The Best Ways To Use Upwork In Your Freelancing Career

You’ve probably heard of Upwork. It’s one of the most popular websites for finding freelance work, and it’s been around for over a decade.

In this article, I’ll be giving you some tips on how to use Upwork in your freelancing career. I’ll cover the best ways to get clients on Upwork (and get them to pay).

5 PROVEN UPWORK TIPS To Help You Win Jobs (FAST)

Takeaways
– Optimize your Upwork profile to stand out and attract potential clients.
– Use effective proposal strategies to increase your chances of winning projects.
– Build a strong portfolio that showcases your skills and past successes.
– Prioritize communication and provide exceptional customer service to clients.
– Continuously upgrade your skills and stay updated with industry trends.

Table of Contents

Use Upwork Desktop App To Track Your Time

The Upwork Desktop App for Mac and Windows allows you to track your time on hourly contracts. If you’re working on an hourly contract, the app will prompt you when it’s time to start a new task so that your client can see how many hours were spent working for them.

You can also use the Upwork Desktop App for Mac or Windows to track time on fixed-price contracts (i.e. if your client pays $1,000 and expects their project completed within two weeks). To use this feature:

Open the Desktop app and sign in with your Upwork account.

Click the “Log In” button at the top right corner of the screen if logged out already (if not logged out already).

Click the “Time Tracking” option in the left drop-down menu under the My Account section which will open up the Time tracking & Idle Detection Settings page where you can set up all settings related to time tracking such as setting a maximum amount of days allowed per week before idle mode kicks in etc…

Creating an impressive Upwork profile is crucial for attracting potential clients and securing freelance projects. Our guide on how to make your Upwork profile stand out provides valuable tips and strategies to optimize your profile and increase your chances of success.

Find Out Freelancers’ Areas Of Expertise On Their Profile

A good way to get started with Upwork is by looking at a freelancer’s profile and seeing how they describe themselves. You can do this by clicking on the “View Profile” button under their name in the left sidebar menu, which will take you to their page.

From there, scroll down until you see a section called “Areas of Expertise.” This section lists all of the skills that a person claims to have mastered some freelancers may even list specific jobs they’ve done as well as names of companies where they’ve worked!

Register As A Specialist Of More Than One Category

Upwork allows you to register as a specialist in more than one category. You should do this because it’s better to be a specialist in many categories rather than only one.

You should choose the categories that are related to your skills and in-demand at the moment.

For example, if you’re an Android developer and have worked on apps that involve photography before, then choosing “Photography” as your second specialization will make it easier for clients who need someone with these skills to find you on Upwork.

See Client’s Feedback On The Profile

One of the most important things you can do, and one of the easiest, is to see your client’s feedback. On Upwork, clients can leave feedback for freelancers on their profile pages. This will give you information about how well they worked together and if any issues may have been resolved in a friendly manner.

The client’s feedback section can be found under the “Feedbacks” tab of an Upwork user’s profile page. You will see a list of all the people who have left feedback for this person and what they said about them (you can click on different ones).

If you’re ready to explore alternatives to Upwork and move on to new opportunities, our article on how to get rid of Upwork and move on with your life offers insights and guidance. Discover different paths and considerations to help you transition smoothly and find the right fit for your freelancing career.

Set Up Your Profile SEO Friendly

Your first step to getting the best results on Upwork is setting up your profile SEO friendly. There are a few things you should be doing here to make sure that you’re being seen by the right people and being found when they search for talent on Upwork. Setting up your profile so that it’s optimized for search means that as soon as someone searches for something related to what you do, they will likely see your name.

Use the right keywords in all areas of your profile: title, summary (resume), experience, education, and portfolio/experience section. Make sure that all of these are relevant to what you do (e.g., if I’m building websites then ‘website’ would make sense). Don’t use generic terms like ‘web developer’ because this could attract anyone who does web development work – not just freelancers!

Link To Your Blog Or Website In Your Upwork Profile

Upwork allows you to add up to three links to your profile. If you have a website or blog, this is a great place to add it. Your website, blog, or portfolio has more information about you than what Upwork can provide and could give potential clients a better idea of the kind of work that you do and how well-suited you are for their project.

If you don’t already have an active website, consider creating one now before starting on Upwork so that when potential clients want more information about your experience they can easily find it!

Lead With A Conversation & Ask Questions Instead Of Sending a Proposal

The first thing you should do is ask some questions about the project. This allows you to make sure that you fully understand what they are looking for in their freelancer, as well as give them an idea of who you are and how your skill set can help them achieve their goals.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from our time as a freelancer, it is that every single client is different; as such, each project will have its unique requirements which need to be taken into account when providing a quote or proposal.

