In this article, I'll show you how to start freelancing on platforms like UpWork, sharing my own experiences along the way. It’s written for beginners, so I’ve kept the information brief and easy to follow. If you want to learn more about any topic, I’ve included links where you can find detailed explanations. Let’s get started!

🚀 How to Start ?

First, you need to learn skills that are in demand, like web development, WordPress, graphic design, and more. Before starting, understand what clients need in these areas. If you’re unsure, do some research first. After that, think about what you enjoy or dislike about different tech fields. For example, some of you might love graphic design, while others might not. It all depends on your preferences. Once you’ve chosen your niche, you’re ready to start.

What are the difficulties?

Once you start freelancing, you'll need to find clients that are a good match for you. Many clients look for experts, but as a beginner with basic skills, you'll need to target those who are seeking entry-level freelancers. Remember, staying motivated and patient is crucial because the market is competitive, with many freelancers vying for jobs just like you. Finding good clients on platforms like UpWork isn’t free—sending proposals costs money. That’s why it’s important to be careful. Sometimes, you might spend a lot without getting any responses. I’ll explain how to handle such situations further in the article.

Does skills really matter?

For answering this question I will explain few points. If you don't have skills then how will you know from where you should start your journey ? so by having any skills you get an appropriate idea to begin with. Once you begin your journey by the time you will have to gain some business tricks to earn good amount of money. Skills tell you from where to begin and business tell you how to earn money. Remember having only core skills will not make you successful freelancer. but for this you will have to be ready to learn new things, then only you can achieve great success in freelancing.

How freelancing platform works ?

To answer this question, let’s use UpWork as an example. First, you’ll need to sign up and create an account. During the process, you’ll submit your government ID and bank details. It may take a few days for your information to be verified. Once your account is approved, you can start looking for clients worldwide.

Next, adjust your account settings in the preferences section to ensure only relevant jobs appear in your feed. UpWork’s job section has two key categories: 'Best Match' and 'Most Recent.' These can help you find the right job opportunities.

Be aware that freelancing platforms like UpWork have scammers who target freelancers. As a beginner, you might not be familiar with this, but it’s important to know. I’ve outlined some key tips below to help you identify and avoid scams, so you can protect your earnings. Your payments will be processed through the bank account you provided.

Joining startups through this platform possible or not possible?

The answer is yes, it’s possible to join a startup through freelancing platforms. Many clients from startups or small companies use these platforms to find freelancers for full-time positions. In such cases, they might hire you full-time and pay you a monthly salary. If the pay is good, you can continue working with them.

However, if the pay is too low for full-time work, consider a part-time strategy. You can work part-time for the startup and use the rest of your time to find better-paying clients. Always be on the lookout for opportunities to grow, as freelancing offers many chances to advance your career.

Remember, in freelancing, you need to create your own strategies for success. Clients focus on their profits, so you must focus on yours.

How much time required for getting better clients or making profits?

Securing better clients is not as simple as it seems. Every proposal you send involves an investment, and this process isn't free. It takes time to connect with clients who will pay the rates you deserve. The key is to stay patient, focused, and continuously improve your skills.

While it's possible to land a high-paying, long-term client early on, this is often just luck. More often than not, it takes persistence. Remember, clients are driven by their own interests, so you need to prioritize your own as well.

From my experience, it can take at least two years to achieve stability in your business. So, stay patient, remain motivated, and keep pushing forward.

Expenditure on searching clients.

Sending proposals to clients isn't a free process. Each proposal typically costs around $2 to $3, and you won't receive a response for every one. However, don't be discouraged—landing even a single client can recover all the money you've invested in finding work. To avoid unnecessary spending, follow these steps:

Evaluate the Client’s Requirements: Before applying, make sure you're a good fit for the job. If you don't feel confident about your suitability, it's better not to apply.

Check the Expertise Level: Pay attention to the expertise level the client is seeking. On platforms like UpWork, job posts are often categorized by expertise level: Entry-level, Intermediate, or Expert.

If your profile is set to an intermediate level, and you apply for an entry-level or expert-level job, your proposal may end up lower in the list of submissions. As a result, the client might not even see it, and you could waste your connects.

UpWork’s algorithms are designed to help clients find the best freelancers for their needs. If your skills, experience, and specialization aren't a good match for the job, your proposal will likely be pushed down in the list. Be mindful of this to avoid losing both money and opportunities.

Price Negotiations.

When clients post jobs, they often include a budget, whether it's a monthly, fixed, or hourly rate. This helps you decide whether to submit a proposal. However, remember that these rates aren't always final. For short projects, you'll likely get the amount listed in the job description.

For long-term work, the rates are usually negotiable. You can discuss pricing with your client, especially as the work continues. Just be aware that clients often won’t offer high rates when you’re just starting out. Clients focus on their own profit, so make sure you do the same.

It’s okay to take lower rates at the beginning, but don’t stay there. Keep improving your skills so you can charge more later on. Clients won’t pay much for basic skills, so always be ready to learn new, in-demand technologies.

