Upwork is a great place to find clients and get hired. It’s also an ideal platform for freelancers looking to build their reputation, increase their workload, and improve their skills.
You can use Upwork to find work on your terms, or you can become a hiring manager who brings in new talent that they share ownership over. Either way, you must have a great profile so that clients know exactly what they are getting when they hire you or submit bids on your projects.
Also, There are a lot of freelancers on Upwork, and it can be hard to stand out from the crowd. Freelancer portfolios are key to getting hired by clients and creating great projects together. This guide provides you with tips, examples, and templates for creating an Upwork profile that will help you find new clients and increase your chances of landing your dream job.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Effective Profile Pictures: Use a professional and inviting profile picture to make a strong first impression. |
| 2. Compelling Headlines: Craft a captivating headline that highlights your expertise and attracts potential clients. |
| 3. Well-Crafted Summary: Write a concise and persuasive summary showcasing your skills, experiences, and value proposition. |
| 4. Showcase Your Portfolio: Display a diverse and impressive portfolio of your previous work to demonstrate your capabilities. |
| 5. Positive Client Testimonials: Request and showcase positive feedback from satisfied clients to build trust with potential clients. |
| 6. Keyword Optimization: Use relevant keywords strategically throughout your profile to improve visibility in client searches. |
| 7. Highlight Niche Expertise: Clearly define your niche and target audience to attract clients seeking your specific skills. |
| 8. Personalized Pitches: Tailor your proposals to address clients’ specific needs and show how you can add value to their projects. |
| 9. Passion and Authenticity: Let your passion for your work shine through and be authentic in your interactions with clients. |
| 10. Continuously Improve: Regularly update your profile, portfolio, and skills to stay relevant and competitive in the freelance market. |
You Need A Professional Profile Photo
Your profile picture is the first thing people will see, so it’s important to choose a high-quality image. Your headshot should be professionally taken using the best camera you have access to, whether that’s your iPhone or a DSLR. If you’re unable and/or unwilling to take your photo, hire someone else to do it for you.
It’s also worth mentioning that there are some things about your profile image that can’t be controlled by editing software: posture, hair color, style, and expression are all factors in how others perceive you.
If possible try not to use dark backgrounds because they make it harder for users with visual impairments and color deficiencies such as red-green blindness (protanopia) or deuteranopia (dyslexia).
Is Upwork or Fiverr the better fit for your freelancing journey? Discover the key differences and factors to consider in our comprehensive comparison guide on Is Upwork or Fiverr Right for You?.
Fill Out Your Profile Completely
When you fill out your profile, don’t leave any sections blank. Fill out every section of your profile, and make sure that you provide as much relevant information as possible.
If there’s a section that doesn’t apply to what you do, consider adding in some keywords or phrases so that it does apply to what you do as long as they’re relevant. You should also try to think about how the information in each section relates to people looking for freelancers with experience doing similar work.
For example, if someone searching for someone with experience writing blog posts looks at your profile and sees that you’ve written several blog posts but none have been published yet (or they haven’t been published on any reputable sites), then they might be concerned about whether or not working with you will result in them getting good content from their end product.
However, if there are several published articles under your belt already (and especially if those articles are on high-traffic websites) then this improves their confidence level when hiring someone new who has little-to-no prior experience creating content for them specifically.”
Your Profile Needs To Have Perfect Grammar And Spelling
You can’t afford to have any errors in your profile. I’ve seen profiles with typos, grammar errors, and misspellings, and it’s a total turnoff for potential clients. If you have perfect spelling, people will respect you more (this is the same reason why I always double-check my writing before publishing anything).
If you’re not particularly savvy when it comes to editing things like this yourself (and let’s be honest you shouldn’t be!), some tools can help! Try using the Hemingway app or Grammarly (I love them both) while writing your profile so that when someone reads through it they’ll find your message concise and clear.
Ready to take your freelancing career to the next level? Learn essential strategies to attract elite clients on Upwork by checking out our expert tips in How to Get Your First Elite Client on Upwork.
Include Details On Your Education And Work History
Don’t include high school information unless it’s relevant to the job. For example, if you’re applying for a position as an accountant or financial analyst and you have a degree in accounting, then that would be relevant information to include.
If you’ve been in the workforce for many years and have no formal training or certifications, leave that section out of your profile it doesn’t add anything valuable to your profile.
If there are specific courses or certifications that you feel are relevant to your application, include them! You can even add links so potential clients can check out more details on those credentials if they want more information about them (you do not need to list every single certification).
Non-work experience is also important: Include unpaid work experience (volunteer work), hobbies/interests outside of work (like playing guitar), activities such as sports leagues/clubs where you were team captain, etc., anything else impressive like running marathons, etc., even awards won while at university!
