To all freelancers looking for help

[#1]

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. 

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.

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.

[#2]

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...

[#3]

"Similar Jobs" and "Other Jobs" are excellent sources of information.

[#4]

ook , thanks

[#5]

I might need help navigating

[#6]

Can you be more specific? I'm not sure what help you need.

[#7]

Great information to me especially. 

[#8]

Ruth,

Please go to Settings and update to Public so we can see your Profile.

[#9]

Very realistic and practical approach

Appreciated 

[#10]

Mehmond,

Please go to Settings and update to Public so we can see your Profile.

[#11]

hi there, jeanne could you give me a job?

[#12]

Cagatay Mustafa, this is the community forum, and not the jobs feed. No one is going to hire you here. You need to read the post at the top, and read through every link. You have to start at the beginning, or you will be scammed.

You have a lot of work to do and are not ready to apply for jobs. You need a profile, a portfolio, and most of all knowledge as to how to conduct yourself as a self-employed freelancer.

I do not "give" anyone a job. (To the freelancers asking/demanding jobs, money, or other similar, I am not a client, I do not hire. I recommend on a list of pre-vetted freelancers.)

Freelancing is not for everyone. If you think your approach will work, you may need to rethink your freelancing career.

[#13]

It's important for freelancers to approach job hunting with patience, diligence, and a willingness to learn. While it can be tempting to jump into the job search right away, taking the time to build a strong foundation will pay off in the long run.

[#14]

I like this, Very informative. 

[#15]

l want too work for freelacing as a copywriter

[#16]

Michael, you have to start at the beginning. The forum is not the place to look for jobs. Go up to the top of the page and read the post and follow every link. Everything you need to know is in the links, and all through Upwork channels.

If you don't educate yourself on Upwork rules and how scammers function, you will lose time, money, and effort. Because you are new, you are a target. Learn how to protect yourself, because no one, including Upwork, will do it for you.

[#17]

Hello,

Everyone  hope you are doing well I am a new freelancer. Could someone review my profile and support me to upgrade it with your knowledge and expertise? I would be very thankful to you. Have a nice day ! and please help me

thank you all my respected teachers

Mushtaq hussain.

[#18]

Go back to the top of the page and read it, and go through every link. Once you learn the rules, set up a profile, and how to write proposals, then you can learn through the links how to get jobs.  Your portfolio items have descriptions but no work. If you want to be a freelancer, you have a lot of work to do.

[#19]

Hello Dear Jeanne 

Thank you very much for your help.

[#20]

Hi Jeanne, 

I'm new to UpWork and finding it challenging and unresponsive for freelance scientific work. What's the best way to build a client base? 

Best, 
Saba

[#21]

Hi everyone I'm Joseph by name 

I've applied for a lot of proposal but none has contacted me 

Why? I need your help 

[#22]

Hi Joseph,

Thanks for reaching out! I've pulled a few resources that may be helpful to you. Check out these articles to help you create a profile that stands out and improve your profile title and overview. For some great tips on writing proposals that win jobs, check out this article.

Don’t hesitate to visit the  Academy and sign up for upcoming events and webinars to learn more about how you can boost your success on Upwork.

Good luck!

[#23]

Now even connects are more deducted. Maximum 8 no. of connects. This is not good for old and new freelancers

[#24]

Joseph, please go through all the links in the first post. Pay special attention to the post from Wes. If you don’t protect yourself, you will be scammed.  Typing is a flooded category, and you have a lot of competition.

[#25]

how can i get new job.
i am new in upwork.

[#26]

It is really discouraging to see people still asking the same question, over and over again, when all the things they need to know have been written so beautifully and clearly by Jeanne in her original post!