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!
Jan 4, 2022 03:43:17 PM by Kenneth A
Hi, Mike!
I would love if you had the chance to review my profile.
Jan 11, 2022 10:26:19 AM by Ogunleke M
Hi Mike.
thanks for the tips
have been a menber a year now but been on and off
can you please review my proflie and let me know what need to be fix
thank you
Micheal
Jan 11, 2022 10:36:17 AM by Michael J
Hi Ogunleke,
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.
Jan 15, 2022 03:11:17 PM by Minhazul A
Really a great post for newbies. I will add: Also if possible we need to add few projects so that clients can get idea about our service competency, budgets and delivery time.
Jan 15, 2022 04:20:19 PM Edited Jan 15, 2022 04:22:17 PM by Amy E
This is great mike, I recently came onboard and was lost for a bit, will definitely read through your suggestions, thanks. I would appreciate your opinion of my profile, would appreciate corrections and tips to help me get my first job here.
Jan 17, 2022 11:24:01 AM by Muhammad Asif S
Hi Mike,
I am new on Upwork. I am doing work hard to build my Upwork profile kindly check my profile and give me your feedback
Jan 17, 2022 11:31:18 AM by Abass Olalekan A
Thanks, Mike.... Please i am new on the platform. I want you to help me review my profile and give me the necessary guideline to make it perfect.
thanks in anticipation.
Jan 28, 2022 11:08:44 AM by Jenel P
Hi Joanne!
Can you please also check mine. Because I'm also having issues with this "invitations" thing. Before, I got job invites everyday, and recently, no job invites, even I have submitted proposals. Hoping to be considered. Thanks!
Jan 18, 2022 06:43:39 AM by Muhammad Asif S
Hi Mike, I am new to Upwork. Upwork give me Rising Talent but now Rising Talen is gone. What happened and why is Rising Talent gone? please help me
Jan 18, 2022 07:08:19 AM by Michael J
Hi Muhammad Asif,
I still see the Rising Talent badge on your profile. If you have questions about the requirements for that badge, please visit the help center.
Jan 22, 2022 11:19:39 AM by Domitila M
Hello Mike,
Thank you for the information.
I am not quite new to Upwork, but I have never received a job. I have received 2 proposals but no work.
Please review my profile and help me build it so that I can get jobs.
Thank you,
Domitila
Jan 24, 2022 04:38:35 AM by Michael J
Hi Domitila,
It's important to keep submitting proposals. It can take many proposals to win your first project, but many freelancers find that it becomes easier over time.
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.
Jan 27, 2022 03:36:05 PM by Kallol B
Hello Mike
Please could you do review my frofile and everything is okey? Please suggest how to improve my profile and getting rising talent.
Thanks
Kallol
Jan 28, 2022 05:40:07 AM by Michael J
Hi Kallol,
Thanks for message. I reviewed your profile and suggest changes to the beginning of the overview. 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.
As for Rising Talent, please review this article.
Jan 29, 2022 07:50:49 AM by Mult T
Hello Mike, I'm a new member, thank you for your post. I received a new offer, but the correspondence is not conducted through the UPwork messenger, but through personal mail, is this normal? Or maybe scammers
Jan 29, 2022 08:53:33 AM by Nikola S
Hi Mult,
Please know that sharing contact information before a contract has started is against Upwork’s Upwork's Terms of Service and that all communications prior to the contract starting must take place on Upwork. We also encourage you to let us know if a TOS violation has happened by using the Flag as Inappropriate option throughout the platform. You can learn more about user reporting here.
Please check this post for the freelancer resources and tips for avoiding questionable jobs that we put together to help freelancers make decisions whether to work with a client or not. You may also want to check this help article to help you stay safe on Upwork.
Jan 31, 2022 08:51:22 AM by Rakibul Hasan A
Yea, This is very excellent information for me . I'm a new freelancer in Upwork so I think it's very helpful for me.
