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]

Freelancing requires dedication, self-education, and perseverance; make sure to explore Upwork's extensive resources, follow the rules, and invest time in building skills before expecting success.

[#3]

Thank you much for the information

[#4]

Noted

[#5]

i need your help

[#6]

What can we help you with?

[#7]

I was charged 3.23 dollars to purchase Connects, but I didn't get them. Upwork sent me a message saying the recent charge failed. How do I get my Connects or a refund? I've tried all the troubleshooting tips, but nothing has worked.

[#8]

Hi Adebayo, 

I saw your post in the community and converted it into a support ticket to give it the attention it deserves. Rest assured that one of our agents will be reaching out to you.

[#9]

Have you read the main post? Because your profile needs a lot of work.
And the photo must be of you, nothing else is allowed.

[#10]

You're right Jeanne 

[#11]

Can you help me kindly go through my profile and give your feedback 

[#12]

The first sentence is all clients see in a search, so I would change your sentence to something powerful that tells the clients what you can do for them with your education, skills, and experience. Remove the long lists with graphics/emojis and form them into paragraphs, usually 3 or 4.

Remove "Will you be available for a QUICK CALL so we can discuss better on your project?" You are not allowed to discuss a project unless it is through Upwork, before an Upwork contract is in place. This sentence can get you into trouble with scammers. Because you are new, you are a target for scammers, and must have a professional profile. It's the best way to attract genuine clients and deter scammers. Phrase it differently, so the client is aware they must contact you through Upwork, which does not include a call. With a little more work, your profile can be excellent.

[#13]

I have an impressive profile and I spend more money past couple of months to buy connects to put my profile on top on my bids, but out of all the applications I have applied, only one client viewed my application but he too didnt invite me for interview. I am starting to think upwork is all of scams, out of all my applications upwork withdraw 2 of my bid claiming the client tried to reach individuals instead of reaching via upwork. Can you be open about how you guys are finding out clients are reaching out to individuals. What kind of algorithm or what kind of process in place to find those clients are doing wrong. Can you please be open about the algorithms and the process

[#14]

I'm not Upwork, I am not paid by Upwork, and I have nothing to do with Upwork's decisions. Since you posted here, I will tell you that you do not have an impressive profile, and it needs work if you want to get your first job. You need to go back to the top pinned post, read it, and follow every, single, link.

To start, you are wasting your first sentence. Read through other posts where I explain the importance of the first sentence.

"I am a master of Java, I have created a course in Udemy and more than 3800 students enrolled and gave great reviews, checkout my portfolio for link to the course. I have done the following certifications in Java,"

Bragging about your skills is OK, if you have the facts to support it. I do not see those facts. The clients don't care if you had a class and everyone liked it, You need to tell the client what you can do for them. Your portfolio requires work, too. You have two samples, and while it's nice to create a website for family, this is not going to impress clients. The other "sample" is all about you and your class, which again, means nothing to the client. The portfolio is where you need to show your skills, and you have not.

You may think I am being mean, but you posted saying everything is a scam and wanting information. While there are too many scams, if your profile is an invitation to scammers, you can expect for them to answer the call. You do not have an impressive profile. You have an incomplete profile, that does not speak to the client.

Why do you think money is going to get you a job? It will not. You can throw connects all the way to the moon, and it won't get you a job. Before you can blame Upwork, you have to do your job, and you have not. Upwork didn't withdraw two clients, they saved you from being scammed by two people. It's well known that scammers and clients will try to get freelancers outside of Upwork, before an Upwork contract is in place - just like they saved you from being scammed, twice.

What you need to know and learn are the rules. If you have nearly been scammed twice, and only saved by Upwork's intervention, you are not using the platform correctly.

Once you have a professional profile and have put in 100 or so proposals, if you still have no job, then we can revisit your situation.

[#15]

lets help each other

[#16]

Everyone should first help themselves.

[#17]

OK, what do you suggest?

Elisa is correct.

[#18]

Your profile is private. Make it public.

[#19]

Some freelancers do not want their profile public.

Also, if you search from the forum, many people will see “private” when they are not. If you want to search, always check from the jobs page or regular site. The OP's profile is not private, it is public.

[#20]

I'd also suggest new freelancers try taking on smaller jobs when getting started.
My first few projects only paid about $5 but they helped me understand how the platform worked and how to communicate with clients well.

[#21]

With the high cost of connects now to apply, is it still worth it to apply for these jobs?

[#22]

You have to learn about vetting, and learn what jobs are scams and no-hires. It can be done, but you need to spend time learning and researching how to vet the jobs. You may not find a single job that is real, in your field, and pays enough. What do you do? You look elsewhere. There are many ways to freelance, and no one should ever depend on one source.

[#23]

I do not recommend taking cheap jobs. It usually sets the freelancer up for a life of crappy, low-paying jobs. If you don't believe me, look through some profiles. If you have the skills, charge for them. It's one thing to offer a small discount, as in %10, if you feel you must, but never take cheap jobs.

You learn how the platform works before you ever look at jobs.

[#24]

Very precious guidelines! Specially for the beginners.

[#25]

If people would just read through these threads they would find 95% of what they need! Thanks for all the helpful information!!!

Kyla