Getting Discouraged

cliff19 · ‎04-23-2018

I must be doing something wrong, but I can't figure out what it is. According to my "Stats" I've applied for 78 jobs in the last 90 days. My profile has been viewed about 3 or 4 times a week (that's considered average). But I've been interviewed and hired at rates that are substantially below average.

If anyone has any advice or suggestions on how I can improve my conversion rate I would appreciate it very much.

Thanks,

Cliff

mwiggenhorn · ‎04-23-2018

Here's my suggestion for what it's worth. Initially, the client sees the first two lines of your profile. Go right into your specialty of product photography. You can highlight your years of experience further down.

Same thing with your proposals. Initially, only the first couple of lines are shown. Be sure you use that valuable real estate to address what the client is looking for and how your years of expertise can fill that need.

cliff19 · ‎04-23-2018

Thanks Mary. I'll keep that in mind.

Cliff

lizablau · ‎04-23-2018

My suggestion is to replace the word "Small" with "Expert" in your tagline.

financemark · ‎04-23-2018

Cliff,

Your photos are great --- your rate is too high!

Seems that you've discovered that UW is a race to the bottom ---- of price. This is a global community of desperate people who all compete on price. And, b/c $1US is worth 18 trillion bazillion (insert Indian Currency Name Here) -- you won't get much love from cheap clients sourcing their photography needs to every third-world toilet bowl on earth.

Further, for the most part, the clients here are:

1. Cheap

2. Flakey

3. Often Corrupt

4. Extremely Discourteous

5. Disloyal to the Extreme

BUT, if you find a US-based client list - you might do ok. The key is to find US clients who want quality -- very difficult to do, but it is possible.

cliff19 · ‎04-23-2018

Thanks Lisa and Mark,

I've submitted a lot of proposals over the last year- I'm guessing about 200 - and I've got two jobs. Both of them were great clients though. If I could only get a few more I would be happy, but the time I spend writing proposals might be better spent on more traditional marketing. That's what I'm trying to figure out.

Thanks again,

Cliff

mwiggenhorn · ‎04-23-2018

Upwork doesn't necessarily work well for all types of experts. As a paralegal, I find very, very few jobs to apply to and loads of cheaper "real" attorneys (or so they say) grabbing them with their low rates. I have found, however, that as I've raised my rates, the quality of my clients has also improved. So - less work, same money in my pocket.

jcullinan · ‎04-23-2018

@Mark K wrote:
Cliff,
Your photos are great --- your rate is too high!
Seems that you've discovered that UW is a race to the bottom ---- of price. This is a global community of desperate people who all compete on price. And, b/c $1US is worth 18 trillion bazillion (insert Indian Currency Name Here) -- you won't get much love from cheap clients sourcing their photography needs to every third-world toilet bowl on earth.
Further, for the most part, the clients here are:
1. Cheap
2. Flakey
3. Often Corrupt
4. Extremely Discourteous
5. Disloyal to the Extreme

BUT, if you find a US-based client list - you might do ok. The key is to find US clients who want quality -- very difficult to do, but it is possible.

This might describe some clients, but it is certainly not an accurate assessment of the majority of clients on this platform. There are plenty who want quality and have a hard time finding it, so they're willing to pay accordingly. The "race to the bottom" only applies if you fall for it.

I think your rate is perfectly appropriate, Cliff, but that you might think about screening the jobs you apply to more carefully for a better success rate. Look for the diamonds, and focus on them, in addition to Mary's very good advice.

mtngigi · ‎04-23-2018

@Mark K wrote:
Cliff,
Your photos are great --- your rate is too high!
Seems that you've discovered that UW is a race to the bottom ---- of price. This is a global community of desperate people who all compete on price. And, b/c $1US is worth 18 trillion bazillion (insert Indian Currency Name Here) -- you won't get much love from cheap clients sourcing their photography needs to every third-world toilet bowl on earth.
Further, for the most part, the clients here are:
1. Cheap
2. Flakey
3. Often Corrupt
4. Extremely Discourteous
5. Disloyal to the Extreme

BUT, if you find a US-based client list - you might do ok. The key is to find US clients who want quality -- very difficult to do, but it is possible.

It's posts like yours that make me grateful for the great clients I've found and worked with who have none of those attributes.

cliff19 · ‎04-23-2018

I would like to thank everyone who replied. There's a lot of good advice in this thread. I'm going to make some changes to both my profile and my proposals.

Cliff

petra_r · ‎04-23-2018

@Virginia F wrote:
@Mark K wrote:

Further, for the most part, the clients here are:
1. Cheap
2. Flakey
3. Often Corrupt
4. Extremely Discourteous
5. Disloyal to the Extreme
It's posts like yours that make me grateful for the great clients I've found and worked with who have none of those attributes.

It's posts like Mark's which explain the concept of "self-fulfilling prophecy."

😉