Maximum usage of being a Freelancer, on the Upwork platform

[michellebrown2]

How do I ensure that I am getting the full benefit from this incredible platform?

[filip_knezevic]

What exactly is the question? I'm kinda confused 🙂

[robin_hyman]

Read, read, read.

Read resources available to new freelancers.

Read other freelancer posts in the community so you have real-world scenarios to refer to when you're in a similar situation.

Read other top-rated freelancer profiles to get an understanding of what attracts clients. 

Then....

Do, do, do

Customize your profile so it stands out.

Write amazing proposals customized to each job post.

Have previous clients off the platform write reviews you can post on your profile.

Create a portfolio of your best work (if applicable).

And keep learning....

[tommydesign78]

I have done these things and yet I have landed no jobs

[robin_hyman]

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Michael Tommy H wrote:

I have done these things and yet I have landed no jobs

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If there was a formula that guaranteed work, we would all be rich. You have to find what works for you. If you don't try, you won't succeed. 

[tommydesign78]

Robin, I hear what your are saying. i'm not talking about getting rich. I'm talking about making money to pay my bills. Currently I'm not making enough to cover the cost of Upwork service. I'm talking about trying to land any jobs on here. On just the numbers, applying for nearly 100 jobs, you'd think you'd land one. Upwork doesn't seem to care about their customers. I am one of them. I've also heard from other who have used this service and they haven't landed one job in 3 months. Not cool. not cool at all.

[geri_kol]

Hi Tommy, I just had a quick look at your profile and if I may suggest a few improvements, perhaps that could help.

First of all, it reads very linear - almost as if you are reciting your professional biography. In my opinion, it needs more character, more spunk. You have good portfolio samples - steampunk, food porn (excuse my French), some impressive oak barrels... so why don´t you think about how you can portray yourself as someone with a sophisticated art taste who can bring a veneer of elegance to client´s projects? Something along those lines. 

Also, instead of going through what *you* have accomplished in your career, talk about what problems you solve. I don´t know what´s a tricky issue to solve in the graphic design world, but you could talk about a specific technique or lens you apply to look at things. You know, something a little off-the-beaten path, something alt, something svelte... just make your profile sound memorable and with character! 

And don´t give up - the beginning is always difficult but once you get your first one or two clients, you will see how much easier it gets. Good luck!

[sergio-soria]

In my opinion, it has nothing to do with a great profile/portfolio, killer proposals, etc. it's mostly about being in the right place at the right time. I have seen top-rated freelancers with a terrible profile/portfolio, and I have seen newcomers getting their first job with just one line in their profile. You need to be persistent, that's for sure, and also to apply only to jobs you know you can do perfectly. Try to avoid vague descriptions, even if they look like a dream job. And no, it doesn't get any better, because it's actually hard to nail jobs by sending proposals. Even top-rated freelancers have ups and downs. The ones that make money are those who have a very exclusive niche or have already a ton (A TON) of jobs done throughout the years, usually with recurring clients.

And I believe that what the original poster meant was if there is something else to be aware of in this platform. For example, there is certain stuff in Upwork that remains "cloudy" such as the "Talent clouds", or how to use the advanced search, things that we discover sooner or later. Even the documentation available is not always clear or complete.

[gina-herrera]

Sergio S wrote:

In my opinion, it has nothing to do with a great profile/portfolio, killer proposals, etc. it's mostly about being in the right place at the right time... The ones that make money are those who have a very exclusive niche or have already a ton (A TON) of jobs done throughout the years, usually with recurring clients.

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^ This is simply not true. I started on here 3 months ago knowing nothing about the platform and my very first month I made about the same amount on Upwork as I did at my fulltime job. It's 100% about effort and how you market yourself.

[a_lipsey]

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Gina H wrote:

Sergio S wrote:

In my opinion, it has nothing to do with a great profile/portfolio, killer proposals, etc. it's mostly about being in the right place at the right time... The ones that make money are those who have a very exclusive niche or have already a ton (A TON) of jobs done throughout the years, usually with recurring clients.

