Upwork is great for online freelancing! Well, it can be if you get the knack of making your profile stand out from the crowd so that clients find you and successfully close a job with you. If not, then you could end up spending more time chasing new clients than doing what you love – art. If there are any days when you get nothing done, or if you reach that magical milestone of earning zero dollars from Upwork, then this is for you.
1. Get a Good Profile Photo
A good profile is a mandatory step to creating a tremendous Upwork profile. You need to make sure that you look professional without looking like you’re trying too hard. Your photo is one of the first things a potential client will see when searching for freelancers. It means having an overall natural look but being well dressed and groomed. Think of how you would dress and get ready if you met your client at a coffee shop.
So what makes a great profile photo?
Your face should be well-lit, clear, and the focus of the photo. Here are some pointers: Choose a professional-looking headshot as opposed to a candid snapshot. Wear professional attire (no hats or sunglasses). Make sure your background is clean, simple, and neutral in color. You should also smile. That way, people can connect with you more easily and will be able to trust you more quickly. If a smile isn’t natural for you, it’s better not to have one in the photo. People know what is real and fake, so don’t try too hard.
2. Link Accounts
Link your Upwork to other online accounts such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Dribble, and much more. Your online presence will increase, and Upwork will connect you to jobs in your field. It also validates your authenticity because they can see that you are active on other online platforms.
3. Craft an Attention-Grabbing Headline
Your headline is another crucial element of your Upwork profile that helps you stand out from the competition. Here are some tips for crafting an attention-grabbing and compelling headline: Keep it short (less than 80 characters) and sweet; this will ensure your full headline appears in search results and won’t get cut off.
4. Compelling Video Introduction
A video introduction is a must-have if you want to stand out from the competition and get noticed by clients. Adding a one or two-minute video to your Upwork profile increases your chances of getting hired by 15% percent – which cannot be ignored! Keep it brief – 1-2 minutes will do; talk about your work experience, skills, and why clients should hire you; smile and be cheerful; avoid using scripts.
5. Include Your overview/ Expertise
The first step to getting an Upwork profile that stands out is to show your expertise. In the “About Me” section of your profile, you’ll want to touch on a few key points.
Here are some things you’ll want to include:
A brief overview of your experience. Where did you go to school? What category of work have you done before? What are your specialties? Your skills. This one is obvious, but make sure it’s covered! Highlight those that best describe what you do. Your goals and aspirations. What do you hope to accomplish on Upwork? Your personality! Make yourself sound like someone people would want to work with. Remember, this isn’t just a resume — it’s a chance to sell yourself and show your personality.
6. Add Specific Skills
Potential clients search for freelancers by specific skills and qualifications. There is an array of standardized skills on Upwork. List the most relevant to your line of expertise. You can select up to 10 different skills from Upwork’s list. Choose well conversant skills and can back up with experience, education, and portfolio.
7. Upload Best Work Samples
Upwork is a place for freelancers and clients to meet and complete projects together, so it’s only logical that they want to see examples of your work. Have you heard the familiar adage ‘excellence gives the power to dominate?’ Well, it’s your time to dominate that project with your excellent work samples and prove that you can do the job.
8. Add Education
Your credentials don’t have to be related to what you do or your niche-they are also significant. However, more specific ones would be a hit. Education adds validity to your portfolio and gives clients confidence in your ability to deliver. List your credentials in chronological order, beginning with the latest. For informal education, you can list them in other experience categories.
9. Including Employment History
Your employment history validates your ability to perform tasks with an understanding. List the most relevant record for the job you are applying for. To spice it up, highlight a succinct description of achievements and expertise. Do not forget to upload examples and proofs.
10. Add certifications
Certifications will help you get identified and prove your area of expertise. List those that are specific to your skills. However, including any other certificate you have would help if an opportunity arises in that field.
11. Select Experience Level
To fully complete your Upwork profile, choose your level of experience. The classes are; entry-level, intermediate, and expert. Your experience is the overall experience in a specific niche, including those you acquired outside Upwork. Ensure that you give an honest level of experience. It will help the client gauge what kind of project is suitable for him in terms of complexity.
12. Add Your English Skills
Upwork operates in English as an official language. It would be best to highlight your English truthfully to make it easier for yourself and your clients. For instance, if you choose the native speaker option and the client requests a live interview, you may not deliver, hence losing the client altogether. If you can speak or write any other language, it is essential to specify it.
13. Proper Formatting
When all is done, format your profile to have an excellent visual appearance and help you stand out. Break it down into paragraphs for long text, preferably 1-2 lines. Let it be skimmable. It reflects your ability to write well, which is a bonus.
14. Set Hourly Rate
Finally, set your hourly rate. It may be tricky to determine what rate to specify because you overestimate or underestimate. Ensure that the rate you choose is parallel to your level of experience. Most importantly, offer a competitive rate from other freelancers in your area of expertise by checking their rates.
Conclusion
You will have created your Upwork account in just a few steps, using the tips here to ensure that you forget nothing. Be sure that you follow these tips carefully to impress potential clients. Also, remember that the proposal is one of the most important things. It is what gets your foot in the door with a potential client. Make it unique and let it offer something special that sets you apart from other applicants. But don’t write too much! The point is only to grab clients’ attention enough to get them to check out your Upwork profile.
If you need to learn more about building your Upwork and winning clients, Freelance Mojo has an array of resources that will transform your Upwork experience contact us today.