$2M Earned on Upwork. I would love to HELP!

[#1]

Hey Everyone,

I posted this in the newbie group. I can answer newbie questions there,

I can help answer more advanced questions here, I would love to help my fellow freelancers : )

I have been on upwork for 12 years now (previously elance),

I have been on the forums for a couple years but never really participated much,

I figured, what better way than to help others, ask away, some stats below (you can also click to see my profile)

👉 Earned $2 Million+ on Upwork.
👉 Completed 400+ jobs on freelance platforms.
👉 Attained 200+ 5-star reviews.
👉 Worked 40,000+ hours on freelance platforms
👉 Earned a 100% Feedback Rating
👉 Worked with 1,000+ Clients

Thank You - Sam

[#2]

My Pleasure. Good Luck and have a nice week end.

[#3]

 How does one find agencies to work with?

[#4]

Look on upwork, look for clients who post and say they are an agency and they need help on a regular basis. Usually, they like to hire more long term for more consistent work. If you are someone who say does "SEO". I would search for exactly that but also different variations. For example:

1. SEO
2. Search Engine Optimization
3. Google SEO

and so on, you can than read the descriptions and most will say what they are looking for. The good thing about working with other agencies, is that they will provide constant work, this applies to writers, seo, pay per click, designers, etc.

[#5]

Hi Sam,
Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

Please review my profile and suggest. I've completed 4 jobs with 5Star client review , but my job success score shows 62%. I'm confused. What measures should I take to be a top rated freelancer?

What skills tags are appropriate for Content writer, copywriter and Presentation Design?

Should we do sample tests without contract? Some clients are asking for sample works  in addition to the work samples submitted with the cover letter. 

Would appreciate if you could review work samples and comment?

[#6]

Hi Rumana,

Your profile in general looks fine, try not to use to many emoticons. I would keep those down to a minimum. Now, for the 62%, what may have happened here is that you most likely had someone leave you sub-par private feedback. Although you have all 5 star reviews in public, your private reviews also count towards your JSS. That bad private review will fall off with time. For example, Upwork will take your best score based on a rolling 6, 12 or 24 months period, basically which ever one has the best score, upwork will use that. Dont worry to much about it. The goal for you now should be to submit proposals, get clients and make sure that they are 100% happy.

[#7]

Honestly? You think multiple spelling and grammar errors for a Native or bilingual English speaker is fine?

[#8]

That is not fine but also not the end all be all.

1. Developers = Can you code or not. show me

I have hired dozens of developers, 1/2 of them have poor english skills, but they were amazing developers.

2. Designers = Can you design or not, show me. Same as above. I have hired designers who were amazing, poor writing skills

3. Writers - Can you write or now, show me (this is the exception of course, people will READ your profile in full, I think)

Sure, its a perfect world, everyone should have a perfectly written profile, picture, video, etc, but that is not the case. I look at a profile and I try to look at the things which get my attenion quickly. Most clients do not comb through every detail of a profile. they look at the feedback, the jss, the quick blurb, and than they check the samples / portfolio, etc. That is my experience.

[#9]

Hi Sam,

Thanks for your specific feedbacks. Special thanks for opting out to help newbies.

Looking forward to more cooperation in the future.

[#10]

Rumana, My pleasure. Good Luck!

[#11]

Hello Samer,

Can you please check out my profile and give me suggestions that how can i rank my profile on Upwork?

https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~012e54a013b4bde129

[#12]

Hello Samer,

Can you please visit my profile and provide feedback, would highly appreciate your help.

[#13]

Hey Azam,

I had a quick look and in general, your profile looks Great!. I will reply back later today with additional suggestions.

[#14]

Thanks Mate,

The biggest hurdle i am facing is no profiles views no matter what i do, only when i send proposals i get views other than that its all dust.

[#15]

Yes. basically, the main ways people can find you are: 

1. They search upwork for a skill / need and your profile shows up in the list and they click on it.

2. They search any of the search engines and your profile shows up.

3. You submit proposals

4. You advertise your profile on Social Media and other places.

This is the reality, you have to also do some promition if you want profile views outside of the proposals you submit

[#16]

Facebook ads will do? i require no more than 3 clients a month, if lets say spending 10,000 can do the job?

[#17]

Focus on submitting proposals, I would not advertise to much to get people to my profile. Find Jobs that fit your skill set and submit to them, keep doing it. and with time, you will land the right clients.

[#18]

Hey Everyone,

I have been on upwork for 12 years now (previously elance),

I have been on the forums for a couple years but never really participated much,

I figured, what better way than to help others, ask away, some stats below (you can also click to see my profile)

👉 Earned $2 Million+ on Upwork.
👉 Completed 400+ jobs on the platform.
👉 Attained 200+ 5-star reviews.
👉 Worked 40,000+ hours on the platform.
👉 Earned a 100% Feedback Rating
👉 Worked with 1,000+ Clients (in my freelance career in general)

Thank you - Sam

[#19]

Great to have will to help. Specially if it's genuine.

My suggestion would be to share your expertize on random topics people create as they won't bother to check out one in particular.
Most don't bother to search for answer, they just demand it.

*edit:

It's better when we don't spam. No reason to create bunch of same topics.

[#20]

Hey There, Sounds Good. No worries. yes, i am going to start getting a lot more involved as I want to give back : )

[#21]

How thoughtful of you to help the community!

Would you mind giving the TOP 5 SECRETS to long-term success as a TOP RATED FREELANCER?

Specifically dealing with clients.

I'm not sure how people maintain their Top Rated position for so long because it's not necessary for TOP RATED freelancers to satisfy all clients all of the time.

How do they maintain their position?

[#22]

Here is what I would say:

1. Only take on work you can handle (meaning, you are confident in the work you are signing up for)

2. Communication is KEY, this is the MOST IMPORTANT things. If you update clients regularly, it puts them at ease.

3. Continue learning, clients love when you give new ideas, they love when you talk to them about the latest and greatest

4. Client Satisfaction, keep clients happy, they will come back, they will refer you to others and you get more business

5. Long Term Clients, do your best to land long term clients. That is the KEY to a successful freelance career.

[#23]

Supurb!

Your contribution greatly helped me in understanding the process of advancing my freelance profession.

Thank You!

[#24]

That is Great. Feel free to ask any questions here. I am always around to help. Good Luck!

[#25]

Hey Sam!

Would you look over my profile CRITICALLY and tell me why a top-tier customer with a big budget wouldn't want to work with me.

Expecting feedback on my profile that I have yet to receive.

[#26]

Hey Mehwish,

I hope all is well on your end, here are some things to look at: 

1. the video, can  you make a landscpe version (not critcal but can be more professional, i fall short here, no video) : (
2. Fix your headings = 【Ｂｕｓｉｎｅｓｓ　Ｓｅｒｖｉｃｅｓ　Ｗｅｂｓｉｔｅ】
3. The headings above are more of a distraction than anything, I would adjust those.

4. Eventually, You need to improve your JSS, once you get under 90%, people assume that is "bad", i know, its not

5. Did you try to take any certifications that fit your skill set? I would do some and add them, gives you more credibility
6. The $8.00 per hour is OK, I would go a bit higher. Lower is not always better, in my opinion.

These are some quick items that stand out to me, I am sure their are other things you can tweak.