Story: Business as freelance

I’ve been using Upwork since right before the COVID pandemic. I wasn’t active in Upwork for about a year and a half during 4 years. Upwork works for me for social proof. However, Upwork tends to protect clients more than freelancers and often imposes repeated monetization. I’m not complaining about it, but I shouldn’t rely solely on Upwork.

In April 2024, I faced an issue for 2 weeks. My JSS (Job Success Score) dropped from 100 to 94 for unreasonable reasons (I did dispute it). I didn’t receive many positive responses during that time. Currently, my JSS is now back to 100.

I’ve been exploring alternatives to Upwork and found a lot of information. It seems that some freelancers struggle to secure jobs on Upwork, which I can understand. The freelance landscape is much more competitive now than in 2020.

Generally speaking, it’s risky to rely on just one source (client) for any business. It’s like walking a tightrope. Once a contract ends, your freelance income is gone. Freelancers need to develop multiple streams of income. This means having at least 5 clients with whom we can continuously work. Meanwhile, we can also hustle on online marketplaces like Upwork. In addition, we can develop e-commerce websites, like Shopify.

Anyway, I’m interested in developing other sales funnels.

Upwork

Upwork is a major online freelance marketplace that connects businesses with freelancers all over the world. It allows businesses to post jobs for a wide range of tasks, including writing, graphic design, web development, marketing, and more. Freelancers can browse these jobs and apply for the ones they’re qualified for. Upwork also provides tools for communication, project management, and secure payment.

While there isn’t publicly available data on Upwork’s exact market share, it is considered one of the leading freelance platforms globally.

Service Marketplace by LinkedIn

In a move signaling a shift towards service-oriented connections, LinkedIn recently announced the official launch of its Services Marketplace. This digital platform functions as a meeting place for businesses and freelancers, streamlining the process of finding and acquiring services.

I did not know this service exists on LinkedIn until April 2024.

LinkedIn Services Marketplace Is Open

I uploaded my Service Marketplace on LinkedIn a week ago, but I haven’t seen any results so far. It’s not a bidding system; I’m just waiting. I might promote the page, but I prefer not to take a ‘me, me, me’ approach.

SolidGigs

SolidGigs is a service designed for freelancers, specifically aimed at helping them find freelance jobs. Here’s a breakdown of its key features:

• Job Curation: SolidGigs claims to source high-quality freelance gigs from various online platforms and deliver them directly to your inbox.
• Focus on Best Opportunities: They advertise that they hand-pick the “top 1%” of freelance jobs, aiming to connect freelancers with the most valuable opportunities.
• Subscription Model: SolidGigs operates on a subscription basis, offering access to their curated job listings for a monthly fee.

However, there are mixed reviews about SolidGigs. Some users praise its convenience and claim it saves them time searching for jobs. On the other hand, some users criticize the service, questioning the quality of the leads and the value proposition compared to free or competitor platforms.

PeoplePerHour

PeoplePerHour is an online marketplace that connects businesses with freelance workers around the world. Here’s a breakdown of its key features:

• Focus: PeoplePerHour caters to a broad range of freelance work, encompassing various areas like design, writing, technology, translation, and more.
• Freelancer Pool: It allows businesses to browse through profiles and portfolios of over two million freelancers globally.
• Project Posting: Businesses can post specific job requirements and set budgets, allowing freelancers to bid or propose their services.
• Features for Both Sides: The platform offers tools for communication, project management, secure payment processing, and user reviews for both businesses and freelancers.

PeoplePerHour is considered one of the leading freelance marketplaces, particularly for its:

• Wide Range of Services: It caters to a diverse pool of freelance talent and project needs.
• Global Reach: Businesses can connect with freelancers internationally.
• Features and Tools: It provides functionalities to streamline the freelance workflow for both parties.

I was approved on PeoplePerHour, and the email mentioned that I have to complete two projects within three months. However, when I searched for projects, I couldn’t find any worth over $1000. Most of the projects seem to be priced similar to those on Fiverr. When I tried to create offers, I couldn’t set the price above $1500. This makes it challenging for me to offer branding and website development services. How can I complete projects under these circumstances?

FreeUp

FreeUp is an online marketplace that connects businesses with pre-vetted freelance talent. Here’s a breakdown of its key features:

• Focus on Quality: FreeUp emphasizes quality by rigorously vetting freelancers before allowing them onto the platform. They claim to only accept the “top 1%” of applicants, ensuring businesses can access highly skilled freelancers.
• Focus on Businesses: FreeUp caters specifically to businesses seeking freelance help, offering a wider range of services compared to platforms focused on just digital tasks. This could include virtual assistants, bookkeepers, or other specialists.
• Streamlined Hiring: Businesses can post project requirements and receive proposals from pre-approved freelancers, saving time on the recruitment process.
• Project Management Tools: FreeUp provides tools for communication, project management, and secure payment processing.

FreeUp positions itself as a premium solution for businesses seeking reliable and skilled freelance talent, with potential benefits like:

• Reduced Hiring Hassle: Businesses avoid the time-consuming process of traditional recruitment.
• Access to Top Freelancers: The vetting process aims to ensure businesses connect with highly skilled professionals.
• Project Management Support: The platform offers tools to streamline project workflows.

