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]

Mehul,

Please complete your Upwork Profile. Click the Academy link on the top of this page for instructions and  helpful tips.

[#3]

Hello.



I am not a newbie here on Upwork anymore and I've completed 02 Jobs and
have worked for 05 Hours - but nowadays I am not able to get any jobs even
after the client has viewed my proposal! I know my JSS isn't that good but
it used to be when it was 90% but just because of a few client(s) - it went
down.



I understand that clients needs someone who has a good JSS score so they
choose the ones who have a very good JSS but then how will the freelancers
with a low JSS get work? I've applied for low paying jobs but still no
response!



I am really frustrated as I've the habit of working continuously on Upwork
- it might be tiring but I really enjoy it! Can anyone please help? Does
anyone have small projects to work on atleast? It's a guarantee - I won't
disappoint anyone!

[#4]

Maliate,

Please complete your Upwork Profile by following the Academy link at the top of this page. Currently it has nothing on it.

[#5]

I am not a newbie here on Upwork anymore and I've completed 02 Jobs and
have worked for 05 Hours - but nowadays I am not able to get any jobs even
after the client has viewed my proposal! I know my JSS isn't that good but
it used to be when it was 90% but just because of a few client(s) - it went
down.

Then where is your profile? You have no photo, no profile, at all, nothing. There is no trace of a job, nothing. You don't have any jobs.

Did you have another profile you abandoned because it was bad, or did you lose your account? You have some explaining to do.

By the way, two jobs and five hours is meaningless.

Your profile and no jobs are the problem.

Why would any client even consider you?

So, what is reality here?

[#6]

This is a big "You are welcome!!!" to all the wonderful people who have been gracious, courteous, and sent lovely messages thanking me.

I don't have the time, or want to distract from the information to post every time someone thanks me, but I do read each and every one, and I appreciate them all! The best way to thank me is to take the information and advice and use it to be safe and successful!

Thanks for all the kind messages!

Jeanne H

[#7]

Dear Jeanee H:

You have gained a nice reputation on this plateform and you have acheived a good mile stone. Can you guide me as well so that I can also have repution like you ? 

As you are on the top of freelancer thread.

Your suggestions will be helpful for me ??

Regards.

[#8]

Writing countless posts saying "I agree", "thanks for the information", etc. will NOT help anybody's reputation. By the way, why do you want reputation? You will not pay your bills through reputation. I would suggest you focus on work instead. And maybe spell correctly the name of the person you are addressing.

[#9]

You are right Elisa, Liked your comments related to spells, Sorry for that.

[#10]

Thanks Samer!

[#11]

Edited because Jeanne didn't finish writing:

For everyone's information, IF, and I put the emphasis heavily on IF, you wish, you can edit your post.

[#12]

Faraz,

Congrats on joining Upwork! For a new freelancer you have a great start on your Upwork Profile. Next, focus on writiing a Cover Letter that is 100 words or less and only submit to jobs that are an exact match to your profile so you can become a Best Match. 

Feel free to view other profiles of people that interact with you in this thread to see some do's and don'ts.

[#13]

Thanks William for your nice guidance, I will follow the instructions:

[#14]

You are welcome William:

[#15]

Next, focus on writiing a Cover Letter that is 100 words

The proposal must be tailored to the job. Some jobs may be fine with 75 words, while others may require significantly more. Because every job and client are unique, every proposal, too, should be unique.

Feel free to view other profiles of people that interact with you in this thread to see some do's and don'ts.

I never tell freelancers to view other freelancer's profiles because of those very issues. There is no way for inexperienced freelancers to tell who knows what they are talking about. I have seen all kinds of incorrect and wrong behavior even with people who are top rated, and have made lots of money. It's amazing how many people can make money with terrible proposals. So, I don't recommend anyone using another person's profile at all.

[#16]

Faraz, you have been given a ton of help from other freelancers.
As I said in my post, you don’t need me. You can’t compare your success with mine. Everyone has a different idea of success, and what they will do to get there.

