Let Upwork Make You Smile
If you’ve read my previous post on Upwork, I’m sure you’re now convinced that it is one of the best freelancing websites in the world. It is more professional, pays better and has fewer cons.
In that post, I discuss how I was once scared of using the site but recently decided to go hard on it, and I’ve no regrets for making this decision. In fact, I only became serious with Elance (which later merged with oDesk to become Upwork) in April, 2013 after being a member for almost a year. Below is a bold statement that I totally agree with.
If you were to choose only one freelancing site that will sort out all your needs, then choose Upwork.
Here is a screenshot of some of my Upwork reviews.
…but note that it may take you a while before you get your first job so don’t quit whatever you’re doing till you get a reasonable job on Upwork. If you follow the tips in this post, you may get there faster. Some have used these very tips to get a client in a matter of days.
Also read on for bonus tips on whether you should use only one freelancing site.
I am personally very active on multiple platforms. After squeezing in Upwork, I realized that I’m now making something decent over there. In short, if I was to dedicate more time there, I’d multiply this figure a couple of times.
That said; let me share some of the simple tips I use to succeed on Upwork.
1. Complete Your Upwork profile
Yes, go through everything; including the skill tests (which are free anyway :)), the phone verification and even identity verification when prompted to do so.
Being that it is a professional site, the best clients value freelancers who have a complete profile and a good portfolio, even if you’re a new freelancer so make sure you take this painful, one-time step and you won’t regret it.
Note that Upwork support is usually awesome, equipped even with a live chat option. If you get stuck anywhere, just contact them and you’ll have a quick answer to get you going.
2. Take at Least 3 Skill Tests
I know I’ve already mentioned this point…but one funny thing I’ve realized is that sometimes people take a point more seriously when it is put in its own sub-heading ;). So, go ahead and take those skill tests :).
3. Add a Portfolio Item
This is another important part of your profile. Make sure you have a great portfolio item.
For example, if you are a writer, no matter how confident you are in yourself, allow someone else to check out some of your favorite articles and let them inform you which ones would best fit into your portfolio. In short, put a lot of thought into what you add to your portfolio.
4. Don’t Quit Your Job First
Whether you do a day job or are a freelancer in other platforms, don’t quit first. This is because you don’t want to get into Upwork totally hungry and desperate. It is better to join this site when you already have something else running but want to up your game.
Those who have no jobs or other sources of income are still free to join, though. You can still succeed fast if you play the cards right. See how Martha performed here.
5. Send Proposals Consistently
Upwork gives you 60 free Connects per month. Most proposals will cost you 2 Connects. Therefore, make sure you use all your 60 Connects each month. I advise you do 3 proposals a day there but give careful thought of what you put in your proposal.
Make sure you each proposal is persuasive and professional. Upwork bans people who send too many proposals without getting hired.
6. Don’t Bid Too Low (Even if You’re a Beginner)
Once upon a time when Freelancer used to be great, I would advise people to start by bidding low there. That’s because it’s one of those sites where most clients are up for the lowest bidders.
Upwork is different. You’ll be dealing with many professionals who will also expect you to be professional.
A very low bid may show desperation and some people may not choose your proposal, fearing you are not serious, you give low quality work, you don’t respect deadlines or just have some hidden flaw that is making you bid so low.
7. Ask for Escrow or Use the Upwork Team App
This is self-explanatory. To protect your payments, make sure you ask your clients to fund an escrow for fixed price jobs.
For hourly jobs, make sure the client has a verified payment method. Also use their Upwork Team App so that you stay protected by the site.
I always warn freelancers not to work outside Upwork or any other site for that matter since working outside will get you less protected and make it easy for you to get conned (take it from me, I was conned off a lot of cash this way when I was still green in online business). Upwork will also ban you if you’re found working outside with a client you found from its site.
If you want private clients, consider reaching out to them through other means, not from Upwork and other restricted freelancing sites.
Back to the point, stay safe by using their escrow system or hourly protection (using Upwork Team App).
8. Have a Brilliant Proposal
Don’t just wake up and do a proposal.
Make sure your proposal is well thought out. Feel free to bounce it off someone else to make sure its convincing enough to the clients. Note that this is one of the most important parts that will enable you to get good jobs.
