The sun was setting over the small town of Derry, casting long shadows across the streets. As I walked down the sidewalk, my mind was buzzing with ideas. I had heard that there was money to be made online, and I was determined to find a way to tap into that market.
That’s when I stumbled upon Upwork and Freelancer, two of the most popular freelance platforms on the internet. I had heard that many people were making a decent living by offering their skills and services to clients from all around the world. It sounded too good to be true, but I was willing to give it a shot.
As I signed up for both platforms, I quickly realized that making money on Upwork and Freelancer was not as easy as I had thought. There were thousands of other freelancers vying for the same clients, and standing out in such a crowded marketplace was a challenge. But I was determined to succeed, and over time I learned some tips and tricks that helped me earn a steady income from these platforms.
Tip #1: Choose a Niche and Stick to It
As a writer, I knew that there were hundreds of other writers on Upwork and Freelancer offering their services. To stand out from the crowd, I had to find a niche that I could specialize in. After some research, I discovered that there was a high demand for blog posts and articles related to digital marketing.
I decided to focus on this niche and started crafting pitches and proposals that highlighted my expertise in this area. Over time, I began to build a reputation as a digital marketing writer, and clients started seeking me out for their projects.
The lesson here is that it’s better to be a specialist than a generalist. By focusing on a specific area of expertise, you can differentiate yourself from other freelancers and become known as the go-to person for that particular service.
Tip #2: Be Proactive and Reach Out to Clients
One mistake that many freelancers make is waiting for clients to come to them. While it’s certainly possible to land gigs through the platforms’ job postings and proposals, it’s also important to be proactive and reach out to potential clients directly.
A particular way to do this is by using the search function on Upwork and Freelancer to find clients who are looking for services similar to yours. You can then send them a message introducing yourself and offering your services.
Another approach is to use LinkedIn or other social media platforms to connect with potential clients. By building relationships with people in your industry, you can increase your chances of getting hired for gigs outside of the platforms.
Tip #3: Create a Strong Profile and Portfolio
Your profile and portfolio are your digital storefront, and they need to be strong and compelling in order to attract clients. When creating your profile, make sure to highlight your skills and experience, and provide examples of your work.
The portfolio should showcase your best work and demonstrate your expertise in your chosen niche. This can include writing samples, design work, or anything else that shows off your skills.
Remember, clients are often making a decision based on your profile and portfolio alone, so make sure they are as impressive as possible.
Tip #4: Be Flexible and Willing to Learn
The world of freelancing is constantly changing, and it’s important to be flexible and willing to adapt to new technologies and trends. This means being open to learning new skills and expanding your service offerings.
For example, as a writer, I initially focused on blog posts and articles. But over time, I realized that clients were also looking for other types of content, such as email newsletters and social media posts. By expanding my skill set and offering these services, I was able to attract new clients and increase my income.
Tip #5: Provide Exceptional Service and Build Relationships
After you land your first project and depending on the arrangement with the client, be sure to provide timely updates and always look for opportunities to add value. To me the most important part of being successful on sites like Upwork and Freelance is building and maintaining strong relationships with my clients. Under promising and over delivering will serve you well.
Finally, it may seem a bit daunting and overwhelming at times to work and live in this gig economy but with some perserverance and faith, one can make a decent living without reporting to a horrible boss at a dead-end 9 to 5 job.
Cheers,
~ghost
