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.
Sep 6, 2023 08:26:19 PM Edited Sep 6, 2023 08:45:43 PM by Radia L
Sorry for the laugh in the other post.
IMO your profile is fine. My suggestion is to keep reading the forums to familiarize yourself with the current situation (and the people) here. Getting job is generally hard right now, but we see evidence that it's probably not for new freelancers. Upwork also confirms that they're rotating the 'chance to get work'.
You don't need to change your name if that's the one you use in real life. It could potentially lead to ID verification and bank withdrawal problems.
Sep 7, 2023 03:41:08 AM by Dandan Z
Thank you for the response. In reality, my name is in Chinese characters, so I'm afraid it may not be displayed here
Sep 7, 2023 03:11:19 PM by Jeanne H
I can see you have worked on your profile. Good for you. However, it can still be improved. You have to find a way to grab the client's attention with the first two sentences. Instead of telling the client about your skills, tell them what amazing things you can do with those skills.
If you don't know the Terms of Service and understand them, read again until you do or ask questions here. Please use the post at the top. It contains all the information you need to be safe and successful. Pay special attention to the Red Flags on scams from Wes.
Sep 7, 2023 05:39:17 PM by William T C
Yahya,
Please set your Profile to Public so we can view and Review it.
Sep 10, 2023 12:31:49 PM by Jeanne H
This thread is not about reviewing profiles. There is a thread for that. Unfortunately, no one seems to use it, except for a couple of dedicated freelancers who respond.
Sep 10, 2023 06:12:49 PM by Jeanne H
First, you need skills. Go back to the top article you skipped over, and read it and follow every link. You can start your profile with a real picture. Pay special attention to the Terms of Service and the Red Flags from Wes.
Sep 10, 2023 09:00:06 PM by Faraz A
Dear Brhance:
You can work on your profile, keep it updated.
Regards.
Sep 13, 2023 11:43:56 AM by William T C
Goodness,
Please complete your Profile by clicking on the Academy link above for ideas.
Sep 13, 2023 12:03:09 PM by Jeanne H
Goodness, you literally have no profile. You can't start trying to work because you will be scammed. Freelancing means you need marketable skills, and money to run your business. If you don't have those, you should seek employment. Too many people have spent their last dollars desperately trying to get jobs here.
If you want to freelance, you have a great deal of work to do, starting with developing skills. Without skills people will pay you for online, you will only lose money. I'm not trying to be mean; I'm trying to help you see the reality. That's the best way to help you.
Read the top post - it has every Upwork resource, plus excellent advice from Wes on scams. Freelancing is not easy and demands people run their own business without help from Upwork or any platform. Freelancing means you are completely on your own for getting and completing jobs.
Take a step back and look at the skills you have. Can you use them online? How much will it cost to look for jobs? How much will it cost to complete jobs? All this and more must go into your decision to freelance or be an employee.
Sep 13, 2023 12:40:16 PM by John B
Sure it's a two-way street, but how about Upwork does a better job of monitoring the platform?
Don't allow ads/posts from;
People that pay $5 fixed price - everyone deserves a living wage.
People that have below a 50% hire rate
People that give one sentence or AI generated excessive job descriptions
There's so much more... Upwork really can do so much better
How about giving us a block button so we don't have to see jobs or any future posts from crap employers?
John
Sep 13, 2023 01:17:49 PM by Jeanne H
People that pay $5 fixed price - everyone deserves a living wage.
I think it's an excellent idea to raise fees for many freelancers. However, there are clients who won't pay more. The platform, pre let everyone in, had its share of dirt cheap jobs, but not like it is now. And then Upwork lowers fees on small jobs, while simultaneously raising them on higher earning jobs? And, unfortunately, many clients don't care about quality and know you get what you pay for. That's why it feels like 5 v rrr here.
People that have below a 50% hire rate
No. What if they are new? What if they haven't been able to find a decent freelancer? That would rule out some great clients. Terrible idea.
People that give one sentence or AI generated excessive job descriptions
Agreed! I'm not sure if there is a solution, but I like the idea.
How about giving us a block button so we don't have to see jobs or any future posts from crap employers?
Again, the idea is great but problematic.
Sep 13, 2023 07:53:39 PM by Archimedes A
Good morning, i cannot access my old account because i cannot access my old email address. how can i retrieve my old upwork account. Hope you can help me
Sep 13, 2023 10:17:20 PM by Pradeep H
Hi Archimedes,
Could you please click on my name above this post and send me a private message with the registered email address for your old account?
- Pradeep
Sep 13, 2023 10:20:00 PM by Abdulwadud M
Hi
Can put me through some step,I will be happy if you can.
Thank you sir
Sep 14, 2023 01:21:14 AM by Pradeep H
Hi Abdulwadud,
Could you please clarify your questions further?
- Pradeep
Sep 14, 2023 05:18:19 AM by Shariah Z
Sep 14, 2023 07:20:56 AM by Annie Jane B
Hi Shariah,
When you spend Connects for submitting proposals, you are investing in what could potentially lead to long-term projects. You have the option to buy Connects but we suggest that you spend them wisely by only submitting proposals to jobs that best fit your experience and skillset.
You may also consider joining an agency, that way you are collaborating with the agency owner in looking for a job using the Connects from their agency.