Thank you so much.😍
Jan 31, 2022 05:06:19 PM by Idris L
Hi Mike, I will like you to help me review my profile if there is anything I need to improve on
Thank you
Feb 1, 2022 05:13:43 AM by Michael J
Hi Idris,
I notice you haven’t added any pieces to your portfolio. Your portfolio is one of the most important profile components that clients review. Our research shows that missing portfolio pieces can be a negative signal for clients. Consider adding a few relevant pieces. It might help in getting more profile views and high-quality job invites.
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.
Feb 1, 2022 12:32:08 PM by Paz L
Hi Mike!
I don't understand what is the difference between "active proposals" and "offers". I got an active proposal from a job posted , but I don't know when to start the work oficially, because the profile sent me the .dwg file trough DM.
Thanks!
Feb 1, 2022 12:53:04 PM Edited Feb 1, 2022 12:53:20 PM by Michael J
Hi Paz,
An active proposal is just a proposal on a job that is still active (not filled or closed), not an offer. You shouldn't begin work until the client sends you and offer and you've accepted it.
Feb 3, 2022 12:40:07 AM by Tasnimul Hasan A
Hi Mr. Mike! Do you have a few seconds to check my profile? And give me some important tips to improve my profile and make it good for my client.
Feb 3, 2022 05:52:17 AM by Michael J
Hi Tasnimul,
I took a look at your profile and have some suggestions. It's great that you've included an intro video! I have some suggestions for some potential improvements. I feel it might be a little too long to keep clients' attention. This article gives suggestions for how long each part of your video should be. It's also a little bit difficult to hear you. Consider filming a video indoors where there would be less external noise. I also suggest using a tripod or placing the camera on a table or chair so that it doesn't move.
I think you're profile Overview is off to a good start. 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.
I hope this helps!
Feb 3, 2022 09:09:18 AM by Kathleen G
Hi Mike,
I am new to Upwork and have completed my profile. However, for some reason the two sample articles I uploaded to my profile won't open up. The description is there but when I click to open the article it is not there. Can you help me with this or recommend someone who can? Thanks
Kathy G
Feb 3, 2022 09:35:49 AM by Michael J
Hi Kathleen,
I'm sorry you ran into that issue. This was caused by a bug, but we recently released the fix. Could you please remove and reupload the files? That should resolve the issue.
Feb 6, 2022 02:22:12 AM by MD Nur U
Hello Mike,
Thanks for your important information. I'm quite new on Upwork, so all the time I'm searching for helps so that I could be a professional on my field. Would you please review my profile and give me a feedback, that would be great for me. Thanks advance.
Feb 7, 2022 04:49:38 AM by Michael J
Hi MD Nur,
I reviewed your profile and have a couple of notes:
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.
Feb 7, 2022 11:02:36 PM by Raphael W
Hello Mike,
I found the tips you shared to be helpful. Would you be so kind to review my profile and give me some feedback. I would really appreciate. Also, I am having trouble getting my proposals accepted by clients. Thanks.
Regards,
Raphael
Feb 8, 2022 05:37:15 AM by Michael J
Hi Raphael,
I like your profile, but I have a few articles you might find helpful in making it even better and improving the success of your proposals:
I also recommend this video (a recording of a recent webinar) which provides proposal tips. You can also find other great videos on Upwork's YouTube channel.
Feb 12, 2022 05:47:38 AM by Dilawar H
Hi mile,
hope you're doing good.
I am young Architect, i have plenty of practicing experience.
I am new to Upwork but am struggling to get projects, maybe something important is missing in my profile.
Can you please go through my profile and help me improve my profile to get project!
Feb 14, 2022 04:55:51 AM by Michael J
Hi Dilawar,
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.
Feb 13, 2022 11:28:09 AM by Abayomi A
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the guide.
Can you please help me review my profile? I would really appreciate your feedback.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thanks
Abayomi A.
Feb 14, 2022 05:02:28 AM by Michael J
Hi Abayomi,
I looked at your profile and have some suggestions:
Overall, I suggest a stronger focus on your specific skills and the outcomes you provide. 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.