6 tips for winning more work on Upwork
Upwork and Fiverr are generally considered the two most popular freelancing marketplaces in the game right now. Both operate on an international scale and are constantly adding on new features, like the ability to collaborate with teams inside of each profile.
Although LinkedIn has recently thrown its hat into the ring with its new LinkedIn Service Page launch for freelancers, Fiverr and Upwork are still your best bet for winning over a volume of work.
Considered to be the marketplace where you can find a slightly higher ‘quality’ client when compared to Fiverr, Upwork can launch your freelancing venture well into the six-figure realm. Many freelancers have profiles set up on both Fiverr and Upwork, which is why I encourage you, no matter where you are in your freelancing journey, to do the same.
Of course, there are some general recommendations and overall profile presentation tips that you should follow if you want to stand out from the competition on Upwork immediately.
6 Ways to Stand Out from Upwork Competition
1. Build Out Your Bio Framework: Who are you and why should clients choose you over the other freelancers? Your bio needs to answer these questions and then some. Your bio should make it clear right away what you offer, your areas of expertise, and your seriousness as a freelancer. Some general rules to follow:
a. Identify the reader (who are your clients)
b. Acknowledge their problem (why do they need to hire you)
c. Confidently state your solutions
d. Humanize yourself and introduce your background
e. Explain clearly how you are going to solve their problem
f. Back it up with testimonials (social proof)
g. Invite them to book you
You have to remember: these are people who see you as a stranger at first. They need the entire picture laid out clearly and explicitly. It’s not the time to hint at things or be coy. Come right out and transparently lay it all on the table.
2. Personal Profile Picture: Upwork is the antithesis to a stuffy office job. People don’t want to see personality-less headshots. They want to know the essence of you. Although the picture should be high-quality, consider one of yourself working at a laptop as a digital nomad, with a smile and eye contact. Allow your personality to come through.
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Charge More: Since Upwork is a more ‘premier’ Fiverr, clients have decently sized budgets. They aren’t looking for $10 quick-fixes. Although you may want to charge cheap rates at first, try and refrain so you can create a more ‘luxury’ feeling from your profile. Of course, you need to have a reason for your current hourly rate, so create some auto-responses you can copy-and-paste every time a client asks you to justify your $50/hour average.
4. Take Advantage of the Title: Fiverr profiles do not permit a specialized title, which is why you really want to take advantage of this Upwork-only feature. Come right out and state who you work with and what you do. A great example would be: “Gig economy copywriter for startups and tech-forward boutique companies.” Every word on your profile counts towards SEO (search-engine-optimization).
5. Leverage Video: Although recording video isn’t always enjoyable, they are critical in establishing connection and trust with potential clients. It’s the quickest way for them to get to know you. It will also decrease the amount of calls the client wants to have with you, since they will feel like they already know you through your profile.
6. Avoid Desperation: When you draft your Overview, although you want to make it known that you are the right person for the job, don’t sound desperate. The client will be turned off by a freelancer who is aggressively pushing to land a deal. The client is more likely to choose you if they sense complete confidence without desperation.
The name of the game is transparently presenting yourself, your value, and your personality on Upwork. Clients are looking for freelancers who are sure of themselves and their ability to deliver. The more quickly you communicate this through your profile, the more quickly these clients are going to book you.
Have you set up a profile on Upwork yet? Click here to get started growing your freelancing business.