Jan 1, 2023 03:00:10 PM Edited Jul 15, 2024 10:49:08 AM by Jeanne H
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.
Feb 20, 2023 02:25:42 PM by Jeanne H
If you have not, read everything in the top post and follow every link. You need to start at the beginning, and before you send out any more proposals. There are numerous help sections from Upwork through the links to the Academy and other information. Because you are new, you are at risk of being scammed. You must learn the red flags from Wes.
You need to make changes to your profile and portfolio. All of this and more information is at your fingertips. If you don't protect yourself by following the rules, you will be scammed. It's not easy to break into freelancing, and you will likely send a lot of proposals and spend a lot of connects before you land a job.
Feb 27, 2023 02:38:45 AM by Samer B
Hey karen, The best think you can do is make make sure your prfile is complete and read all you can / learn all you can.
Feb 27, 2023 09:59:36 AM by Jeanne H
Karen, you need to read the top post and follow every link. Right now, your profile is only going to attract scammers.
Feb 27, 2023 06:35:16 AM by Mohsin K
Hello
I am interested to join Agency and work for it.
I am certified Quickbooks Online Pro Advisor. I have done MBA In Finance and working as Finance Manager.
Interested Agency are requested to contact please.
Regard
Feb 27, 2023 09:57:39 AM by Jeanne H
Moshin, the community forum is not the place to look for jobs. Please use the jobs feed.
Feb 27, 2023 03:53:12 PM by Achraf O
Absolutely true, and your words means a lot.
As a new freelnacer @Upwork, my primary focus right now is establishing ongoing client relationships, follow the rules and how everything works step by step. Also, accept rejection as part of the job ! ( I GOT A LOT OF REJECTIONS ... LOL)!
So, keep up the motiviation and productivity.
Good luck teamates,
Feb 28, 2023 07:41:40 AM by Seerat F
Dear Jeanne,
Thank you so much for guiding and helping new freelancers to pave their own way.
Feb 28, 2023 07:17:56 PM by Yoshua Yasmin S
Finally, someone who said it all! (Don't blame me for saying "finally", since I have only recently come back to Upwork LOL)
Mar 1, 2023 05:22:58 AM by Abraham P
Thanks Jeanne, I'm new to Upwork and working towards getting my first job, but your post is a great resource. I am sensing so far in my journey here that patience is crucial, and getting all the foundational stuff in place. I like your emphasis on taking responsibility, when I feel frustration taking over it could be easy to slip into victimhood. Now, back to work...
Mar 2, 2023 01:05:10 AM by Osman A
"Similar Jobs" and "Other Jobs" are excellent sources of information.