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. 

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.

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]

Would you please take a look at my profile and suggest some improvements? 

[#3]

I can see you have worked on your profile, but it can be improved. First, change the background of your photo to a neutral light color. 'You' get lost in the blue. Next, look through searchable titles for your skills, and leave out the expert. I would pick two searchable skills titles. The first sentence is all clients see in a search, so don't use greetings, name, or the skills you just listed. Instead, write a powerful statement of what you can do for the client with your skills, education, and experience. Take the lists and form them into readable paragraphs.

Before you look at jobs, make sure you have read the top pinned post, and understand how to set up fixed price and hourly tracked jobs. Pay special attention to the Terms of Service and the excellent advice in Red Flags on Scams.

With a little work, your profile will help to attract clients and deter scammers.

[#4]

This is odd...where did my post go?

[#5]

Greetings ma.

Is it possible to get free connects as a new person to Upwork to at least get some applications submitted before going for the subscription?

Please kindly revert.

Regards, Esther 

[#6]

No. You have to join the Freelancer Plus program or buy connects. Read this for more information.

[#7]

Hi, You’re right. In my offline life, I seldom use words like "help" due to my inherent shyness. However, it’s disheartening when a skilled and honest person struggles to find work despite their expertise and talent.

The community consistently emphasizes the need for support. I also posted today in the freelancer forum, hoping to reach out to people who might understand my circumstances. Despite my extensive experience in digital marketing, I still face challenges. However, many others, regardless of their skills, seem to be able to present themselves effectively.

As an agency owner, I maintain both agency and freelancer profiles on Upwork. Despite my extensive experience managing multiple offline projects, I have yet to secure a single Upwork project. I have made professional offers and utilized my monthly contacts, but to no avail.

I'm reaching out because I firmly believe that community support holds immense power. Through this forum, I may be able to identify suggestions for individuals who might recognize my abilities and assist in connecting me with potential tasks.

I value your opinions and welcome any suggestions from the community. As I try to keep my agency running and support my brilliant team, your help means a tremendous deal to me.

[#8]

Your profile needs work. You are wasting the first two lines which are the only ones clients see without opening your profile, you need to get their attention there.
Too much text talking about yourself, talk to the client. Leave your presentation at 3 or 4 paragraphs and remove the emojis, it looks childish.
Raise your quote, it is too low.
Read these, to help you with your profile and with scammers:
- https://community.upwork.com/t5/Freelancers/To-all-freelancers-looking-for-help/m-p/1230482#M734358
- https://community.upwork.com/t5/Community-Blog/Top-Red-Flags-for-Scams-From-Community-Member-Wes-C/b...

[#9]

One needs to invest some time, connect, and even skills to make some bucks

[#10]

Thank you, this is helpful

[#11]

How many years do we have to be patient?

[#12]

It depends on your willingness to have a professional business, your skills, and your return on your investment.

Your profile could serve you much better. "Professional data entry operator and translator" is not helping you. Data entry is a low skill on Upwork, while translating is considered a higher level. I would be very confused as a client as to why you were doing both. You're wasting the first sentence in your profile by using your name and greetings. It is not professional, clients see that information before they open the profile, and most importantly, it is the only thing the clients can see before deciding to read more. If you are a professional translator with twelve years of experience, then focus on that and leave data entry. However, remember you are still up against many thousands of excellent, professional, and successful translators. There are also a lot of fakes, but they don't last long. After you have made changes, and write professional-level proposals, it may take dozens to 100 applications before you are hired. Of course, this varies amongst freelancers.

Freelancing is a way to work, not using one platform. Consider all of your options.

[#13]

Hello 👋 how are you?

Please what do I do if I want to get my profile reviewed?

Thanks

[#14]

The fields you work in are flooded with freelancers, so you have a tremendous amount of competition. Data entry and virtual assistance require something extra, a niche, or specialty to stand out in the crowd. I would change the skills title to only two. The first sentence is all clients see in a search, so rewrite the first sentence to tell the clients what you can do for them with your education, skills, and experience.

The introduction is too short, and should be put into three or four paragraphs. The client can choose from many thousands of people with your skills, so use this space to explain why you are an expert.

