Apr 17, 2021 12:45:59 PM by Alejandro C
Apr 17, 2021 01:11:51 PM by Jarrad C
It takes time to get noticed. I opted to be patient, do other things, and update my profile as I went. 75% of my earnings have come in the last 6 months, and I get a couple of invitations a week now. They mostly go nowhere but it's nice to have active interest in my work. When I'm waiting I just keep doing things that will improve interest in my particular set of skills.
Apr 19, 2021 07:13:55 AM by Mikko R
Apr 19, 2021 09:21:01 AM by Alejandro C
From my previous experience in review-based gig sites (I manage an AirBnb property and work with a friend in their Uber Eats business), and the research I did on how the platform works, I know that the probability of being noticed by both the system algorithms and the clients is very low, if I don't get my metrics on par with other freelancers.
I'm currently trying to get on the basic level field with others by having a 100% JSS, a Rising Talent badge and a 5-star review next to my proposals :). The 50$ jobs I'm taking are the most effective way to get there, and even if they indeed are of a very low skill treshold, it takes me max. half an hour to complete them, so they are inside my hourly rate :). Getting my scores with them will at least give my proposals an edge and maybe an opportunity to be opened by the clients I want, so my portfolio is seen by them!
Sadly i'm in no position to go the conservative way of waiting a couple months for my ideal client to risk it and take a look at my profile, when I do not have all their prerequisites (they require at least 1k+ earnings, 100% JSS and at least a Rising Talent badge), let alone finding me through the search function, when the algos just ignore me and from there inviting me for their jobs.... It would take me a year only to get my metrics on par with the competition this way!
Once I get my metrics right, I will stop doing the entry level stuff and will only focus on the market I'm interested in, since I will have a better chance of being spotted by the algos by having more search checkboxes filled by my profile 🙂
Apr 19, 2021 07:33:30 AM by Bev C
It's not you or the platform, it's the current global economy.
Over the past 6 or so months I've put in far more proposals to get work than I did in the past. I've also started bumping into unrealistic clients more often, but I quickly pass them by.
If you want to establish yourself you must keep trying. There's nothing wrong with accepting lower-paid jobs to build up a history because I assume you think your hourly rate is relevant. Also, many freelancers don't only work on Upwork (I earn a separate monthly income from private consulting ) so your earnings might not be an accurate reflection of your total income.
Apply for jobs that look right for you and, where the rate is higher than what you've earned here before, tell the clients what your skills are by providing examples of past work done elsewhere. I really don't think this strategy is wrong for you or that you've done your profile any harm at all.
Just persevere if you think freelancing is for you 🙂
Mar 18, 2023 08:11:42 AM by Kathit P
Hello Alejandro,
After 2 years of this post, I can see things improved on your Upwork profile, actually, I'm going through a similar phase to yours currently. I have sent about 80 proposals but haven't received any good projects yet can you tell me how you managed to keep going in this frustrating time?