Hi Alicia, and welcome to the freelance community.
I've been using Upwork for a few years, since it was called oDesk, to supplement my freelance income. (I have several regular clients and use Upwork to connect with new prospects and fill in the gaps when my other work is slow.)
In my experience, the best way to maximize your profits is to focus on adding value to your profile and presence for potential clients. You're off to a good start with your summary and samples. I'd suggest taking as many of Upwork's skills tests as you feel confident completing. The more "top ranked" scores you earn on those tests, the better- many clients have a baseline score they're looking for- like people who've scored "in the top 20%" in grammar, for example. Skills tests demonstrate that you, at least presumably, have the basic skills needed to write effectively.
Do watch out for the ToS- you don't want to lose potential contacts by getting your profile yanked for a ToS violation.
Aside from that, go out, learn how the platform works, and apply to any jobs that look interesting and like they fit your skill set and interests. I've written everything from an e-book on "larger women's" fashion to how to make better cheese at home. It's always something new in this business. You'll never be bored, and if you concentrate on building your business, you won't necessarily have to live on Ramen, either. 😉
True story- I've been a single mom for 5 years, having been a stay at home mom for 12 before my divorce- and I've been able to support myself and two teenagers on my freelance income. Necessity builds muscle, believe me. Keep working on your skills, and treat this like a real job- like your paychecks are going to cover your groceries and gas for the upcoming week- and you'll find a way to succeed.
Best of luck!
Mary