Here are some additional points to consider:

• Cost: Compared to some freelance marketplaces, FreeUp might have higher fees due to its focus on pre-vetted talent.
• Limited Availability: Since FreeUp has a selective application process, the pool of available freelancers might be smaller compared to other platforms.

Waiting for the response.

Guru

Guru.com is another online marketplace that caters to freelancers and businesses seeking freelance services. Here’s a breakdown of its key features for freelancers:

• Wide Range of Projects: Guru offers a broad spectrum of freelance projects across various industries, similar to Upwork or Fiverr.
• Competitive Bidding: Freelancers can browse job postings and submit proposals with pricing and qualifications, competing for projects with other freelancers.
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Guru allows freelancers to take on projects of various lengths, from short-term gigs to longer-term contracts, depending on their preferences.
• SafePay System: Guru provides a secure payment system called SafePay, which holds funds in escrow until the project is completed and approved by the client.

Here’s how Guru might benefit freelancers:

• Free Account: Creating a profile and browsing jobs on Guru is free for freelancers.
• Global Reach: The platform allows freelancers to connect with potential clients worldwide.
• Project Management Tools: Guru offers basic project management tools for communication and file sharing.

However, some things to consider for freelancers on Guru include:

• Competition: Similar to other marketplaces, competition for projects can be high, especially for popular skills.
• Fees: Guru charges freelancers a service fee on project earnings.
• Overall, Guru provides a platform for freelancers to find freelance work, with features like secure payment and project management tools. It’s important to weigh the competition and fees against the potential benefits when deciding if Guru is a good fit for your freelance journey.

Eightfold

Eightfold leverages AI to transform talent management. This platform goes beyond applicant tracking, using a massive skills dataset to find perfect hires and recommend development plans for existing employees. Eightfold empowers businesses with data-driven insights to optimize workforce potential, identify future leaders, and build a thriving talent pool.

Flexjobs

FlexJobs caters specifically to job seekers pursuing remote, work-from-home, freelance, or flexible schedule opportunities. Unlike many job boards flooded with low-quality listings, FlexJobs hand-curates their database, ensuring you spend less time sifting and more time applying for high-caliber, legitimate positions. Their subscription service offers access to a vast database of jobs across various industries, with helpful filters to target your ideal remote work scenario.

Your Domestic Online Marketplace

In my case, there are some domestic online marketplaces (I am in Canada though). I don’t use them often, but it’s not very difficult to get a project there. I’m sure that your country has similar businesses. Please search for them.

Freelancer

Freelancer.com is a website that connects businesses and freelancers from all over the world. Businesses can post projects and receive bids from freelancers with the skills and experience to complete them. Freelancers can offer their services in over 2,700 different categories, including web design, mobile app development, graphic design, writing, and translation. Freelancer.com also offers a mobile app that allows businesses to stay in touch with their freelancers and get real-time updates on projects.

Fiverr

Fiverr is a popular online marketplace connecting businesses with freelancers for digital services like writing, graphic design, and marketing. Unlike some platforms with hourly rates, Fiverr uses project-based pricing, offering both affordability and upfront cost clarity. Originally known for $5 gigs, sellers now set their own prices, catering to a wide range of budgets. This “gig economy” model allows businesses to find specific skills for short-term projects, while freelancers can showcase their expertise on a user-friendly platform.

I just mentioned Fiverr because it’s well-known. I’ve tried Fiverr before, but the pricing that clients expect is too low for me. I cannot use it.

Toptal

You might have heard about Toptal before. Toptal enables startups, businesses, and organizations to hire freelancers from a growing network of top talent worldwide. They reached out to me through a LinkedIn message, asking me to join Toptal. When a person from the Southeast called (it was someone from the Southeast), she did not show any understanding or sympathy. During our conversation, she seemed to try to end the call quickly. I know I am not a native speaker, but I don’t have any issues in life. I do not consider Toptal; there’s no link here.

Conclusion: Sales & promotion

No matter your area of expertise, as a freelancer you need to know how to sell your services or products. Many freelancers aren’t naturally good at sales. In my field, web/graphic designers can offer excellent services to clients, but we often lack a solid understanding of business. This can be a problem.

Ten years ago, I was a typical graphic designer. I then decided to broaden my skills by learning web design, SEO, digital marketing, and business fundamentals. This shift changed my approach to client briefings and improved the questions I asked, leading to a better impression and increased trust with clients.

I’m currently developing a sales funnel outside of Upwork. Ultimately, the results from Upwork contribute to the development of this sales funnel. No matter which online marketplace you use, you need to establish a solid track record on at least one platform. What’s the threshold? I’m not sure, but reaching at least $10K seems like a good starting point.

Freelancing is tough. Let’s continue to encourage one another in freelancing, and I hope your journey goes smoothly. Your hard work will bear fruit someday!

Reference:

Flux Academy: Freelancing: What are the pros and cons?