How to get started with Upwork? In the freelancing market, there is a lot of competition. This guide helps you how to get started with Upwork and make money. These simple recommendations guide you on how to get started and give yourself an advantage!
How to get started with Upwork and make money
Finding clients is the most difficult task for a freelancer. That’s where Upwork and other such services come in.
These useful platforms make it easier for clients and freelancers to find one another and start working together. It’s nearly difficult to overlook Upwork, whether you’re seeking little additional cash or a steady source of income. Today, we’ll go through the fundamentals of getting started with it.
Related:
- Freelancing Websites that Pay through Payoneer
- Learn about the gig economy and the likely future of work
What exactly is Upwork and how does it operate?
Upwork is a platform that allows freelancers to create profiles, describe their areas of specialty, and display their work in order to get a job.
Clients can publish job listings that define what they require, the duration required, the amount they are willing to pay, and other relevant information.
Freelancers can browse a feed of job postings and apply for opportunities that interest them. Customers can also look at talent profiles and request proposals from freelancers.
In other words, Upwork is a marketplace that connects customers and freelancers, allowing them to connect and collaborate while ensuring their safety. They serve as a sort of broker.
All conversations and file transfers can be done through the platform, which also allows you to track your working hours. Payments will be handled by Upwork as well. Clients are paid, but funds are not released to personnel until the task is completed. This gives everyone concerned peace of mind.
Of course, there will be a cut for the company. Upwork charges twenty percent (20%) of the first $500 in earnings from a single client. The amount drops to ten percent (10%) of whatever the client pays you between $500 to $10,000, and five percent (5%) of everything over $10,000.
What types of jobs are available on Upwork?
- Photography/editing
- Video production
- Web design
- SEO
- Marketing
- Social media managing
- Graphic design
- Programming
- Software development
- Literature/editing/writing
- Copywriting
Is it a good idea to sign up for Upwork?
I’ve used Upwork to get some gigs and think it’s worth joining up for as part of your freelance efforts. It’s unlikely to become your primary source of income, but it’s a worldwide network that can help you acquire clients who otherwise wouldn’t find.
We’ve heard stories of people making it a full-time gig, but those stories are a bit rare.
Consider Upwork to be another Facebook of the gig economy; you may not like it, but it’s everywhere. If freelancers want to get more work, they must follow the crowd.
According to Wikipedia, Upwork has 18 million registered freelancers and five million clients. Even though the costs and system are a bit restrictive, they are numbers you can’t ignore.
The website and applications perform flawlessly, and the overall experience is simple. It’s also helpful to have a safe payment system.
There are, of course, certain disadvantages to using Upwork. As mentioned before, fees can add up. 20% is a high number.
The number doesn’t get any lower unless the client starts paying you more. And even then, 10% to 5% is a high price to pay in the long run.
However, the connection would not have happened if it hadn’t been for Upwork. It’s usually great to have more work, especially if you’re a freelancer.
How to get started with Upwork
Here’s how to get started if you’ve determined that Upwork is right for you.
- Sign up for an account at upwork.com/signup
- You can also download the app from the Google Play Store and tap where it says New to Upwork? Sign up.
- You can use your Google or Apple account to sign up. Alternatively, it’s possible to input a work email address manually.
- Fill out the required details and specify if you want to be a client or a freelancer. Selecting the latter will require you to enter a nickname.
- Read and accept the terms.
- Create a password and select your country of residence.
- Hit the Create my account button.
- You will receive a verification via email. Go to your email, open the message, and select the Verify email button.
- Fill out your profile and enter all required information.
- In the end, you will be asked to input a phone number and verify it through a code you will receive via text.
- Submit your profile.
You are now a member of Upwork! You can look for jobs, submit proposals, and learn about the platform. Play with it to see what it’s all about.
The Next Steps
While you may appear to be ready for the big time, there are some additional measures to do. Some are essential, while others assist in your employment search.
Allow me to lead you through the process.
- Verify your ID – Here. This is a requirement.
- Make sure to add some work history so clients know what you have done.
- Of course, your educational history will also help.
- Click the View profile option on the home page and make sure you add as much information as you can. Clients like to see detailed profiles.
- Consider creating specialized profiles. These are great if you have multiple areas of expertise or want to target different audiences. If you knit and take photos, photography clients likely don’t want to see all your knitting information, and vice versa.
- Look through your profile settings to make sure everything is customized for your specific needs.
- Read all about the terms of service and Upwork payment protection.
- Take a look at Upwork’s freelancer education hub for tips.
- Check out available webinars to learn more about the system and increase your chances of getting jobs.
Memberships and Connects
Connects are required to send job proposals to clients (think of them as tokens). Each job proposal is charged in Connects, which range from one to six. If a project is canceled without a hire, or if a job listing is withdrawn for breaching rules of service, these will be returned to you. Furthermore, when a client requests you to send a proposal, no Connects are needed.
The free membership gives you 10 Connects every month. This is fantastic; however they will run out, and you will require further supplies. You’ll have to pay up at some point. Extra Connects can be purchased for $0.15 each using your free Upwork membership.
Those who have joined up for Upwork Plus will receive 80 Connects each month. This subscription is $14.99 per month and comes with a number of benefits.
Let’s have a look at what each membership offers.
