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.

[the-right-writer]

I suggest you start by changing the background in your photo to a light, neutral color. It will be easier to see your face, and with different settings, colors can be very different on user's screens. The introduction is far too long. Take some time to blend the information, then reduce it, and put into three or four paragraphs. The first sentence is all clients see of your profile in a search, so the first sentence is critical. The current one is good, but it could better. Let the clients know what you can do for them with your skills and experience, that is superior to other freelancers.

You've had success, with a good JSS, so you know how to work with clients. With a bit of tweaking, your profile can be excellent.

[5151a1af]

Hi, Jeanne! Thank you for all the tips and tricks you've helped us with. I've been on Upwork for a short while and am currently working on my profile in a bid to draw more clients to it. If you can, kindly go through it and offer some corrections/tips in areas you feel needs to be changed or reviewed. 

Thank you!

[the-right-writer]

I would change the fee to an even dollar figure. The first sentence is all the clients see in a search. While your sentence is OK, it could be better. Use it to tell the client why your unique skills, experience, education, etc. combine to offer them more than other freelancers.

The long lists should be changed into 3–4 paragraphs, blending some of them together, using a narrative for the client. Clients don't like to read long lists. 

You've had success, and good for you for working on your profile. If you improve your profile a bit, you should attract even more customers.

[5151a1af]

Hi, Jeanne! I spent time utilizing your tips and what I have on my profile now was the result. 

Do you mind checking again to see if it still lacks anything? Apologies if it's too much of a bother 

[a205f59e]

Hi, Jeanne ! I recently verified my account and , when i tried to search for my self, i can't find my profile and i checked my profile visibility is set to public and i tried to chat with Upwork Support Bot and it told me that my account is suspended but i can submit job posts i even land my first job. Can you please help me ? Betemaryam .k Thank you 🙂

[the-right-writer]

I'm unable to locate your profile as well. I tried different searches, to no avail. I will try again, because I have seen this happen, and then the next day you can find someone. 

Do you have an active Upwork account? Can you go to your work page, profile, etc.? Have you received any statements from Upwork? There is more information to this, and if you explain, we may be able to help you understand.

[a205f59e]

Thank you for responding, Jeanne! Yes, my account is active, and I am currently working on a project. I can access my profile and make adjustments and apply for jobs. Recently, I spoke with Upwork customer support, and they informed me that I have a temporary restriction on my Upwork account that requires completing the necessary verification. I have already done so. Now, to be honest, I am unsure what the problem is.

Thank you for your time tho.

[the-right-writer]

I'll see what I can find out. If you want to talk to a moderator, click on the three vertical dots by the time and date stamp. A menu will open, and "notify moderator" is at the bottom. Click on that, and leave a message.

[0d24e1e3]

Please, I have been on 100% job success score and I have earned more than $1000, also I have completed 16 weeks on Upwork but I don't have top rated yet. Can you please educate me on what is going on?

[655be748]

Nice achievements in this platform. Keep it up.

[655be748]

This show on your profile, SS is attached for you.

[spectralua]

[the-right-writer]

Oluwadamilare, you are top rated! Your badge is there now.

[cc21b509]

I don't believe anything written above.

[the-right-writer]

If you are not interested in learning and following the rules, you will have a very difficult time finding your first job. You are at high risk of being scammed because of your profile, and inexperience on the platform. You would benefit from the resources, but you have to use them. You can ignore the rules, as long as you don't mind the consquences. Everything I said is the truth. If you disagree, that's fine, but how can you disagree with resources?

[cc21b509]

Nice flower talk. You work for UpWork. I don't believe in anything you have said.

[the-right-writer]

You have no experience here, no job, and you don't "believe" the rules. In all sincerity, what are you doing here? Everyone who uses Upwork, has to follow the rules. You will be in trouble soon enough, and probably blame Upwork, for that, too.

Your deflections don't work on me.

Like it or not, you are responsible for everything that happens on the platform. Freelancing is not for everyone.

[oshastitko]

I’ve been on Upwork (formerly oDesk) since 2004, with over 5500 hours of work and a rating of approximately 4.9. However, I’m currently having difficulty finding jobs. Ten years ago, it was easy to find work, but now my profile isn’t even being reviewed, despite spending money on connects. It seems like Upwork’s focus has shifted to generating profit from connects and contracts between clients and freelancers.

[the-right-writer]

Upwork removed the quality and security of the platform when they removed all category and skills tests, and the skill categories and platform limits, and decided to let literally anyone and everyone pretend to be a professional freelancer. This was followed by the scammers because it's so incredibly easy to get money here.

Upwork never cared about freelancers, but they weren't foolish enough to destroy the quality, reputation, and future of the platform for a cash grab, but then they never could make even a thin dime, ever. Poor mangement, mismanagement, sh*t decisions... it's a long list. 

Many freelancers are struggling here, and many excellent highly-skilled freelancers have gone, with more leaving daily. Once Upwork destabilized the platform, and turned it into a haven for scammer clients and scammer freelancers, the future was set.

All frelancers need to remind themselves of the definition and establish multiple sources of income. It is dangerous to have all of the income from one source, no matter how good, because the freelancer is in charge of their business, but not the third party platform. Anything can happen in the blink of an eye, and the freelancers control nothing with a platform.

[ae1a629b]

Hi. I am new on upwork and was so excited to come across information tailored for new freelancers. But unfortunately when I followed the links, exploring learning paths to be specific, they need you to pay for the workshops. I came here looking for some kind of partime work, freelancing. I have not earned any money to sponsor myself for workshops. I was a bit disappointed. 

[the-right-writer]

It is not necessary to pay for going through most of the Upwork resources. There are many ads now, and ways to spend. Do not pay for a thing, until you read and understand the Terms of Service, all of the rules, and how to write a contract for hourly or fixed price jobs.

I will check the links again. I discovered the link to the Red Flags on Scams seems to have disappeared, along with the article. I'll find out what happened to that post. A quick check of the links lead to articles and videos on using Upwork, and don't require payment. If you start randomly clicking on Upwork links, you will end up at for-pay information/marketing.

[42fdfbc6]

Thank you for this insight

[fb266c82]

Good day! I am finding it so hard to create Upwork email in order to get verified on LinkedIn and display the badge.

[sofia2008]

Freelancers are not Upwork employees, so you cannot get an Upwork email address.

[the-right-writer]

Read and learn from Sophie's post.

This is not how you work on a platform. Your profile is mostly empty and confusing. You list data entry (typing) as your skill, with a fluent level in English and other languages. Yet, in your profile, you have "academic work." Something does not fit here. Both things do not exist simultaneously. You need to go back to the top pinned post, and read it, and learn, before you lose your money and your account.

Before you worry about getting verified, which has nothing to do with Upwork, learn the rules and use them, or be prepared to lose everything, and do not blame it on Upwork.