Aug 6, 2020 10:51:19 AM Edited Apr 26, 2022 05:58:19 AM by Michael J
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 Michael J
For help with your profile, check out this peer feedback thread and consider joining an Upwork Academy Coaching Cohort!
Oct 24, 2020 10:25:37 PM by Sayyam A
Can you please review my profile and suggest me about the title and overview of my profile?
Nov 11, 2020 08:48:23 PM by Md Mahadi Hasan R
Hi Mike J, I want you to review my profile as well. And let me know if needs to fix any error you find.
Thanks
Rakib
Nov 20, 2020 08:44:31 AM by Michael J
Hi Rakib,
I have 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.
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.
I hope this helps!
Apr 22, 2021 03:21:55 PM by Boniface M
Hi Lambert,
First things first please make your profile public (Go to Profile> Profile Settings> Visibility> change to Public) so that any client can visit your profile to see your expertise.
Not all clients advertise their jobs, they search individual profiles that meet their needs and hire from there.
Secondly, make sure you have uniquely laid out your expertise, skills, and experience on your profile.
Thirdly, you have to showcase portfolios of jobs you have completed successfully (either within Upwork or without) to showcase your level of expertise and how meticulous your work is.
Fourthly, if you have worked on previous jobs please ask your clients to give feedback wrt your excellent turnaround time and quality of work you submitted/executed for them.
Fifthly, make sure you draft a short, efficient, smart, and skill/service-oriented cover letter as a template to applying for jobs in Upwork which you know match your skillset.
Sixthly, always set your availability (on your profile) as per the amount of workload you might have at that particular moment (.there are 3 choices:More than 30 hrs/week, Less than 30 hrs/week Or As needed - open to offers)
Last but not least, make sure you apply to 3-5 jobs per day if you are not assigned any work at that particular moment.
Best,
Boniface Maina
Project Manager Specialised in Data Entry and Research
Apr 29, 2021 11:49:51 AM by Michael J
Hi Lambert,
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.
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!
Jul 5, 2021 06:55:42 AM by Michael J
Hi Kevin,
Thank you for your message. I have reviewed your profile and have some suggestions:
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!
Jul 6, 2021 04:57:18 AM by Kevin Carl C
Hi Mike,
I've been using Grammarly but it doesn't work normally in my overview. I re-created my overview and remove the beginning of my overview and replace it with a new one. Can you review it again and see if there are more things to change? btw I have a hard time finding the issue in my format.. I'll attach a screenshot so you can see my new overview. Thank you so much for helping newbies in Upwork.
Thank you,
Kevin
Jul 6, 2021 06:06:14 AM Edited Jul 6, 2021 06:36:24 AM by Michael J
Hi Kevin,
Thank you for the follow up. Your profile looks good. Good use of the portfolio too, by the way!
Please check out this screenshot where I highlighted a spacing error by a opening parentheses "(" and following that there is no closing parentheses.
I hope this helps!
Jul 5, 2021 03:39:10 AM Edited Jul 5, 2021 03:42:03 AM by Kevin Carl C
Can anyone view my profile and please let me know what's wrong and what should I do to get a client with that profile. I've been consistently applying for 2 months but until now. I still don't get hired. I think there is something wrong with my profile or my cover letter. Please help me.
Jul 27, 2021 01:52:52 PM by Marydol A
Hi Mike,
I hope you have a good day ahead. Can you help me to review my profile. Is there something that I need to improve to attract more clients?
Thank you.
Jul 27, 2021 02:17:38 PM by Kevin M
Hi Marydol A,
I am not able to see your profile because it is set to private. You need to change it from private to public for experienced freelancers to see your profile and give feedback.
Kevin.
Aug 2, 2021 06:49:16 AM by Michael J
Hi Marydol,
Thank you for your message. You're off to a great start with your profile. One thing I wanted to mention 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. You can remove the inclusion of your name as this is visible elsewhere and it takes up valuable space on your Overview. 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!
Dec 22, 2020 11:21:38 PM Edited Dec 22, 2020 11:24:18 PM by AleksandarD A
Hello Mike,
I need your help in setting profile and getting more jobs by proposals.
Regards,
Usman **Edited for Community Guidelines**
Dec 23, 2020 07:19:10 AM by Michael J
Hi Usman,
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.
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!
Apr 23, 2021 09:37:19 AM by Adonsi J
Hi Mike thank you for your advice, I would like you to review my profile. And let me know what I need to fix to have a profile.
Thanks
Jules
Apr 29, 2021 11:58:35 AM by Michael J
Hi Adonsi,
Thanks for your message! Your profile is off to great start. One suggestion I have is to add a total of at least 4 entries in your portfolio. We know that clients like to see at least 4 separate entries (they don't always open them to see if there are more images inside). You might also be interested in this article: 4 Ways to Create a More Successful Freelancer Portfolio
May 27, 2022 07:14:29 PM by Maruja Jane S
Hello Mike.
I am new to work, can you please help me review my profile? Thank you.
Regards
maru
Jul 19, 2022 02:28:44 AM by Tahir Sharif K
Mike
Allow me to share with you my profile link for few Advices
Aug 9, 2022 01:49:05 AM by Atif Z
Hello Mike,
I'll be really thankful to you if you please review my profile. Kindly send me a private message to check my profile.
Regards,
Atif Zia
Aug 7, 2020 04:44:01 PM by Amanda L
Hi Mike, how much time have you spent as a freelance consultant and in what field?
Aug 10, 2020 09:04:27 AM by Michael J
Hi Amanda,
Thank you for your question! I've been a freelance translator since 2009 and have spent the last 2 years providing program support to Upwork's Talent Success team, specifically representing the needs of and advocating for freelancers.