Tips for Getting Started on Upwork

[#1]

Getting started on Upwork can be challenging. Here are some top tips that can help you succeed.

Complete Your Profile

First, it can be very helpful to complete your profile 100%. It’s important to understand that there are certain sections that must be completed in order to reach 100%. You can even technically exceed 100% completion. The more fields you complete on your profile, the better your chances of winning work. Also, your profile must be 100% complete in order to qualify for badges such as Rising Talent and Top Rated. Check out this help article for more information on the numerous ways you can reach 100% or more completion. I also recommend this article about why a great title and overview can make a difference.

Set Your Profile Visibility

Second, we recommend updating your profile visibility. Once you’ve crafted the perfect profile, you’ll want clients to be able to see it. When setting your profile visibility, you have three options: Public, Only Upwork Users, or Private.  If you set your profile to private, it will be excluded from the Upwork marketplace and search engines. This means clients won’t see you when they search for freelancers. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to set your profile visibility to Public or Only Upwork Users.

Submit Proposals

Third, submit proposals! This may seem like an obvious step, but it’s one that often doesn’t receive enough attention from new freelancers. By regularly submitting proposals for projects that fit your skills, you not only increase your chances of winning work, but you also prevent your profile from being automatically set to private, which can happen if you are inactive from the platform. As you submit more proposals, you will also learn what does and doesn’t get the attention of clients. Also, remember, that you may have to submit more than 5 proposals before you win your first project. Persistence is key. To help improve the quality of your proposals, I invite you to read about how to create a proposal that wins jobs and take in this proven advice from freelancers on Upwork. Also, check out this great article about How To Get More Jobs on Upwork in 2022!

[#2]

Thanks a lot Mike! Really helpful.

[#3]

Hi, sir how can I get my first job at Upwork?

[#4]

Hi Aamir,

Persistence is key as Upwork is very competitive. I looked at your profile and made some observations:

• Your profile overview is difficult to quickly scan and understand what your primary services and experiences are. It might help to organize it with paragraphs: for example, have your introduction paragraph, a separate paragraph for skills, and one for experience. In this way, you might emphasize certain areas, but use caution with adding lists of skills with few to no related work examples because clients may question the sincerity of your skills list. Another idea is to use bullets and other delineators to break up your profile.

• Your profile is only 40% complete. Review this article for guidance on how to create a 100% complete profile. Your profile must be 100% complete in order to qualify for programs such as Rising Talent and Top Rated.

• I did see a few minor spelling and grammar errors. If you'd like to add extra polish, you might want to consider using Grammarly. I use this myself and really like it because it's free and it offers a Chrome add-on so it works in webmail, messages, proposals, and more.

[#5]

Wow this is good Mike I am new on Upwork I completed my profile to 100% however I am facing challenges with payment setup my account got previously blocked for trying to set it up confused about the process

[#6]

Hi Nicole,

I have asked our Customer Support team to contact you with assistance.

[#7]

Hello Mike,

I do not know where to find information on the steps to follow after you accept a contract.  I am getting ready to start the work, and I have no idea how and where I am loving hours exactly. LIKE the entire process of it from start to finish including to the point of getting paid

Please let me know.

thank you,
Stacy

[#8]

Hi Stacy,

You can find answers to most questions in the Help Center. We also have the brand new Upwork Academy which has courses about getting started on Upwork.

[#9]

Thank you very much! I am new at upwork this post help me to understand upwork.

[#10]

Hello Mike! 

I have finished 6 jobs on Upwork but this month I have done more than 100 bids but the response rate is very low. 

What can I do about it? or Any profile problem?

If you have any suggestions or any advice please tell me. 

Regards, 

Nayem

[#11]

Hi Abdullahel,

Persistence is key as Upwork is very competitive. I looked at your profile and you have a lot of great information in there. One thing I noticed is that you link to your website in your profile which would allow clients to contact you outside of Upwork; the sharing of contact information and communication outside of Upwork is not allowed until a contract is in place. Please remove the link from your profile. I urge you to take advantage of the Upwork portfolio feature on your profile in order to share past work examples.

[#12]

Thanks for the tips Mike ive been on here a while now and cant seem to get started 

[#13]

Hi Mike,

very helpful this post. I would really appreciate if you will take a lookt at my profile since I am newbie here I would love some guidance!

Thank you in advance!

Best,

[#14]

Thank you so much Mike. I'm new at here.