Let’s look at a possible scenario:
Let’s say you’re good at product descriptions. Yes, you’re new, but you’ve mastered the art and have amazing samples. Some even published in easy-to-post sites like LinkedIn and Medium.
You also know how to pitch like a pro (lots of free information on how to do that).
Someone posts that they’re looking for someone who will create amazing product descriptions.
Yes!
You know how to do them like the back of your hand. You have samples. You’ve been practicing.
With all the above in place, you go ahead and pitch! Don’t be like:
“Hey, I’m a new writer, no one hires me, please let me do your product descriptions, I’ll take any payment.”
Instead, be like:
“Hi {Name},
I create stunning descriptions that give readers a powerful mental picture of the product I’m describing. This increases their probability of making a purchase decision.
Check out my Samsung S9+ description on Medium [Link].
I’m looking forward to writing for you.
Thank you so much,
{Your name}”
Here, you’ve not told them you’re new and that no one’s ever hired you. You’ve told them you can do it and showed your worth by giving a stunning sample.
I’ve made it this vivid so that you can see that your success depends a lot on the preparation phase.
Therefore, as a new writer, make sure you have the following:
– Know how to write
– Have samples that prove you can write
– Pitch like a pro (don’t just say “interested” or use any other amateur method)
– Once hired, deliver PURE GOLD
[Note that there are many who have used the exact proposal template I’ve shared above to get jobs. They just tweaked it to fit their profile.]
9. Always Use a Sample
This is sort of an unwritten rule in all freelancing websites; Upwork is no exception.
Make sure you use your best samples when you send out proposals. For example, if you are a graphic designer, use 2 or 3 of your favorite graphics.
A little secret that always works for me is I choose a sample that fits the client’s niche. If the client wants a writer to do weight loss articles, I pick 1-3 of my best weight loss articles and use them as my samples.
10. Be Patient
Patience is a virtue that many people don’t possess. Many love low paying sites like iWriter where you get in, write a quick article and get paid.
Unfortunately, all quick things have their flaws e.g. iWriter pays new members ridiculously low and has the highest rejection rate compared to other freelancing sites. Additionally, there are many times when there are no articles in the queue for you to write, therefore wasting your time and potential earnings.
On the other hand, if you land an Upwork job like the ones I have, you have a guaranteed number of articles that you can write per day and ALL of them get accepted depending on how much your clients believe in your work
In short, be very patient in Upwork. Note that even experts sometimes send proposals for days before they get their first jobs. The good thing is that when you start getting jobs there, you can easily forget about other sites.
$1,000 Per Month Plan for Freelancers in Upwork
I’ll use the example of writers.
From my personal experience, there are many clients in Upwork who are willing to pay between $5 and $50 per article. Therefore, you can use $5-$50 as your minimum proposal amount. Aim to get to at least $10 soonest. If you’re a pro, go for a figure that suits you!
Once you get your $10 per 500 words job, make sure you write 5 articles a day. Assuming you work 5 days a week, that will give you $50 per day, meaning $250 per week and $1,000 per month.
And that is how you can make $1,000 per month on Upwork.
Of course you should strive to get clients who pay you way above $10 per 500 words. Additionally, always deliver quality work, otherwise, none of the above will work.
Once you get the hang of the site, strive to keep increasing your income.
Bonus Tips
You can link your Payoneer account to Upwork and use it to withdraw Upwork cash for negligible fees. Since Payoneer is one the best withdrawal methods from online sites, make sure you take advantage of this.
Some clients may ask you to print and sign some Non-Disclosure Agreements or other contracts then upload them. These are awesome clients there so don’t hesitate to do this. Click here for more on how to succeed in Upwork.
Unlike Freelancer, you can withdraw your cash any day via MPESA, Payoneer, PayPal or Direct to Local Bank Transfer. If you use Payoneer, go for their ACH option, where you add the US Bank details in your Payoneer Global Payment Service to Upwork. You’ll then be withdrawing from Upwork at zero fees then the cash gets loaded to your Payoneer account within 1 business day.
Never leave your day job or other freelancing jobs till you’ve secured one or two good clients on Upwork.
In freelancing, never depend on one site only; make sure you still work on other sites such as Fiverr and PeoplePerHour, just to make sure you have backup earnings.
