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]

hai my project details explain pls

[#3]

Hi Rajalakashmi,

Thank you for your message. Could you please clarify your questions further?

Thank you,

Pradeep

[#4]

Mike: I am not exactly a newbie but I have a very relevant question. How do I know when a submitted proposal is still active? Many times I have had a very successful (at least to myself) interview and then I never hear from the potential client again. Is there a way that we can find out if the job is closed and that they have hired someone else? It would be very helpful if we know why we were not hired. Was it price? Was it time zone? etc. Currently I am 100% top rated.

Thank you for your help.

[#5]

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John F wrote:

Mike: I am not exactly a newbie but I have a very relevant question. How do I know when a submitted proposal is still active? Many times I have had a very successful (at least to myself) interview and then I never hear from the potential client again. Is there a way that we can find out if the job is closed and that they have hired someone else? It would be very helpful if we know why we were not hired. Was it price? Was it time zone? etc. Currently I am 100% top rated.

Thank you for your help.

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Hi John, just look under "Find work > Proposals" or follow this link. Closed jobs are archived.

[#6]

Thank you. 

[#7]

Thanks you

[#8]

Thanks, Jennifer R  for your completed short answer.

[#9]

Thank you Mike, i found this information really helpful. As newbies, it's alwasy encouraging to get a step-by-step breakdown of what we need to do, even if it seems to be obvious. It is positive reinforcement that goes a long way to increasing confidence. Thanks again.

[#10]

Hi Mike,

I'm a new member and has already submitted 3 proposals. When I tried to submit my fourth proposal, it prompted me an error saying 'Insufficient connects to submit proposals for the job'.

Please let me know how to go about this issue.

Thanks and stay safe!

[#11]

Hi Andrew,

You need Connects in order to bid for jobs in the Upwork marketplace. If you wish to purchase Connects, please go to your Membership & Connects page (Settings > Memberships & Connects) to purchase Connects. You may read more about Connects here.

This can vary based on your location, but all Upwork users will be able to purchase Connects with a credit card or prepaid card. If you aren’t able to use a credit card or prepaid card or you don’t have an Upwork balance, in many cases you’ll be able to use PayPal. Check the options available to you and learn more about acceptable billing methods for paying memberships.

Please note that we return Connects when a client closes their job without hiring or we find a job post has violated our Terms of Service.

[#12]

Thanks for your help!

[#13]

Greetings.

Its a welcoming community and platform.

My name is Rufaro and I'm also brand new.

I like data analysis.

I need help in 2 areas.

1. Can someone kindly check my profile and see if it is easy to follow and clear enough to attract relevant projects.

2. I have been trying to figure out some mechanism on this platform for interacting with prospective clients or to learn about some of their problems in data analysis and handling.

Kindly give me the links.  

Many thanks for your time.

[#14]

Hi Rufaro,

Thank you for your message! I reviewed your profile and have some suggestions:

• The beginning of your profile overview displays in prospective client search results. 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. 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.

Here are some additional tips for writing a great Title and Overview.

As for interacting with prospective clients, there is not a way for a freelancer to initiate contact with a client prior to submitting a proposal.

I hope this helps!

[#15]

Hi Mike,

I really appreciate you taking the time to review my profile. Your comments and suggestions have been very helpful.

Many thanks 

Kind Regards

Rufaro

[#16]

Hello Mike,

I've applied to nearly 74 jobs in the past 2 months and have been hired by 2 clients and interviewed by 3 other clients ( but didn't win jobs).

I'm always improvising my proposal according to the clients's project and provide relevant samples in the proposals.

Could you please correct me where am I going wrong?

[#17]

Hi Narayan,

Thank you for your message.  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. 

• 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.
• 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.)

[#18]

I am new to hear in Upwork. Please review my profile, and tell me my profile is good or not good. I am confused about my profile. Please solve the problem now. I am waiting for your reply. Thank you.

[#19]

Hi Pronob,

I provided you feedback here earlier today.

[#20]

Hi Mike,

I have an urgent question regarding an interview test that I've received from an Upwork plus client, this interview test was sent by email from the client, I need a guidance for the process since I am new.

Thanks a lot for your quite response.

Best regards.

[#21]

Hi Nabil,

Could you please reach out to me via PM (click on my name) with the client's name or the job title? Thank you.

[#22]

Hi Goran,

Yes it's done, meet you there, thanks a  lot.

Regards

[#23]

Hello, Upwork

I'm still struggling on Upwork spent all of my connects now feeling hopeless even can not apply for new jobs and I feel like Upwork do not support new freelancers like other platforms don't understand what should I do now.

[#24]

Hi Mike

Thank you for the tips!  I am just starting out and would like feedback on my profile.  I have both administrative assistant skills and would like to work remotely using those skills.  I also have experience proofreading, something that I am interested in doing more of. Is combining both skills into one profile too much?  I definitely need to work on my proposals so I’ll check out the links listed.

Thank you.

Gail

[#25]

Hi Gail,

It's not uncommon to have multiple skills. Fortunately, we offer Specialized Profiles which allows you to create up to three different profile overviews. As such, you could create one for administrative assistant work and another for proofreading. 

I reviewed your profile and have some suggestions:

• In your Titile, avoid generic descriptions, such as “hard-working” or “reliable”. You can touch on these points in your Overview.
• The beginning of your profile overview displays in prospective client search results. So, your first sentence should include clear, relevant information about your primary skill sets and expertise.
• 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.
• 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.).

I also curated a short list of articles that I think you'll find helpful:

• Upwork Profiles: Why a Great Title and Overview Can Make a Difference
• Sample Profiles and Best Practices
• How to Create a Proposal That Wins Jobs

If you do decide to build out two specialized profiles, don't hesitate to ask for feedback on those as well, if you'd like.

I hope this helps!

[#26]

Hi Mike-

I added a specialized profile. Do I need to redo my Admin profile to Administrative Assistant work only?  I have many questions - can I work one on one with someone for guidance in creating this?  Do I post a job on Upwork to do so?

Gail