Use Relevant Keywords In Your Profile
To make your profile more visible to clients on Upwork, you should use relevant keywords in the following sections:
- Your Skills section
- Your Experience section
- Your Education section
- You can also use keywords in your Profile Summary
But they will not be as effective as in the other sections. This is because it’s the first thing potential clients see when they view your profile. If you want to include keywords here, just keep them limited and don’t repeat them too many times (which will make it look like spam).
Write About Your Unique Skills In The Self-Summary Section
This is where you should show off the most interesting and relevant skills you have, the ones that make you stand out from other freelancers. Make sure you include the skills you’re most proud of.
For example, if your profile is “I am a Javascript developer” but in reality, all your experience is with jQuery and PHP (and not much with Javascript), then it would probably be better to focus on this instead of putting yourself down by saying “I know nothing about Javascript or NodeJS…”
This section can also include other things like languages or frameworks that are relevant to what you do. It should be as comprehensive as possible so clients get an idea of who they’re dealing with here.
Don’t Leave Your Hourly Rate Blank
A lot of freelancers leave the hourly rate blank, but it can be a mistake to do so. Some clients will skip over your profile if they see no information about what you charge. If you don’t want to give a specific number, at least put some kind of range in there or set different rates based on client type or type of work.
For example, maybe you charge $20/hour for design work and $50/hour for development work. If you are just starting as a freelancer and don’t have much experience yet, consider setting your rate lower than usual so that way clients know they’re getting good value without having to spend too much money upfront on hiring someone new (and possibly inexperienced).
Make the most out of your freelancing journey with these invaluable tips! From time management to client communication, our guide on Tips for Making the Most of Your Freelance Career has you covered.
Use Short Sentences, Bullet Points, And White Space
Do you know what’s a good way to keep readers interested? Managing your content so it’s easy to read. You’ve probably heard the big one: Use short sentences. A single sentence should be no more than 12 words, while a paragraph should contain only one idea. If you have more than one idea in each paragraph, separate them into different paragraphs by using headings and subheadings.
Bullet points are also good for this as they allow you to convey complex ideas in an easily digestible format but don’t go overboard with them. Bullet points can sometimes distract from text if there are too many or if they’re too long; instead of writing full sentences or paragraphs within each bullet point, try integrating important bits of information into single sentences or phrases instead of full blocks of text that take up the entire bullet point space (note: this is great for social media posts).
White space is essential for making your profile easy on the eyes; don’t crowd everything together like some kind of overstuffed sandwich make sure there’s plenty of room between sections, between lines within sections, and between sentences within lines! The result will be content that looks clean and professional without taking away from its effectiveness at conveying information quickly.”
Focus More On Providing Results. Be Specific
When you’re creating your Upwork profile, it’s important to make the most of this section. This is where you can shine and show off what you do best! Here are some tips on how to make your profile stand out:
Provide specific results. Provide specific examples of your work and details about what kind of results you were able to deliver for clients. If a client comes back for more work with you because they were so happy with their first experience, then say so! Give them an example of something that happened in the past that proves their satisfaction with the result.
Focus more on providing results than talking about how great you are at writing or designing or whatever else it is that people hire freelancers for these days it’s all just fluff unless they’re getting actual value out of working with someone like us (you).
Mention Any Awards, Certifications, Or Features You’ve Received
Certifications and Awards: If you have certifications, awards, or other features that will help you stand out from the crowd, be sure to post them in your Upwork profile. It shows potential clients that you’re an expert in your field and can help them solve their problems.
How to obtain certifications and awards: Certifications are usually administered by a third party (such as Microsoft or Oracle) while awards can often be self-awarded if they don’t require a nomination process. Many companies allow employees to award themselves if they’ve completed certain tasks within the organization’s goals, for example, completing an entire project before the deadline or exceeding sales quotas by 20%.
Add Success Stories That Back Up Your Experience Claims
Success stories are a great way to show potential clients that you know what you’re doing, and they can help strengthen your case for being the best fit for a job. Adding success stories is so important that it’s one of the first things we recommend when creating an Upwork profile.
They should be short and sweet just enough detail to give clients an idea of how well you performed in a past project. They also need to be specific enough so that potential clients understand why what you did was valuable in their business context. This helps build trust with potential clients by showing them why they should hire you instead of someone else.
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Include A Link To Odesk’s Feedback Page If You Don’t Have Much Feedback Yet
If you’re new to Upwork and haven’t done many jobs yet, then you probably don’t have any feedback. It’s not a big deal the important thing is that you’re willing to take on some jobs that don’t pay well or are outside your expertise.
However, if you do have feedback, potential clients need to be able to see this in your profile.
The easiest way I found was by adding a link to my profile page:
- Click on “Profile” in the top left corner of Upwork (or press Cmd + E)
- Click on “Modify Profile” and then click “Edit Profile.”
- Scroll down until you see this section:
Talk About What Sets You Apart From Other Freelancers (And Write It In First Person)
There are many freelance writing profiles on Upwork that are just like yours. They’re decently written, they have a few recommendations, and they show that the writer has experience working with clients in their field of expertise (content writing). But it still might be hard to make your profile stand out. One way to do this is by making sure you talk about what sets you apart from other freelancers (and write it in the first person).
