You’re probably wondering why you should care about this. It’s easy to see why Upwork is a great place to find freelance jobs, but why should you care about getting 5 stars?
Well, first of all, it’s important because your success on Upwork depends on the quality of your profile and work history. In fact, some employers won’t even consider hiring you unless your rating is at least 4 stars!
Second of all, getting 5 stars is relatively easy if you follow the steps outlined in this article. If you do everything we suggest here (and don’t worry it’s not difficult), then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get 5 stars yourself within a few months!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Focus on providing exceptional quality work that exceeds client expectations. |
| Communicate effectively and proactively with clients to ensure clarity and manage expectations. |
| Take the time to understand the client’s needs and tailor your proposals accordingly. |
| Build a strong professional reputation by consistently delivering projects on time. |
| Request feedback from clients and use it to continuously improve your skills and service. |
| Develop strong relationships with clients by providing excellent customer service. |
| Pay attention to your profile and ensure it showcases your skills, experience, and positive client feedback. |
| Be proactive in seeking out relevant projects and applying with well-crafted proposals. |
| Stay committed to your professional development and continuously update your skills to stay competitive. |
| Strive to create a positive and mutually beneficial working relationship with each client. |
Fill Out Your Profile
A professional profile is the first step to getting hired on Upwork. Here are some tips for what to include in your profile and how to make sure it’s complete and professional:
Fill out all requested fields as much as possible. If there isn’t a field for something, create one and fill it in any way! This shows that you’re committed and serious about getting work on Upwork. Make sure everything is spelled correctly (it may not be obvious at first glance), and use proper grammar so people can understand what you mean when they read your profile.
Include links to previous work samples, if available. In addition to telling clients why they should hire you, profiles are also designed to show potential clients whether or not a freelancer is worth their time this means providing evidence of quality work with samples of projects completed in the past by linking them directly from within the application process itself!
It’s also important not only because it gives potential employers more information about what kind of skillset someone might bring into an organization but also because this shows that person has put thought into his/her approach towards solving problems (and thus will likely do better than someone who hasn’t done so).
Facing disappointment when not landing a job on Upwork can be disheartening, but it’s essential to stay resilient and learn from the experience. Our article on what to do when you don’t get a job on Upwork provides valuable insights and strategies to bounce back and increase your chances of success in the future.
Work On Sample Projects
Working on sample projects is a great way to gain experience and showcase your skills. It also helps you get used to the workflow of working with clients and create a portfolio that Upwork (and other freelancing sites) will be able to see when hiring managers check out your profile.
If you’re new to Upwork, finding samples can be tricky so here are some tips:
Use The Keywords “Sample” Or “Test” In Your Search Query
The reason why is because those words mean different things in different contexts, so they’ll help narrow down what types of jobs you should look at more closely.
For example, if someone says their gig is a “sample,” it might actually just mean they’re looking for someone with zero experience who wants to work on something small together so that they can learn from each other!
But if someone says their gig is a “test,” then there’s no doubt about what it’s going to be: a project meant for experienced professionals only (and probably paid).
Look Through All Listings Until You Find One That Seems Similar Enough But Not Too Similar To Well
Depending on how much money/time is involved etc., any given job may require more or less skill than another entry-level position would need (so choose wisely!). If none come up after searching around using keywords like these two examples above or if they’re all too expensive ($100+ USD), then try Googling something like “[your field] + ‘samples'”.
Chances are there will be some results buried deep inside them somewhere that could help get started right away without having
Write A Killer Proposal
When your client is reading proposals, they’re looking for reasons to choose you. So, do everything in your power to make sure they see you as the best person for their project. Proposals that are short and to the point are better than long-winded ones; each section should be one or two sentences max.
You can also include a short paragraph at the very beginning of your proposal where you introduce yourself and remind them of what job it was that you applied for (this is particularly important if someone else asks me about this!).
In addition, make sure to include the client’s name in bold at least once. When someone sees their own name highlighted among all those other proposals, it stands out and makes them feel good! The more personal you can make your proposal without coming across as unprofessional or overly casual (which would be inappropriate), the better off it will be.
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Don’t Just Say You Understand It All – Show You Understand It All
“Show, don’t tell” is a popular writing mantra. For example:
Instead of saying, “I think this project will be great for me,” show that you understand the scope of work and its requirements by saying something like, “I have experience working with clients who need an SEO expert – let’s discuss details.”
Instead of saying, “I’m a hard worker,” show it by stating specific examples of when you’ve worked long hours on projects and gotten results.
Instead of saying, “I’m flexible,” show your flexibility by giving examples (e.g., “I am willing to change my schedule if needed”).
Be Specific In Your Proposal And Deliverables
The client is hiring you because they want your skills and expertise to help them achieve a goal. They don’t need to learn how you work or what your way of thinking is; they just want results. So, in order to get the best possible rating from clients, it’s important that you provide the most specific information about how you’ll complete the project. You should tell them:
- How will you complete the project?
- How long will it take you?
- What will be delivered at the end of the project?
- What do they need from their side in order for this to happen (data, access information, etc.)?
Your proposal should also include information about how often and in what format (text message, email, etc.) communication with clients will take place during each step of the process.
Make The Client’s Life Easier When Asking For More Information Or Feedback
When you’re a new freelancer, it can be easy to forget that you’re not the only one in the room. If a client is paying for your service, they want to know exactly what they’re getting and what they should expect from working with you.
