Upwork.com - Freelancer Work Place To Make Money

oDesk.com is a website that brings together freelancers looking for projects to work on and buyers who need to hire such freelancers. The website features nine categories of work which include:

At any rate, the hourly wage workers can file complaints with Upwork if their buyers do not pay them what was agreed to up-front and their screenshot logs prove they were doing the work outlined by the contract. Fixed rate workers have no such recourse with the only exception being buyers who can prove their providers plagiarized (which doesn’t help providers who get screwed). The best way to avoid this is to only work for buyers who have paid out money a few times already, have high ratings, and are considered trustworthy buyers by those who leave them feedback.

Because Indians and Filipinos are allowed to work via Upwork and will generally work for much less than what is considered livable wages for a US citizen, the rates on a lot of the projects are quite low. I avoid this by picking out a few well-paying fixed rate projects and making long-term relationships with buyers who will keep coming back for more. It is a strategy that has worked quite well for me; I do a few hours of work every day and put in a full day about twice per week, and I make $175 on average every week. I learned how to make the system work for me and perhaps some of you can too!

Here are some excerpts of the seven steps, to help you get started quickly:

1. Define your title. Creating a title for yourself is extremely important because, if done well, you can increase your chances of getting hired. Ideally, your title should be a two- to three-word summary of your core strengths, with maybe a few enhancing words on either side.

2. Define your tags. Choosing skills tags is very important because it affects how you are found by potential clients as well as how you are perceived. Luckily, the process can be easily done by brainstorming 10-20 words that tie in with your freelance title and then cross-checking these with what successful oDesk freelancers in your field are using.

3. Write a clear description. Writing a description can be easily done after you have made a headline and associated tags. When you write your description, try to present arguments for why someone should hire you by focusing on the best pitches first. Most clients are interested in arguments that focus on quality and bigger return on their investment.

4. Take relevant tests. Taking a few tests that are relevant to the work you do is the best way to validate what you claim in your profile description. It can also be an interesting way to learn which skills you need to enhance (or learn from scratch) in order to get jobs in a certain field of work. If English is not your first language, you can use the English tests indirectly to prove your ability to communicate.

5. Do 5-10 small assignments. Even when you're just starting out, you have to think long term. Be honest, over-deliver, and grow your reputation. Start small by applying for assignments less than $50. Make sure they are given by clients with good feedback and who have spent a good deal of money on freelancers. You can then work towards a better rate of pay as you gain more experience and better feedback. To increase your chances of getting hired for these first projects, make sure to answer everything in the client’s brief and say why you should be picked by referring to your skills and experience.

6. Create a portfolio. With the work you have done so far, see if you can add a few samples into the portfolio section of your profile so clients can get an idea of the work you do. Ideally, you want to showcase not only your best work, but your range of skills and project types. It’s also worthwhile to regularly update your portfolio with new jobs as your career progresses.

7. Go for larger jobs. Larger assignments give you the chance to take on more jobs that are similar or to try something new. It’s largely a matter of being strategic and using your existing clients as springboards to get more work. If you have established yourself as a highly skilled freelancer, your future prospects could include continuing in that role, creating and managing an agency or taking your work offline, if you choose.

The above list might seem a bit overwhelming if you are just starting out, so if you only take away one point, here is the most important bit to focus on: When you’re applying for a project, read the job description thoroughly and reply to everything. Sometimes clients receive 30+ applications that aren’t even close to answering what they want. If you can be among the few applicants who reply to everything that’s asked, you have a much higher chance of being interviewed.

Dear Readers, I am working as a full time freelancer on Upwork for past 6 years. Just post your questions or comments here. If you have any troubles to get started with Upwork, I can help you on that. Thank you!