Finding Your First Job on Upwork

Introduction

• Speaker has earned over $500,000 on Upwork
  • $400,000 earned in the last two years
• Speaker's Profile Achievements:
  • 100% job success score
  • Expert vetted badge
• Initial challenges:
  • No previous clients
  • No portfolio
  • No paid gigs
  • No testimonials and reviews

Strategies to Find First Clients

Importance of Proof

• Beginners often submit proposals with no response
• Critical to have proof of skills to convince clients
  • Physical Proof: Work samples
  • Social Proof: Testimonials and reviews
• Examples of Proof:
  • Visual Content Creators (photos, videos, writing, graphic design, web design) can create sample projects
  • Business Strategy Freelancers can frame past employee experience as consulting expertise

Steps to Get Proof

• For Visual Content Creators:
  • Create personal projects as examples of work
  • Offer free or discounted work to get testimonials and reviews
• For Strategic Consultants:
  • Show results from past employee jobs or freelance projects
  • Use graphs and data to demonstrate impact

Building a Portfolio

• Compile proof in a PDF attachment for proposals
  • Include testimonials, visual examples, and other portfolio work
• Suggested Proof Types:
  • Graphs and analytics (e.g., YouTube growth, website traffic)
  • Percentage increases in business metrics (e.g., +30% traffic)

Tips for Increasing Client Confidence

• Clients are taking a risk and need assurance
• More proof you provide, less risk perceived by the client
• Equally important for beginners to have robust proof

Overcoming Common Freelancer Challenges

• Avoid the hamster wheel of submitting without proof
• Build a strong portfolio before sending proposals
• Gather testimonials and create visual examples proactively

Conclusion

• Reminder to subscribe for more content on freelancing
• Visit freelancefamilyman.com for a free book on building a freelance business while supporting a family

Call to Action

• Emphasize importance of building proof and a strong portfolio
• Encouragement for beginners to gather initial work samples and testimonials
• Subscribe for more tips and visit website for resources

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