The problem everyone has. What to do?

[#1]

The problem everyone has. What to do?

I'm a photo and video editor expert. Besides, I'm very interested in design and thumbnail creation. I have sent many proposals, but the hiring rate is so low. A lot of clients require so much to test my ability. They still complimented me, but in the end, they still couldn't create a working contract (mostly). Now, I have fourteen connections left until the end of the month (in my case, five more days). I must be very picky about which jobs to bid on. I like to keep a little in case a dream job pops up in the next day or two.

What do you do when you encounter this problem? How do you choose where to bid? Do you keep any?

[#2]

Nguyen,

Congrats on joining Upwork! You have done well to have already completed a job especially in your category. You are in a job category with an average number of jobs, but with an extreme amount of competition because this is typically considered an entry to intermediate job. Increasing your skill set to an Expert level is your best chance for longterm freelancing. Thanks!

[#3]

Thank you for your advice, so I will try day by day to improve my skill. On the other hand, is there any job with low competition that makes it easier for me to win a contract?

[#4]

Projects that require many years of education/training/experience have the least competition; there aren't any shortcuts to becoming an expert.

[#5]

Nguyen,

Improving everyday is absolutely the way to go. I am an Expert, however continue to learn new things daily because today's Expert will to be tomorrows Intermediate without improvements.

Do a Google search on "In demand Upwork skills". Have a wonderful day!

[#6]

Aren't you the guy who gives free samples?

[#7]

I found a way to avoid the scam in case of too many testing requirements. I will put a layer of watermark on each product before sending it.

[#8]

It's easy to remove watermarks, and anyway, the concept is the hardest part of a design job. Once you've given away your ideas, they can be easily recreated. There's also the fact that it makes you look unprofessional and desperate when you're willing to work for free. And if clients require a free test, that's against the terms of service and should be reported.

[#9]

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Nguyen T wrote:

What do you do when you encounter this problem? 

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I buy more connects.

[#10]

It is one possible way, but my hire rate is pretty low, so I'll probably buy after understanding why the client doesn't hire me. Can anyone give me advice on this problem? Thanks a lot!

[#11]

Even without considering connects, I have become much more selective when applying for jobs. With the spam and scam freelancers and clients, the number of genuine jobs is much lower than before the Upwork “let anything in policy.”

If I don’t have a good feeling about the legitimacy of the job, I don’t apply. Yes, I have probably passed on actual jobs, but it’s not worth the time and effort on proposals. Even if the job has a history, I don’t need problems, and the scams are becoming a bit more complex.

I keep my connects if I don’t find a job I am qualified for, know I can complete better than most, and there are not 20- 50 or more proposals.

[#12]

Thank you for your advice. Indeed, scams are everywhere. I have encountered quite a few sophisticated scams and have learned my lessons. I need to be more careful and selective

[#13]

Not every skill, hobby, or personal interest is sustainable as a profitable, viable career or job.

[#14]

A lot of clients require so much to test my ability. They still complimented me, but in the end, they still couldn't create a working contract (mostly).

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Prashant made an excellent observation: you have been working for free. And when your samples are tailor-made to the client's requirements, why would they then pay you for it? Unethical? Yes. But too many consider ethics to only apply when it affects how others treat them.

[#15]

I found a way to avoid the scam in case of too many testing requirements. I will put a layer of watermark on each product before sending it. It's sad because human morality is getting worse and worse as it is now. Maybe I need to be more mature and cautious.
Thank you

[#16]

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Nguyen T wrote:

I found a way to avoid the scam in case of too many testing requirements. I will put a layer of watermark on each product before sending it

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Yes, but they can still steal your idea, even though they can't steal your work directly. Don't work for free. It's not good for you, for other freelancers, or for Upwork.

Forget about morality when people are hidden behind the screen. Rely on your common sense and good judgment instead.

[#17]

The client can remove the watermark and use the work directly.

[#18]

So how do I convince the client that I am capable? What should I do when a client asks me to do a test before they decide to make a contract? Scams not only take place from clients but also from many freelancers. Those who cannot afford it can also get free photos from other sources to include in their portfolio. So from the client's point of view, the requirement to test first is not unreasonable

[#19]

You use the same tools we all use. Have a great profile, portfolio and proposals.

[#20]

Yeah, thanks for your advice. Now I am also more careful in submitting proposals and selecting clients.

[#21]

Watermarks are useless, because they are simple to remove.

[#22]

You are still determined to give free samples.

[#23]

This post has nothing to do with this thread, and is simply a general observation:

If I knew about a freelancer who was sending free work before getting hired to clients, and was putting watermarks in the files (or not putting watermarks in the files), I would want that freelancer permanently removed from the Upwork platform.

[#24]

So how do I convince the client that I am capable? What should I do when a client asks me to do a test before they decide to make a contract? I'm new here, so I have many things not known on the Upwork platform.

[#25]

re: "What should I do when a client asks me to do a test before they decide to make a contract?"

These are not real clients.

It is a violation of Upwork TOS for a client to ask a freelancer to work for free.

Those people plan to NEVER pay money to a freelancer. It is like a game to them. They want to get the work done for free.