even a small percentage can significantly increase revenue.

To become a premium sales copywriter, interview customers who have previously purchased the product/service or (if it’s a brand new product/service) interview the ideal target audience. During these interviews, understand their pain points, specific outcomes/benefits they want, and what they’re looking for in a product/service like the one you’re offering.

This customer research will make your copywriting much more compelling and increase conversions. Additionally, clients realize that this detailed research leads to better conversions, so you’ll be able to charge more immediately simply because your process is much more thorough than the average copywriter’s process.

Sales copywriting is a more profitable writing side hustle because larger brands are accustomed to paying four or five figures for a great sales page. Additionally, you can do a revenue share based on the sales your page generates. The downside is that there isn’t really an option for passive income, as you’ll only make money when you write sales letters.

You can start making money immediately as a sales copywriter—just land your first client, and you’re a sales copywriter. However, the first step to becoming a copywriter is moderately effort and time-intensive.

To get started as a sales copywriter, find moderately optimized sales pages, make improvements to them, and send the improvements to the company. Ask if they’ll consider publishing your example and track the difference in conversions. This will help you build the skills of sales copywriting to understand what works and what doesn’t work. Then, you can use those sales pages as case studies to land paying clients. 

Get More Support On Your Journey As A Writer

The best way to become a great writer is by writing. So don’t wait or plan anymore – pick one of the writing side hustles above and take the advice in the “how to start now” section. 

That said, you can increase your rate of learning and earn faster if you regularly receive feedback on your work and have basic frameworks and instructions to improve your writing.

That’s why we built the Copyblogger Academy – a community of writers and entrepreneurs. Inside, you’ll have access to nine different courses on personal branding, SEO, content marketing, and more. You’ll also have the opportunity to get your questions answered by seven figure entrepreneurs Tim Stoddart and Charles Miller, and you can attend regular accountability meetings. To see if the Copyblogger Academy is a good fit for you, sign up today and we’ll give you a full refund if you aren’t 100% satisfied in the first 30 days. 

Megan Mahoney

Megan is the head of SEO for Copyblogger. In addition, she runs the content agency Ignite My Site . You can follow here on LinkedIn.

• Copyblogger Academy - The Copyblogger Academy is a premier membership program that gives you the tools and skillset to turn your writing into income. Join 1300+ members inside.
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10.4: Reflective Cover Letters

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The previous chapters in this section on Writing Reflectively introduced you to the basics of critical reflection and offered a few different approaches to practice it. Those strategies, including Driscoll’s “So What?” cycle of reflection and K-W-L learning, are often deployed in a variety of academic and professional situations. They can be adapted to many different scenarios. In academia, however, one of the most common reflective assignments is a simple cover letter written at the end of an assignment, project, or entire course.

The cover letter genre can be very informal or intensely rigorous, depending on the preferences of the instructor. But nearly all such assignments expect the student to reflect on completed work in such a way that they successfully demonstrate growth in the course. The audience here is key: cover letters are often targeted directly towards the instructor and aim to convince them that the student did indeed learn what they were supposed to. Unlike other reflective forms of writing, the cover letter borders on a hybrid status: it’s primarily reflective, yes, but it must also persuade the audience that something was learned.

This hybrid nature of the cover letter genre can make writing it more challenging than students often assume. The metacognitive aspect of the letter demands that the student monitor their own learning, as well as how certain kinds of knowledge might transfer to other areas; but the persuasive aspect of the letter also expects the student to provide evidence for each point that they make, somewhat akin to a thesis-driven persuasive essay. In fact, as Laurel L. Bower suggests in the Journal of Basic Writing , a compelling letter will employ all of the persuasive appeals, including logos, pathos, and ethos .

Ethos : The student demonstrates care and attention to writing as a craft; and, in the case of research-intensive courses, a dedication to quality sources. The metacognitive reflections throughout the letter also contribute to the image/character of the writer.

Pathos : Cover letters often have an affective dimension , focusing on the extent to which writing is often a deeply emotional form of labor. Persuasive letters will track the student’s experience during periods of hardship and show how they responded.

Logos : Effective letters are persuasive in part because they offer concrete evidence for each point. Any generalization and transferable nugget of wisdom should emerge from a specific experience in the course. Otherwise, the letter can quickly devolve into empty platitudes that simulate reflection without actually demonstrating it. [1]

The main purpose of a cover letter is to persuasively demonstrate the student is familiar with the course outcomes, is aware of the extent to which they practiced them, and can project how those practices contribute to future learning (transfer). However, it’s not uncommon for cover letters to devolve into crude flattery and unconvincing pseudo-reflections, when “students seem more concerned with pleasing the teacher and appealing to his/her set of values than analyzing their priorities and thinking.” [2] To avoid these inauthentic reflections, follow the assignment criteria closely and remember to practice the persuasive appeals above.

Assignment Example: Reflective Cover Letter

Length: 3-4 pages double-spaced, times new roman 12 pt. font.

The Reflective Cover Letter is a vital part of your portfolio. It should be written last, after you’ve completed your revisions. This cover letter is a highly detailed, thoughtful reflection on your work in this class; on your sense of yourself as a writer; on the “learning behind the writing projects” that you’ve done; and on what conscious, deliberate connections you can make to work you will be doing next semester and in your future academic, professional, and/or technical lives/careers.

Imagine that you’re writing for someone who doesn’t know you or your work, and you want to show that person all you can about what you’ve done and written and learned, using your own included drafts and revisions as evidence. This letter is basically an argument, where you—the writer—are aiming to convince the reader that you’ve learned X, and here’s all the evidence. Writing the Reflective Cover Letter gives you the opportunity to look hard at what you’ve done with writing in this class and where you’re going with writing in the future.

Please write this assignment in letter format. You can address the letter to your instructor, and/or to your instructor and your class colleagues. If your portfolio is chosen (at random) to review, other English teachers may read it too. The cover letter provides a lens for anyone reading your portfolio to understand the writing and revision moves you’ve made.

All R/P Cover Letters should address the following at a minimum:

• Discuss what your own expectations were for you as a writer, thinker, and learner at the beginning of 102. How have you grown as a writer (if you have)?
• What are you especially proud of this semester? Why?
• Take us behind the scenes for the two significantly revised essays included here. For each one, discuss:
• What specific changes you’ve made, why, and what the results of those changes are;
• How it demonstrates your ability to write for different audiences and/or purposes. What kinds of decisions do you make? How?
• Your evolving sense of yourself as a researcher, as represented in this portfolio. What kinds of research can you do that you couldn’t do at the beginning of the semester? How is that represented in your portfolio pieces?
• How the process of both giving and receiving peer feedback affected your writing. What did you learn about feedback? How did your experience with peer feedback in this course compare with previous courses?
• How your conception of your writing process(es) have changed this semester. If so, in what ways?
• Consider where you’re headed next as a writer – choose one or two “next places” to make some projections about (this could be next semester’s classes, your major classes, your life, your work). While you won’t likely be given these particular kinds of writing tasks again, what underlying strategies about writing or how to approach writing/research have you learned about in 102 that you’d like to remember for other situations? Why? Assignment Example: Reflective Cover Letter
• The ethos, pathos, and logos approach to Cover Letters is from Bower's article, "Student Reflection and Critical Thinking: A Rhetorical Analysis of 88 Portfolio Cover Letters," Journal of Basic Writing , Vol. 22., No. 2 (Fall 2003), pp. 53-55. ↵
• Bower, p. 60. ↵