14 Mistakes You Might Be Making On Upwork

It’s time to get honest. The freelancing world can be scary, especially if you’re just starting out. You might not be making nearly as much money as you want, and there are days when it feels like your Upwork account is just spinning its wheels.

The truth is that most freelancers make mistakes in their first year of work on Upwork even the ones with years of experience. But even more alarming than the fact that many newbies are making these mistakes? The fact that these mistakes cost them more than just money they also cost them clients and possibly their business entirely!

In this article, we take a look at 15 common mistakes made by newbies on Upwork (and how to avoid them).

Takeaways
Avoid common mistakes when bidding on Upwork projects.
Customize your proposals to fit the specific needs of clients.
Set competitive rates that reflect your skills and experience.
Optimize your Upwork profile to attract potential clients.
Communicate effectively with clients throughout the project.
Provide relevant samples of your work to showcase your abilities.
Maintain professionalism and adhere to deadlines.
Continuously update your skills and stay relevant in your field.
Research and understand the project requirements before bidding.
Seek feedback from clients to improve your freelancing skills.
Prioritize building a strong reputation and positive reviews.
Avoid underpricing your services and devaluing your expertise.
Utilize Upwork’s tools and resources to enhance your freelancing career.
Network and build connections within the Upwork community.

1. Forgetting To Respond To Messages

With the right mindset and approach, you can build a great reputation on Upwork. It’s important to remember that this isn’t a race to get as many clients as possible. You’re also not just trying to make money you’re trying to build relationships with people who trust that you’ll deliver quality work and communicate well throughout the process.

If you follow these simple steps, it will go a long way toward improving your chances of getting good reviews and repeat business from clients for years to come!

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2. Not Saving Your Work Frequently

This is a mistake that’s easy to make if you haven’t used version control before. It seems like Upwork should save your work for you, but it doesn’t it uses autosave instead. Autosave only saves once every hour by default and is turned off by default when working in the mobile app.

Also, saving work frequently isn’t enough; you need to save it in multiple places, such as in the cloud or an external hard drive that syncs with the cloud. This way if something happens with your computer (or just Upwork), you can still access your data elsewhere.

Finally, use version control software such as GitHub or GitLab so that each copy of your code is linked together and changes are tracked over time.

3. Not Applying For The Right Jobs

The mistake: Not applying for the right jobs.

Why it matters: You can’t get a job unless you apply for one, so that’s why this is mistake number 1! 

But more importantly, you’re going to have a hard time growing your portfolio if you’re constantly applying for jobs that aren’t a good fit. If your skills don’t align with the job (or if they’re way too advanced), it’s unlikely that they’ll say “yes” and hire you. 

And if they do end up hiring you, there will be no room for growth because they won’t have any projects in mind that suit your skillset or pay well enough for them to want to keep working with you. 

So make sure before submitting an application that the project description matches what was mentioned in the job posting and all of its requirements seem attainable based on what experience/skillset/work ethic/etc., etc., etc., . . .

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4. Not Having A Good Portfolio

Your portfolio is your best opportunity to show off your skills. Make sure it’s a good representation of the type of work you want to do and make it easy for clients to find the information they need. 

Your portfolio should be simple no more than one page if possible and include both text and images that clearly explain what kind of work you specialize in doing. Use photos that show you working on projects similar to those you aim to complete as an Upwork freelancer. 

And don’t forget: every Upwork freelancer profile includes a free “skill badge” which can help potential clients quickly understand what kind of skills they have at their disposal!

5. Working In Your Pajamas

We’ve all been there: you wake up, roll out of bed, and head straight to your computer to start typing. You may even be wearing your PJs when you go to bed at night so why not wear them while working?

While it might seem like a great way to feel comfortable and relaxed in the workplace (or home office), dressing down can actually have a negative impact on how others perceive you. 

It’s also important not to think that just because you don’t have an employer looking over your shoulder that it doesn’t matter what they see or think about your appearance. When clients come into our office we always make sure they are greeted with a warm smile and someone who looks professional, even if they’re coming over for dinner or drinks later on! 

This project is likely going to span several weeks or even months so there’s no harm in making sure everyone knows how much effort was put into creating this piece from start to finish by putting some thought into wardrobe choices as well as other aspects of presentation throughout this process such as neatness/cleanliness around workspace area/etcetera.

6. Eating At Your Desk

For most of us, eating at our desks is a familiar part of the workday. But eating at your desk is not only bad for your health it’s also likely to conflict with your productivity goals.

