Learn More About Upwork

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Written by
3 years ago
Topics: Make money, Free

I'm sure most of you have already heard about Upwork, but if you haven't, then eyes on here.

Formerly known as oDesk, Upwork is an American freelancing platform where individuals and enterprises connect to conduct business. Founded in 2003 by two friends, Stratis Karamanlakis and Odysseas Tsatalos, who wanted to work together even though one of them was in Greece while the other was in the US. From oDesk, it became Elance-oDesk in 2013, and then got rebranded as Upwork in 2015.

This platform is 101% legit and, if not the best, one of the best when it comes to freelancing.

Now, I'm sure you guys are curious about it. In this article, I am going to help you understand what this platform is and how Upwork works. Unless you're not interested in freelancing or that you don't need extra money, then you can skip this one. But if you're like me who depends on my source of income in the freelancing world, then keep scrolling.

Build your profile

First, you need to sign up (of course). Fill up the required fields to the best of your ability. In short, build your profile, add skills, add certifications, etc. Once you're all set, you'll have to wait for their approval. Be sure to check your email from time to time though.

If you got denied, don't worry, you can still resubmit it again and again. Just remember, before doing so, you will need to update your profile and make it look interesting and appear like you are someone who has a lot to offer to the clients.

For example,Ā in your skills, try to add some remarkable skills you can offer other than justĀ "data entry."Ā Lucky you, since you're here on read.cash, you can always includeĀ "article writing"Ā orĀ "content writing"Ā in your profile. If you do, be sure to include samples of your articles, which is why I highly recommend you to create your very own blog site (if you don't have one yet).Ā 

A blog site is perfect to showcase your skills. Whether you're into photography, videography, art, and other stuff, this is the best place to highlight your portfolio. As for your blog site, I suggest you use WordPress because that's what most clients used.

Now, assuming your account has been approved on your first (or nth try), then it's time for you to learn the things you need to know before applying for a job. I'm sure you'll get excited and ready to apply for all the jobs that you think you are qualified for. However, you should learn the basics first before doing so. Here's what you need to know:

Be sure your profile is already 100%

As you can see in the image above, my profile is already 100%. It's not because I've been around for a while but because I filled the important fields to make it 100%. Is it necessary? YES! To learn more on how to make your profile complete, please do read here.

Time Tracker

The timeĀ trackerĀ is designed to provide freelancers with Payment Protection and enable them to spend their time on client projects rather than trackingĀ hours manually or writing detailed invoices. Of all the freelancing sites, only UpworkĀ offers Payment Protection.

This is what Upwork tracker looks like

Here, you will see your weekly hours, which in my case, I have 45 hours, then your job title (the green one above), your name below, etc. Remember, when your time tracker is on, you areĀ NOĀ longer allowed to openĀ unnecessary tabs or sitesĀ that are not related to your work. Meaning, you can't watch YouTube or Netflix when working unless your client says so.

When it's on, your screen will also be captured every 10 minutes, so be sure you're not doing illegal while working. You will also be monitored whether or not you are working or just letting it on without doing anything at all. Take note that every click of the mouse or enter you make will also be monitored, so try to avoid idle time.

Connects

Connects areĀ what you use to submit a proposal forĀ jobsĀ posted in theĀ UpworkĀ marketplace. When you're new, you will get free connects. After that, you will need to purchase connects for $0.15. You'll also need between one and sixĀ ConnectsĀ per proposal.

Connects are important because you cannot apply without one, so use it wisely. Based on what I've heard, once you run out of Connects and still hasn't able to find your first client, your account will be automatically suspended. Although I'm not sure about this one.

Back in oDesk days, Connects were free and resets every month. Now, they're not anymore, but I've heard there will be some changes regarding this, so let's just hope for the best.

Applying for a job

When you see a job posted, whether it was posted 2 minutes ago or 30 minutes ago, don't apply right away. First, you need to check if the client is verified or not, if that posting has received 5, 10, or more proposals already, if that was a fixed or hourly rate, or if you're even qualified or not. By doing so, you will save time, connects, and prevent you from getting scammed.

  • Verified vs Unverified

Payment verified is an indication that the client is legit, while unverified means either a newly registered employer or a scammer.

  • Fixed vs Hourly

A fixed-price contract means freelancers submit their proposed bid for the entire project and suggest potential milestones. You can further negotiate the price or payment of milestones during the interview. Hourly contract, on the other hand, means freelancers can include their rate when submitting a proposal to a project. You can further negotiate this rate during the interview process.

  • Proposals

In the first example, the first job has already received 20 to 50 proposals, while the second one has less than 5. That means, if you are going to send an application, whether it's fixed-priced or not, be sure that it has less than 15 proposals. Otherwise, your application will more likely be left unnoticed. Remember, clients are always the busiest that they don't have the time to check all the proposals, so it's more likely a "first come, first serve" scenario.

  • Skills

Lastly, skills. Don't apply for something that isn't your niche at all. Remember to use your Connects wisely, and applying for a job that isn't your thing is an unwise thing to do. Not to mention that it could also ruin your credibility if you get hired without the proper skills required for the job.

