Upwork Hacks and Tricks

Introduction

• Discussion of effective Upwork hacks and tips for freelancers, particularly those who are new to the platform.

Tip 1: Focus on Short-Term Jobs

• Target Quick Jobs:
  • When starting out, prioritize quick, one-and-done jobs over long-term projects.
  • Building your profile through reviews is crucial; quick jobs provide faster feedback.
• Why Short Jobs?
  • Long-term projects may not yield quick reviews.
  • Entry-level jobs often require little experience and can help gain initial reviews.
• Search Strategy:
  • Use keywords like "quick" or "short" in the Upwork search bar.
  • Look for jobs that pay immediately upon completion.

Tip 2: Apply to New Job Postings

• Apply Early:
  • Focus on applying to jobs that are newly posted (minutes to a couple of hours old).
  • Older postings likely already have candidates.
• Set Up Alerts:
  • Save job searches on Upwork to receive notifications for new postings.
  • Use tools like Zapier to automate email notifications for new job listings.

Tip 3: Avoiding Bad Reviews

• Full Refund Strategy:
  • Consider offering a full refund to remove negative feedback from your profile.
  • Note that while the feedback will be removed from public view, private feedback can still affect your Job Success Score (JSS).
• Caution:
  • Use this method sparingly; prioritize getting paid for your work.

Tip 4: Creating Engaging Proposals

• Customizing Proposals:
  • Avoid generic proposals; tailor your cover letter to each job description.
  • Ask Clarifying Questions:
    • Include a question in your cover letter to draw the client's interest.
    • This can prompt a response from the client, increasing your chances of getting hired.

Tip 5: Bring Your Own Client (BYOC) Program

• Leveraging Existing Clients:
  • If you have prior clients outside Upwork, encourage them to create an Upwork account.
  • Using the BYOC program, there are no service fees, making it beneficial for both parties.
• Requirements:
  • The client must use your specific BYOC link to benefit from the 0% service fee.

Tip 6: Sales Calls

• Interviewing Clients:
  • During sales calls, focus on asking the client questions to ease your nerves.
  • Encourage the client to do most of the talking, which helps build rapport and understand their needs.
• Effective Questions:
  • Prepare a list of questions about their business, project needs, and expectations.

Conclusion

• Summary of tricks and strategies to enhance success on Upwork.
• Encouragement for viewers to join the Discord or course for more insights.