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

[virtualbrix]

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

[7b03e100]

Hi Samer, thanks for wanting to help, I was on upwork for a very short time two years ago, and now I came back a month ago... I started building my profile and educating myself with the intention of staying and making this work for me.  I'm fine knowing that it takes some time and work to be truly successful, but lately I've been a little discouraged reading on the forum some freelancers with good income and badges saying they can't get jobs anymore... Beyond the cost of connects, there seems to be an issue with the way Upwork connects clients and freelancers... you don't seem affected by this... why do you think this is?

[virtualbrix]

Hey Paula, we are all affected, one way or another. The goal is to make sure that your profile is in really good shape and than go after the jobs (yes, you will need to spend a LOT of connects). I look at it as a volume game, meaning, if you have to submit to 100 job posts to get 1 client, it might be worth it, let me give you an example,

If you submit to 100 jobs, lets assume its 16 connects on average per job, that would be 1,600 connects.

The cost of $240 would cover the 100 Job Submissions. Now, this assumes that the average job is 16 connects (roughly)

This is what most people do not understand, its PAY to PLAY (yes, upwork has changed a lot, some bad, but mostly good).

With that said, if your client pays $1,000 a month and you keep a client around for 6 months, that is $6,000 (-10% fees, its $5,400). So basically, even if it took $400 to get that client, you are still up $5,000. Yes, this assumes the client sticks around for 6 months, this assumes they pay $1,000 a month BUT, the above is just an example. This model may not work for anyone who is looking for one-off jobs, it works in my industry which is marketing (more specifically, where clients pay a monthly fee for me to manage their PPC (pay per click) accounts.

[camburn]

What if you paid the 240 and still no jobs? Do we get a refund?

[virtualbrix]

No, that is part of the platform, you bid, you win, than great, if not, you keep trying.

[virtualbrix]

I hope that was helpful, you CAN make it work, you need to stick to it, get clients, make them happy, build a reputation and work up the chain where the bigger clients trust you more and more. 

[7b03e100]

It is helpful... thank you for your time 🙂

[virtualbrix]

My Pleasure, feel free to reach out, I am always here to help and Good Luck!

[virtualbrix]

My pleasure, keep me updated on how things go.

[azeembh]

Hi,

Can you provide feedback on my profile. Please guide how can I get referrals from other freelancers?

[virtualbrix]

Hey Azeem, I will have a look

[virtualbrix]

Hey Azeem,

I had a quick look and here are the things that I see: 

1. Add a video if you can, it gives the profile a personal touch (i need to do this also)

2. I feel like your introduction and description is to long, make it short and simple, keep it clean.

3. I feel like you choose to many programming languages, why not just focus on a couple of them?

4. For some reason, your portfolio images are not loading, can you check that out?

5. Great job on adding the Microsoft certifications, do you have any additional ones that you can link up?

6. I see you have no reviews but you can get testimonials by inviting others you have worked with.

[virtualbrix]

Feel free to reach out here if you have any additional questions

[virtualbrix]

Let me know if you have any additional questions. thx

[virtualbrix]

I hope the above was helpful.

[virtualbrix]

I am always around to help, if anyone has any additional questions, put them here.

[virtualbrix]

Some reminders for everyone: 

1. Make sure you read all the rules

2. Read the forums / watch YouTube videos, read all you can and learn

3. Make sure your profile is strong and complete

4. Do all you can to get some smaller jobs, do great work and hopefully you get some good reviews in return

5. Submit Proposals, lots of them... (I am personally not a fan of boosting)

6. Do Great work, continue to learn and communication is always KEY with clients

[virtualbrix]

If anyone has any additional questions or needs help, feel free to put them here.

[944f3344]

I'm a newbie I need help on how to earn on upwork

[m_terrazas]

There are many things to correct in your profile.
The photo, let it be of your face, let it look good.
The title, look for one that defines your skills. It's just that you're not very specific.
The presentation. Is it an AI text? It seems like it. Bad, especially because you're supposed to be a writer. It also doesn't let you know your real level of English.
You are losing the first two lines, which are the only things the client sees without opening your profile. You don't have to say hello or say your name or what you do. Customers can already see that. You must hook them with those two lines.
I leave you two threads for you to read, everything, links included:
- https://community.upwork.com/t5/Freelancers/To-all-freelancers-looking-for-help/m-p/1230482#M734358

- https://community.upwork.com/t5/Community-Blog/Top-Red-Flags-for-Scams-From-Community-Member-Wes-C/b...

ETA.- Portfolio.

[virtualbrix]

thx for jumping in!

[5ba522ee]

Hi,
Yes I well noted and will revise thereafter , I appreciate for your
valuable advice.
Best Wishes
Dong Pham

[virtualbrix]

Great and Good Luck!

[virtualbrix]

Let me know if i can help you in any way.

[655be748]

Very detailed reply. Nice 

[virtualbrix]

Hey Faraz,

I had a quick look and here are some suggestions: 

1. Add a video if you can, not many do it so it will help.

2. The title you are using is way to long, I would make something shorter

3. Something like "IT Help Desk Expert"

4. Great Job on the Reviews and the JSS. They look great. Keep it up.

5. Certifications also look great!

6. In general your profile looks awesome, you just need to submit proposals and keep clients happy.

[virtualbrix]

Hey Adama, I will have a look at your profile.

[655be748]

Dear Samer B. 

Nice Motivation for me. Can you review my profile as well?

Which sections can be improved?

Thanks in advance.

[virtualbrix]

Let me know any additional questions you have. I hope my feedback helped.

[rasel391]

Great achievement! Best of luck.

[virtualbrix]

I appreciate you

[485bc417]

That's very generous of you supporting Freelancers.

So I'm making my transition to Upwork. I really believe their is opportunity. I have been putting together my portfolio and requesting testimonials from clients, to establish that trust for other clients to work with me.

I would appreciate it if you take a look at my profile, as you see I have added some projects so clients can take a look at the work I deliver.

Thanks again.

[virtualbrix]

No worries. I will have a look

[camburn]

Sure, you can send me the link.

[virtualbrix]

Hey Rawad,

I had a quick look, some quick observations: 

1. You can always add a video if you would like.

2. For the title, I would use something different than wellness based because most people wont search that

3. The portfolio looks good, as a designer, the more the better

4. Because you lack reviews, the more testimonials you get, the better

5. For certifications, Upwork does allow you to add 2 there, but they also have some official ones you can take / add

6. Submit proposals and get small clients at the start, do a good job, get reviews and keep doing that.

[virtualbrix]

Feel free to add any additional questions.

[virtualbrix]

If anyone has any additional questions, feel free to put them here.

[5151a1af]

Hi, Samer! Thank you for reviving this post. 

I recently tried to optimize my profile in a bid to get more invites and views, but it hasn't converted so far. Would you please take a look at it and point out areas that might need improvement and stuff like that?

Thank you so much 

[virtualbrix]

Sure, I will check it out here in the next couple days.

[5151a1af]

Hi, Samer! Dropping a reminder for the profile review. 

Thank you so much 

[virtualbrix]

This is on my list, I will get back to it shortly, give me a couple days.