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]

Doing what you love and being paid for it is the goal. However, in reality, most of us are not doing what we love most for income. Unless you do not need money, then use the skills that will bring you the most money, and work on your skills for fun, or to turn them into a steady income.

[#3]

Awesome! For anyone reading from the hiring side. (video production and SM is the end result. many related avenues are inplay).  We are looking for part time to full time but for us it has to be onsite. Some skills necessary but not all required. Everything we have is layed out to a point (clients, audience, theme). New comers have to be like back in the 70-80s in motorsports- "where and how can i get my foot in the door and learn the in's and out's of what every i am pursuing". In that avenue you will surpass many but almost always you have to a forward thinker with a rough plan. Learn 1-2 years and move on unless the company has a plan either financially or learning? Currently in past 5 days we don't have any response other than a staffing company. We boosted the add and invited 30 people on the add. Thanks 

[#4]

FYI this profile is gone. For the record, if you boost in almost every case, it is a complete waste of money.

[#5]

I'm trying to get the support email ID or human assistance, but the Upwork chatbot keeps looping with only one question. It's frustrating to see their service like this.

[#6]

What do you need help with?

[#7]

i am  ui ux designer  

could you plz find jobs for me  ? 

[#8]

---

 wrote:

i am  ui ux designer  

could you plz find jobs for me  ? 

---

Raise your price.

Change your video intro - confusing.

[#9]

You need to go back to the top pinned post, read it, and follow the links. Your profile needs work before you even look at  jobs.

[#10]

Mama my name Olubayode Samuel my connect has but am looking for work 

[#11]

Go back to the top pinned post and read it, and then follow the links to learn how to use the platform.

[#12]

Hi. Thank you so much for such an important thread on the forum. So much usefulness in one post. You are doing a good deed 🙂

If anyone has a moment, give feedback on my profile please. I am a beginner on this platform....

👁👁

Is everything in line with the recommendations from the academy and your recommendations?

[#13]

I would change the skills title. It should focus on searchable terms. One phrase I noticed when looking through profiles was AI development.

Custom Chatbot Developer for AI Integration and Messenger Funnels

Spend some time looking through the search terms for similar freelancers, and consider removing "messenger funnels."

The first sentence is all the clients can see in a search. Do not use greetings or names or the skills used in the title. Instead, write a powerful statement on how you can use your skills, education, and experience to help them. For example, “Using my widget skills, I can build a unique and profitable widget website.” Be creative while focusing on marketing. Considering the current trend with chatbots and AI, consider expanding your skills, find a niche, or another way to stand out in the crowd. Unfortunately, too many freelancers claim to be “AI” experts when they can barely use a chatbot. Adding to your portfolio will help clients see your skills.

Take the lists and writing and form it into three or four paragraphs of writing, without the lists. Also, you need to add more to your portfolio.

Make sure you understand and follow the Terms of Service and the Red Flags on Scams. Learn about vetting. It's not something you will learn on Upwork. It involves looking at the whole picture, not just searching for a name or company.

With some work, your profile can be excellent.

[#14]

👏👏👏

[#15]

Hello William

I hope you're doing well. You've always been there to help everyone. Could you please visit my profile and let me know what might be wrong with it? Lately, my proposals aren't getting many views, and I'm not receiving any new projects.

[#16]

The first thing you need to do is go back to the top pinned post, read it and make sure you understand the Terms of Service and the Red Flags on scams. The skills title is too long and has non-searchable terms. I would remove mathematical reasoning.

You are wasting the first sentence. Don't use names, greetings, or skills. Instead, create a strong statement about what you can do for clients with your skills and experience. The profile is all about you. You need to tell the client what you can do for them, with your experience. Expand on the writing for the client and form into three or four paragraphs. Remove the "Skills" in the middle of the page. Also, you need to show the client your skills. Use some previous work, or create some of your own. Never use a client's work as a sample unless you have written permission.

Freelancing isn't for everyone, and it takes hard marketable skills, money to run the business, a professional attitude, and again, hard marketable skills. If your skills are not up to a professional level, you will find it very difficult to find work. Also, you are competing with many thousands of freelancers, so if you can find a niche or a way to stand out, it will help.

[#17]

Hello,

Could you please visit my profile and let me know what might be wrong with it? Lately, my proposals aren't getting many views, and I'm not receiving any new projects.

[#18]

Your profile needs to be improved. I'm sorry, but it isn't lately—you have no jobs. Your skills list contains things you can't do.

"content writers screenwriters, poets, and essayists."

These are not skills titles, and you cannot write if you are not native or bilingual in any language. Using chatbots is not going to give you a career in writing. If you want to freelance, you need hard, marketable skills. Use the Academy to learn about the platform. I also suggest that you spend some time thinking about your skills, and if they will serve you online. Working locally while you develop some skills may be the best path for you. Freelancing isn't for everyone, and you are going to have a very difficult time finding work.

[#19]

Thanks for the suggestion. 

[#20]

Do you prefer freelance or work in a office?

[#21]

Hello, 
I have a problem, my profile is set to Public, but when i try to search myself i can't find my profile, also i have tried to log out and to search for my profile on UpWork, but it doesn't appear?
Does anyone have same issue, are there some solutions for it?
Btw i didnt had any job lately on UpWork
Thank you people !!!

[#22]

Hi,

I tried upgrading my membership, my card was charged 4 times in the process however, membership was not upgraded as well. I need refund for all the amounts from Upwork. How do I approach them for this?

[#23]

You have to go through Upwork. You can try clicking on the three vertical dots by the date and time stamp to see if you can get a moderator to respond. Keep in mind, Upwork recently fired 21% of their staff, so there aren't a lot of people available and it may take some time.

[#24]

Thakns for sharing this. Thats really helpful!

[#25]

once more Mdm. I have  totally seen and read very carefully and seriously. Thanks Mdm.

[#26]

Dear Jeanne H ,
thank you for your post! I am a new bee at upwork, just optimizing my profile gradually. As per your suggestions, I will go through all the links...and then get back to you. 

Thanks and take care!
Sharif