Of course the very best option is to have a list of awesome, high paying private clients (not gotten through any “middleman” site). In the Kenyan social scene, we refer to these as direct clients or DCs. Here’s how to get them.
Avoid writing unpaid samples. For example, if a client asks you to write a sample on “5 Foods That Kill Fat”, turn it down since they may use it and never pay you for it. But if they say, “Give me samples of your past work I see your writing prowess”, feel free to give them those past samples.
Still on samples, note that links trump attachments. Therefore, consider publishing on your blog, LinkedIn Pulse, Medium or other top publications and give clients links to your best published works.
Upwork Takeaway
$1,000 per month is less than average pay on Upwork. If you follow these 10 tips, you can start earning this amount through your freelancing efforts. So go ahead and sign in to Upwork and apply the above tips. Make sure you also do your own research to get more tips on how you can increase your Upwork earnings.
Did I miss a tip? Are you having challenges with Upwork? Feel free to drop a comment below to share your thoughts on this post. Also, before you leave this page, use the social sharing buttons to share this post.
If you need an in-depth course on article writing, I’ll be happy to train you. Check out my course details here.
Profound content here. Thankyou Mr. Walter.
Always welcome, Everlyn!
What is needed to open a profile?
Have a company or tax details.
Please advise
Hi Sadique,
You just sign up. Use the tips on this post.
Hi Walter,
I love the simplicity of your word choice.
Easy to understand and full of wisdom.
God bless.
Hi Hellen,
Thanks a ton!
God bless you too immensely.
Please help me join upwork
Join at Upwork.com.
geting approved to work at upwork is the biggest problem can you help write a professionsal profile?
Hi Ammon,
Sorry for the challenges. Keep trying.
Hi Walter
My name is Margaret and I signed up for upwork about 5 months ago and I have not gotten any job and now my profile is switched on private how can I turn it to public and help me on how to increase my chances of getting hired.
Hi Margaret,
No worries, once you start earning it will be set back to public. Meanwhile, use this tips to land your first job https://freelancerkenya.com/money-online/successful-freelancer/
Hello Walter,
Thanks for your informative article on Upwork. I have worked on Upwork for more than a year now. I recently decided to apply for jobs that pay more..But I received a message that my account has been suspended.This is the reason in brackets (Our decision is based on a careful review and the fact that you have submitted a high number of proposals for jobs on our site without many contracts or earnings. Unfortunately, this means the jobs posted by clients are not a good match for your skills.)
How do I go about appealing this decision?
Hi James,
So sorry for that. They hardly lift suspensions but you can keep trying.
Hope they resolve this for you.
Meanwhile, keep trying out different ways of getting clients.
Run into the same problem, submitted all the documents the appeal team had asked for but the final decision was heartbreaking. They said the suspended accounts will remain that way for now. In case you have extra Job that you need to be done am here Walter.
Hi Gladys,
So sorry for that. Try alternatives such as Fiverr and PeoplePerHour. Cold-pitching works wonders as well. You can look up how to do that.
Awesome content here. Thanks Mr Walter.
Thanks Mary.
hi walter infact i lack courage to begin article writing training i know there is much dollars to be made on writing. i need assurance that immediately i finish the training i would make at least ksh. 200 daily. thanks
Hi Karanja. On my part I’ll make sure you get the best training and guidance. On your side you’ll need to implement all you learn. Once those two meet, then you’re assured of success.
Hello,
As you mention that in No 9. –Always Use a Sample with proposal, but elance said that it is against rule of elance to add any link or sample with proposal.
I am confused with your No 9.
I am free member in elance
Thank you
Sudeep
I think you may have misunderstood Elance. In their proposal, you can attach a sample. In fact, you can add some samples to your Elance files that you can be using to apply for jobs. That is totally okay. What they are against is clients asking for free samples – i.e. you do a job for them for free as a test on whether you are up to it.
I hope this helps
Hi Walter,
What about Fiverr? It is a site suited for beginners yes but you can make good money here also. You simply need a great gig nothing else.
There’s no scam because clients pay to the site well in advance.
There is a time I had about 4 orders in a single day (the number fluctuates up to zero sometimes) that is $20 and I am a beginner. I know one day I will maintain that or even higher.
I know a Kenyan lady who had 100 orders in a day!
Look, at level 1, where I currently am, I can create gig extras to earn up to $60 per gig!
