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]

Hi DM,

I reviewed your profile and it begins with "I'm the HIGHEST RATED and HIGHEST EARNING Digital Marketing freelancer on Upwork with numerous 5-star reviews, including overly positive feedback." It does not appear that you have had any contracts or received any reviews on Upwork. Please ensure your profile is accurate.

[#3]

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

[#4]

Hi Muhammad,

I reviewed your profile and here are my suggestions:

• 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.
• 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. Right now your profile begins with "Hi I'm Muhammad Shahzad (Electrical Engineer by profession and Amazon FBA Virtual Assistant by passion)." Consider removing this and focusing on what services you are offering.

• 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.

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.

[#5]

hi Mike,
Can you check my profile is complete? If not, what should I add? written 100%
thanks for the support mike

[#6]

Hi Abi,

When you sign in to Upwork, on the right side of the page you will see your profile completion percentage and suggestions for what you need to do. Your profile is set to private so I'm not able to check. 

[#7]

Hi Mike J,

thanks, my profile has changed from private to public
Would you please take a look at my profile and suggest some improvements?

thank's Mike

[#8]

Hi Abi,

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.

[#9]

Hey mike J!
Your post help me a lot to set up my profile but still i am not getting any order yet.Can you please help me by reviewing my profile. I 'll be very thankful to you.

[#10]

Hi Eisha,

Thanks for your message. I reviewed your profile and here are my suggestions:

• 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. 

• Your written English skills are strong and you are easy to understand. However, I did see a few minor errors. If you'd like to add extra polish, consider using a tool like 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.

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.

[#11]

Hi Mike J

Please help me check my Upwork account.

I was working with a freelancer basic (free) account before but I only had a project through out that time I did, and delivered on the 1st of July this year. Meanwhile, I've not gotten another job since then, and all my proposals has no response.

However, I subscribed to freelance plus on Sunday 14th of August, and still all the proposals sent has no response.

Please help me out, is my account deactivated or suspended or is there something I'm not getting right ?

Your quick response will be highly appreciated.

Thanks. 

[#12]

Hi Olawale,

There are no holds on your account. Upwork is a very competitive platform. Having won your first project, you're off to a good start. I do have one note.

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. Right now, your overview begins with "Hi there!" and a blank line, taking up precious space in the search results.

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.

[#13]

Hello Mike, 

Im new in Upwork have applied for several jobs but so far none has come through. how long does a new bie take to get a single job? am almost giving up and my connects are being exhausted by day.

Regards 

Sara

[#14]

Hi Sarah,

Thank you for your message. Upwork is a very competitive platform so it can take many proposals to win your first project. The good news is that you'll receive more Connects each month. 

I noticed that 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.

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.

I hope this helps!

[#15]

Hi Mike, thanks for the tips. it actually helped me at lot. 

[#16]

Hi everyone! My name is Hilda and I'm one of the four Upwork Coaches from Upwork Academy, an accessible and interactive suite of informational resources and best practices for using Upwork. There are multiple courses and learning paths aimed to help with your success.

What is Upwork Coaching? The coaching team is here to help no matter where you are in your Upwork journey! We are here to provide tips on how to grow your business on Upwork, answer strategy questions, and be your guide. We provide cohort coaching to bring support and advice to more Upwork Community members at once and personalized one-to-one coaching as well.

What is a coaching cohort you ask? It’s an online group on our Community page dedicated to helping talent start and grow their freelancing business. While this is a community group setting, you will have an opportunity to schedule a 1:1 call with the assigned Upwork Coach or attend an “Ask Me Anything” call. It's called a cohort because it starts and ends on specific dates.

Join the Getting Started in Upwork cohort that starts on August 29, 2022, and runs for two weeks. Click the link request to join.  

I am looking forward to helping you succeed!

[#17]

Hello J. ,

               Thanks for your interest to help new Freelancers like me. I would be glad if you can help me build my profile, Please reply me so that i can share my profile with you for review. 

Thank you.

[#18]

Hi Havaida,

I reviewed 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. 

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]

Dear Mike,

Thanks for your interest to help new Freelancers like me. Can you help me about my profile. Could you do a review of my profile and offers some feedback? Can you please review my profile, everything is okay? And suggest to me how to improve my profile to always get in touch Upwork talent success manager like you and the client to get more invitations. Please review and let me know.  Please help me. I am new here.

Regards,

Bijoya Raha

[#20]

Hi Bijoya,

Thanks for your message. I reviewed your profile and noticed that your overview begins with "Hi" followed by a blank line. The beginning of your profile overview displays in the search results of prospective clients and it’s your first 200-character pitch. So, your first sentence should include clear, relevant information about your primary skill sets and expertise.

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.

[#21]

Thank you very much

[#22]

Hello Mike J

Good Morning from Rajshahi, Bangladesh.

Would you please review my profile & give me some suggestions to improve my profile?

Really I want to succeed on Upwork.

[#23]

Great Advice for us!

[#24]

Hey! Mike J 

I am newbie on Upwork and I would be grateful to you if you check my profile it would be great for me and it encourage me to work hard for it, Rather than hopeless.

Kind regards,

Alishba 

[#25]

Hi Mike!

Would appreciate if you can have a look at my profile and let me know any improvements that you recommend.

Thanks.

Ali.

[#26 · Accepted solution]

For help with your profile, check out this peer feedback thread and consider joining an Upwork Academy Coaching Cohort!