What makes you different? What skills or experiences do you have that set you apart from other writers? Do you write in an engaging voice? Do your articles get shared on social media frequently? Are the articles written by other people who hired writers similar to yourself any good? Or better than average? How would someone know what type of work is required for a given job if there aren’t examples of past successful projects listed on their profile page?
Track Job Views To See Which Skills And Experience Details Are Attracting Clients Most
Use the “job views” metric to see which skills and experience details are attracting clients most. When you click on a job, you’ll see an overview of how many people viewed the project brief, applied for it, and then passed your application stage. In some cases, clients will also look at your portfolio before they make a decision so pay attention to that as well!
By keeping track of this information in Excel or Google Sheets (or if you’re super cool with numbers like me, in Tableau), you can use it to improve your profile as well as predict future opportunities through projections based on trends over time.
Hiring a freelance writer on Upwork? Don’t miss our ultimate guide to making the right choice! Learn the key considerations and best practices in The Ultimate Guide to Hiring a Freelance Writer on Upwork.
Final Thoughts
So, you have a brand new Upwork profile and you want to make sure it’s working for you. Well, as I’ve shown here, there are plenty of ways to do that.
Use your 1-minute pitch video to explain what your freelance services are all about, highlighting the specific results and benefits clients will receive from hiring you. Create a personal brand by showing off what makes you different from other freelancers on the platform: why should clients choose you over another freelancer?.
Finally, Make sure your profile is up-to-date with recent projects and client feedback so potential clients can see how well-rated and reviewed by past employers before contacting them directly through their profiles on Upwork’s website.
Further Reading
The Best Upwork Profile Examples: Discover top-notch Upwork profiles to gain inspiration for your own freelancing journey.
Upwork Profile Examples: Stand Out and Win Clients: Learn from real-life Upwork profile examples that can help you stand out and attract potential clients.
Upwork Profile Examples that Get Freelancers Hired: Explore effective Upwork profile examples that increase your chances of getting hired for exciting projects.
FAQs
What are the essential elements of a successful Upwork profile?
A successful Upwork profile should include a professional profile picture, a compelling headline, a well-crafted summary showcasing your expertise, relevant skills and experiences, a portfolio of previous work, and positive client testimonials.
How can I optimize my Upwork profile to attract more clients?
To optimize your Upwork profile, focus on using relevant keywords in your profile headline and summary. Highlight your unique selling points and showcase your best work in your portfolio. Request satisfied clients to leave positive feedback to boost your credibility.
Are there any specific examples of exceptional Upwork profiles?
Yes, there are many freelancers with outstanding Upwork profiles. You can find examples online or refer to platforms that feature top-rated freelancers and their profiles.
How can I make my Upwork profile stand out from the competition?
To make your Upwork profile stand out, clearly define your niche and target audience. Tailor your profile to showcase how you can solve clients’ specific problems. Be authentic, provide personalized pitches, and demonstrate your passion for your work.
Is it essential to have a portfolio on Upwork?
Having a portfolio on Upwork is crucial as it showcases your skills and the quality of your work to potential clients. It provides tangible evidence of your abilities and helps build trust with clients who may be considering hiring you
What Is Upwork?
Upwork is a freelance hiring site where businesses and individuals post work or “gigs” as they call them, for others to complete. You can search through hundreds of job listings and apply on the website. You can also sign up for an account with Upwork and start building your profile so that you can apply for jobs without having to do all of the research yourself!
Are There Any Upwork Profiles You Recommend I Look At?
Yes, definitely. When I was looking for a new profile image for my profile, I spent hours scouring other freelancers’ profiles to see what worked best and what didn’t. If you’re stuck or just want some inspiration, take a look at these examples below:
(Note: These images have been pulled from real Upwork profiles so their owners might not be aware of this article!).
How Can I Get More Views On My Upwork Profile?
This is a tricky question because it’s hard to tell if someone clicked your link because they were interested in hiring you or just wanted to click on something else. But if you do get hired through an interested party after having your profile viewed more often than others then it was worth it!
Here are some ways that can help boost your traffic:
- Posting relevant updates on LinkedIn (and other social media platforms) which link back to your page will make sure people know who you are and what services/skillset(s) you offer!
- Sharing helpful content related to freelancing/startups/etc., such as blogs written by industry leaders which mention any successes or hardships along their path towards success these posts show potential clients how knowledgeable about their industry as well as make them feel like “If these guys could do it then so can we!”
How Do I Get Hired On Upwork?
To get hired on Upwork, you need a good profile. It’s pretty easy once you know what makes a good profile. A great headline that explains what type of freelancer you are (e.g., copywriter) and how long it takes you to complete projects (e.g., 10 days).
This makes sure clients know what they will get from their investment in hiring you over someone else who may be cheaper but not as skilled at writing content and creating compelling ads/posts/etc.
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.