I have written an article on how one can make Ksh 100,800 pm in Kenya.
I think Fiverr is a great site. Don’t you think so Mr Walter?
Hi David
Yes, Fiverr is awesome. In fact I did a review on it as you can see here – https://freelancerkenya.com/freelancing-websites/fiverr-review/
I am not as active as I used to be there but I still get a gig here and there.
I LOVE the fact that you can’t get conned.
Thanks for the feedback.
Ave really been hoping to land on this internet jobs. is there something genuine that isnt hard that i can start with even if it doesnt pay so well. atleast for a start as i keep learning and advancing. your help guys will be appreciated. thanks
Hi Shiz,
The easiest thing you can do is maybe transcription. You can check out this post for more tips https://freelancerkenya.com/money-online/transcription/
Thanks
Hi Walter,
Thank you for the great work you are currently doing. I am a new freelancer on elance and freelancer.com and have been a member well for quite a while now. The thing is, the projects i have landed on freelancer.com on data entry have not been inspirational at all with the payment especially and have landed none for article writing.
I hope you will kindly get in touch with me through email so you can provide me details on where i need to polish, probably also train me more on freelancing.
May God bless you for the great work you doing and for being a pillar of hope to us all.
Thank you.
Hi Esther,
Thanks for your compliments.
Most, if not all Freelancer.com data entry jobs are scams. You will waste your life doing captcha entries that you will never be paid for. Never do captcha entry jobs, especially from Freelancer.
For article writing jobs, go to “Browse jobs” then look for the ones that interest you. They are giving off some free gifts this Christmas so take advantage of the free level 1 exams they are giving to add it to your portfolio.
If you want serious cash, concentrate on better paying sites like Elance, iWriter and Fiverr. Also in case your writing skills are not on point, you can still hire someone who is better than you as a writer and be paying them a commission for the articles. Form four leavers can really help.
You can feel free to hop into my training for more insights.
Stay blessed.
Hi Guys.
Both Odesk and Elance and good places to get some cash however you must be patient before you start getting hired. I joined odesk in May 2013 and landed my job in Sept 2013 after that jobs started coming. In my case i started with lower rates and increased them as i got more jobs. I joined Elance in May 2013 and I got a job in Nov 2013 but didn’t finish it, the next job i got this year Nov.
For withdrawals using local funds transfer(wire transfer) is the cheapest and safest way. Both Elance and Odesk send money to my Co-op, Kcb and Equity accounts directly.
Odesk asks for a swift code while Elance asks for swift code and sort code(branch code).
https://www.odesk.com/users/~01b0162b8ad69cec79
Hi Chege,
Thanks for your comment.
How much are you charged to get paid directly from Elance to your local Kenyan bank?
I thought it was $25 or something.
Thanks
I had a dormant account with elance since 2011 after failing to secure a job there. This year, after the training with Walter and Timothy, I decided to give it a trial. My enthusism paid off since I now have several clients there. Elance is the best, no doubt about it.
Hi Millicent,
I am so glad to note that you took up the challenge and got some clients in Elance. Thank you very much for your feedback. Indeed, Elance is the best.
Yes Walter
I really appreciate your assistance. By the way I am always around it is only that at times I decide to read your articles silently. Remember this blog is my “safe heaven” so I cant keep off it. otherwise I am glad for your ever-good work, let me keep on bidding on elance and as usual, I will always inform you on how things work out. Once again thank you.
You are most welcome Matts.
No worries at all, you can always feel free to come back, read and implement stuff. Should you get stuck, I am here to help.
Thanks too and all the best in Elance.
hey Walter
Talking of samples, is it OK to use samples that you had previously written for other clients lets say like articles that you submitted on iWriter or can it lead to other issues and perhaps face a ban?
Thanks.
Hi Matts,
In my opinion, it is perfectly okay. Clients cannot use samples or work they’ve not payed for on their websites. They can only use those which they’ve paid for, whereby the rights to the article go to them.
I hope this helps.
Thanks
hi Walter
this is a great article right here. I am not really new on Elance because I signed up a couple of months ago though I have never been active on it. However, i have decided to give it my all and I have started sending proposals but the only challenge I am experiencing is that I don’t really know how to bid especially when the project does not have a fixed price.
