As a digital marketer, I began freelancing on Upwork. Today, I’m going to talk about the real truth about Upwork and share five insights I wish I knew before starting my freelancing journey on the platform.
These are lessons that I’ve gathered through my experience, and I hope they’ll help you navigate Upwork more effectively.
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1. The Upwork Payment System is Not for Freelancers
One of the first things you will notice on Upwork is that the payment system heavily favors the client. Clients hire you through Upwork, and you are expected to provide the services first and get paid later.
Typically, clients want you to deliver services upfront before getting paid. Although Upwork has a milestone system where clients fund the project in stages, it’s not always foolproof.
As a marketing freelancer, delivering strategies, copywriting, and content can be frustrating when a client is unsatisfied with your work for reasons beyond your control. This system often feels like a gamble, especially considering the high commission fees charged by Upwork. Always ensure that your milestone is fully funded before you start working to avoid payment issues.
Additionally, Upwork’s manual time-adding feature offers no real protection. The platform prefers to trust its automatic time-adding system. So, if clients don’t pay you for manually added hours, you might find yourself vulnerable.
2. Clients Have High Expectations but Tight Budgets
Another major challenge is the high expectations coupled with tight budgets that many Upwork clients have. Most clients on Upwork are small businesses, startups, solo entrepreneurs, or even individuals seeking additional help in their tasks. They often expect comprehensive services at minimal costs, which can be unrealistic and unsustainable for freelancers.
Freelancers usually specialize in niche areas, making it hard to meet these high, all-encompassing demands. Always gauge the client’s expectations and ensure they align with the budget and the services you can provide.
3. The Prevalence of Scams
Scams are unfortunately common on Upwork. Scammers often reach out through direct messages, presenting what seem like legitimate offers.
To avoid falling victim to false opportunities, always verify the credibility of potential clients. I recommend using LinkedIn to check their professional background and ensure they’re affiliated with the company they claim to represent.
4. Upwork is Not a Sustainable Approach to Get Clients
Generating a consistent $10,000 per month on Upwork requires working around the clock, which is far from sustainable. Instead, I suggest diversifying your lead generation strategies by leveraging platforms like LinkedIn.
Building a robust LinkedIn profile and engaging with your target audience can result in better, more qualified leads without the constant hustle.
5. The Steep Learning Curve
Navigating Upwork effectively requires learning and optimizing your profile, including using specific keywords to appear at the top of searches. Crafting an attractive proposal is critical, as the first three sentences are highlighted. Ensure these sentences capture the client’s attention.
Always research potential clients by checking their collaboration history and payment records. This extra step helps you protect yourself from unreliable clients.
Ultimately, it’s crucial to prepare yourself for a career beyond third-party platforms like Upwork. I recommend investing time and effort into optimizing your LinkedIn presence and connecting with your dream clients directly.
To help you get started, here is the link to my free workshop where you can learn to optimize your LinkedIn profile and jumpstart your lead generation strategy. This two-hour workshop is designed to equip you with the essential skills for a successful freelancing journey.
Thanks for reading, and good luck with your freelancing journey!
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Hyein
I’m an award-winning global marketing expert running HY Marketing in South Korea. We help businesses succeed in South Korea, Japan, and English-speaking markets through social media and Facebook ads.
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