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.

[7515a8b5]

Thank you
I have changed the image now.
Please take a look, if there is any comment you have to tell me.

[the-right-writer]

If you don't have a message from me, be patient, and I will respond. There is no need to post more than once. I understand, you are eager to begin your Upwork journey.

The photo is fine. Your profile is much improved. I would use a spell and grammar check. In your field, it's not essential to have excellent grammar, but it looks better in your profile.

Continue to use the resource and update links in the top pinned post to stay current on changes. Now you can focus on creating great proposals. Use the resource links  for additional help.

[7515a8b5]

I have edited my profile, please take a look.

[7515a8b5]

Thank you
I have changed the image now.
Please take a look, if there is any comment you have to tell me

[efecd16d]

im looking for help

[the-right-writer]

Go back to the top pinned post, read it, and follow every single link.

[b336ac37]

##- what problem do you have
-##

[the-right-writer]

The OP posts in multiple categories.

[4557ea00]

I am a freelancer looking for work can you refer me to some clients?

[the-right-writer]

This is not how you freelance. Your profile is completely empty. I don't know if you are a bot or a freelancer, and neither will a client. If you want to freelance, go back to the top pinned post, read it, and follow every link. You have to start at the beginning and are not prepared to even look at jobs.

[909c5b9e]

hi

[e16f5fc8]

Hello  Jeanne, 

So I am new to this platform and I would like to know which is better as I start:

1. Should I bring my client via the any-hire program?

2. OR just let them post a job and I bid and get it just normally?

Also, i would very much appreciate your opinion on my profile please.

[efecd16d]

hello

[e16f5fc8]

Hi how do you do?

[the-right-writer]

Because you are new, if you have not, you need to go back to the top post and read it and follow every link. There are many things you need to know, before you think about jobs. Use the resources to improve your profile. Take the lists, and form them into paragraphs, and remove all or nearly all the graphics/emojis.

Make sure your skills title is a searchable one through Upwork. Don't waste the first line with greetings. The first sentence is all the clients see in a search, so use it to tell them why you are the best freelancer, but make certain you can back up your claims with hard skills.

Remove the statement about your portfolio, because they can see it. The same for using your name. The clients can see your name, so don't waste precious space. Change "invite me to an interview" to add "on Upwork." Too many clients want freelancers off the platform for scams.

If you have a working relationship with a client, I'm not sure why you would bring them to a platform. If this is for new clients, or you don't wish to handle the financials yourself, you need to look at the kind of jobs.

Is this for a one-off job, or is it ongoing? If you can describe more about the client relationship, it will be easier to provide information. Ultimately, the decision is up to you. If it is a one time job, then it probably makes more sense to use the hourly or fixed price. For long-term clients, any hire might make more sense.

Check this link for more information on direct contracts. And this for more information.

[e16f5fc8]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll work on it.

About my client,

I aim to get a good review from them as well as save the 10% fee that I read (I believe its called any hire) Upwork offers to freelancers who bring their clients.

I think the one that I get to save on the fees is good, I just don't have indepth information about it.

[the-right-writer]

If you don't find the answers in the links I posted, post again, and I will try to find more info.

[909c5b9e]

😃👍

[72ec18be]

Hello, I need help my profile is hundred percent but since then I have not been interviewed or received anything from the clients.what might have been missing in my profile?

[the-right-writer]

Finding your first client is not easy for most people, and can require dozens of proposals. However, there are steps you can take to improve your profile and submissions. I would change the background color in your photo to a neutral color, or at least a lighter shade that doesn't overwhelm you. It will make you more visible, and it will look more professional.

Use the first line to explain to the client why you are the best choice for their project. Add more text, in paragraphs, about your work and what you can bring to the client's projects. Also, I would add a few more items to your portfolio.

If you haven't, go back to the top post and follow every link. Freelancers have to learn the rules, and about scams and how to be safe.

[7c07ae9b]

hello jeanne

am new here on upwork i need a hand to complete my profile am 70% now and i want someone to guide me on how i can start working. 

Thank you

[the-right-writer]

Once you complete your profile, go back to the top pinned post, read it and follow every link. You need to learn the rules to use the platform correctly and safely. Pay special attention to the Red Flags on Scams from Wes. I suggest you use a plain, neutral color background for your photo. In your profile, the client only sees the first short sentence, so don't use names, greetings, or skills. Use that line to tell the client why you will do a better job than the rest - but make sure you have those hard skills to back up your claims.

[samsul007]

Recently I landed on my first project but still confused and the reason is my Profile is well-optimized or not.
Please Help me to give a feedback about my profile.

[the-right-writer]

Use the top pinned post for help with your profile, and how to use the platform safely. Remove the emojis/graphics and form the text into paragraphs. The first line is all the clients see in a search, so use it wisely, to tell the client why you are better than the rest, if you can back up your claims with skills.

If you don't know the Terms of Service and the Red Flags on Scams, do not even look at jobs until you do.

[d165a808]

Thanks to you for providing lot of knowledge, we gained something...