In order to make sure they get exactly what they’re looking for, provide them with as much information as possible before starting the project. Ask them if there are specific things that are important or pertinent to their business or industry or any other topics that need clarification before starting work on their project.
Additionally, create a checklist of all the information needed for this project so both parties understand how long it will take and what’s involved in producing quality content for their site or blog post (or whatever else).
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Deliver Quality Work The First Time
If you’re new to Upwork, one of the best ways to get a five-star rating is by delivering quality work the first time.
Understand what your client wants and do more than what they expect. The best way to do this is by understanding their needs and being able to reach them in an efficient manner. Do more than what’s asked for, but not so much that it takes away from meeting deadlines or becomes too expensive.
Letting clients know when you’re willing to make changes will give them comfort knowing that if anything does go wrong with the finished product, there are options available for improving on it or making another version altogether if necessary.
When asking for feedback from clients, try incorporating those suggestions into future projects as well as other jobs where applicable this will show how invested you are in providing excellent service!
Keep Them Informed About The Project Status & Be Flexible To Change If Needed
We all know that communication is key.
The best way to communicate with clients is to be proactive and reach out first. Send periodic updates about the project’s progress and any changes that might impact their timeline or budget. Be transparent about your availability and client-ready, because if you’re not available when a client needs you, they’ll find someone else who can help them right away!
This shows that you’re genuinely invested in delivering a quality product on time (or at least as close as possible).
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Offer Value From Day 1 And Throughout The Project
Offering value from day 1 and throughout the project is one of the most important things you can do for your clients.
A client will be much more likely to give you a 5-star review if they feel like they got their money’s worth. And the easiest way to do that? By delivering on time, under budget, and with high-quality work. Now before I go any further, let me say that this doesn’t mean you have to work for free (or even for cheap).
But what it does mean is that when someone hires you for a job and offers whatever amount of money they’re willing to pay take it! If someone gives me $100/hr., but thinks that I should only charge them $80/hr.,
I’m still going to take their offer because ultimately my goal is not just making money; my goal is helping people solve problems by providing great solutions and being paid well helps me achieve this.
How To End The Project, So That They’ll Be More Inclined To Hire You Again!
You want to end the project so that they’ll be more inclined to hire you again! So, how do you go about doing this? Well, there are a few things that you can consider doing:
Make sure all deliverables are finished. If any of them aren’t completed yet and need more work from you, then ask if there is anything else that they would like done. You don’t want them to feel cheated or taken advantage of by giving an incomplete product or service – so make sure all of your deliverables are finished before submitting the final invoice!
After finishing up on everything else requested by the client (or even if they didn’t request something), ask if there is anything else that they would like help with now! This will show them just how much value your service has given their business/businesses and encourage them to give it another shot in the future when they need another contractor/freelancer.
Getting A 5 Star Rating Is Easier Than You Think
If you’re new to Upwork, getting a 5-star rating is much easier than it sounds. All you need to do is follow the advice below and everything will fall into place.
Don’t worry about having a high price or your profile is full of qualifications. If you have an excellent portfolio and can prove that you’re good at what you do, then people will hire you regardless of how much money they have to spend or how long your profile is.
It’s okay if someone doesn’t want to work with you because of your age or gender the key thing here is being passionate about your work and showing that passion in a way that makes sense for who is as an individual (e.g., if women do better when they emphasize their ability rather than their appearance).
Crafting compelling freelance proposals is key to winning clients and securing projects. Explore our freelance proposals template & writing guide to learn effective strategies, access a ready-to-use template, and improve your proposal writing skills, ultimately increasing your chances of landing high-paying gigs.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources you may find helpful:
How to Get 5-Star Reviews on Upwork: Entrepreneur provides insights and tips on securing 5-star reviews on Upwork, helping you build a strong reputation and attract more clients.
Tips for Getting 5-Star Reviews on Upwork: Morgan Overholt shares practical advice and strategies for obtaining 5-star reviews on Upwork, enhancing your professional profile and credibility.
Getting Your First Job on Upwork: Daniel Futerman offers guidance on how to land your first job on Upwork, including tips on writing winning proposals, showcasing your skills, and standing out as a newcomer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions:
What If I Don’t Get A 5-Star Rating?
Getting a 5-star rating on Upwork is not easy, but it’s possible. You’ll need to be on top of your game and give your clients exactly what they want. But don’t worry if you’ve been hired by a client and haven’t done your job well, they can still give you a low-quality rating!
How Do I Charge For My Work?
Upwork charges clients 20% of the total amount spent on an order. If the client has already paid this fee when they hire you, then there won’t be any additional charges involved in hiring yourself through Upwork (unless there are special circumstances).
However, if not all of the costs have been covered yet by one party or another when working with another freelancer who applies through Upwork then it will be necessary for both parties to pay their respective portions according to the breakdown specified within each project description page before proceeding with any further collaboration between these two parties.”
What Is A Good Proposal?
A good proposal answers questions about how you will complete the project, why you are the best person for it, and what your experience is in this field. It should also include details like your portfolio of work to show potential clients that you have experience with similar projects.
How Do I Get A 5-Star Rating On Upwork?
To get a 5-star rating on Upwork, you need to follow these steps: create an amazing profile; write amazing proposals; answer questions quickly and professionally; provide excellent customer service, and be polite in all communications with clients.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.