Applying to Tasks

How Applying to Tasks Works on Opengates

When you find a task on Opengates that matches your skills and interests, the next step is to submit an application — also called a proposal. Your proposal is your pitch to the client. It explains who you are, why you are the right freelancer for the job, how you plan to approach the work, and what you will charge.

Applying to tasks on Opengates requires gate keys, which are tokens that you spend each time you submit a proposal. This system ensures that every application is thoughtful and intentional, which benefits both freelancers and clients.

This article explains everything you need to know about gate keys, how to write a proposal that wins, and what happens after you apply.

What Are Gate Keys?

Gate keys are the tokens you use to apply to tasks on Opengates. Every time you submit a proposal to a task, one or more gate keys are deducted from your account. You cannot apply to tasks without gate keys.

Why Do Gate Keys Exist?

Gate keys serve an important purpose in the marketplace. Without them, freelancers could send hundreds of generic, low-effort applications to every task posted. This would make it extremely difficult for clients to find quality freelancers, and it would make the platform less effective for everyone.

By requiring gate keys to apply, Opengates ensures that:

• Freelancers are intentional about which tasks they apply to, leading to higher-quality proposals.
• Clients receive fewer, better applications, making it easier to find the right freelancer.
• Competition is fair, because freelancers cannot spam applications.

How Much Do Gate Keys Cost?

Gate keys are purchased with real money. The cost per gate key varies depending on how many you buy at once — purchasing in bulk is more cost-effective. The exact pricing is displayed in the Gate Keys section of your dashboard when you go to purchase more.

You can think of gate keys as an investment in your freelance business. Each gate key you spend is a bet that your proposal will win the client's trust and lead to a paid contract.

How Many Gate Keys Do You Get?

When you create your freelancer account, you receive a small number of free gate keys to get started. After that, you can purchase additional gate keys at any time.

If you have an Opengates Premium subscription, you receive a larger allocation of gate keys each month as part of your subscription benefits, in addition to any gate keys you purchase separately. This is one of the key advantages of Premium for active freelancers.

Managing Your Gate Keys

You can check your gate key balance at any time from your dashboard. The balance shows how many gate keys you currently have available. Before applying to a task, make sure you have enough gate keys. If your balance is low, you can purchase more from the Gate Keys section.

Because gate keys cost money, use them wisely. Only apply to tasks where:

• Your skills are a strong match.
• The budget is acceptable.
• You can realistically meet the deadline.
• You have a compelling reason to believe the client would choose you.

Writing a Winning Proposal

Your proposal is the most important factor in whether a client chooses to hire you. A great proposal demonstrates that you have read and understood the task, explains how you will deliver value, and gives the client confidence that you are professional and reliable.

The Anatomy of a Strong Proposal

1. Personalized Opening

Start your proposal by addressing the specific task. Reference something from the task description to show the client that you have actually read it and are not sending a generic template.

Good example: "I noticed you are looking for someone to redesign your e-commerce checkout flow to reduce cart abandonment. I have worked on similar projects for two online stores and improved their conversion rates by 15-20%."

Bad example: "Hello, I am a web developer and I would like to work on your project."

2. Relevant Experience

Briefly describe your relevant experience. Focus on work you have done that is similar to what the client needs. Mention specific results or outcomes if possible — clients are much more impressed by "I increased the client's sales by 30%" than "I have 5 years of experience."

3. Your Approach

Explain how you plan to tackle the task. You do not need to write a full project plan, but give the client a sense of your process. For example:

• "I will start by reviewing your current checkout flow and identifying the key friction points."
• "I will deliver two initial design concepts for your feedback before moving to the final version."
• "I will write a first draft, send it for your review, and then make revisions based on your feedback."

This shows the client that you have thought about the work and have a clear plan.

4. Timeline

If the task has a deadline, acknowledge it and confirm that you can meet it. If you can deliver earlier, mention that — it is a competitive advantage.

"Based on the scope described, I can complete this within 10 days, which is well within your 14-day deadline."

5. Professional Closing

End your proposal professionally. Express enthusiasm for the project and invite the client to discuss further.