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^ This is simply not true. I started on here 3 months ago knowing nothing about the platform and my very first month I made about the same amount on Upwork as I did at my fulltime job. It's 100% about effort and how you market yourself.

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But marketing yourself isn't necessarily all about your profile (it's how you interact with the client - and you know this because you are doing well). Also, people often write their profiles thinking that they, themselves, are the target audience. They make the mistake of thinking the client is like them. Now, certainly a few of my clients have been like me, but most of them aren't. To great a good profile and proposal, I have to think what it is that they are looking for, what it is they need to hear and see, when they come looking for someone like me.  The biggest mistake I see is people writing their profiles and proposals like they would for an employer, who presumably would know about their field (like a graphic designer applying for a job at an ad agency - they are a similar target audience to the profile owner). But a small business owner looking for graphic design is looking for certain words and phrases (lay speak or layman's terms) that convey what they are looking for. The key is to get into your target client's head and write your profile geared toward them. 

I personally hate my profile, but it works. I get invites, direct contract offers, and plenty of work. I play with keywords and titles and the text content (portfolio means very little for my area of work) and test to see what gets responses and what doesn't. You have to be willing to burn some connects to test out different styles of proposals and profiles to see what connects with your target client base. 

And if you think your client base is everyone, then you know, maybe you'll be successful, but it really works better to think what is the profile of the different clients you'll seek and how can you write your pitch (profile and proposal) to that client so it appeals to them. 

This is why the standard, personalize-each-proposal advice doesn't always work. Because you can customize the proposal to the job, but that doesn't mean you've customized it to the client. 

And I don't mean this all directly at you, Gina. Just speaking generally to the "you" out there. 

[gina-herrera]

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The biggest mistake I see is people writing their profiles and proposals like they would for an employer, who presumably would know about their field (like a graphic designer applying for a job at an ad agency - they are a similar target audience to the profile owner). But a small business owner looking for graphic design is looking for certain words and phrases (lay speak or layman's terms) that convey what they are looking for. The key is to get into your target client's head and write your profile geared toward them. 

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So so true - I definitely utilize some keywords in my packaging design profile that only people seeking experienced package designers would know, but for my regular graphic design profile that is targeting clients looking for logos and such, I keep it VERY simple. I mention what my style is, name drop some brands of note that I have done work for, and describe what kind of experience the client will get with me because approximately 75% of my clients do not know ANYTHING about design, they care more about what looks visually appealing and how I approach their design problem. Also my portfolio is only my best projects in the style of what I enjoy most in order to attract clients that are looking for that same style of design.

Like you said, it might not be my personal taste, but it works - I get around 5 invites a day minimum. At least 50% of them aren't jobs I necessarily woudl ever want, but that's a whole different issue lol. And it is nice to eventually be able to pick and choose 🙂

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You have to be willing to burn some connects to test out different styles of proposals and profiles to see what connects with your target client base. 

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Also true! At the very beginning I took on a few really fast jobs (I'm talking $30 for 5 minutes type of jobs) and then re-invested that small amount into figuring out how the site and proposals and connects work. It's a bit scary at first since even the smallest of cents spent on connects can add up over time, but overall it's worth it if you can interpret the data.

[a_lipsey]

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Michael Tommy H wrote:

I have done these things and yet I have landed no jobs

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You haven't though. Your profile does not stand out. 

[tommydesign78]

thanx for nothing. this platform is a joke

[geri_kol]

Tommy,

I took the time to look at your profile and gave you very specific advice on what you could try to do to increase your chances of success as someone just starting out on Upwork. I was where you are one year ago and now I am a top-rated freelancer in my specific niche. Other people gave you some advice too. And your attitude to our efforts to help is "Thanks for nothing"? Then why bother to come to this forum to rant and complain if you brush off any suggestions? Good luck anyway.

[filip_knezevic]

There is some luck involved in the beggining.