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]

Now, how to keep this from getting buried. Daily comments?

[#3]

I may need to repeat myself hourly as I have more people who saw the post and decided I am so knowledgeable, they want me to help them individually.

[#4]

😲How bad is the DM flood?

[#5]

🙄

[#6]

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

[#7]

Dear Jeanee H:

Your comments are very helpfull, can you please review my profile as well.

Regards

Faraz Ahmad

[#8]

Community Member

1

[#9]

Thanks Usman:

I have gone through your profile, You should add more details and catching things to your profile.

Regards.

[#10]

Faraz,

Please use two Skills in the Title and write four compelling paragraphs for the Summary with a focus on the first sentence since it appears in client search.

[#11]

Thanks William:

I am working on your suggestions, your suggestions are important for me.

1. I am looking on first sentence as per your guidance.

Regards.

[#12]

Faraz,

Best on your Profile and have a great day!

[#13]

Thanks Willaim:

[#14]

You are most welcome!

[#15]

hello William can you help me .?im new here .i dont know how start work here ?can u help me ?pleasee

[#16]

Go back to the post pinned to the top, read it and follow every link. You are at high risk of being scammed, because the scammers can tell you aren't following the rules and best practices for the platform. All the information you need from Upwork, and the Red Flags on Scams from Wes, is contained in the post.

Your profile is empty, and whatever you think you are going to get for $200.00 an hour isn't happening on Upwork. If you want to freelance, you need many things, including marketable skills, money to run the business, time, patience, motivation, and again, marketable skills. If you do not have any of these things, you may be better off finding an employer.

Freelancing isn't something you can jump into, and learn along the way. You need to do a hard assessment of your marketable skills, and ability to freelance. Currently, you will not find a legitimate client. It's up to you, if you are safe or scammed.

[#17]

Ruzik,

Please start by clicking the Academy link on the top of this page on how to complete your Profile and for success tips. Let me know once the Profile is updated and I can take a look.

[#18]

I'm new here too. Try not to look like either a scammer or someone not worth the time. Proper grammar and spelling go a long way. And try not to sound so needy. Offer to be helpful with your numerous skills. Be specific.

[#19]

Anita B,

Always try seeking help in freelancing platforms it will be safe and better, you'll get the right solution you want for.

[#20]

The OP is making a comment, not asking a question. This is the community forum, freelancer section.

[#21]

Faraz,

You are most welcome and have a great day!

[#22]

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.

[#23]

Hello Shugufta,

Please write four compelling paragraphs for your Summary minus the emoticons with a focus on the first sentence since it appears in search. Also add a Project Catalog.

[#24]

Hi William T C.

I am new to Upwork, and I see that you have been helping others.

It'd be really great if you take a look at my profile and give me some advices on overview.

Regards,

Dmytro

[#25]

Dmytro, you need to go back to the top post, and read it, and follow every single link. Pay close attention to the Terms of Service and the Red Flags on Scams from Wes. The scammers can tell, just from your profile, that you are inexperienced and haven't read the policies and best practices for freelancers. This makes you a target for scams. The more professional your profile, the fewer scammers will approach.

Your introduction needs to be rewritten. The top line is all clients see in a search, and you have to write something that will tell them what you can do better than anyone else. No greetings, no explanation of your primary skill because it's prominently on your profile. Look through the searchable skills to decide what to use for your title.

Learn the rules, the scams, and how to protect yourself, because no one, including Upwork, will protect you.