Free Basic Membership:
- 10 Connects per month
- Buy Connects as you need them for $0.15 each.
- Unused Connects rollover up to 200.
- Hourly protection to ensure you’re paid for each hour worked.
- Fixed-price payments are secured through milestones.
- Limited reports and functionality.
$14.99 Plus Membership:
- 80 Connects/month.
- Your profile will never be set to hidden due to inactivity.
- Setting to keep your earnings confidential.
- View competitor bids for any job.
- Customize your profile URL.
- Extended reports and functionality, including grouping and sorting.
How to Find Jobs on Upwork
Click on the Find work tab and look through the feed. Alternatively, you can look for specific jobs using the search bar.
Find a gig you want to sign up for, open the job page, and read through the details.
Select the Submit a proposal button to… well, send a proposal.
In this section, you will introduce yourself, talk about your expertise, provide ideas to the client, and mention your payment expectations. You can also send samples of your work.
If the client is interested in working with you, he/she will continue the conversation with you via messages.
Given that both of you agree to work together, a contract can be started.
How to Get paid by Upwork
You have a variety of payment alternatives and systems to choose from. Much of it is determined by your contract, payment method, and personal preferences.
Payment Options
- PayPal
- Payoneer
- M-Pesa
- Wire Transfer
Visit Upwork’s dedicated page to learn more about payments.
Working with Upwork: Some personal recommendations
I’ve had a great deal of experience with Upwork and would want to offer some advice to newcomers. Being a freelancer is difficult, therefore I understand you need all the help you can get.
- Make a good profile photo: Getting a professional headshot or a great photo is always an advantage because first impressions matter.
- Complete the following fields in your profile: Clients want to see examples of your previous work, a portfolio, and other information. A complete profile, above all, demonstrates your dedication and attention to detail.
- Make sure your proposals are perfect: Make your proposals count because they are your main introduction to clients. I try to strike a balance between friendliness and professionalism wherever possible. This communicates that I am approachable while being serious about my profession. If you have the option of sending work samples, make sure they are your best. Make sure to convince them that you are worth their time and money.
- Attend to Webinars: Upwork frequently sends me emails inviting me to courses, online webinars and networking events. Join them if you can, it helps.
- Be responsive: Don’t you hate it when you contact a client and they take an eternity to respond? Your clients will appreciate it if you are constantly available and respond to messages as quickly as possible.
- Guarantee your work: I always tell clients I will not stop working until they tell me they are 100% satisfied with the results. This makes them feel at ease about hiring me. It also shows them I take their project seriously, and they won’t be let down. Humans make mistakes, and clients understand that; it’s how we deal with them that makes the difference.
- You have the option of declining: Upwork, like any other marketplace, attracts a significant number of low-ballers. Check to see if someone is abusing you or underpaying you for your labor! Not to add that clients and freelancers may not get along. It’s quite acceptable to decline!
- Choose your type of job: I used to apply for any job that came my way. This may have boosted my chances of landing assignments, but it also consumed a significant amount of my time. Because time and Connects are both monetary units, my wallet was also affected. Not to mention that I virtually always landed jobs I really wanted after putting in a lot of effort, so why waste my time on other jobs? Concentrate on opportunities where you are confident in your abilities and can make a positive impression.
- You have the option of exceeding the client’s budget: If you believe you can deliver quality work that is worth more than the client’s budget, don’t be hesitant to submit a proposal with a higher price. Simply persuade them that you are worth it, and they may cave in.
- Always be open and honest: Always be honest to yourself and the client. Some of these jobs are difficult, time-consuming, costly, and important. Only sign up for gigs you’re confident you’ll be able to prepare and execute properly. Not every profession is right for you, and it’s critical to understand your limitations. Make every effort to correct errors (again, we are human). If you can’t, let your client know right away so they can make plans. Also, don’t overstate your abilities or experience. Always be truthful!
We’re not going to lie: finding a job on Upwork can be tough. But the good news is that you’re in good company there are over 16 million freelancers on the platform, working with clients from all over the world.
So, if you’re wondering what types of jobs are available on Upwork and what skills are most in-demand, we’ve got you covered!
Here’s a breakdown of the top 20 skills:
1. Data Entry
2. Online Chat Support
3. Email Support
4. Phone Support
5. Customer Support
6. Customer Service
7. Marketing Research
8. Social Media Management
9. Marketing Strategy
10. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
11. Social Media Marketing
12. Graphic Designs
13. Web Programming
14. Web Design
15. Web programming (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP)
16. Application Programming Interface(API)
17. Copywriting
18. Content Writing
19. Administrative support
20. Translating, Voiceovers and Transcribing
can you actually make money on upwork
Yes, you can make good money with Upwork. Some experienced freelancers earn an average of $20 per hour and others can earn up to $60 per hour. This wide range means that the best-paid freelancers can make anywhere from $32,000 to $120,000 in annual income on Upwork
Is Upwork good for beginners?
There’s no denying that Upwork is a hit – but is it good for beginners? Yes, Upwork can be a great way to kickstart your freelancing career – as you’re able to browse millions of jobs and find the ones that are perfect for you.
Why am I not getting jobs on Upwork?
There are two main reasons why freelancers have a hard time getting clients on Upwork: they’re either applying for the wrong jobs, or they’re failing to stand out from the other applicants.
