How do freelancers make money on Upwork?
“I would love to work on my own conditions.”
“I wish I could get away from my 9-5 job without compromising on the money.”
“I would love to start as a freelancer but do not know the available resources.”
Phew! I have heard these statements very often. Many freshers ask me about freelancing, how to get started, the available platforms, how to create an Upwork account, how to make money on Upwork, and the list goes on.
I am often asked about my freelance journey on Upwork- how did I manage to go from ZERO to a six-figure income.
Read on this article to learn excellent tips and secrets to make money on Upwork as I share my story with you.
But before that, if you have just entered the freelance industry, check out this fresher’s guide on how to get started with Upwork.
My way to earning a six-figure on Upwork
My freelance journey started a couple of years ago when I helped my friends set up their small businesses. It was a personal project for me that made me realize the potential of upskilling. Soon after that, I started looking out for ways to earn extra money online by sharing my skills with others.
During that time, I came across Upwork. I was surprised to see various platforms that acted as freelance marketplaces connecting freelance job-seekers to job-givers. I created my account and added all the required details. However, I was still not sure how to make money on Upwork.
I was working as a machine learning engineer, so I decided to look for freelance opportunities in the same genre. I knew I had to start small because I did not have any reviews or client testimonials on my profile. Regardless of that, I started applying for jobs and got my first project in a few days. I followed a systematic approach to the work and ensured timely delivery to the client. Once he was happy and satisfied with my work, I requested him to drop feedback on my profile.
That was my first feedback and helped me secure my second job within no time. From there on, I started getting new clients every few weeks, and my work was appreciated by all.
Fast forward to today, I have almost made more than $35,000 working as a freelancer on Upwork. With pure dedication and hard work, I was able to make money on Upwork and am still growing positive in my journey.
Six excellent tips to make money on Upwork
Here are some of my strategies and tips to find new projects and make money on Upwork.
Maintain a professional profile
Upwork has a special algorithm to find the best profiles and show them in the topmost search bars. Your Upwork profile needs to be crisp and precise with all the required information.
First things first, ensure your profile title is EXACTLY the kind of expertise you offer. Next, create your profile description about your skills and experience and how you can help your clients achieve the desired results. It should be created in a problem-statement manner and should immediately connect with your clients.
Add a professional-looking picture, upload your education and certifications, and add 100% details in your profile. With a professional profile, you can fetch many clients easily and make money on Upwork.
Choose your specialization
While most people recommend that you should be open to opportunities across different industries, I would recommend sticking to a particular skill and industry. For example, if you are a tech guy, you should focus on skills like coding, machine learning, etc., and not drift to content or marketing.
When you choose your specialization and focus on one skill, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the niche and achieve excellence there. Further, you will also be able to increase your charges after a reasonable experience and easily make money on Upwork.
Yes, it might take time, and there may be few jobs initially, but you will surely profit in the long run.
Start with smaller projects and greater learnings
I know that everyone wants a high-paying job to live a lavish lifestyle. But everything takes time!
There are many ways to make money on Upwork, but the key is to start with small projects because they offer immense learning. You will be able to understand the work, receive valuable feedback, and improve your work accordingly. When you complete these small projects successfully and get good reviews from clients, you will automatically start getting more work.
So, go for small and short-term projects, prove your work and then aim for the bigger clients. You will be amazed at how you will make money on Upwork without compromising on anything.
Customize your proposals
One of the most essential tips to help you make money on Upwork is to create individually customized proposals.
I agree that you need to send out tens of applications every day, and crafting unique proposals might be challenging. But let’s get this straight; nothing worth having comes easy.
So, if you are looking to make money on Upwork, it is essential to customize your proposals according to the job description and keep them relevant for the client.
Start by explaining your previous work and show similar samples. Add a short plan of action and keep it insightful for the client. With this customized proposal, you are surely going to make way to your client’s heart and improve your chances of getting the job.
Be proactive in following up
There would be hundreds of freelancers applying for the same job. This means that you need to be quick in sending our proposals and even quicker in following up for the same.
When you don’t hear back from a client a few weeks after sending the proposal, be proactive in following up. Sometimes, it so happens that the client is busy with something and has forgotten to check your application. A subtle follow-up can remind him about your proposal.
Needless to say, you should not come across as too pushy but only show that you are genuinely interested in the work.
Communicate effectively
In the freelance industry, communication plays a huge role in getting the job and making money.
You will be sitting miles away from your client, and hence it is important to maintain clear communication with your clients. You need to understand their expectations and explain your deliverables to them. Even if there is any slightest confusion, you should clarify that immediately.
Communicating clearly can help complete your work successfully and consequently increase your chances to make money on Upwork.
Takeaways
These tips and tricks on finding freelance jobs are surely going to help you make money on Upwork. Initially, you will find it a little challenging, but I ensure things will become easy and smooth after a while. Once you get your first project and complete it successfully, you will be amazed to see the various opportunities that will open for you.
So, if you are looking for a side hustle to make money on Upwork, you should get started right away. If you have any questions, feel free to connect with me at [email protected] for any queries. I would be happy to help you! Join the Discord community of like-minded freelancers here.
