Upwork getting started (my experience)

[dheer]

I hired a bidder for INR 12,000. And I set up this incentive structure:
INR 100 for every reply they get on their bid
INR 1000 for every job that is closed successfully - even though I was the one closing the clients, I was still paying INR 1000 to the bidder, so that she is motivated. This way everyone gets to eat well and we take care of each other

She averages INR 30,000 to 50,000 per month (including incentives), for just 2 hours of bidding per day (there aren't many jobs posted on Upwork in my niche).

What do you do on Upwork?

Good to know that you're India. I would say you have very good incentive/salary structure. I hope you won't mind if I use the same to recruit new bidders. Although I'm doubtful if people will be reday to sign it. The girl seems doing pretty good. I represent a full digital marketing company and have been in to SEO, Webdesign and development. There are many jobs in this niche I beleive. Although it seems post covid there are many companies shutting down operations due to lack of jobs at Upwork.

 

[dakz0r]

UPDATE: Just finished another 5$ job (person who contacted me last night) - did some link researches, made a pretty big google sheet and that's it.
Summarize - I have spent almost 3 hours (wanted everything to look perfect) and I know this is just small steps, but looking forward to more jobs. This keeps me motivated!
On a side note, this job was for an Upwork plus member who spent 300k+ on a website and I was the only one who got hired.

 

[dakz0r]

So update from today, I am running out of connects - still have 20 left so now I am paying extra attention to which jobs I am applying.
My profile has been verified, and my google certification validated - currently, my profile is at 90%
My plan for today is to make a decent portfolio of my work and to write a new bio, trying to find some decent advice on google about all that stuff.. Since the competition on easy tasks in data entry or similar jobs is just too high I am considering to start applying to WordPress, graphic design jobs.

 

[dakz0r]

UPDATE: I got my first photoshop task on Upwork - once again it's just a simple 5$ job, but like I already said I am going with small steps and looking forward to get more chances. Currently, I run out of connects - still have 20 proposals, so maybe someone will respond.
I Will wait until Monday, then I will buy some connects until then my plan is to polish my portfolio and maybe to add another certification.

 

[nobodysHero]

Sounds great. Keep us updated!

 

[TeslaFan]

Good luck.

 

[Shatzyo]

Great, good luck with the journey !

 

[dakz0r]

Ok newest UPDATE:
My profile is now 100%
Since the last post, I ran out of connect - meantime I finished a 5$ job photoshop related.
Waited until yesterday, because I had 24 proposals. Nobody responded and then I bought plus membership today.
A few hours ago I got a new job which I will be doing in the next weeks, it's game/app testing 5$ hourly. The job will be 3x a week for an hour, so I expect to earn 30 or 45 $.

 

[Mukiwa]

How regularly do you get in touch with the project owners you have applied to, for feedback on your proposal?
What sort of gap - 2 days or 3 -before you check in with them?
Also to ask if they hired and if they have other projects you could assist them with?

Just wondering what you are finding best.

 

[dakz0r]

How regularly do you get in touch with the project owners you have applied to, for feedback on your proposal?
What sort of gap - 2 days or 3 -before you check in with them?
Also to ask if they hired and if they have other projects you could assist them with?

Just wondering what you are finding best.

Well, basically i finished all my jobs in 1 or 2 days. So contacting them on milestones or at the end. (not sure are you asking me that?)
Since you cant contact someone who didn't respond to your application.

 

[qazqaz]

My problem with the Upwork is buying connects. When you're trying to find lower level $10-$20 jobs, that means you need money.
So, that is hard to spend $50 first and find low level jobs that just break even.
Do anyone have any idea to get free connects or any tricks to buy more with less money?

 

[Amirab]

My problem with the Upwork is buying connects. le?

Sometimes codes are shared on here for some free connects. Treat it as a business , so time and money esp for us starting out.

 

[dakz0r]

My problem with the Upwork is buying connects. When you're trying to find lower level $10-$20 jobs, that means you need money.
So, that is hard to spend $50 first and find low level jobs that just break even.
Do anyone have any idea to get free connects or any tricks to buy more with less money?