Also, add to your portfolio. If you don't have work you did for others, and written permission to use it, then create work for imaginary clients. More samples will help make up for being new.

Make certain you have read and understand the top pinned post, the Terms of Service, and the Red Flags on Scams.

[#15]

Can you help me? Im new here and i want to know how to do stuff like put my work in the market and stuff like that

[#16]

Everybody wants to be helped here, very few bother to read the resources provided by Jeanne in her initial post. Everything you need to know is there. Don't expect other people to do the homework on your behalf.

[#17]

Hi Jeanne, I am reaching out to request a review of my Upwork profile. I am eager to improve my visibility and attract potential clients, and I would greatly appreciate any feedback or suggestions you may have.

I am particularly interested in knowing how I can enhance my profile’s content, structure, and overall appeal. Your insights would be invaluable in helping me better showcase my skills and experience.

Thank you for your time and assistance. I look forward to your feedback!

[#18]

I'm glad to see you have put effort into your profile.

The first sentence is all clients see in a search. Instead of telling the client about you, use the sentence to tell the client what you can do for them with your skills and experience. The profile is too long with the bullet lists. Remove the lists and form the writing into readable paragraphs.

Most of the profile is about you. While it's important to explain your skills, it's better to tell potential clients what those skills can do for them and their projects. Can you increase their revenue? Cut costs? Can you find better ways of structuring services or ensuring accuracy in critical accounting? Think about what value you bring to the client.

I would add one more sample in the portfolio. Also, I wouldn't break out projects by countries, but rather by similar jobs. You mention the assisted living facility. Instead of saying the general details, try adding what your work did for the client beyond the basic job. Did the bookkeeping keep them in compliance with the law or accounting practices? Did the accounting discover discrepancies that were costing the organization? If you think about the client, what does your work accomplish for them, beyond the obvious?

Because there are so many freelancers here, find ways to stand out, or find a niche or a specialty. Additionally, I'm sure you are native or bilingual in some language, and if so, add it to the profile. Make sure you have read and understand the information in the top pinned post, and know how to use the hourly tracked or fixed price contracts.

With a little more work, your profile will be excellent.

[#19]

Payment disabled and account on hold since Saturday and no one is getting back to me. Anything I could do?? I did the verification by phone last week and it was accepted no idea why this all happend.  Any chance I could speak directly to anyone? upwork is my main income and I cant get paid at all

[#20]

There is a lot about the situation you left out. Without knowing more, I can't help you. If you want to reach Support, you can use the chatbot on the help forum or click on the three vertical dots in your post to see if a moderator will help you.

If the client's account is on hold, there is a payment issue. It could be by accident, or it could be a scam. It may not be anything you did, if it's a scam. The job can't proceed until there is a valid method of payment, no matter how much you may want it. This is a protection from Upwork, so do not try to contact the client or do any work.

[#21]

It took about 5 days before an UPWORK Rep. got back to me. He solved the
issue instantly with a solution I never found anywhere on the web,
including the Upwork Community and Help section. What a pity I was hung
out to dry for 5 days.

[#22]

No one helper me still its 7 days ago now. It says I would get an answer in 24 Hours here we are 7 days later. Upwork think i have a company but i don't have it. I'm just a translator on my own 

[#23]

I don't know of anyone who gets a response that is useful within a day. Because you have an open ticket, it won't do you any good to file another complaint. Unfortunately, this is Upwork now. You will have to wait until they respond. You can send a message, but with no support, it takes a lot longer.

[#24]

My accountnis 7 days in review because they think im a company because i also have a client account. I have a ticket open sinds 7 days and no one is responding. Mean while I can still work and I need to, because upwork is my main income. But i can not pay out myself as well so im a week already with no incomes 

[#25]

To clarify, your freelancer account is on hold, but you are also a client? Even if they thought you were an agency, you don't get locked out.

All freelancers need multiple sources of income. When you are solely working for a third party business, you don't control what happens on the platform.

Because you have an open ticket, no one can help you but Upwork.

[#26]

Good evng 

Im fresh hope a lot from group,

Thanks