Any leads on how I can better on this will be highly appreciated. And again, How do i Know that I have secured a contract? Is there a way I can get notification without necessarily visiting the site? Thanks
Hi Matts,
Great to read from you again. I’m glad you like the article.
Decide on your price, either per hour or per article/graphic e.t.c. For example, I charge at least $4 per article. I do an article in an hour so I still charge at least $4 per hour. Note that that’s the least amount, sometimes I start a bit higher and end up with clients who pay very well.
You’ll know you’ve secured a contract by an email notification from Elance.
I hope this helps. All the best.
How I love to see other freelancers helping each other and sharing their ideas and how they started. 🙂 Hi there Walter! nice article you have here. Patience really is one of the key to make it on freelance. I started with Odesk and took me a month to get my first job. I have very little knowledge with online jobs so one of the FIRST thing that I made was to OFFER my service FOR FREE in return of the TRAINING. I accepted 0.3 dollars / hour jobs at that time. Now I’m on Elance and has a couple of clients and contracts. Some would pay me $20 a day and some for part time would pay me $4/hour and all the knowledge that I have right now are the FRUITS of those free service in return of training. (I don’t personally advice this to anyone but that is how I started ). If you have that great desire to do that something that you really want, surely you’ll always find a way. God bless and Think positive!
Thanks Mario for your comment.
That is really a great angle you’ve put it, putting in work for FREE!
You know what, that was a very smart move by the way, kudos! I am glad that your efforts are paying off.
I love your parting shot; you’ll always find a way to get what you really want!
Much much appreciated Mario.
WOW! I’m having goosebumps here while reading that article “How I Became an Elite Writer in iWriter Within 6 Months – Some Valuable Tips and Tricks”.. hoo!! It’s like all the principles and values that I’ve read from Napoleon Hill’s book come to life! (hold on and never give up) what a very powerful phrase!
Walter thanks a lot for appreciating my little knowledge. 🙂 Maybe I was just so influenced with the books that I’ve read.
Now I’m taking my way on earning my first million! hahaha 🙂
I don’t know for now how to achieve it but I now I can acquire it.
I believe there are no failures in life.. only results. 🙂 once rejected it is not a failure, but an outcome. take a look at your strategy, do some changes, take action and always move forward.
“Change your thoughts and you CHANGE your world.
-Norman Vincent Peale
Hi Mario,
Thanks a lot for your kind words.
I love your positive attitude 🙂
Keep learning and taking action and you will never regret it.
As usual, let me know whenever you have questions.
Great article, thanks for the tips.
Thanks a lot.
Would be a pleasure to share my experience with the beginners. let me know how to go about it.
Hi Linda,
Simply write your personal tips e.t.c. and send to walter@freelancerkenya.com in a word document.
I will then edit and post.
Check out one of my guest posts on the link below:
https://freelancerkenya.com/article-writing-websites/elite-writer-in-iwriter/
Thanks
I will do that in a few days. Hipefully twil help someone.
So today I just landed my first job on Elance.
Thank you very much for the inspiration here. Lovely weekend to you all 🙂
Hi Linda,
I’ll be looking forward to it.
I am happy to hear you’ve gotten your first job on Elance.
Congratulations 🙂
All the best and I pray that they keep on flowing.
I have been working on odesk. Got a few coins there. I have worked on more than 10 contracts but it doesnt pay very well though so far i got permanent clients. am now trying elance to c if i will make it. yes freelance is patience. i took 3 momths without landing a job on odesk. after getting the first one, i was goodto go. So far i have withdrawn over a 1000 dollars in a few months. its possible! All the best felllow freelancers
Hi Linda,
Thanks for your comment. Actually I have heard of a few guys making it in oDesk. Probably you can even do a guest post here on how you made your first 1000 dollars on oDesk 🙂
Anyway, Elance is great in terms of pay so feel free to try it out. Be patient as usual and it will pay off.
All the best 🙂
hello Walter patience does pay . I am new member in elance and now i have twin jobs in process Thanks for the advice
Hey Wilson,
I’m so happy to hear that.
Keep it up!
Hi Walter. What a nice site you run here! This is the right time for Kenyans to know what they have been missing for long, and you have done a pretty job of opening their eyes, kudos for that. Well…..I was never much of a writer myself, I don’t have the professional skills to make readers glued to my literal stuff. So I ventured on other IM means, but since this thread is about Elance, that will be a topic for another day.
