I’ve Earned $100K With Upwork in The Last 12 Months (Tips for Beginners)

I’m excited to share with you that I’ve earned over $100,000 through Upwork in the last 12 months. It’s been a great experience working with clients from all over the world and helping them achieve their business goals. In this blog post, I’ll share some tips on how you can make money through Upwork too!

Before we get too far with it, what is Upwork?

Upwork is a freelancing website that connects businesses with freelance professionals for project-based work.

Upwork is a great resource for anyone seeking to find quality, short-term projects or long-form well-paying projects that help develop freelancers’ skillset.

If you’re thinking of starting out on Upwork (or are currently registered but not seeing the success you desire), here are 10 tips to get you started and on your way to a great income:

 

1). Complete your profile 100% if you want to make money with Upwork.

When clients are looking for freelancers, the first place they will look is your profile. Make sure it’s complete and includes a strong portfolio that showcases your skills and experience. If you don’t have any relevant work to showcase, you can always create some relevant samples or projects.

Remember, the more complete your profile is, the more likely clients are to contact you for work.

How your complete profile should look on Upwork.

Your completed Upwork profile should have: –

• An enticing title
• Should be verified.
• Education
• A well-written overview
• Should have payment details.
• A strong portfolio
• Company details
• Relevant skills

See the profile below of a successful worker on Upwork. That’s how your complete profile should look.

2). Take the Upwork proficiency/readiness test.

The Upwork Proficiency Test is a key part of your profile that helps showcase your skills to clients.

It’s also mandatory to take this test if you want to work on certain types of projects, such as in the technology and design categories.

The test measures how well you can do specific tasks related to the project-based work you’ll be doing on Upwork.

It only takes 10 minutes and it also determines how soon you get eligible for the “Rising Talent Badge”.

Benefits of having a rising talent badge on Upwork.

Some benefits of having a rising talent badge on Upwork include:

• Your profile will be featured on the front page of the website.
• Reduced fees (starting at 10%) on Featured Jobs
• A one-time bonus of 30 free Connects
• Clients are more likely to contact you for work.

The test is free and it’s definitely worth taking it even before you get your first client. It will make a hell lot of a difference between you and other new freelancers on Upwork.

3). Add a portfolio item to your profile.

A portfolio item is a project, sample, or video that you create to show your skills and experience to clients.

It can be anything from a logo design you created for a previous client to the code you wrote for an open-source project.

Why do I need one and how will it help you as a newbie freelancer on Upwork?

Adding a portfolio item to your profile is a great way to show clients your skills and experience.

It can also help you get hired for projects that are a good match for your skillset.

As a newbie freelancer on Upwork, it’s important to have at least one strong portfolio item to showcase your skills.

If you don’t have any relevant work to showcase, you can always create some relevant samples or projects.

Creating a portfolio item is simple and only takes a few minutes.

All you need to do is click the “Add Portfolio Item” button on your Upwork profile and follow the instructions.

Here’s a quick video tutorial on how to add a portfolio item to your Upwork account.

4). Upwork is not a get-rich-quick platform.

Upwork is a great platform for freelancers who are looking to build their careers and make money online.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that Upwork is not a get-rich-quick platform.

If you’re looking to make quick and easy money, then Upwork is not the right platform for you.

And there is a great chance that you will not last a minute.

If you are a freelance newbie working other gigs, it is also important that you keep working as you try to source your first client.

Remember, there is no guarantee of how long it will take to get your first client.

5). Don’t get tired of sending proposals.

One of the common mistakes that people make on Upwork is that they stop sending proposals after a few rejections.

Don’t get tired of sending proposals and give up too soon.

Keep in mind that you’re not going to land your first client overnight. It takes time, effort, and patience.

Sending proposals is one of the most important things you can do to find clients on Upwork.

The more proposals you send, the higher your chances of getting hired.

And as you continue to work on Upwork, you’ll get better at writing proposals and landing clients.

So don’t give up too soon and keep sending out those proposals!

6). Don’t Bid too Low.

When you’re starting out on Upwork, it’s important to bid at a rate that is fair and reasonable.

But, try not to bid too low even if you are just beginning. Why? Bidding too low shows desperation and that you are not confident in your skills.