"I would love to work on this project and am happy to discuss any questions you have. Looking forward to hearing from you."

Proposal Length

Aim for 150 to 300 words. Long enough to be substantive, but short enough to be easily read. Clients often review many proposals, so respect their time.

Common Proposal Mistakes

• Copy-pasting the same proposal for every task. Clients can tell when a proposal is generic. Personalize every application.
• Not addressing the task requirements. If the client asks for specific skills or experience, make sure you address each point.
• Focusing on yourself instead of the client. The client cares about how you will solve their problem, not your life story.
• Typos and grammar errors. Sloppy writing suggests sloppy work. Proofread your proposal before submitting.
• Being too vague. "I can do this" is not convincing. Explain specifically how you will do it.

Attaching Portfolio Samples

When submitting your proposal, you can attach portfolio samples — examples of your previous work that are relevant to the task. Portfolio samples are one of the most powerful tools you have, because they give the client concrete proof of your abilities.

Tips for Choosing Samples

• Relevance over quantity. Attach 2-3 samples that are closely related to the task, rather than dumping your entire portfolio. If the task is about mobile app design, show mobile app designs — not logos or websites.
• Quality matters. Only show your best work. One outstanding sample is better than five mediocre ones.
• Explain the context. If the platform allows you to add notes to each sample, briefly explain what the project was and what your role was.
• Keep files organized. Name your files clearly (e.g., "ecommerce-redesign-case-study.pdf" instead of "final-v3-updated-2.pdf").

Setting Your Bid

When you apply to a task, you will be asked to set your bid — the amount you are willing to do the work for. This may be the same as the client's posted budget, or it may be different.

How to Set a Competitive Bid

• Consider the scope of work. Estimate how many hours the task will take and multiply by your desired hourly rate.
• Factor in the platform fee. Remember that Opengates charges a 12% fee (or 7% if you have Premium). If you want to take home $500, you need to bid approximately $568 on the standard plan, or $538 with Premium.
• Be realistic. Bidding too low to undercut the competition can backfire — clients may assume cheap work means low quality. Bidding too high may price you out of consideration.
• Check the client's budget. If the client's budget is $300-$500 and you bid $2,000, you will almost certainly not be selected. Stay within or close to the stated range unless you have a very compelling reason to go higher.

Fixed-Price vs. Hourly Bids

Some tasks are set up for fixed-price contracts, while others are hourly. Your bid should reflect the contract type:

• Fixed-price: Your bid is the total amount for the entire project.
• Hourly: Your bid is your hourly rate. The total cost depends on how many hours you work.

How Clients See Your Application

Understanding what the client sees when they review your application can help you craft a better one. When a client opens their list of proposals for a task, they see:

1. Your profile picture and name. A professional photo and a clear name make a strong first impression.
2. Your bid amount. This is one of the first things clients compare.
3. Your proposal text. The client reads your full proposal.
4. Your portfolio samples. Attached samples are displayed alongside your proposal.
5. Your profile rating and reviews. If you have completed previous contracts, your average rating and number of reviews are visible.
6. Your profile summary. A brief version of your bio appears alongside your proposal.
7. Your skills. The skills listed on your profile are shown so the client can confirm you have the required expertise.

Clients typically shortlist a few freelancers, then may send follow-up messages or request clarifications before making their final decision.

What Happens After You Apply

After submitting your proposal:

1. You wait for the client's response. This can take anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on the client.
2. The client may message you. Some clients ask follow-up questions or request a brief call. Respond promptly and professionally.
3. You may be hired. If the client selects you, a contract is created and you can begin working.
4. You may not hear back. Unfortunately, not every proposal leads to a hire. If you are not selected, you will not be notified in all cases. The gate keys you spent are not refunded.
5. The task may be closed. If the client fills the position or cancels the task, it is removed from the marketplace.

Improving Your Success Rate

Track which proposals get responses and which do not. Look for patterns:

• Do personalized proposals perform better than shorter ones?
• Are you more successful in certain categories?
• Do clients respond better when you include specific portfolio samples?

Use these insights to refine your approach over time.

Still need help? Contact our support team and we'll be happy to assist you.