It’s hard to focus when you’re trying to work and eat at the same time. As anyone who has attempted this knows, having food on hand can be distracting, especially when it comes in forms like chips or crackers that require some degree of crumb-cleaning before getting back into typing mode. 

Plus, if you spill something on your keyboard (and let’s be honest you will), then you’re faced with another cleanup task before being able to resume working efficiently (or at all).

It’s bad for your work ethic if people think you’re lazy or unprofessional because they see that memo from HR about eating during business hours pinned up on their cubicle wall! 

Eating while working makes it look like you don’t respect yourself enough as an employee; instead of focusing on what matters most at this point in time: getting stuff done so that I can go home tonight without feeling guilty about not having accomplished anything yet today.”

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7. Binging On Netflix

Do you know what’s not going to get you a job? Watching Netflix from the time you wake up until the time you go to bed. There’s no way around it: if your goal is to make money, then you need to be working. 

Don’t waste hours of your day doing anything but working or sleeping that means no watching TV or movies, no scrolling through Facebook and Instagram, and definitely no playing video games (unless they teach coding).

When I was first starting out on Upwork, I found myself constantly binging on shows like The Office because I thought it would help me relax at night if I was anxious about my current situation. 

In reality, all these shows did was distract me from actually getting work done! Now that I have more experience under my belt, I know better than this instead of zoning out in front of a screen for hours on end, try using those precious minutes before bedtime for something more productive like reading one book chapter each weeknight (you can always watch an episode later).

8. Not Taking Breaks

Even if you are feeling like you are on a roll and want to keep going, it’s important to take breaks. Studies have shown that taking regular breaks can improve productivity by up to 40%. Here’s what I recommend:

Take a 5-10 minute break every hour. This includes getting away from your computer screen, doing something different from what you’ve been doing (i.e., going for a walk), and stretching out your muscles.

If possible, schedule two 15-minute breaks per day (one in the morning and one after lunch). This will help with mental fatigue and allow for more focused work later in the day when everyone else is starting to feel tired too!

9. Waiting For The Perfect Client

As a freelancer, you might think that you need to wait for the perfect client before accepting any work.

But let’s look at this from another perspective. If a client wants your services, they’re already interested in what you have to offer and are willing to pay for it.

So why not take their money while you’re building your skills and experience?

10. Applying For Jobs Without Reading The Descriptions Carefully

The most important thing you can do when applying for a job is to read the job description carefully. Each client has different needs and wants it’s your job to figure out what those are so that you can show the client that you’re the best fit for their project.

Sometimes, clients don’t provide enough information in their descriptions. In those cases, it’s up to you to ask questions before submitting a bid. 

You can do this via Upwork’s messaging system or through your own personal message (either with them directly or with their account manager). If they don’t respond after a few days of sending messages and/or emails, then be wary of continuing with this client.

Make sure that each bid you place on Upwork is relevant and shows how well-qualified you are for this particular project based on what was asked for in its description!

11. Over-Bidding Or Under-Bidding On Jobs

The most common mistake freelancers make on Upwork is over-bidding or under-bidding on jobs.

If you bid too low, clients will just go for the cheapest option. They don’t care about great work they just want it done as cheaply as possible.

On the other hand, if you bid way over budget, the client might think that your bids are unreasonable and won’t even consider hiring you. In both cases, it’s important to remember that clients are looking for a good deal! If you’re not careful about how much money a job is worth to them (and what it’s worth for YOU), then you won’t get hired again, or worse yet: 

Your reputation could become damaged by being known as someone who doesn’t deliver quality work at fair prices (which can also lead to less money in future projects). 

The best way to learn how much your skillset should be valued is by looking at average rates across similar roles within Upwork and comparing them with those of other freelancers who have worked in similar fields before doing so yourself!

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12. Not Setting Expectations With Clients Promptly And Professionally

Set expectations. You probably already know that clients want you to be clear about what you can and can’t do, but how are you communicating this? Are you sending emails with detailed descriptions of the work? Is there a section on your profile where clients can read about your experience before hiring you?

Be flexible. You’re supposed to adapt your style to each client’s needs but if a client asks for something absurd (such as writing a 15-page essay in 24 hours), what happens then? Don’t hesitate to say no if it’s outside of your abilities or preferences! Just make sure they understand why it won’t work, so they don’t feel like they’ve been cheated by Upwork’s system.

13. Approving Work That Still Needs Revisions From The Client

As you may have noticed, these are all things that might happen if you don’t set clear expectations with your clients. The best way to avoid this is to get the client’s approval before submitting a project. This way, if they request revisions or modifications after you’ve finished it, they’ll be responsible for paying for any additional work involved with those changes.

