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 Hector,

Thank you for your message. I reviewed your profile and wanted to remind you 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.

[#3]

Thanks Mike.

But I need some help....I am a rising talent badge member, I have submitted 10 proposals for jobs and for more than 4 days now, I have not been called for an interview, NOT even one. Is there something I am not doing well? Please can someone check my profile and see if I need to make some improvement. I need to do jobs to make money...Thank you.

[#4]

Hi Sydney,

Thank you for your message. I reviewed your profile and made some suggestions below. You can also request feedback from other experienced freelancers here.

• 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.
• 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. 
• 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 may also find these articles helpful:

• 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

I hope this helps!

[#5]

Hi Mike, 

Thank you for helping new freelancers on Upwork. 

Would you mind having a look at my profile? I think I'm on the right path and I'd love to get a rising talent badge. 

Looking forward to your suggestions! 

Thanks a ton!

Jesica

[#6]

Hi Jesica,

Thanks for your message. You're on the right path! Keep working on submitting proposals to job posts that are relevant to your skills. Here are some articles you might find helpful:

• Tips from Freelancers: Best Practices for Success
• How to Write Proposals: Proven Advice From Freelancers on Upwork
• How to Ace Your Next Client Interview

I hope this helps!

[#7]

Hi Mike, can you check my profile too? I will appreciate it. Thanks

[#8]

Hi Haris,

Your profile is off to a great start. One thing I suggest is adding a portfolio. When leveraged creatively, they can be a great asset even for those in non-visual mediums. Check out this article: 4 Ways to Create a More Successful Freelancer Portfolio

[#9]

Spoiler

That was a good aricle and information to all .
can you help me in building my profile and how to submit eyecatching proposal.
I have submitted so many proposals but cant get one even.
can you help me please.

[#10]

Hi Manasa,

Your profile is set to Private. Please change the visibility if you would like suggestions from myself or others.

[#11]

Hello Mike, Glad to read about your interest to help new Freelancers like me. I would be thankful to you if you can help me build my profile, Please reply me so that i can share my profile with you for review.

Thank you.

Muhammad **Edited for Community Guidelines**

[#12]

Hi Muhammad Atif,

Your profile looks good! Here are some articles I think you'll find helpful:

• Tips from Freelancers: Best Practices for Success
• How to Create a Proposal That Wins Jobs
• How to Ace Your Next Client Interview

[#13]

Hi! I'm new to Upwork.

I'm putting together a video introduction for my profile and just want to make sure that I don't violate Upwork policies. I'm assuming I am not allowed to link to any social media accounts. Am I allowed to include my first and last name? 

Thanks!

[#14]

Hi Miriam,

If your last name it's included on the video it's okay but please note that you can't link any social media account or contact information in it. Also, if you and your client connect on Upwork, should also keep all communication on the platform until a contract starts. You can check this help article to learn more. 

[#15]

Hi Please could someone give me feedback on my Overview and my Profile 

[#16]

Hi Emmanuel, 

Thanks for your message. Your profile is off to a good start. Here are some articles that might interest you:

• 9 Tips to Help You Create a Freelancer Profile That Stands Out
•  4 Ways to Create a More Successful Freelancer Portfolio
• How to Write Proposals: Proven Advice From Freelancers on Upwork

[#17]

Dear Mike.
I am Peter from Canada and new freelancer.

I just read your article and thanks for your kindness to help new Freelancers like me.

Could you please review my profile, everything is okay?

And please give me your suggestion about my profile.

Thanks.

[#18]

Hi Peter,

Thank you for your message. I reviewed your profile and 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.). 

Also keep in mind 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. 

[#19]

Thank you so much, I appreciate your post, it was really helpful.

[#20]

Thank you for being here! Sure enough my first 'win' wants to pay outside of upwork. At least that's what I understood. The next morning I saw your helpful article alerting me of 'warning signs'. I have posted an official reply to accept his verbal job offer - in the messages- to officially accept the position and list my rate of pay. He was informed that I will track my time using the upwork time tracker. I want to keep integrity with terms of service, Orientation is tomorrow 2pm EDT: is there anything else I need to do on my part?

Kelly J.

[#21]

Hi Kelly,

Thank you for your message. The client must send you an offer through Upwork and then you would accept it. It is more than a verbal agreement or a written message. I have asked our Customer Support team to reach out to you with more assistance.

[#22]

Thanks Mike. May I ask why my profile will not complete? It is telling me my phone number is not recognized or that it cannot read it to send a code.

Mineli

[#23]

Hi Mineli,

I'm sorry to hear you faced that issue. A fix has been released for this issue now. Have you been able to complete your profile now?

[#24]

Hi Mike!

I just started my freelancing career and my profile got accepted last week. I will be very grateful if someone like you who has an adept background in Upwork can suggest improving my profile. 

Thank you for reading my message. 

Sincerely yours,

Artchie M.

[#25]

Hi Artchie,

Welcome to Upwork! I reviewed your profile and have some suggestions:

• Just like Google search results, the title and “snippets” of information that appear in Upwork’s talent search results can be key factors when potential clients are looking for expert talent to reach out to. I recommend avoiding generic descriptions, such as “hard-working” or “reliable”. You can touch on these points in your Overview. Consider updating your title to be descriptive about the services you offer.
• 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 difficult to quickly scan and understand what your primary services and experiences are. It might help to use bullets and other delineators to break up your profile.

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!

[#26]

Hi Mike, Sorry for that! Can you check my profile? As I am new to this platform so I am confused about my profile. I want to know what is the fault of my profile. I am confused. Thanks for your kindness. Please Please help me.

Regards,
Pronob Kumer