[#15]

Hi Mike, please take a look at my profile 

[#16]

Hi Chinazaekpere,

I took a look at your profile and here are my observations:

• Your profile is only 40% complete. Review this article for guidance on how to create a 100% complete profile. Your profile must be 100% complete in order to qualify for programs such as Rising Talent and Top Rated.

• Your profile overview is short compared to the average. Upwork’s research shows clients see it as a positive signal if the profile is well written and comprehensive. Therefore, consider crafting your overview as a pitch to prospective clients. 

  • Help clients understand your abilities better by listing information about your skills and experience in an original and creative way. 
  • Focus on how you can help clients achieve their goals. For example, expand on who you are, the services you offer, and what you’re most passionate about. 
  • Be clear on your expertise and mention specialized software or tools. 
  • If appropriate, let your personality shine through (include some excitement), and show your qualities and praise the work you do, instead of focusing on yourself.
  • Other examples of information you can include are past accomplishments and projects, preferred working style, and your business’ values (e.g. I believe in strong communications or thorough upfront planning), industries or lines of businesses you have worked in before, and the types of clients you have worked with before (start-ups, solo entrepreneurs, large businesses, etc.). 

[#17]

Hi, could you please have an overview of my profile and advice me on the areas I may need to improve on?

[#18]

Hi Harison,

I reviewed your profile and here are my observations:

• Precise titles that specify the services you offer are more likely to catch the attention of clients that need your expertise. Right now your title is "An upcoming freelancer." which does not provide any insight into your skills or services.
• The beginning of your profile overview displays in prospective client search results and it’s your first 200-character pitch. So, your first sentence should include clear, relevant information about your primary skill sets and expertise.

• Your profile overview is short compared to the average. Upwork’s research shows clients see it as a positive signal if the profile is well written and comprehensive. Therefore, consider crafting your overview as a pitch to prospective clients. 

  • Help clients understand your abilities better by listing information about your skills and experience in an original and creative way. 
  • Focus on how you can help clients achieve their goals. For example, expand on who you are, the services you offer, and what you’re most passionate about. 
  • Be clear on your expertise and mention specialized software or tools. 
  • If appropriate, let your personality shine through (include some excitement), and show your qualities and praise the work you do, instead of focusing on yourself.

• Your profile is only 40% complete. Review this article for guidance on how to create a 100% complete profile. Your profile must be 100% complete in order to qualify for programs such as Rising Talent and Top Rated.

To give a clear impression you’re the person the client wants to talk to, here are some additional tips for writing a great Overview.

[#19]

Thank you for the feedback.

[#20]

Hi Mike, 

Can you pls review my profile. I have used all my connects and got no reply for any proposal. 

Best regards,

Qandeel

[#21]

Hi Qandeel,

I reviewed your profile and here are my observations:

• Your profile is only 95% complete. Review this article for guidance on how to create a 100% complete profile. Your profile must be 100% complete in order to qualify for programs such as Rising Talent and Top Rated.

• Your profile overview is short compared to the average. Upwork’s research shows clients see it as a positive signal if the profile is well written and comprehensive. Therefore, consider crafting your overview as a pitch to prospective clients. 

  • Help clients understand your abilities better by listing information about your skills and experience in an original and creative way. 
  • Focus on how you can help clients achieve their goals. For example, expand on who you are, the services you offer, and what you’re most passionate about. 
  • Be clear on your expertise and mention specialized software or tools. 
  • If appropriate, let your personality shine through (include some excitement), and show your qualities and praise the work you do, instead of focusing on yourself.
  • Other examples of information you can include are past accomplishments and projects, preferred working style, and your business’ values (e.g. I believe in strong communications or thorough upfront planning), industries or lines of businesses you have worked in before, and the types of clients you have worked with before (start-ups, solo entrepreneurs, large businesses, etc.).

You may also find these articles helpful:

• How to Write a Cover Letter
• How to Create a Proposal That Wins Jobs

[#22]

Many thanks Mike for a comprehensive review. I'll work accordingly. 

[#23]

Hi Mike, 

Hope you are well! Could you take a look at my profile please and see if you have any tips? 

Thank you!
Yulia

[#24]

Hi Yulia,

I took a look at your profile and I noticed you haven’t added any pieces to your portfolio. Your portfolio is one of the most important profile components that clients review. Our research shows that missing portfolio pieces can be a negative signal for clients. Consider adding a few relevant pieces. It might help in getting more profile views and high-quality job invites. 

[#25]

1. Hi Mike J,
2. How can I update my profile so it can get to 100%.

[#26]

Hi Chimka Emmanuella,

You can review this article for guidance on how to create a 100% complete profile.