8 Tips For Getting Started on Upwork: Advice from Experienced Freelancers
Upwork is one of the largest platforms for remote work. It became increasingly popular after the pandemic when people got a taste of the flexibility that comes from working from home. Millions of freelancers use Upwork, and the high volume of competition means securing gigs can be quite overwhelming.
There are many tips and tricks for getting started on Upwork. However, this post highlights 8 tips from Upwork freelancers we have talked to. As part of the Digital Work Group, we have interviewed hundreds of Upworkers from a variety of skills and careers. We asked them how they have been successful on the platform and what advice they would offer to a newcomer on the platform. Here is the best advice that we learned from years of interviews:
1. Build your profile by taking on small jobs
A freelancer who has earned zero dollars and has no work history on Upwork has a significantly smaller chance of getting hired compared to a freelancer who has successfully completed hundreds of jobs. Not only will clients verify the authenticity of the freelancer, but they will also see the type of work the freelancer has done.
No matter your credentials or qualifications, everyone has to start somewhere. Before you start bidding on large jobs, you have to take on smaller (and inherently, lower paying) projects to gain credibility, even if the pay is lower than you want. This may be frustrating at first, but it can serve as an opportunity to test the waters and get to know the platform. Once you have accumulated a good profile with a successful job record, you can start charging clients more for bigger jobs.
2. Write proposals that show your engagement and interest
We received a sea of advice regarding how to write a bid/proposal for a job on Upwork. They seem to have the best results when they research the client before they wrote their proposal. This allows the freelancer to get to know the the client and their needs and then communicate that they has the skills set necessary to deliver this.
We spoke to a graphic design freelancer who lives by this advice. When a client needed a freelancer to create a website, our interviewee took the time to research this employer. She discovered the client’s podcasts on YouTube and mentioned that she subscribed to their channel in her proposal. She was selected for the job, and the client later revealed that out of 50 proposals, her proposal was the only one that mentioned their podcasts! The client felt seen and trusted that the freelancer understood her vision.
3. Bid on jobs that have 10 proposals or less
Writing proposals and job seeking is a large part of a newcomer’s experience on Upwork. If you are having difficulty getting clients to accept your proposal, you may be bidding on jobs that have many other bids. You can find the number of proposals that have been submitted under the job listing. Use this feature to figure out how competitive a job is, and whether or not it’s worth taking time pursuing.
Job seeking can often take up a large chunk of your schedule, so try bidding on jobs that have fewer proposals by filtering for “5–10 proposals” or “less than 5 proposals.” It is likely that your proposal will not even be looked at (let alone considered) when there are 50+ other freelancers who are hungry for the job.
4. Get paid on Upwork for long-term growth
Several freelancers told us about a time when a client offered to pay them through PayPal or Zelle (or some other platform outside of Upwork). This arrangement is beneficial if your goal is to avoid Upwork fees. However, when the transaction is not through Upwork , the job does not appear on the freelancer’s history and the client does not have the opportunity to rate the freelancer. So, it is a missed opportunity to expand your profile and showcase your skills to future employers, who select freelancers based on a successful job history (See Tip 1). Freelancers who agree to this arrangement often feel stuck because it becomes difficult to land another job.
5. Find your niche
Globally, there are about 18 million freelancers on Upwork. With only 12 job categories on the platform, going in too general means more competition. For example, if you want to provide services as a writer, it would be beneficial to find a specific style of writing or topic that broadcasts your mastery (e.g. blog posts about food or children books). Having a particular skill set decreases the competition and helps freelancers look for and secure gigs.
We spoke to a freelance writer who primarily took on a variety of random writing projects. She was invited to write a technical paper about space, and she assumed she attracted the client because she used to work at NASA. She quickly noticed that technical writing draws in a different type of client. Additionally, the competition was not as high because it requires more education and skills, allowing her to charge a higher hourly rate. She found her niche!
6. Know the importance of ratings and reviews
Many freelancers value 5-star ratings and positive reviews on Upwork more than monetary rewards because a good reputation allows for long-term growth on the platform (including badges). Once you are hired, it is crucial to be professional, kind, and consistent. Don’t forget that the feedback you receive on every job affects your profile (and what future gigs you may get).
Being virtual can fog the employer-boss dynamic, but it is important to stray away from casual tones and infrequent communication. Instead, try to make up for the the socially distant evinroment and communicate clearly. Let your client know if you will be busy for a couple days or seek clarification on a task to ensure that they will be satisfied with the end product.
7. Update your profile regularly
When we asked freelancers how often they update their Upwork profile, almost all reply with “not as often as I should.” With that, updating your profile to reflect your most recent and relevant work can only help you! Be sure to include work that you are proud of and would like to continue pursuing in your Upwork career.
8. Do not work for free
Be aware of scammers on the platform. There are various telltale signs that a job is sketchy, with some sneakier than others. You may find a client asking you to sample some of their work to test if they want to hire you the larger project. In reality, the client may have no intention of hiring you later on, and wants you to complete that work for free. Newcomers are especially susceptible to this scam because the client will often look credible and present a job that looks official.
A great response to clients who seek free “samples” or free work could be: “Sure! If we could agree on a flat rate, I would be happy to send samples of my work.” It is likely they will ghost you afterwards, meaning you just avoided a scam!
Takeaway:
Whether you are living off the grid, need to supplement your income, want to work while traveling the world, or looking to expand your client base, freelancing online provides the flexibility to be able to work in a non-traditional arragnement. With this new source of work, there is room for error. Online freelancing is a great resource, as long as you stick with it and overcome the hurdles of a new endeavor. Following these 8 tips from experienced freelancers will help you avoid or overcome some of the obstacles you might encounter as you get started on Upwork or other forms of online freelancing.
Written by Heba Salman
Special thanks to Dr. Isabel Munoz and Clea ONeil for their edits.
