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 Haseeb M,

always use public mode if you wish to get jobs.

Thanks

[#3]

Thanks a lot, Mike J. for your valuable information.  

[#4]

Hi dear, I am new to upwork. I have just done one thing. But I’ve done a lot of work in other marketplaces. When I'm bit, clients don't believe me. How can I make them credible? And can I take the job? Honestly I'm confused. Upwork does not value newcomers

[#5]

I know what you are feeling.  I don't know what to say. I had to contact customer service regarding a testimonial from a client after they rejected it for no reason.  I thought they were discriminating and bias towards me. They then let my client re-submit the testimonial.

One webinar I attended (from Upwork) said to keep applying. That is what I'm doing.  I also decided to subscribe to Upwork so that they don't change my "public" view to "private." 

[#6]

Hi Hadiul,

I understand your concern and suggest you make use of the Testimonials tool.

[#7]

Hi Mike

I am new to Upwork but I have tried sending out proposals with no response. Can you please review my profile and help me know what I need to do.

Thanks

[#8]

Hi Mary,

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. 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.

Don't lose hope! It can take more than 10 proposals to win your first contract.

[#9]

Mike! Help!

I've worked so hard on my proposals (no two are alike!), and I apply to new jobs daily! Could you take a look over my attempts/account and provide me with some specific tips? So many great jobs, but I've only gotten one contract! Not that I'm complaining too much, I love the guy I'm working with, but I'd also love to diversify and be able to pay some bills!

Thanks so much,

Sarah

[#10]

Hi Sarah,

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 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.

I also suggest you check out these articles:

• Upwork Profiles: Why a Great Title and Overview Can Make a Difference
• How to Write a Cover Letter
• How to Create a Proposal That Wins Jobs
• How to Write Proposals: Proven Advice From Freelancers on Upwork

I hope this helps!

[#11]

Thanks mike. Am new to this and thats encouraging

[#12]

Hi Mike!!

Thank you for offering your expertise! Would you mind taking a look at my profile and sharing any suggested improvements? After joining Upwork last month and enjoying Rising Talent status and a 100% JSS, my score recently dropped to 83% due to 4.2 feedback weighted heavily ($) against six 5-star projects. Hence, I’m trying to do whatever I can to win new projects and bring up my score. Thanks in advance for your help!  Here is a link to my profile:  https://www.upwork.com/o/profiles/users/~01843e1ad879e68759/

[#13]

Hi Kerri,

Thanks for your message. Your profile looks good. One thing to note is that 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. 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.

[#14]

Thanks so much Mike! I appreciate it!!

[#15]

Hi,

I open my Upwork profile in 2017, but I try to work in Upwork a few months ago. Could you check my profile and provide me with feedback.

I will appreciate it! Thank you!

[#16]

Hi Abu,

Thank you for your reponse. I reviewed your profile and here are some suggestions:

• 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.
  • 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.). 

 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!

[#17]

Yeah thank u so much

[#18]

Hello,

I have a question as a new freelancer to Upwork. I have accepted my first offer from a client. He has asked me to call him for our first communication on his cellphone. Is this acceptable?  

Thank you,

Ashley Brett

[#19]

If he want you to call through Upwork then its fine but if he let you
contact outside the Upwork then its against Upwork policies.

[#20]

Can I call his cell number with in Upwork?

[#21]

Yes you can, thats why there is a call option as well because if someone
have to discuss deeply then he/she can prefer to discuss on call.

[#22]

Writing a cover letter

[#23]

Hi Ashley,

This response is long overdue. I apologize that I missed your message. Once a contract is in place (you've accepted an offer through the platform), it is okay to communicate outside of Upwork.

[#24]

Thanks very much this post is really helpful

[#25]

Can any one here help review my profile for me to see if there is any lapses. Thanks

[#26]

Hi Abdul,

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

• Your profile is only 75% 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 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 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. 

• Photos make a strong first impression. Clear, headshot-style photos with a simple background work best. Improve yours by taking a photo with a plain background and higher resolution. Check out this how-to guide.

I hope this helps!