Thanks again on behalf of all Kenyans
Hi Samuel,
I am glad to hear you are into other IM means. It’s a fun and lucrative profession.
Thanks for commenting 🙂
Hi Walter. Thank you for your tips. Sites such as Elance are giving Kenyan potential writers a good channel to show case their work. They are getting a chance to express their gifts.Thanks again.
Hi Jay,
It is true that they’re giving many Kenyans a chance to make it; both writers and other freelancers. The challenge is to take that chance and make it work.
I hope you’re also trying it out 🙂
Awesome article Walter, i joined elance but forgot about it.You have ignited my desire to make money using it.i will follow your guide and see if i make at least $200 i don’t want to bet on more.Am glad you mentioned Patience is key in online and internet marketing business, the prospects seem easily achievable but a lot goes into making it happen.I love our website been peeping through the window and never commenting..Thanks for the advice
Thanks a lot Elvis for your kind words about my site.
Yes, feel free to use the guide and you should be able to make much more than that. It is true patience is key, I almost gave up on Elance but I’m glad I didn’t.
Let me know how things turn out with Elance.
hi walter am new on elence i just joined yesterday av placed a proposal bt i dnt knw the way forwad from that please help me out.i av many skills and i want to utilise them well on elence
Hi Emmanuel,
After the proposal, you need to wait till they approve it. Meanwhile, keep placing other proposals. It takes a while before you land the first client.
All the best and you have made a great step Emmanuel.
Hi, I think this is a brilliant idea. It is an easy-to-follow guide for anyone who wants to break even in their writing career. It will help to leverage other important aspects as they chart their way through the murky world of freelancing.
what’s your take on Odesk? I hear it’s equally good….
Hey Jorge,
I have never used oDesk. I have an unused profile there. I guess one of these days I’ll revive it and let you know, just like I’ve done with Elance.
Word on the street is that it doesn’t pay well. A commenter once said that you can get clients paying even $0.5 per 500 words.
Elance is better than Freelancer. The beauty of Elance is that, their exams are free. Ironically, the same exams that Elance offers are also offered at Freelancer but are not free.
True, it is much better. Freelancer is good for starters who can then upgrade to Elance.
Hi Walter, thanks for the good work you are doing for freelancers in Kenya. I signed up for Odesk and Elance last year, but I never bothered to complete my profiles or bid for jobs coz I thought the sites are too hectic, and I was busy on other sites. Do you think my long absences from the sites will hurt my profiles?
Hi Elly,
Thanks for your comment as usual. I thought so too, especially with Elance.
Long absences will not hurt anything. I had my Elance profile from long ago but never used it. Just make sure you follow the above tips and you’ll be good to go!
hi Walter, thanx 4 the the message. i just got started on this sites but i haven’t really began earning since i have not found any contracts so far, any help on how i can land a project faster?
You are most welcome Eric.
You can land a project faster by implementing the above steps in the post, especially when you send an epic sample and a brilliant proposal.
All the best 🙂
Thanks Walter, you are dedicated at putting cash in our pockets. As I mail, am in my way to withdraw my first $300 dollars I made last week on odesk.
You are welcome Suleiman. Yes, it’s my dream that more and more Kenyans will have online cash in their pockets.
Good to hear you’re withdrawing your first $300 on oDesk. Maybe you should write a post like “How I Made My First $300 on oDesk in _____ Weeks”. I will be happy to have that post here since I have never used oDesk. Just a thought…
Cheers 🙂
Elance is a professional site. It has less scams compared to Freelance.com. But it takes time for a freelancer to win a bid at elance.
Yes, it takes time and requires patience but when you start getting good jobs, you realize it was worth the wait.
Hello walter. I have been on upwork since 2018. with my connects i have been sending proposals severally but i have been unable to land to a single job. Is there any way that you can assist?
Hi Dolphine,
You’ll need to perfect your profile, proposals, and samples.
Optimize your profile as stated on this post. Let all your proposals actually address the client’s needs. And make sure the samples you send to clients are above par.
Also don’t just depend on Upwork. Use multiple ways to get clients. See this guide for tips https://freelancerkenya.com/money-online/online-freelancing-clients/
All the best!