Upwork 101: For Freelancers
If you are new to the freelancing/contract-work space, you’ve probably heard the word Upwork thrown around quite a bit. Upwork is a freelancing platform that connects business owners with freelancers. It is one of the top freelancing platforms in the world.
Every type of freelancer or contract worker can be found on Upwork. From virtual assistants, operations and project managers, social media managers, IT analysts, copywriters, graphic designers, you name it- it’s there.
When I first started my journey as a virtual assistant, Upwork was the only platform I used to find clients. I found my very first client through Upwork and I still work with them today as an online business manager. I was so thrilled booking my first client. I booked two more clients through Upwork the following month.
New freelancers can use Upwork as a great starting point in their journey to gaining their first few clients, developing valuable skills, learning new applications and software, and discovering if they want to niche down into a specialty (think social media manager versus general administrative VA).
If this is your first time stepping into the remote world of freelancing and contract work, start taking your online presence seriously. Before meeting you, potential clients can only go by what they can find out about you online. Put your best foot forward by painting a clear picture of who you are and what you offer.
Contrary to popular belief, prospecting potential clients on Upwork can be successful. Let’s walk through the steps I took to successfully secure contracts and build my clientele.
Step 1:
Create a Captivating Profile
Your profile is your professional resume on Upwork. Let potential clients know they are hiring a professional by presenting a clean and polished profile. A 100% completed profile receives 5x more views by potential clients than an incomplete profile.
Professional Photo: If you aren’t using a professional photo, please ensure the photo used only shows you with a clear background behind you. No pets, children, or cluttered background.
Fill out all sections completely: Give as much information as possible. Again, you want potential clients to know what skills you have to offer. If you don’t have any actual work history with an employer (i.e., stay-at-home mom, high school student, etc.), document any volunteer experiences you’ve had where you’ve gained knowledge and developed skills that business owners can utilize. One example may include being an editor for your school newspaper. This shows that you have copywriting skills. Another example would be organizing a fundraiser or bake sale for your community. This shows that you have managerial skills and know how to lead.
Portfolio: There is a section on the Upwork profile that allows you to showcase your work for pervious clients. When I first started, I had no experience as a freelancer, so I didn’t have anything to showcase at that moment. To get around this slight disadvantage, I thought of what I would create for future clients. I uploaded an email marketing template that a realtor could use for lead generation of potential buyers. I also created an e-book cover that could be used by a nutritionist or fitness trainer. I knew that I had skills I could showcase.
Now that your profile is 100% complete, let’s deep drive into what to look for before submitting proposals to avoid scams!
Step 2: Submitting Proposals
Upwork is the one of the top freelancing platforms in the world. But unfortunately, just like with everything else, scammers find their way in. Avoiding the scams can be easy if you know what to look for.
Payment Verified: This one is the most important! I bypass any job postings without a “payment verified” blue check mark. An unverified payment method screams SCAM. It tells me that the person posting is not legitimate and is not serious about their business.
Don’t Be Generic: Never copy and paste from one proposal to the next. Each proposal should be personalized based on what is mentioned in the job listing. The potential client should feel like you are speaking directly to them. I like to grab words and phrases from the original job posting to include in my proposals.
For example, if a job posting says that they are looking for someone that has a can-do attitude and is very organized, I may write in my proposal something like this, “I pride myself on having a can-do attitude while being extremely organized and detail oriented”. I also include my resume with each proposal.
A job posting may receive up to 50 proposals from applicants around the world. Make sure that yours stands out from the crowd.
Check the reviews: Reviews let you see what other freelancers are saying about the business owner. Do not take reviews lightly. If they treated someone not so great in the past, they may do the same to you. Avoid the headache. If a business has no reviews, they may have just joined the platform.
Check time zones: It’s important to review job listings carefully. If the listing does not specifically state what time zone the applicant should be within (i.e., Pacific, East, Mountain, etc.), look at the location of the poster. If their time does not align with your time, your proposal will less likely move forward with an interview. This is extremely important for VAs and administrative freelancers.
Desired pay: Potential clients will provide a hourly range they are comfortable paying when posting a position. Only send proposals to those willing to pay your desired hourly rate.
Less than 5: Being first gives you a greater chance of being seen. I like to submit proposals to job listings that have had less than 5 proposals sent.
I hope this 101 provided you with valuable insight on navigating through the Upwork platform and start booking clients. Comment below if you have used these strategies before or plan to incorporate them today.
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