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Working from home and being your own boss is a dream a lot of people share. Having the ability to set your own hours, work when you want, and decide whom you get to work with can be a pretty great way to live.
Upwork is a platform that makes this possible. And even profitable! Upwork is essentially a job board where freelancers can bid on projects and connect with clients.
Amazingly, freelancing can pay more than an office job.
It can take a bit of trial and error, you might make some mistakes along the way, but you can make six figures as a freelancer on Upwork.
Interested in being your own boss, cultivating your talents, and making more money all at the same time? Read our five hacks to get you closer to that goal.
1. Perfect Your Profile
This one should be a no-brainer, but having an incomplete profile is an all-too-common mistake. It’s easy to skip sections because you feel like you don’t have the experience required, but believe me when I say that it’s the most important step to landing more high-paying gigs.
The most successful freelancers have profiles that are 100% complete with detailed compelling descriptions. Your profile should be honest and robust. It is the first thing that the client looks at to see if you’re right for the job. Think of it like a general resume. Fill in what types of jobs you’d like to do, specific areas you’re skilled in, and your level of expertise.
Include samples of past projects, case studies, testimonials, and anything that demonstrates the quality of your work. Add a link to an offsite portfolio or landing page to show off your professional presence.
Only the first few sentences of your profile will be visible in the search result. So make sure to grab the readers’ attention, highlight your expertise, and make them want to read more.
Show your potential employer you’re a real person. Your headshot should be professionally shot – you can get one done for under $100. Dress nicely, center yourself in the frame, and make sure your smiling face is visible.
Land more gigs with an introductory video. Most people have a smartphone with a decent camera, so creating a short video shouldn’t take longer than 10 minutes or so.
Your profile is also where you set your rate. Compare rates with other freelancers who have similar experiences. In the beginning, it’s best to start low. Once you have landed that first client and their 5-star review, you can begin to up your rates.
2. Apply Every Day
It’s essential to be active on Upwork. Routinely check for new jobs and submit proposals daily to increase your chances of being visible in their search results and landing that perfect gig.
Apply to 2 to 3 jobs each and every day.
In the beginning, it doesn’t pay to be picky. Apply to jobs both big and small. The first job you get will most likely be small, not pay much, and not take a lot of time. It can be frustrating and humbling but take it anyway.
You need to build a client base and get your first 5-star review. Any freelancer will tell you the first review is the most important. Once a client has vouched for you with a good review, it will be easier to get new jobs and better jobs at that.
So at first don’t be picky and take what you can get. As more jobs come in and you get more good reviews, you can quickly raise your rates and be more selective.
Great respect, working for more than 6 years, got many great opportunities and greet clients as a freelancer!
Abdallh KoraitemNew
Trustpilot Review
Upwork is an excellent platform for freelancers and clients to connect and collaborate. With a user-friendly interface, a wide range of job categories, and reliable payment methods, Upwork has become one of the most popular freelance platforms on the market. Highly recommended. Brunno Tavarez
Trustpilot Review
Until today, I’ve almost made more than USD 100,000 working part-time on Upwork – without any formal education in the services I offer. Denise Mai
3. Strong Proposals Get Better Clients
Writing compelling proposals is essential when bidding for projects on Upwork. This is your time to sell yourself as the knowledgeable professional your client needs. Your cover letter and proposal should be brief – no more than 300 words – poignant, and client-focused.
Every proposal should be unique and tailored to the specific needs outlined by the client. Highlight your professional qualifications and related experience and tell the client how it matches their project goals.
Instead of making your profile, proposals, and communication all about you, make it about them. Sean Cope
4. Specialize for Higher Pay
Your profile should showcase your talent and expertise in a specific field. While tempting, it doesn’t pay to be everything to everyone. Instead, be strategic. Research in-demand skills within your industry and identify areas where there’s a higher demand but fewer available experts. Then market yourself as that expert.
If I could do it again, I would probably focus even more on the content niche and skip the other jobs. It is so much easier to find well-paying online jobs when you are an expert in something and have reviews to prove that. Yes, there might be fewer job offerings but in the long-run, you will profit from being specialized. Denise Mai
Make sure it does fit your skill set since Upwork will put your account on hold or close it if you can’t deliver on jobs you take.
5. Get Rewarded for Great Work
Building strong relationships with existing clients not only leads to repeat business but also opens doors for referrals and lucrative long-term collaborations. This is exactly where your focus should be. Long-term contracts and ongoing work are the best ways to increase your pay and pull in six figures.
Between 2017-2022 I was able to make over $600,000 – an average of $120,000 per year on Upwork alone. Morgan Overholt
Upwork, like any platform, takes a cut of your profit, but the amount decreases the more work you do for a client. Upwork takes 20% of the first $500 billed. This drops to 10% when the total billings fall between $500.01 and $10,000. And when it exceeds $10,000, the percentage paid to Upwork is only %5!
To keep your clients coming back, consistently provide outstanding work that exceeds their expectations—it ensures customer satisfaction and establishes trust. The higher quality of work, the more jobs you’ll get and the better reputation you’ll build. You won’t have to reach out to clients seeking gigs but will be sought out yourself. Once you’re there, it’s time to raise your rates!
As you build your client base, be sure to maintain clear channels of communication, answer any questions in detail, and promptly address any concerns clients raise so they feel heard and understood. Emails should be answered within 24 hours and messages in minutes. Use multiple messaging platforms – Zoom, Viber, WhatsApp – to accommodate as many clients as possible and make their lives easier. Show that you’re a good communicator and will take care of them.
Excellent customer service goes a long way.
It takes time to grow and succeed as a freelancer, don’t give up. Follow these tips, build your business, and you’ll be on the way to six figures.
