Submit Proposals:
Upwork has been absolutely amazing. As a stay at home mom I have been able to make a living off of my Freelance money - getting a little extra money in my pockets. When you find a job you’re interested in, submit a proposal. I think the only thing I would change is the length of the security hold on funds. Not that there shouldn't be one at all! Customize your proposal for each job, addressing the client’s needs. However, 5-7 days is excessive. I would do a security hold of 3 days instead, this way it can improve the turn around rate of Freelancers as well as UpWork can get their cut (the taxes and such) quicker. Explain how you can add value and why you’re the right fit for the project.
Communication and Interviews:
It appears to be a race for the bottom when looking for work. Most posted jobs are for ridiculously low pay with extremely high expectations. If the client is interested, they’ll contact you for an interview. Maybe it's great for non-US based workers, but for those living in the US it's a big waste of time and money. Be professional and responsive during communication. They want to take 10% of whatever you make, charge you to black bids, charge you more so your bid is ranked higher and charge you again to have a better account with more "features." Great for Upwork's bottom line, terrible for freelancers. Discuss project details, expectations, and deadlines.
Project Execution:
You'd think with the amount of money they make from us freelancers that they would hire 1 decent developer to make a decent app. If hired, start working on the project.
Use Upwork’s time tracker for hourly jobs or milestones for fixed-price projects. This app just sucks. Nothing loads on time, it often crashes when you navigate through it, and it doesn't even have all the basic features you'd need. Deliver high-quality work within the agreed-upon timeframe.
Payment and Reviews:
You need to pay for Connects; imagine that you need to pay from your own money to work. Many jobs are unverified, and if you apply to one and ends up as a scam they won't give you back the Connects you spent, but they don't put the effort in checking who can post a job either. Upwork handles payments securely.
Clients release funds once they’re satisfied with your work. I have many issues since the beginning, the support system is playing like ping pong "first go here, them go here..." are you serious? Aim for positive reviews, as they impact your reputation on the platform. They're withholding money from a job a made! Remember, consistency, professionalism, and effective communication are key to success on Upwork. Good luck with your freelancing journey!
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