My experience will be difficult to replicate, as with everyone. And no one should try. I have always loved learning, wanted formal and other education in many areas, and worked and volunteered in a wide variety of places with different organizations, people, set-ups, and businesses.

You are the best one to determine the course of your career. Seeking advice is a good idea, but it’s best to look at everything objectively, meaning that you consider advice and training, but don’t be locked in to any one way of doing things, unless it’s the rules. I tell people to consider advice like handpicking cherries, not harvesting tons of corn with a giant machine.

How did I achieve a good reputation here, and in other places? There are many factors. I arrived here with stellar testimonials from numerous happy clients. It really didn’t matter here; it was like starting over and I had to put in 30+ proposals before being hired. I earned my standing by having excellent marketable skills, knowing my level of skills to apply to appropriate jobs, understanding how to conduct myself in self-employed business, and treating every job as the most important I will ever do. That does not mean I allow clients to dictate the contract.

As you are on the top of freelancer thread.

The reason I have a post pinned to the top is because Upwork thought it would be helpful. I was not contacted by them and I had nothing to do with it being pinned. It has nothing to do with my profile or "success." I created the post because the number of people I was helping privately became unmanageable. So, in order to help more people, I created the post with all the Upwork resources, and the excellent point on scams from Wes. While I am very pleased it is helping so many people, it is there for that purpose - helping.

Your suggestions will be helpful for me ??

Well, that's up to you. You have received a tremendous amount of help from other freelancers, and hopefully you have read and are subscribed to the Upwork posts about resources, new events and releases.

Yes, read, learn, listen, and consider advice. Whether the length of your proposal or paragraphs in your profile, you must find your own way and what makes sense for your return on your investment. In those figures, don't forget about your mental health. If you are miserable, the money doesn't matter. Take some time away from looking for advice, since you have received so much, and let it settle for a bit. There may be some great ideas you have missed or can be tailored to your field.

[#17]

Can you review my account deficiencies?Thank you

[#18]

You need to go back to the top of the page and read it, and use every link. Your profile is barely there, and a notice to scammers that you haven't read or are not following the rules. Typing and forwarding letters is not going to get you a lot of jobs. Use the Upwork resources to learn about the platform. Pay special attention to the Terms of Service and the Red Flags on Scams from Wes. It's up to you is you are successful and safe. Be safe.

[#19]

Sujeewa,

Congrats on joining Upwork! Please use two Skills in the Title, write four paragraphs for the Summary, use all 15 Skills, and add a Project Catalog.

[#20]

Many people do not have 15 skills as listed, and do very well. Don't you think it's important to excel in some skills as opposed to just filling in 15 skills?

I also would like to see some empirical data on any differences with a project catalog. It is information like this that helps freelancers decide what works best for them.

[#21]

Agreed Jeanne H:

Some freelancers have less skills sets.

[#22]

In addition to William:

You can add three projects and 3 constulations projects to get more attentions from the clients.

Regards.

[#23]

https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~01bbca553f437eac72

[#24]

Krishna,

Please create four compelling paragraphs for the Summary especially with a focus on the first sentence since that is what clients see in search.

[#25]

You need to go back to the top post, read it, and follow every single link. Your profile is a big beacon to the scammers that you don't know or aren't using Upwork rules. Your chances of being hired are nonexistent, while your chances of being scammed are very high. Learn the Terms of Service and Red Flags on Scams.

If you want to freelance here, you need a complete professional profile. Your introduction doesn't make sense. If you do not have all the skills listed in your 15, remove any that are not excellent skills. Currently, no real client will hire you and you will quite likely be scammed.

The good news is, it is all up to you and can be changed. Freelancing requires marketable skills, money for the business you run, time to build a career, and the business savvy or education to know how to conduct yourself in self-employment. It's your choice if you want to be safe and successful.

[#26]

Ok mam