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 Mike!

Tank you so much for reaching out to new freelancers like me. The tips you've provided are really helpful. I am so glad to find out that the Upwork Community and the Upwork staff/team are so helpful. I thank you again.

Mike, I would love to have your feedback on my profile and see where the changes are required and what all I can do to not just secure work, but to stand out. Thanks again. I look forward to recieving your valuable input.

[#3]

Hi Urooj,

Welcome! Your profile is not currently available as our team is waiting for some information from you. Please check your emails.

[#4]

Hi Mark ! 

Thanks for your prompt response. Yes, i have checked my mails and updated the information. Now I am good to go. Can you now please review my profile and help me build it so I can get contracts? I would be highly obliged and I really appreciate you taking out your time. Thanking in advance. 

Regards,

Urooj

[#5]

Hi Urooj,

I reviewed your profile and here are my thoughts:

• Write your profile from the first person point-of-view, rather than third person ("Urooj Raja is an individual...")
• 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.
• 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. 

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.

[#6]

Hi Mike.

My name is Harold and I am a new freelancer on upwork.

I hope to get the Raising Talent badge. so I passed the Upwork readess test, completed profil(100%) and sent serveral proposals. But I can't get Rasing Talent badge.

I am not sure why i can't get it. How do i must for it?

f you can help me, i will thank you.

And then if you can review my profile, too...

Looking for your responce soon.

Thanks.

Harold

[#7]

Hi Harold,

Thanks for your message. You have completed the pro-active steps toward earning the Rising Talent badge. To improve your chances of earning the badge, continue to submit proposals to job postings that are relevant to the skills listed on your profile.

We look at a variety of factors when determining whether to award Rising Talent status. This includes client feedback, the overall strength of your profile upon submission, including prior experience and skills and your educational background, as well as the opportunities available in the market. As such, this is an invite-only program that not all talent will be eligble to join.

[#8]

I am really thanks to @Mike J because I perfectly done my Upwork profile 100% and recently completed my first work. 

[#9]

Hey 

I am new to Upwork. I got 2 jobs last month. I have sent proposals to different projects but unfortunately no one answers. I feel like my profile is disappeared. I would be grateful if you can help me for my profile or my skills. I am waiting for your opinion. 

Many Regards 

Momina

[#10]

---

Momina K wrote:

Hey 

I am new to Upwork. I got 2 jobs last month. I have sent proposals to different projects but unfortunately no one answers. I feel like my profile is disappeared. I would be grateful if you can help me for my profile or my skills. I am waiting for your opinion. 

Many Regards 

Momina

---

Your picture could be much improved by a neutral background. Polish your text a little, expand on what services you provide. Add many more examples of your work, think at least 15-20 examples in your portfolio. 

[#11]

Hi Martina,

Thanks a million for great help. I will try my best. 

Many Regards 

[#12]

Hello Mike, I have a few questions, please help me with this..?

1. What is the thing in a freelancer's profile that attracts any client other than reviews?

2. What is the thing a freelancer can add to his profile that possibly can attract any client?
&
3. How can I get the 'Rising Talent' badge

Thank you. 🙂

[#13]

Hi Md. Tazbir,

Thanks for your message. Your profile Title, Overview, and Portfolio are crucial. Review this article for more information.

You can find the requirements of the Rising Talent badge here.

[#14]

Hi Mike,

I am new to Upwork and am looking to hire for a couple projects. Question, as I am reviewing resumes/profiles and save potential candidates, am I able to share them with my colleague who is part of my hiring team?

Thanks!

Tavya Casad

[#15]

Hi Tavya,

You can learn how to Add or Remove Team Members here.

[#16]

Thanks, I have already added the team member with full access but we can't seem to share saved potentials.

[#17]

Thanks but I have already added the team member. But we still can't see each others saved potential hires.  How do we do that?

[#18]

Tavya, members of your team with the appropriate permission will be able to see freelancers proposals you receive on job posts. If you're referring to your saved lists please know that this is currently a test. Right now, your lists, notes and tags are only visible to the person that creates them. We will be expanding this functionality for multiple users in the future.

[#19]

Dear Mike and Andrea,

Can you guide me how to complete my profile? It is 100% completed but I was wondering whether there could be more info that I can include in my profile?

Bests,

Eda

[#20]

Hi Eda,

I looked at your profile and suggest you add more detailed information about the type of work you do. 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.

[#21]

Greetings Mike J.,

I have completed my Upwork profile but, as I send my proposals to projects, I cannot get any responses to them. How may I improve my profile and get my clients to see my proposals?

Thanks for your attention,

Best Regards,

Thiago Nagaoka

[#22]

Hello!

I am bidding on upwork since last two months but I am not getting projects even though my bid is upto client's expectations.

Kindly, help me out in getting projects as I invested alot on buying connects.

Thanks.

[#23]

Hi Muhammad,

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. Currently your first three lines of text do not say anything about the services you offer. Then the keyword "AMAZON" appears alone by itself. I would suggest removing that too.

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.

[#24]

i am new to upwork and not getting much orders cann you please guide?

[#25]

Hi Hamza,

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. You can also request peer review of your profile by other freelancers in this thread.

[#26]

Hi Thiago,

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. You can also request peer review of your profile by other freelancers in this thread.