Anyway, that's all for now. I hope you will find this article helpful. And I'm sure there are more to cater to, but for now, these are the only things I can think of. Let me know in the comment section if there's something I've missed. For more information, you can check it yourself here.


**All images are screenshots from my Upwork account.

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Comments

This is indeed a helpful tips, MJ. Ngayon ko lang talaga nalaman nga "Upwork" na pala sya ngayon. O desk lang din ang alam ko dati since maraming din akong mga kasamahan dati na na register dyan. i have actually attempted to register pero hindi ko din na pursue ang paghahanap ng client dyan. hehehe. thanks po.

$ 0.00
3 years ago

I was declined for two times already šŸ˜†šŸ˜†šŸ˜† I have wordpress, saan ba banda ilagay yun? sa other experience ko kase nilagay, or don mismo sa portfolio?

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Me nakita ako dun pero nakalimutan ko.. Mamaya pag nag use ako ng PC, hahanapin ko.. Balitaan kita.

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Okay sige thank you talaga.. nag submit na ulit ako pag na decline na nmn yun edit ko ulit hahaha di ko alam kase pag fill up.

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Mind if i save this? ;;w;; i might look into doing this once i resign from my work in six months. Hopefully there should be projects that don't require that many hours?

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Sure.. Wait, why resign? Stressful ba?

$ 0.00
3 years ago

I need to review for boards and yeah, it's super stressful at work

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Well, I'm sure pag nag upwork ka, madali lang sayo yun.. Plus, ang maganda pa, nasa bahay ka lang..

$ 0.00
3 years ago

I hope so. Previous freelance ko puro academic writing and i do miss just stsying at home these days

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Yeah, I have tried before for content writing even though I have been a ghost writer for a good 2 years for NGO. It is not easy when articles requires a lot of research; but if that is your niche, go for it!

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Pasave ako..magagamit ko to in the future šŸ˜ŠšŸ˜Š

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Sure.. Magagamit mo talaga to soon. šŸ˜Š

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Dami ko pa talaga kailangan iset up sa profile ko. Hahaha 70% palang akin. šŸ˜‚

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Kaya yan! Check the link para alam ano iaupdate mo to make it 100%.

$ 0.00
3 years ago

I have a questionsšŸ˜…

  1. Is there any verification that needs a government id? (if yes, is it okay to use student id? Because I don't have a government ID since I'm just a G12 student)
  2. Is there a time commitment? (for example you need to be online in 2:00pm-6:00pm)

Thankyou po!

$ 0.00
3 years ago
  1. Nope. There is no need for a valid ID.
  2. Yes, but that depends on your client. Some clients would require you to work at night (PH time) because that's their day time, and especially if you're working for a task that requires their virtual presence. Others, like mine, just let me do my work any time of the day unless if we need to Skype, which means I need to be online at night.

Wait, im not sure if they allow minors though.

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Oh so I think this is not for me I am a student and busy every morning then I need to wake up early so there's no time to work in the evening. By the way thankyou po!

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Well, you better focus on your studies first.. Freelancing can wait.. šŸ˜Š and you're very much welcome.

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Yes po hehe extra income lang po sana hanap ko like read.cash maganda din po kasi yung may kinikita ka kahit maliit.

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Check mo to.. Parang fb lang to.. With bayad syempre and legit..https://read.cash/@bmjc98/project-blue-fire-788c8670

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Ayun thankyou pooo! Palagi kasi akong naghahanap ng mapagkakakitaan and so far itong read.cash pa lang pinakabest para sakinšŸ˜†

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Meron din dati same sa read.cash na blogging site.. Pero me minimum nga lang yun.. $75 pero mas bet ko to.. Kiki Time yung app pero dead na siya ngayon.. D kinaya ang server fee..

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Bet ko din itong readcash yung publish0x kasi more on crypto tapos may minimum

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Nag try ako sun pero d pa ako na approve.. D ko rin chineck email ko so no idea pa.. So more on crypto lang topics dun? D pdeng normal topics?

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Na approve ako eh. Pwede naman po normal topics pero parang di sya mapapansin kasi halos lahat talaga crypto

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Naku.. Wala akong chance dun kung puro crypto usapan.. Tsk.

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Same hahaha kaya nga nagquit na akošŸ˜†

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Hahaha mas lalo na ako.. Anyway, try mo yung blue fire and tsu..

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Hehehe opo try ko po yung bluefire idownload ko lang po. Eh yung tsu parang mahirap yata makearn dun eh?

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Sa tsu, nakakapagod kasi need mo mag support and to get the support you need, you need to support others too, which also means you need to watch ads all the time.. It used to be a good app pero nung me support na, naumay ako.. Hindi ka mag eenjoy kakanood ng ads.

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Hindi ko din po natry yan pero nakita ko na yan dati. Kahit naman po siguro hindi mageenjoy panonood ng ads sayang lang loadšŸ˜†

$ 0.00
3 years ago