You want to make sure every one of your clients understands that Upwork can be used as a tool for finding new work and that your goal is not just getting paid by them but also building a relationship so that you can continue working together in the future.

14. Not Meeting Deadlines, Even Once

Before you accept a job, make sure you understand the project timeline and deadlines. If you don’t know how long the project will take, make sure to ask your client for that information before accepting the job.

Set realistic deadlines for yourself and stick with them. Even if it means working late into the night or on weekends, meet those deadlines! There’s nothing more frustrating than a freelancer who misses their own deadlines it makes them look unreliable and unprofessional. 

Don’t promise something that takes longer than expected; instead, let your client know about any delays as soon as possible so they have time to adjust their expectations accordingly.

Don’t give excuses like “I had car trouble” or “my dog ate my homework.” Just apologize sincerely for missing the deadline and promise to do better next time around (and mean it!).

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Conclusion

Now you know. The whole point of this guide is to help you avoid the mistakes that can keep your Upwork profile from being seen by the right clients, but it’s also important to remember that the only way to get better at something is through practice and feedback. So don’t be afraid to try out new approaches!

In case you missed anything, here are some final takeaways from this article:

• Keep your profile updated with relevant details about yourself and your skillset

• Use a professional profile photo (no selfies)

• Write a detailed description for each job opportunity you post on Upwork

• Use keywords in each of your skill categories so potential employers can easily find what they need in their search results

Further Reading

Top 13 Worst Mistakes Upwork Freelancers Make (You Should Avoid): Discover the most common mistakes made by Upwork freelancers and learn how to avoid them to improve your chances of success.

9 Common Mistakes Freelancers Make on Upwork When Trying to Win Projects: Explore nine common mistakes freelancers often make on Upwork while bidding for projects and gain valuable insights on how to overcome these challenges.

Upwork Profile Mistakes: Are You Making These Costly Errors?: Ensure your Upwork profile stands out for all the right reasons by learning about the most common profile mistakes freelancers make and how to rectify them.

FAQs

Q: What are the most common mistakes freelancers make on Upwork?

A: Some of the common mistakes include not customizing proposals, underpricing services, having a poorly optimized profile, not providing relevant samples of work, and failing to communicate effectively with clients.

Q: How can I avoid making mistakes when bidding for projects on Upwork?

A: To avoid mistakes when bidding on Upwork projects, make sure to thoroughly read the job description, tailor your proposal to the client’s needs, showcase relevant experience and skills, provide a competitive rate, and submit your proposal in a timely manner.

Q: What are some key profile mistakes to avoid on Upwork?

A: Avoid profile mistakes on Upwork by using a professional profile picture, writing a compelling and concise overview, highlighting your skills and expertise, showcasing a strong portfolio, and regularly updating your profile with new accomplishments.

Q: How important is effective communication in freelancing on Upwork?

A: Effective communication is crucial in freelancing on Upwork. It helps build trust with clients, clarifies project requirements, ensures smooth collaboration, and leads to better client satisfaction and positive reviews.

Q: What can I do to improve my success rate on Upwork?

A: To improve your success rate on Upwork, focus on building a strong profile, targeting relevant projects, submitting high-quality proposals, providing exceptional work, maintaining good communication, and consistently delivering projects on time.

Can I Use A Fake Name On Upwork?

Yes, you can use a fake name on Upwork. However, it is not recommended as clients will be able to see your profile and find out who you are. This will cause you to lose credibility and prevent future clients from hiring you.

How Do I Bid On Upwork?

To bid on a job application, click the “Bid” button underneath the title of the project. A box will pop up where you can set how much money you want to make for completing this project (in dollars). Once that is done and if no one else has bid yet then click “Submit” at the bottom of your screen! 

You can only submit once so make sure everything looks good before submitting! Be careful though because sometimes people will submit multiple times hoping someone else gets stuck paying more than what they set originally so keep an eye out for any suspicious activity like this happening especially if there’s only one person in line ahead of them!

What Is Upwork?

Upwork is a website where you can post your skills and details about your past work experience, and potential clients will hire you to do work for them. The best way to get started on Upwork is to sign up as a client first so that you can see what it’s like being on the other side of the hiring process.

What Do I Need To Get Started On Upwork?

You will need an account (free) with some funds in it ($5 minimum). You also need a PayPal account so that payment can be made if needed. If this sounds like too much work, then we recommend trying something easier such as Fiverr or Freelancer instead! How can I get started with Upwork?