To all freelancers looking for help

[the-right-writer]

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.

[filip_knezevic]

You are interested in free launching? Or free lunching? Or free learning? **Edited for Community Guidelines** brah? Pythan??? 

I'm expert in Anakenda.

[ac7a4614]

my client ask me / How does 4:30 est work for you? / what does it mean ? and what should i respond ?

[ijessop]

The client is asking if 4:30 eastern time zone works for you. You should respond with a yes if that time works for you.

[larnchpad]

Est means Eastern Standard Time.

[0b87abfe]

Ciao scusami ma non so come scrivere nella chat comune oggi mi è capitato questo ho svolto un lavoro di traduzione e scrittura ,prima mi hanno detto che mi pagavano tramite swift e poi mi arriva questa email ,ovviamente io ho risposto che non associo il mio account in nessun sistema a me sconosciuto ,io penso che non vogliono pagarmi ...puoi aiutarmi ? questa è il testo della mail ......Hello, Your Payment  To Your BANK ACCOUNT is currently on pending as your account has not been linked to our Payment Server) You will be required to link your account as this should ensure that payment to our workers are been secured. WHY DO YOU HAVE TO LINK YOUR BANK ACCOUNT TO THE COMPANY RECOMMEND PAYMENT SYSTEM.

Have you ever downloaded a mobile app and had to provide documents or other personal information to verify your identity?

If so, you have likely completed what is known as a Know Your Customer (KYC) check.

It may seem like a few extra steps, but they're in place for a reason - to safeguard your information from bad actors.

ACCOUNT LINKING is a due diligence standard for organizations in the financial services sector. 

This process helps prevent fraud, Below is an invoice of your payment cheque issued out from RHI to your BANK ACCOUNT via  NORDATSTADGLOBAL ONLINE BANKING HOW TO LINK YOUR BANK ACCOUNT TO COMPANY RECOMMEND PAYMENT SYSTEM 

1.AN IDENTITY CARD OF RECIPIENT WHICH IS YOU

2.A LINKING FEE OF $120 IS REQUIRED 

3.MOBILE PHONE NUMBER 

NOTE: This $120 Linking fee will be refunded alongside with your payment

Kindly contact the Company Project Director via the link

[elisa_b]

You should write in English in this forum. Anyway (FYI, below is the same old stuff people write to newbies scammed):

Ti consiglio di non usare Upwork se non hai solide competenze e se non sei disposto a imparare le regole. Quella in cui ti sei imbattuto è una truffa vecchia come il mondo  Leggi qui https://community.upwork.com/t5/Community-Blog/Top-Red-Flags-for-Scams-From-Community-Member-Wes-C/b... e non cercare lavoro finché non hai seguito i corsi Academy di Upwork. Ma tieni presente che qui ormai è pieno di truffatori, non è un eldorado. Rischi di perdere soldi invece di guadagnarli 

[the-right-writer]

For anyone curious, it's a scam.

[2297e2bc]

YES IT IS - The biggets reason I GOT OFF of 5r  They wanted $99 for me to prove who I was with a picture of me GOLDING my ID card......To flakey for my gut feeling 4sure

[b1dbee20]

...

[5a337b95]

Thank you so much for sharing these important links, I'm new here and felt lost, but I will keep looking and stay up-to-date

I wish one of the admins pin that post because it's really helpful for new freelancers:) 

[db3182de]

Job 

[miriam-ocampo]

This is the most coherent publication I have seen in a long time... unfortunately you're still going to get a ton of messages asking for help...😂 

[sparkesusan]

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

[bobafett999]

And have relevant profile picture of you face.  Not some desks, or Mickey mouse, or full face covering.  

[the-right-writer]

Or your cat or iguana.

[9831d189]

How can i get the upwork tick???

[yofazza]

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.

[8e8f6428]

Hello, Radial L.

I just had a difficult day trying to verify my ID and as i snapped the National Identification Slip issued  officially and validly to Nigerians, it was marked "X" and the process discontinued. I was given 11-14-2023 as the expiration date for the verification 

Prior to this, I had read digest on how Nigerians lament on the difficulties they face concerning this issue. WHAT IS UPWORK DOING TO HEED AND SOLVE THIS PROBLEM?

If i have defaulted in the process or requirements let me be prompted and guided rather than cutting me off abruptly. I was  patient the whole while tolerating the delays and loading errors, time and data expenses, so why not give me a helping hand and guide in the process,and to all those who have long tabled their complaints on this issue.

I am, and try to be law abiding and did follow the rules. Where did I err? At one time some days ago, the oval visual verification screen appeared without my knowing what it was all about. Upwork makes alot of page loading hitches. I suggest also that they be patient to guide members and newbies in particular who have not been there before. 

[e4b5a81f]

Hello Prashant,
Kindly help me out with my profile since I haven't landed any job yet after wasting lots of connects.

[the-right-writer]

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.

[67f351d2]

Thanks 

[3b2b908d]

How can Iget The Upwork tick Ms.?

[adb612b2]

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.

[411a8ed8]

Ok

[virtualbrix]

Great Post!

[margifted33]

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. 

[the-right-writer]

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.

[bundie702]

"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...

[3e4df3cc]

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

[feed_my_eyes]

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.

[0312f996]

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 

[the-right-writer]

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.

[prodelacom]

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.

[the-right-writer]

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.

[aerongraphics]

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?

[9d4eb9fb]

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 

[ijazmuhammad77]

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.  

[williamtcooper]

Hey Jeanne, good reminders for everyone!

[martina_plaschka]

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

[aa6d8545]

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.