Is starting agency worth it?

[#1]

Hello fellow freelancers, 

I am working on upwork since 4 years now. I am curious now if I should start agency considering I am moving towards building my own consulting firm and thinking to start from upwork. I am curious if starting agency is same as getting on fresh new upwork account? I mean will my agency account benefited from my profile or just a fresh start for agency?

Can I still send proposals and get invites as "individual"? Or being exclusive means I can only work as agency now?

[#2]

Hi Aru,

You will need to set up a separate agency profile and create a team to work with you. As an agency, you'll have the ability to send proposals and receive invites just like you would as an individual freelancer. However, you'll be able to work on larger projects that require more manpower and expertise than you may be able to handle on your own.

Being exclusive to your agency account does not necessarily mean that you can only work as an agency. You can still work as an individual freelancer and send proposals using your personal profile, but you'll need to make sure that your clients understand that you're also part of an agency.

[#3]

I don't think I can work as individual as exclusive member. I found info on it here https://support.upwork.com/hc/en-us/articles/360009646553-Agency-Settings-and-Permissions#:~:text=Ex....

[#4]

Hi Aru,

Thank you for reaching out to us. I would like to clarify that we want you to have the freedom and control to choose how you work on Upwork. One of the ways we facilitate that is by giving you options between working as an independent freelancer, as part of an agency, or as a combination of both.

Agency members who are exclusive work on Upwork only as part of the agency. This is the most common type of agency relationship. Your profile and proposals are branded with the agency to make the agency’s part in the work relationship clear to clients. We pay out all contract payments to the agency.

Agency members who are non-exclusive can work on Upwork independently or as part of an agency. When the contract is with the freelancer as an agency member, we pay out contract payments to the agency. However, for contracts independent of the agency, we pay the freelancer directly. When you are a non-exclusive agency member, you have the option to submit proposals as a freelancer or as an agency member. You can find more information in this help article. 

Additionally, you may want to check this article that may help you with your concern about starting an agency. Feel free to also check this page where you can find more information about agencies on Upwork.