$40,000 on upwork as a complete beginner - what I learned

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares his experience as a top-rated social media manager on Upwork, boasting a $40,000 profile. He discusses the benefits of having a high-earning profile, such as receiving numerous free invitations to apply for jobs and direct messages from clients. The speaker emphasizes the importance of a strong bio and portfolio to attract clients and stresses the value of good reviews. He offers advice for beginners, suggesting starting with low-paying jobs to build a reputation and gain positive reviews. His journey from zero to a successful freelancer serves as an inspiration, highlighting that anyone can achieve similar success with dedication and hard work.

Takeaways

• 😴 The speaker works so hard that they sometimes fall asleep at their desk despite having a bed nearby.
• 💪 They believe that no one can outwork them, emphasizing the importance of hard work and dedication.
• 📈 The speaker has a $40,000 profile on Upwork, which they are willing to share to educate and inspire others.
• 🔍 They mention that their profile is public and can be found by searching their name on Upwork.
• 🏆 Being at the top of search results for 'social media manager' on Upwork is a significant achievement for the speaker.
• 📊 The speaker's job score is 83%, indicating they are actively working on improving their profile.
• 📩 High earnings profiles on Upwork receive many job invitations and direct messages from clients.
• 🆓 Receiving invitations from clients means being able to apply to jobs for free, saving on connect costs.
• 📞 The speaker frequently receives direct offers and messages from clients without having to go through the traditional application process.
• 🤝 Building a strong profile helps reduce the need for extensive outreach, as clients actively seek to work with high-earning freelancers.
• 📝 The speaker emphasizes the importance of having a good bio and portfolio to attract clients and stand out on Upwork.
• 💬 They advise against copying others' profiles and recommend creating a unique and outstanding bio.
• 💌 The importance of reviews is highlighted, with the speaker suggesting to ask clients for feedback to improve the profile.
• 📈 Starting with low-paying jobs and providing exceptional service can lead to positive reviews, which in turn can help secure better jobs.
• 🚀 The speaker reflects on their growth from $10K to $40K on Upwork, noting that it becomes easier as one progresses.
• 🎯 They advise focusing on the quality of clients and jobs rather than signing every single client.
• 📚 The speaker does not have any certifications or linked accounts, suggesting that these are not crucial for success on Upwork.
• 💌 They encourage others to start on Upwork, emphasizing that if they can do it, anyone can, and offers to answer questions and provide further guidance.

Q & A

What is the speaker's main motivation for sharing his Upwork profile?

The speaker wants to educate, inform, and potentially inspire others who are interested in starting on Upwork. He emphasizes that he is not special and started from zero, just like everyone else.

Why does the speaker mention his job score of 83%?

The speaker mentions his job score to show that he is not perfect and is still learning. He is working on improving his job score, which indicates his commitment to continuous improvement.

How does the speaker describe the benefits of having a high-earning profile on Upwork?

The speaker highlights that a high-earning profile leads to receiving daily invitations and direct messages from clients, often without the need to apply through the traditional outreach process.

What does the speaker mean when he says he gets 'free connects' to apply for jobs?

On Upwork, applying for jobs typically requires 'connects,' which are a form of currency on the platform. However, when a client invites a freelancer to apply for a job, the freelancer can apply for free, without using any connects.

What advice does the speaker give for creating a successful Upwork profile?

The speaker advises having a good bio and a strong work portfolio. He also emphasizes the importance of making the bio unique and standing out, rather than copying someone else's.

Why does the speaker stress the importance of reviews on Upwork?

The speaker stresses the importance of reviews because they significantly impact a profile's credibility and attractiveness to potential clients. He suggests asking clients for reviews after completing a job well.

What strategy does the speaker recommend for new freelancers on Upwork?

The speaker recommends starting with easy and low-paying jobs, being exceptional at them, and then asking for a review at the end of the project. This strategy helps build a strong profile from the start.

How does the speaker describe his journey from 0 to 40K on Upwork?

The speaker describes his journey as one of continuous growth and learning. He found the initial growth from 0 to 10K to be the most challenging, but after reaching that milestone, the growth to 40K happened more smoothly and without him even realizing it.

What does the speaker suggest about the importance of certifications and licenses on Upwork?

The speaker suggests that certifications and licenses are not as important as one might think. He does not have any linked to his profile and believes that the quality of work and client reviews are more significant factors.

What is the speaker's final message to those who are considering starting on Upwork?

The speaker's final message is one of encouragement and reassurance. He emphasizes that if he can achieve success on Upwork as a 'normal dude,' then anyone can. He advises against waiting for the perfect moment to start and instead encourages immediate action.