I understand what you mean. But if you followed this thread you could see my "journey". The key is to have a polished and catchy profile as much as you can, depending on your niche ofc.
It's super hard to get jobs as a newbie there, but keep trying! I focused more on "easy" jobs, just to get some reviews.

 

[dakz0r]

Today UPDATE: I got my rising talent badge, and 30 free connect with that.
I will spend few hours today in searching for new jobs, that's for sure!

 

[Content Power]

Good luck with your journey! I find It hard to get jobs on Upwork, in my area of work there’s 50+ applicants for each job so it’s almost impossible for a new freelancer. In the end you end up working for pennies to build up your profile, which destroys your motivation.

 

[SreenyNeverLies]

So this covid 19 virus pretty much stumbled my job and generally i started as full time freelancer this year (not a best time eh?)
Basically i am doing freelancer stuff for almost a decade, but here and there besides my regular job. Was working a lot of designs for local stores/coffee shops/restaurants etc...
And i decided to sign up for upwork since local business in my country is pretty much screwed and nobody want to invest in digital marketing/graphic design/new website - this is all things that i am capable doing.

Signed up few days ago on upwork, filled all needed information, and started bidding on jobs. To all who started and is in same position as me - ITS HARD to get a job as new cake there, that is for sure. I even found free 10 connect voucher here on bhw, i bid on really lowest stuff in all areas of work. Started to losing hope that i am gonna be able to get a work as person who have 0 reviews, ofc i was searching here for suggestions, reviews exchange etc (pretty much what everyone else is doing)

Today i got a response from company who searching graphic design for catalogue - i signed up on upwork few days ago for that particular job when i created account.
I got a job and i am happy as a child who got his present from a santa, really!

+ the moment when i get contacted by them i got free 80 connect from upwork. So now i can bid on more jobs, and hopefully get more things done in near future.

My point to everyone out there, dont give up in this hard times!

Inspiring story

Also, may I know where did you found a "free 10 connect voucher" here?

Thanks.

 

[dakz0r]

Inspiring story

Also, may I know where did you found a "free 10 connect voucher" here?

Thanks.

Hey, I found a voucher here. But I think it expired, unfortunately.

I didn't post any new updates last week so here we are:

UPDATE: I got few more low-paying jobs on Upwork and yesterday I got the "biggest job" since I joined Upwork - it's 35$ - once again I know that isn't much, but I am more than happy with how things are going in my journey so far.

I pretty much changed tactics on applying for jobs and I am doing this:
1. Signing up for low paying and fast jobs - so I can keep rolling $
2. Signing for long-term and much higher paying jobs - hopefully, I will get one soon

So this is it guys, nothing special happened in the past week. I keep working hard and finding solutions to get more jobs and more reviews. I am really looking forward to monetizing my knowledge and willingness to work.

 

[SreenyNeverLies]

Hey, I found a voucher here. But I think it expired, unfortunately.

I didn't post any new updates last week so here we are:

UPDATE: I got few more low-paying jobs on Upwork and yesterday I got the "biggest job" since I joined Upwork - it's 35$ - once again I know that isn't much, but I am more than happy with how things are going in my journey so far.

I pretty much changed tactics on applying for jobs and I am doing this:
1. Signing up for low paying and fast jobs - so I can keep rolling $
2. Signing for long-term and much higher paying jobs - hopefully, I will get one soon

So this is it guys, nothing special happened in the past week. I keep working hard and finding solutions to get more jobs and more reviews. I am really looking forward to monetizing my knowledge and willingness to work.

Thank you for your time & contribution!

P.S: $ is $. Big or small. Doesn't count. Progress matters. Stay Cool!

 

[SreenyNeverLies]

Ok newest UPDATE:
My profile is now 100%
Since the last post, I ran out of connect - meantime I finished a 5$ job photoshop related.
Waited until yesterday, because I had 24 proposals. Nobody responded and then I bought plus membership today.
A few hours ago I got a new job which I will be doing in the next weeks, it's game/app testing 5$ hourly. The job will be 3x a week for an hour, so I expect to earn 30 or 45 $.

Great move bro.

 

[Benni0315]

Read this thread a few hours ago and got motivated again.

Applied to 2 jobs and got hired for one. Completed this 10$ job in about an hour

It was just translating a small app from English to German.

I hope that he will give me an 5 Star review