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Jeanne's avatar
Jeanne H Community Member

To all freelancers looking for help

I have always had freelancers come to me for help. In the last year, the river has swelled into an enormous ocean.

 

You don't need me; Upwork provides an enormous amount of information that few ever use. If, after you have gone through all the information I provide, you still have questions, that is when you ask additional questions in the forum.

 

If you think you will make big bucks right away, you are mistaken. The majority of freelancers never land a job because they have no skills and aren't interested in educating themselves. Others believe online freelancing is a path to full-time employment. It can be, but highly unlikely on this platform.

 

Freelancing is not for everyone. It means you are self-employed and must adhere to all regulations and laws governing responsibilities, such as paying taxes. Freelancing means you are on your own. No one has your back, including Upwork. If you don't follow the rules, no one will or can help you.

 

If you are willing to work hard, follow the rules and prepared to spend a lot of connects and proposals, you can be successful, as many are on Upwork. While so many fail, it is almost always due to lack of skills and treating freelancing like employment  where the employer will make sure you do the job correctly.

 

If you want to succeed, start with the Terms of Service, then read this from Wes. 

 

Then go here. Then here.  Next, check this site regularly for events such as webinars and other learning opportunities.

After that, go here for safety information, and then here. If you still need help, after you have gone through all the previous steps, you can find additional help here. This thread is dedicated to new freelancers. And here are announcements from Upwork that can help keep you up to date.

 

It will take some time to go through all the information. I'm not suggesting people should not post in the forum, I am suggesting before you ask questions and want help, you need to help yourself first.

 

 

From Prashant P: "And have relevant profile picture of your face.  Not some desks, or Mickey mouse, or full face covering." 

From Susan S: "And patience! Have patience! It takes a while to get started, even after going through all the information available."

From Martina P:  "Only one thing you forgot, namely telling people to use all 15 skills, if you have all 15 skills"

And with advice from Maria T, I will say, 

Refrain from personal messages, please read all the links I have added.

 

 

1,962 REPLIES 1,962
Jeanne's avatar
Jeanne H Community Member

Use the post at the top to learn about freelancing and how to avoid scams. Learn about vetting clients and how to write an excellent profile and proposals.

Mehwish's avatar
Mehwish S Community Member

Thanks 

Seifesilasse's avatar
Seifesilasse H Community Member

How can Iget The Upwork tick Ms.?

Lala's avatar
Lala R Community Member

You'll get it after they verify your ID, which they will do after you get some jobs. Verifying everyone immediately is not efficient from where they stand.

Ashi's avatar
Ashi K Community Member

Ok

Samer's avatar
Samer B Community Member

Great Post!

Gift's avatar
Gift O Community Member

Hi, after some time away from upwork after the pandemic, due to my full-time employment, I have wholeheartedly decided to get my upwork freelancing career back on track. I have updated my profile including my profile catelog, overview, as well as added recent portfolio projects.

Although I've begun applying for new jobs, it would be great to maybe get a referral to any copywriting or content writing jobs, probably one you're too occupied to execute. 

Jeanne's avatar
Jeanne H Community Member

I do not know what you mean by a job referral. All you need to do is go through the job feed.

 

The only time I recommend another freelancer for a project is when I personally know them very well as far as skills. And even then, the freelancer is on their own to apply.

Bettye's avatar
Bettye U Community Member

"The only time I recommend another freelancer for a project is when I personally know them very well as far as skills."

---------

That is precisely what I said to the requests made to me from strangers asking me to recommend them once Upwork implemented referrals...

OLUCHUKWU's avatar
OLUCHUKWU N Community Member

There's a job  referral option on upwork, one can access the features when you are invited to submit a proposal.

Imran's avatar
Imran L Community Member

hello my name is imran i am anew freelancer please chek my potforio and give feed back

Christine's avatar
Christine A Community Member

You need to write your overview in your own words and create your own portfolio pieces, or you won't get hired by anyone. I suggest taking some design courses and then returning to Upwork when you're ready.

Arinze's avatar
Arinze E Community Member

Hello ma'am

Good day I'm new to upwork and freelance in general, but i have been working as a graphic designer for 2 years now and still learning as well, ma pls could take a look at my profile and give me some feedback it will really really help me a lot.

Thanks 

Jeanne's avatar
Jeanne H Community Member

Go through the links in the post at the top. There are links to the various Academy courses which will help you learn what you need to do to stay safe and how to land jobs. Being new, you are at high risk of being scammed, so it's essential you know all the rules and what will happen if you don't follow them. Scammers target new and inexperienced freelancers.

 

Although you may have great skills, it usually takes time to transition to online freelancing. For many, it is like starting over. You will likely put in a lot of proposals and spend a lot of connects before landing your first job. That's the reality for anyone joining now.

Sofiane's avatar
Sofiane G Community Member

Upwork has turned into a pay-to-get-hired platform now. Well... Except many freelancers don't get hired anymore, since the new platform updates. Connects to send a proposal have increased by +100%. It's very hard to continue working with upwork. Many freelancers are planning to leave the platform.

Jeanne's avatar
Jeanne H Community Member

Upwork has turned into a pay-to-get-hired platform now.

 

I disagree. There are issues, including allowing anyone to be a freelancer if they can buy connects. However, any platform has fees. Freelancing in the physical world has costs. If the return is poor or no jobs are available, it only makes sense to have other options. Everyone, no matter how good things are going, should always have a backup plan, or two, or three and other ways or places to make money.

Francis's avatar
Francis H Community Member

Absolutely agreed!

Md Billal's avatar
Md Billal H Community Member

@Jeanne H Right, everyone should have a back plan to survive smoothly.

Muhammad's avatar
Muhammad E Community Member

Hey! I have great experience with Local Market Clients Now just move to upwork and ready to start, is there anything you can suggest me how i can move my previous clients to upwork better ways?

Muhammad's avatar
Muhammad S Community Member

I will honestly say that if you're are new to your field and doing freelancing.it will make mess. First you have to get some real experience on other platforms or onsite jobs for at least one year then you will not get more headache 😨 in freelancing 

Muhammad's avatar
Muhammad I Community Member

Hi Imran L, you need to learn some more skills like other freelancers in Upwork and add them also you have to make/add your attractive portfolio in your profile in this way, hopefully, you will be hired for projects.  

William T's avatar
William T C Community Member

Hey Jeanne, good reminders for everyone!

Martina's avatar
Martina P Community Member

Thanks! Why don't you use all 15 skills, yet tell everyone to do it?

Christopherson's avatar
Christopherson G Community Member

Hey,

It's great to see these important links, I'm new here and felt lost, but I'll keep looking and stay informed

One of the admins should pin that post because it's very helpful for new freelancers.

Martina's avatar
Martina P Community Member

Excellent post, Jeanne H! Only one thing you forgot, namely telling people to use all 15 skills. Thanks!