Aug 6, 2020 10:51:19 AM Edited Apr 26, 2022 05:58:19 AM by Michael M
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!
Solved! Go to Solution.
Aug 30, 2022 10:59:19 AM by MichaelJ M
For help with your profile, check out this peer feedback thread and consider joining an Upwork Academy Coaching Cohort!
Sep 23, 2020 07:04:34 AM by Ketevani S
This is really helpful, Thanks a lot!
Mike, can you also take a look to my profile? I would like to know how I can improve it
Thanks in advance! 🙂
Sep 23, 2020 08:48:17 AM by MichaelJ M
Hi Ketevani,
Thank you for your message. I reviewed your profile and have some suggestions:
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!
Sep 23, 2020 09:35:55 PM by Rajesh M
Hi Mike,
Thanks for great guidance for the new users in Upwork. I am active for almost two months and my profile is 100 percent and public. I have almost submitted 15-16 proposals in which I was confident to complete on time. But till date, no invitation received so far. Although I will keep on posting my the proposals but need an expert advise from you.
Thanks
Rajesh M
Sep 23, 2020 10:02:48 PM by Narayan N
Hello Rajesh,
I checked out your profile and according to me you should focus on the following:
1. Write a better overview for your profile.
2. Add some more contents in your portfolio.
3. Write project dedicated cover letter for each project and DO NOT use a template.
4. Lastly, my personal tip: Only bid on those project where the bid numer is low, else you won't be able to compete the vast experienced majority.
I too walked on the same path as you and by following the above tips I've managed to win some jobs and have started my Upwork career.
Regards,
Har**bleep**
Sep 25, 2020 02:12:19 AM Edited Sep 29, 2020 08:31:39 AM by MichaelJ M
Hi,
Thanks for the suggestions and will do necessary changes in my profile and
put better work sample for the portfolio. In the meantime, please clarify
my confusion that as my id is **Edited for Community Guidelines** but my name is Rajesh M.
Does it creates any confusion for the prospective clients regarding Id and
user name.
Thanks
Regards
Rajesh
Sep 29, 2020 08:32:10 AM by MichaelJ M
Hi Rajesh,
The client cannot see your username, they will only see your real name.
I hope this helps!
Oct 3, 2020 05:19:08 AM by Rajesh M
Hello Mike,
Thanks for the reply. Anyways one more query how to achieve the Rising Talent badge. I have cleared the Upwork readiness test. Thanks.
Regards
Rajesh M
Oct 3, 2020 06:53:16 AM by NikolaS N
Hi Rajesh,
I checked and it looks like you completed Upwork Readiness Test just recently. Please note that once you complete the Upwork Readiness test successfully and meet all the other requirements for the Rising Talent program, you should receive the badge within 48 hours. Let us know if you need our further assistance after 48 hours period is passed.
Sep 24, 2020 07:00:09 PM by Bolaji O
Sep 29, 2020 08:30:31 AM by MichaelJ M
Hi Bolaji,
Thank you for your message. I reviewed your profile and have some suggestions:
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!
Sep 28, 2020 11:13:53 AM by Simona S
Hello,
Thanks for the advice you provided. I will share my experience with the Success Score.
My success score was 93% and this week it dropped to 86%. All my ratings and feedback from clients are excellent.
Now I understand that a contract doesn't have to be left without activity.
Upwork should really think about all the freelancers that are working part-time on the platform and sometimes the clients are the ones who left a contract open and make another one.
When I contact them, they close the previous version, but usually, it's too late and now my rating dropped significantly and because of that, I am maybe not able to get new clients this month.
In addition, I always receive invitations on which I respond within 1-2 hours and every time except them, and my response time is under 24 hours.
I try to be online almost all the time. So really think about the way you are calculating the success score. Sometimes a freelancer can have really bad reviews and still have a score of around 90-95%.
Thanks for your time,
Simona
Sep 29, 2020 09:05:25 AM by MichaelJ M
Hi Simona,
Thank you for your message. We appreciate your feedback about the Job Success Score. Remember, your JSS can change because:
I hope this helps.
Oct 2, 2020 12:02:27 AM by Shailesh L
Hey Mike!
I want you to check my profile and suggest me if anything I can improve. I'm freelancing services from 2016 and got good success on other platforms. Always I want to be on Upwork, I'm providing B2B services like hosting, VPS, email server setup with billing, and website with Litespeed and OpenLitespeed server (also I'm a contributor Openlitespeed and Cyberpanel and Cyberpanel VMM). Some of my skills available on Upwork. So I want to push myself on Upwork. can you please help me to improve my profile?
With regards,
Shailesh L (Ambtec)
Oct 5, 2020 10:09:23 AM by MichaelJ M
Hello Shailesh,
Thank you for your message. I have reviewed you profile and have some suggestions:
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.
Oct 14, 2020 07:22:16 AM by Hazel Joy L
Hi Mike,
I am new here and I have sent several proposals with an active one just yesterday. I feel that my profile is not attractive to clients. Please let me know any changes to be made to have it look more appealing.
Thank you!
Oct 15, 2020 07:34:58 AM by MichaelJ M
Hi Hazel,
Thank you for your message. I reviewed your profile and have some 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.
I hope this helps!
Oct 2, 2020 12:46:50 PM by Md Rabiul A
Dear Mike,
Please review my profile. And give me some suggestions on how to get more jobs and more invitations.
Advance thanks
Md.Rabiul Alam
Oct 5, 2020 10:12:18 AM by MichaelJ M
Hi Md Rabiul.
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.
Here are some additional tips for writing a great Overview.
I hope this helps.
Oct 2, 2020 02:41:42 PM by Muhammad H
Hello Mike, 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.
Huzaifa
Oct 5, 2020 10:15:17 AM by MichaelJ M
Hi Muhammad H,
Thanks for your message. I have some suggestions for your profile:
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, 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.
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.
May 2, 2022 12:58:11 PM by Ledz L
Hi,
Is there any back office or any account that has a very little to no dialing hours account here in upwork? I have been working in BPO for over 10 years and its really draining. Can someone help me to find a client? someone who is willing to give at least $8 an hour.
Please help.
Thank you.
Oct 6, 2020 11:55:27 PM by Rajesh M
Hello,
I cleared the Upwork Readiness Test and My profile is 100 per cent complete. What else is required to get Upwork Rising Talent badge?
Regards
Rajesh M