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Jeanne's avatar
Jeanne H Community Member

To all freelancers looking for help

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.

 

 

1,941 REPLIES 1,941
Joseph's avatar
Joseph A Community Member

Thank you very much, Jeanne. I have made the changes yet again, and I am happy you helped me. I hope you have a beautiful day, everyday!

Roshan's avatar
Roshan K Community Member

It's very difficult to get your first project I applied too many projects but I don't get yet.

I have skills in data analytics, cleaning data, excel related work , Microsoft word,html and css

Jeanne's avatar
Jeanne H Community Member

Yes, it is difficult to get your first project. 

 

To get your first and future jobs, you need a professional profile. You need to go back to the top pinned post, read it, and follow every link. You are at high risk of being scammed because the scammers can tell, just like I can, that you hvaen't read and aren't following the rules.

 

Your profile is the best way to get clients instead of scammers. Your profile is an invitation to the scammers. Create a professional profile before you even look at jobs.

 

You're wasting the first sentence, which is all clients see in a search. Don't use names or greetings. Use it to tell the clients why your education and skills will give them specific results like a higher return, more book sales, increased sales, a better website, etc. 

 

Rewrite the introduction. It needs to be longer, and needs to tell the client more about what you will do for them. Use the resources to build an excellent profile before doing anything. Learn before you are scammed.

Filip's avatar
Filip L Community Member

Hi,

thanks for the great links and explanations. I'm pretty new here and did not yet buy any connects to apply for jobs, bc I think it is better to understand the platform better. One question I have is regarding the job history outside of upwork, would you also mention non related jobs? The last years I did not work in IT for many reasons and now want to dive back in again on my own. Any tips on how to frame that?

 

Best regards,

Filip

Jeanne's avatar
Jeanne H Community Member

You are wise to learn about the platform and how contracts should be established before applying to jobs.

 

I would frame it as additional skills that increase and expand on what you can offer clients. It will partially depend on the job history and how closely you can tie it to your current work. Clients like to see people who have been in the field for some time. If the jobs are completely unrelated, it could give clients pause. I'm sure if you give it some thought, there is a way to connect all of the jobs and phrase it as a benefit to the clients.

Filip's avatar
Filip L Community Member

The problem is, that they are completely unrelated. I worked in IT and have worked 4 years all kinds of stuff, from farming to construction work. But leaving out is usually very strange, it opens the question what someone did all this time...

Jeanne's avatar
Jeanne H Community Member

 It may make it a bit more challenging, but certainly not impossible. Include the unrelated work, and perhaps a brief explanation, but make sure you have plenty of portfolio items, and I didn't see any.

 

After looking at your profile, I think it's fine as it is and you don't need to offer an explanation. If you put in portfolio items, that will show your expertese. I noticed you have none, so I would focus on having those items to demonstrate your skills. If you don't have work, and permission from the owner, create some to show the client that although you may have taken a break, your skills are excellent.

James's avatar
James F Community Member

It seems to be a great idea to me

Davidian's avatar
Davidian L Community Member

I appreciate you taking the time to post this. Great resources. Thanks again!

Hafiz's avatar
Hafiz A Community Member

Thanks for the post; really informative

Omar's avatar
Omar A Community Member

This post is very useful for most of the freelancers. Thanks for your time and effort.

Ishita's avatar
Ishita G Community Member

This was a great post thank you Jeanne!

Adil's avatar
Adil S Community Member

Thanks a lot, Miss Jeanne,  I hope this information positively impacts my career.

Mudasir's avatar
Mudasir Q Community Member

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.

Mariam's avatar
Mariam S Community Member

Thank you much for the information

 

Sacqlain's avatar
Sacqlain B Community Member

Noted

Adebayo's avatar
Adebayo D Community Member

i need your help

 

Jeanne's avatar
Jeanne H Community Member

What can we help you with?

Adebayo's avatar
Adebayo D Community Member

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.

Ivygail's avatar
Ivygail J Retired Team Member

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.

 

~Ivy
Maria's avatar
Maria T Community Member

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.

Solomon's avatar
Solomon O Community Member

You're right Jeanne 

Solomon's avatar
Solomon O Community Member

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

Jeanne's avatar
Jeanne H Community Member

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.

Arunan's avatar
Arunan R Community Member

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