Story: Positive and proactive
3 months past since I have started to use UpWork. I thought I can get the job quite easily. Because I have enough skills. I had confidence, but I was wrong. I submitted over 100, but I got a response only less 10%. It’s like a mental game. I just keep indifferent as much as possible.
I was fraud design a few times. I will Never work without contract. Even I don’t know how much they support for designer. Basically they help clients, not us. I think UpWork should make a introduction video, not support page. No one read it.
I would like to learn how to get the job consistently once again. I hope I find some critical tips.
How To Get Your First Job On UpWork
©Josh Burns Tech
– Create great profile
– Apply to right job with advanced job search
– Get 5 star review by low budget project ✔️
– Apply quickly
– Make a freelance employer account ✔️
– Write proposals to attract client
– Read the job description
– Good review, 4 to 5
– Over deliver and exceed expectation ✔️
– Nail your interview
– Let the client know that they can call for free of charge
– Never give up mentality ✔️
Making an employer account is good to know the job categories. It is also required project management skills. I think about what if I hire someone at UpWork.
– Mobile APP Development
– Prototyping
– Ecommerce Development
– 3D Modeling/Rendering/Visualization
– Industrial Design
– Interior Design
– Product Design
– Digital marketing
– Search Engine Optimization
– Social Media Marketing
– Videographer
– Translation
– Writer
etc.
For example, I build an immigration firm website, The firm earns the fee from an immigration lawyer to introduce customer. Or I hire a specialist in immigration low. It’s possible to video call as well. The company can provide a professional service without office. This is possible to apply for many businesses.
UpWork Profile TIPS to Capture Attention!
©Josh Burns Tech
– Professional photo
– Specific title for search
– Create a great profile sentences on the first 2 lines ✔️
– Client review, 5 stars by over deliver ✔️
– It will be a long term
How to Write Proposals That Get You The Job On Upwork
©John Morris
I have the same experience with John. I submitted a proposal a lot, but I didn’t get many jobs. Therefore, I stopped applying. Then, I take time to improve the rate.
– Check following question(bottom of the description). ✔️
– Credibility(experience of project/client)
– Demonstrate reliability(read a proposal)
– Sell value(ex. I know you will probably get a bunch of lowballs bids.)
– Check a competitor at client account ✔️
– Over estimate than lower bids
– Check what the client paid
How to Submit the RIGHT UpWork Proposals
©Josh Burns Tech
1. Read job title and description
2. Right skill level(only expert level in my case)
3. Check the date and time posted ✔️
4. Number of proposals submitted ✔️
5. Number of Freelancers being interviewed
6. Number of connects
7. Client reviews
8. Hours per week and length
9. Preferred qualifications
10. Bid range
Conclusion: Result in Jan-Mar 2020
As I said, I applied over 100 projects for 3 months. I got a response around 10%. Then, some of them became clients. I attached the result below.
A freelance has to buy connects from UpWork. They also take a 20% fee until freelance earns $500. I will reach $500 in April. So, it’s going to be 10%. My goal is 10K in 2 years. What I think about UpWork.
Pros:
– You can find a new client who has never met.
– The new revenue source for freelance.
– Coronavirus pandemic does not matter.
– You can manage your schedule.
Cons:
– You have to apply for the project totally underprice.
– You may be frauded at first. I had.
– You may not receive job offers for a while.
– Some clients try to call without enough description.
I think I have started UpWork at right time. I hope I could update good news in the end of this year.
*Updated: April 10th, 2020
I achieved $1,000 on Upwork. This is only 1/10 of my goal. I am a totally unstable situation. I cannot expect the next project on Upwork. After all, it depends on the client. Keep optimistic and indifferent.
Hire a freelancer
*Updated: June 4, 2020
I have been using Upwork to get the job since January 2020. However, I need to hire a programmer for the Webflow project. I would like to write about this experience.
Not many opinions about posting a project. It was quite straight forward.
At first, Upwork shows potential candidates. Surprisingly, 90% of people were from Eastern Asia, India, Pakistan, Filipina, + Russia. Without Filtering, I could not find Canadian, American.
2 people applied to this job. I hired a person who is recommended by Upwork.
When I looked at the cover letter, I did not check PDF. The title and earned are influenced in my decision. I did not see the achieving rate or review. This may be a real situation.
Issue of the hiring a freelancer
*Updated: August 3rd, 2020
I need to hire a copywriter for the portfolio. I posted the project, Copywriting for a portfolio, 4 pages and 4 blogs, for $50. I know it’s low budgets. Anyway, I posted and received a response from 12 candidates. I chose 4 shortlists. I contacted them with the project description. They still showed interest.
They responded to it a few hours later. Obviously their time zoon was midnight, India, Pakistan, Kenya… I chose the first responder, but there was the issues below.
– I posed the project by fixed price, $50. He betted $20, but he tried to increase it.
– I carefully explained what I need, but he did not listen/understand.
– He could chat, but I felt he does not understand English.
– Requested payment constantly before confirming the work.
– Tried to change the condition, contract. We did not set a milestone.
– Did not meet the minimum requirement, Copywriting for a portfolio, 4 pages and 4 blogs.
– I explained the project 3 times. He said okay, no question, but he did not understand.
I canceled the contract. I wasted 3 days. I contacted another candidate. She requires $30 for 1000 words. She betted $50 for this project. What is this?
I hired a lady who lives in Kenya. I explained carefully. This is the third time. Seems to She understands.
I felt everyone tries to increase the fee even fixed-rate projects. I don’t mind that if they provide a good job at the client’s work. I found a website about living costs. This will be measure when I discuss the money to freelance.
