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.  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.

[#2]

Thank you so much. i have made some changes according to your feedback pls check now

[#3]

You still need to change your photo. You are supposed to look professional. And you need to combine the lists into paragraphs. Use the links in the top post to connect to Upwork resources and profile examples.

[#4]

Please check my profile and suggest me how to start

[#5]

Your profile is barely there. One line is not a profile. You need to go back to the top pinned post, read it, and follow every link. Currently, all you will find are scams, because the scammers can tell, just like we can, that you aren't following best practices and haven't read the rules. This is your entire profile, “I am a Law professional having expertise in Finance and Accounts with hands on experience in commercial transactions.” Law professional or not, you don't know how the platform works, and until you do, do not look for jobs or accept an invitation because the scammers search for profiles just like yours. You have to create a professional profile, including portfolio items. I don't think I have seen "law professional" before. Are you an attorney? Paralegal? If I don't know what you mean or what your skills are, clients will not either.

[#6]

Hi, I'm sorry but I don't know how to write in the common chat. Today this happened to me. I did some translation and writing work. First they told me they paid me via Swift and then I received this email. Obviously I replied that I don't associate my account. in any system unknown to me, I think they don't want to pay me...can you help me? this is the text of the email ......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

[#7]

You violated the Upwork Terms of Service, and you will not be paid. Not only that, but you can also lose your account permanently. You can't communicate or do anything with a potential client until an Upwork contract is in place.

Before you are scammed, again, go back to the top pinned post, read it and follow every link. Learn how to use the platform before you go near the job feed. You are completely unprepared for work here, and your profile shows this to everyone.

I fail to understand, when it's the freelancer's money, why people just jump in and don't bother to read or follow the rules.

[#8]

si in effetti sono iscritto da 2 giorni ....quindi puoi dirmi come devo fare per prendere un lavoro direttamente da upwork...grazie

[#9]

You won't find ANY jobs if you don't:

1) Have real, marketable skills;

2) Work on your profile;

3) Learn how the platform works.

Start by reading Jeanne's initial post on this thread (the one at the top of each page, including every link) and take the Academy courses. Otherwise, you will be scammed/truffato AGAIN and AGAIN.

[#10]

Hi I'm new here and I need some help to be acknowledged 

[#11]

Sir William and Mam Jeane,
I have seen that you are helping others start their freelance business on Upwork. First of all, I appreciate you for your efforts. Secondly, I want you to check my Upwork profile and give me some suggestions to improve it.
Thanks.

 

[#12]

Hello William & Faraz,

You guys have amazing portfolio and profiles, no doubt...! Please can you review my profile? Need suggestions and please highlight the mistakes or if I am missing any part. Thanks

[#13]

The first thing I suggest is to change your first sentence. It is all the clients see in a search, so use it to tell the client why you are the best choice. Combine your skills, experience, history, education into one sentence that tells the client that you are the best because, you will increase the number of sales of a product, increase their ROI on investments, etc.

I'm hesitant to have you change much because you already have experienced success. I would form the written information into three or four paragraphs. If you go through the links in the top pinned post, you can hover over the link, and follow the ones providing guidance on profiles, etc. Also, consider adding more to your portfolio.

[#14]

Hey Wil, can you please reivew my profile, any insight would be helpful. Thanks 🙂

[#15]

There are many things under Upwork that you should be doing. You are wasting the first line of your profile, which is all clients see in a search. The client can see you are top rated. The very long list should be formed into a few concise paragraphs. There are other changes that would make your prfoile more professional. However, considering your success here, I wouldn't change much because if it's working, don't make big changes. 

I think you can improve your profile to make it more professional, but at this point your success is driven more by your qualifications than anything in your profile.

[#16]

Hello Mr Faraz , can you check my profile please ? thanks 

[#17]

There are a number of things you can do to improve your profile. If you haven't, make sure to go through the top pinned post to learn how to use the platform correctly and avoid scams.

I would add a bit of color to the background of your photo. You don't need much, just a bit of a neutral color because your current photo could be better and more prominent. It may seem like a tiny thing, but you have to consider that you have little time to catch the clients' attention. The same is true for your first sentence, which is all clients see in a search. It isn't bad, but create a strong sentence, but not a question. Tell the client what you can do for them. Will it increase their views? Get them into exclusive journals? Create a website that will establish their business? Get more clicks?

Remove your name and don't use greetings. The client can see your name when they look at your profile. Go in as a client, and search. You will see what is visible.

Remove all of the graphics, emojis, and lists. Form the information into three or four readable paragraphs. Although you will find freelancers with terrible profiles who have made money here, when starting out, you have to do everything you can to deter scammers and attract good clients. A professional profile is one of the best ways to accomplish that goal. I can see you have solid skills, and with a bit of work, your profile will showcase your work.

[#18]

Thanks

[#19]

Thank you so much

[#20]

Thanks Nazmul H

[#21]

Thanks

[#22]

You are welcome.

[#23]

Faraz,

Please use two Skills in the Title, modify the Summary into 4 compelling paragraphs  (spam-like now), and modify the Employment entries into one sentence each. Thanks!

[#24]

https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~01e1cba23babe9fab4

I want you review my profile and give me some recommendations for improving this.

[#25]

Abdul,

Please reformat the Summary into four compelling paragraphs with a focus on the first sentence since it appears in Client's search and remove the emoticons. Also add a Project Catalog.

[#26]

You need to read the top post and follow every link. You are at risk for being scammed and need to learn all the rules. The better your profile, the fewer scammers will try to take advantage.

Unless your name on documents is spelled with all capital letters, remove it. It looks like you are screaming at people.

Your profile needs work and is too long with too many emojis/little graphics.

Learn about profiles and proposals before you look for more jobs. It will be worth your time.