By asking questions about the client’s business (what’s their mission? What values do they want to be reflected in this particular project?), and by demonstrating your interest in understanding those details, it allows them to see how serious and invested in meeting their needs you are and also helps build rapport between yourself and your potential employer!

In the rapidly evolving digital age, staying ahead as a freelancer requires adaptability and smart strategies. Our comprehensive guide on how to be a successful freelancer in the digital age offers valuable insights and practical tips to navigate the changing landscape and thrive in your freelance career.

Add Meaningful Cover Letter

A cover letter should be short and to the point. It should not exceed three paragraphs, and it should include only information that is relevant to the specific job posting.

Your cover letter should demonstrate your knowledge of the client’s needs, as well as your experience in fulfilling those needs. Start with a summary of why you’re interested in working for them and what skills you can bring to their project (or projects).

You can also use this part of your cover letter to explain how your previous work experience has prepared you for this role (if applicable). Then, move on to briefly describe how long it’s been since you last worked with clients similar to this one and what kind of results they got from working with you as a result.

Finally, end by asking questions about anything else they might need clarification on before making an offer but don’t ask too many!

Send Follow-Up Message If You Don’t Get a Reply

If your initial proposal is ignored, don’t send another one. Instead, try sending a follow-up message to the client. Most of them will find it helpful and will get back to you with their requirements and details related to the project. But if they don’t reply, then you can consider other options like contacting another potential client.

The point is not to spam everyone with proposals; instead, do what is required by you to keep up with your potential clients’ needs at all times and make sure they are being served well!

Decide How Much You Want To Charge Per Hour Or Fixed Price

When a client hires you through Upwork, they set the value of your time in dollars per hour. They also choose whether to pay by the hour or by the project. If a client chooses a fixed price for their project, then at the end of it you’ll be paid whatever amount is agreed upon.

Whatever way you decide to charge, it’s important to consider how much your skills and experience are worth to other freelancers on Upwork. You should also keep an eye on what other freelancers are charging and what they’re offering so that you can price yourself accordingly. You can do this by searching through previous jobs or viewing profiles of potential clients who fit your skillset (but be careful not to copy anyone else’s work).

Don’t Take Projects That Pay Too Low For Upwork Fees

You should avoid taking on low-paying jobs that don’t cover your Upwork fees. For example, if you charge $160 for an article and the client pays $150, it’s not worth your time. This is why we recommend having a minimum fee that covers the cost of hiring a virtual assistant to manage your clients and projects, as well as any other expenses you might incur (such as purchasing stock photos).

Optimize Your Hourly Rate By Increasing Or Decreasing It With Time

We may be good at what we do, but a client doesn’t care about that unless we can show them how it will benefit them. When you first start Upwork, your hourly rate will likely be low because there isn’t much experience behind you yet. But as time goes on and as long as you continue to do quality work for clients (and not just “good enough” work), they will be willing to pay more per hour for your services.

It’s important not to raise or lower your hourly rate too often you want clients who stick around with you over time but there are some circumstances where changing this number can come in handy:

You’ve had an increase in demand from clients who are interested in paying more money per hour
The value of your skills has increased over time due to market trends or industry changes.

Freelancing isn’t the perfect fit for everyone, and transitioning back to a traditional job can bring newfound satisfaction. In our article on why I stopped freelancing and started liking my job, you’ll discover personal experiences and insights that shed light on the different paths one can take in their career journey.

Keep Record Of Upwork Fees And Tax From Freelance Income

Upwork is not a free ride you still need to pay a fee for each job you accept, but it’s up to you whether or not that fee is worth it. If you don’t yet have enough freelance experience under your belt, then this might be a good place to start for some extra cash flow until you have more clients coming in through other means, either by word of mouth or advertising on platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.

Track The Number Of Hours Worked On Upwork Daily.

Upwork Desktop App; If you’re fond of the Upwork Desktop App, there are several ways to track your time spent on projects:

Use the timer feature in your browser window; You can click on this button at any time during a task and it will record how much time has passed since it was clicked. This can be especially useful if you are working from home or at a café and want to keep track of how long it takes for your computer to boot up after waking up from sleep mode.

Use Trello (an online project management tool); Trello allows freelancers to create boards that contain lists named cards where they can add tasks, comments, due dates, and more! One benefit is that users can create multiple boards depending on what type of project they’re working on (such as “client X” or “project Y”).

This can help organize different areas of work so you don’t get too overwhelmed with information overload when managing multiple clients at once”We recommend using Trello because many people who use Upwork often have difficulty staying organized when juggling multiple clients at once.”

