4 Helpful Tips to Jazz Up your Upwork

1. Optimise your profile:

Ensure the first two or three lines of your profile description grabs attention. Ensure your profile description is not too short. Also, note that this is not a dating site; provide a professional profile photo. I recommend you go to a standard photo studio to get a headshot versus using a phone picture. Test the impression your profile picture creates using Photofeeler. Believe it or not, you cannot be looking hungry in your DP and expect clients to hire and pay you well. Infuse relevant keywords into your profile description.

2. Write compelling proposals

A compelling proposal should not focus on you and your abilities. Rather, make it solution-centred and focused on what your clients stand to gain. I have about four unique proposals pre-written; I am not a big fan of using proposal templates. I only use them when the job description is somewhat generic; I adjust them duly for each application. My style is to type a fresh response to every job description. I hypothesise that the Upwork algorithm senses when you are sending the same proposal to many clients. To sound human, I respond to job postings as if they were lengthy WhatsApp messages or emails. For instance, I do research on the client’s online presence and content. This help to make custom recommendations and show my expertise. You need to be fast with this and place a bid as soon as possible on recently posted jobs. This is because there is a higher chance that the client will view and accept your offer if the client is still online.

3. On Upwork, communication is essential for success:

Bring on your communication A-game. When speaking with prospective clients, whether through a Zoom meeting, text interview, or video call, you must be confident. Maintain a professional demeanour. Whatever you do, ensure you are always active to respond to your client’s inquiries fast. This is not limited only to the interview stage. Set clear expectations upfront. Make your points clear. Let the client know if any part of the brief is unclear. Always keep your client up to date on your work progress. If you have any difficulties while executing the project, always notify the client well ahead of the deadline. Still talking about communication, maintain positive connections with your current Upwork clients. Never let your relationships with past or current clients lapse. My third client on Upwork has recommended me to many other clients and has been using my service for quite an age. I take my current clients as my utmost priority. They have helped me in developing a reputation to guarantee success on Upwork.

4. Don’t rush through accepting contracts.

I know this can be difficult. I experienced this first-hand last week. The client interviewed me and I responded fine. The client sent me an offer. I read the offer and realised the client concealed essential info in a way that smells mischief. I rejected the offer and apologised to the client. When you receive the contracts, take your time to study them carefully, and ascertain the client’s expectations. Send or accept the clients an offer only when you are 101% sure you can meet their needs and it’s a good deal for you. Note also, good deals don’t always mean good money sometimes.

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