Clients will be hesitant to hire someone who is desperate or doesn’t value their own work.

It is important to remember that clients are looking for quality, not just low prices.

So make sure you bid at a rate that reflects the value of your work.

7). Protect Your Payements. Don’t work outside Upwork.

One of the most important things you can do as a freelancer on Upwork is to protect your payments.

Upwork offers a number of payment protection mechanisms that you should take advantage of, such as escrow and milestone payments.

You should also avoid working outside of Upwork, as this puts you at risk of not getting paid.

There have been many cases of freelancers who have not been paid for their work because they decided to work outside of Upwork.

So make sure you protect your payments by only working on projects that are within Upwork.

8). Put enough time into writing your proposal.

When you’re bidding on a project, it’s important to put enough time into writing your proposal.

A well-written proposal can help you land the project and get paid.

But, a poorly written proposal can hurt your chances of getting hired.

Make sure you take the time to write a proposal that is clear, concise, and free of errors.

And, make sure you include all the information that the client is looking for.

9). Don’t forget to use a sample on your proposal.

When you’re writing your proposal, make sure to include a sample of your work.

Samples are a great way to show off your skills and give the client an idea of what you can do.

Make sure you select a sample that is relevant to the project you’re bidding on.

And, make sure you customize your sample to the specific project.

Don’t just copy and paste the same sample into every proposal you write.

Clients can tell when you’ve done this and it will hurt your chances of getting hired.

Last but not least,

10). Be patient.

Freelancing is not a quick and easy way to make money. It takes time, effort, and patience to find clients and land projects.

But, if you are persistent and put in the hard work, you will be successful.

So be patient, stay focused, and keep working on your skills. You will achieve success on Upwork.

Bonus Tips

a). Request a testimonial from your clients.

When you’ve completed a project, be sure to request a testimonial from your client.

Testimonials are a great way to show off your skills and get more work.

Make sure you ask for specific feedback about the work you did for the project.

b). Join Upwork Forums.

The Upwork Forums are a great way to learn tips and advice from other freelancers.

You can also find out about new projects and opportunities on the forums.

So be sure to check them out and participate in the discussions.

c). Use keywords in your profile.

When you’re filling out your profile, be sure to use keywords that are relevant to your skills and experience.

This will help clients find your profile when they are searching for freelancers with specific skills.

d). Keep your profile updated.

Make sure you keep your profile up-to-date with your latest skills, experience, and portfolio items.

Clients like to see that you are keeping up with the latest trends and technologies.

e). Stay active on Upwork.

The more active you are on Upwork, the more opportunities you will find.

Be sure to check out the job boards regularly and submit proposals for projects that interest you.

f). Non-Disclosure Agreements

Some clients may ask you to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

This is a contract that prohibits you from sharing confidential information about the project.

Make sure you read over the NDA carefully before you sign it.

And, make sure you understand what information you are prohibited from sharing.

g). Avoid clients who ask for unpaid samples.

There are some clients who will ask for unpaid samples before they decide to hire you.

This is a scam and you should avoid these clients.

They are trying to take advantage of you and they will not pay you for your work.

h). Get referrals from happy clients.

One of the best ways to get more work is to get referrals from happy clients.

If you do a great job on a project, be sure to ask the client for a referral.

This is one of the best ways to find new clients and land more projects.

Conclusion.

It is very much possible to make any amount of money as a freelancer on Upwork.

You can make $1,000 per month, $2K, $3K… whatever amount you wish to make, you can make it on Upwork.

Because if John I. on LinkedIn was able to make $100K in 12 months with Upwork, why not you?

Tagged With : Can you actually make money on Upwork? • Can you live off of Upwork? • Entrepreneurship • highest earning freelancers on upwork • How hard is it to make money on Upwork? • how long does it take to start making money on upwork • How Much Can Freelancers Make in 2022? • How to Get More Jobs on Upwork in 2022 • How to Make Money on Upwork • How to Make Money on Upwork as a Freelancer • how to make money on upwork for beginners • how to make money on upwork with no experience • Make money as a freelancer on Upwork • Make money on Upwork • Make money with data entry • make money writing • Tips to make money freelancing • Upwork review