Make Sure That You Got Paid For The Actual Hours Worked

Keeping track of Upwork hours worked is crucial because otherwise, you might end up over-billing and/or under-billing. Make sure that you get paid for the actual hours worked by using the Upwork Desktop App or any other time tracking software.

It is also important to send a follow-up message to your client if, after a week or two, you still haven’t received payment for your work done on the project. This ensures that they don’t forget about it or make excuses later like saying “they lost their checkbook in the pool” or something similar.

Write Great Proposals For Jobs Or Invites

You should write a great proposal for each of the jobs or invites you to apply for them. This will help you stand out from other freelancers when clients are looking at their list of applicants. It’s important to do this well because it’s one of the first things they see and it can be the deciding factor between getting hired or not.

The more specific you are about what you want to do, how you plan on doing it, and why they should hire you, the better off your chances will be (and more likely you to get accepted by clients). This is where having a strong understanding of what clients want comes in handy but even if not all details are set in stone yet, make sure everything is spelled out so there aren’t any misunderstandings later on down the line!

Connect On Upwork And Get Help From Others

Join Groups: Perhaps the best and easiest way to connect with other freelancers is by joining groups. There are many different types of groups on Upwork, but they’re all similar in that they allow you to talk about your work and network with others who share the same interests as you.

Connect With Other Freelancers: One of the best ways you can use Upwork is by connecting with other freelancers. This can be done through discussions in the forums or even just through messaging them directly through their profiles.

Collaborate With Other Freelancers: Collaborating isn’t only for building relationships though! The act itself helps build trust between two parties, which means it can lead down other paths such as referrals later on when one person needs help from another person again but doesn’t want to do business outside of an existing relationship?

Collaborating also allows both parties some peace of mind knowing they’re working with someone else who understands what they’re doing so well that there won’t be any miscommunication between them during projects (which could lead to fewer hiccups).

Looking to increase your success rate on Upwork and secure more projects? Our article on the secret ingredient that will help you land more Upwork projects reveals actionable tips and strategies that can significantly enhance your chances of attracting clients and winning lucrative opportunities.

Final Thoughts

We hope this article was useful to you. If it was, please share it with your friends and family on social media. You never know when a friend could need help finding work!

One last thing: if you don’t have an Upwork account yet, sign up now or follow this link to get one right away.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about Upwork:

How do I create a standout Upwork profile?

To create a standout Upwork profile, make sure to include a professional headshot, showcase your relevant skills and experience, provide a compelling overview of your services, and highlight your past successes and client testimonials.

How can I increase my chances of winning projects on Upwork?

To increase your chances of winning projects on Upwork, focus on writing tailored and persuasive proposals, demonstrate your expertise through relevant portfolio samples, maintain a high-quality profile with updated information, and consistently deliver excellent work to clients.

What are the best practices for pricing my services on Upwork?

When pricing your services on Upwork, consider factors such as your level of experience, market rates, the complexity of the project, and the value you can provide to the client. Research the average rates in your field and niche to ensure your pricing is competitive and reflects your skills.

How do I handle client disputes or issues on Upwork?

In the event of client disputes or issues on Upwork, it’s important to maintain open and clear communication. Try to resolve any concerns or misunderstandings amicably through discussions. If necessary, you can also involve Upwork’s dispute resolution process to mediate and find a fair resolution.

How can I build long-term client relationships on Upwork?

To build long-term client relationships on Upwork, focus on delivering high-quality work, maintaining clear and prompt communication, meeting deadlines, and providing exceptional customer service. Going above and beyond for your clients can help foster trust and loyalty, increasing the likelihood of repeat projects and positive referrals.

How Do I Get Paid On Upwork?

Once a client has accepted your proposal, they pay Upwork. Upwork charges the client 20% of whatever you charge them, which is then deducted from your total earnings.

How To Apply For A Job On Upwork?

To apply for jobs on Upwork, you must first create an account. After logging in, you can start applying for jobs by clicking the “Apply” button at the bottom of any job listing. You will then be prompted to upload your resume and cover letter before being able to submit your application.

Once hired by clients as a freelancer on Upwork, you will receive notifications each time they post new projects (i.e., what they need to be done). You can also search for new opportunities based on keywords and location within the site’s search bar.

What Are The Best Ways To Use Upwork In My Freelancing Career?

That depends on your situation, but there are a few things that most freelancers can do to make their time on Upwork more effective.

First of all, make sure you’re creating a profile with all the details needed for customers to find and hire you. Next, start bidding on jobs right away so that people will see your profile when they search through the site’s database.

And finally, use the platform’s messaging system to connect with potential clients directly instead of relying solely on job postings as an instant way of getting hired.

Costantine Edward

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.