SCAMS | How to Stay Safe

Freelancing platforms like UpWork do have scammers. Many freelancers end up losing their hard-earned money to these scams. Here are some signs to help you spot a scam:

Offers High Payments

If a client offers you much more money than the usual rate, be careful. Scammers often try to attract you with big payments.

Wants to Talk on Telegram

Real clients usually don’t use Telegram to talk. If a client insists on using Telegram, be cautious and don’t share personal information.

Payment via Cryptocurrency

Be careful if a client wants to pay you outside the platform using cryptocurrency, especially on unfamiliar websites. This is often a scam.

Gives Different Work Than Promised

Sometimes, scammers will start a contract but give you a lot more work than what was in the job description. They might threaten not to pay or leave a bad review if you don’t do it. If this happens, it’s better to end the contract and not argue. If they ask for their money back, you can give it to them to avoid more trouble. Fighting over it usually isn’t worth it for freelancers.

By staying alert and watching for these signs, you can avoid scams and focus on real job opportunities.

The Real Difference Between a Corporate Job and Freelancing

In a corporate job, you get a fixed salary and work fixed hours. These are the main things. If you want to learn new skills, you might not have time because you can’t do other things at work. When I worked in a corporate job, I saw a lot of time being wasted. Dressing up and going to the office doesn’t make you smarter. For me, sitting in an office with coworkers didn’t make me more productive either. Most days, I’d come home with no energy left for anything else. If you want to start something small on your own, the corporate world isn’t the best place. There’s a lot to learn if you want to grow, but the corporate sector often won’t let you do that.

Freelancing is different. You can choose work that you enjoy, and you’re the boss. You can set your own hours, and it doesn’t matter how you look or what your personality is like. What matters is how you present yourself and complete your work for clients. No one will interfere with your personal life. Your top priority is finishing work for clients, but you’re also free to do other productive things. You can learn new, in-demand skills and find work that matches them, creating more chances to earn money.

Clients are drawn to your presentation and skills. You just need to be confident in your work and communicate well with your clients. Freelancing also gives you the space to think about starting your own business if you have a good idea and the desire to pursue it.

Is Freelancing Stressful?

Freelancing isn't inherently stressful, but it can be at the start. As you begin your freelancing journey, finding clients may pose challenges. However, your skills, hard work, and presentation are your greatest assets. Continuously refine these to grow your business and income.

In the beginning, there's a lot to manage. Remember, when you choose freelancing, you become your own boss. No one will tell you what to learn or how to learn it, nor will anyone guide you on how the market operates. You'll need to make decisions, learn independently, and find clients that are both suitable and loyal.

To stand out, ensure you have a portfolio with strong, live projects that you can showcase to potential clients. Also, set up your profile thoroughly, highlighting all your relevant skills. Regularly update your profile to stay relevant and competitive.

Will You Really Enjoy Freelancing?

To answer this, think about a few things: Are you tired of the daily grind? What’s driving you to try freelancing? Do you enjoy learning new skills? Do you want more freedom in your career? Let’s go through this step by step.

If you’re only getting into freelancing to make money, it might be hard to stick with it. After a while, you might end up going back to a regular job with a steady paycheck and a routine.

But if you’re excited about learning and creating new things, freelancing can be a lot of fun. You need to be passionate about coming up with new ideas. As you work with clients, you’ll learn important skills that can help if you ever want to start your own business. Freelancing also gives you a look at how small businesses and startups operate, and you’ll pick up on trends in the market.

A lot of your clients will be startups or small businesses, which means you’ll likely work with the latest technologies. This will help you build your skills and make your profile stand out. Many freelance projects focus on what’s popular in the tech world, which keeps you current. Make sure to update your portfolio regularly and include a contact form so potential clients can reach out directly.

Beware of Fake Job Posts on Upwork

When searching for jobs, it's important to be cautious of fake job posts, especially on platforms like Upwork. As you know, applying for a job on Upwork often requires paying a small fee (usually between $1.50 and $3) depending on the job and the client's budget. Since it's a paid process, you don't want to waste your money on fake job listings that occasionally appear. But how can you tell if a job post is genuine or not? Let me guide you through it:

Steps to Identify a Fake Job Post:

1. Check the Job Title – Does it seem relevant and clear?

2. Look at the Client’s Budget – Is it reasonable for the job?

3. Review the Client's Rating – Do they have a good rating (five stars)?

4. Verify Payment Method – Is the payment method verified or not?

5. Check Client’s Total Spending – How much has the client spent on Upwork so far?

Explanation:

By reading the job post carefully, you can get a sense of the work involved and whether the budget is fair. If a client is offering a budget much higher than the average, it could be a scam. Stay away from such posts, as freelancers are here to earn money by providing their skills and time.

Pay attention to the client's ratings and reviews. Even if they have few ratings, it’s worth reading what other freelancers have said about working with them. This gives you insight into their working style and behavior, which is crucial before sending a proposal.

If the client’s payment method isn’t verified, it’s best to avoid them, no matter how well the job aligns with your skills. Sending a proposal in such cases may result in wasted effort and money.

Lastly, check the client’s total expenditure. If they've only spent $400–500 so far but are offering a high hourly rate, like $15–$20/hr, this could be a red flag. Many freelancers fall for these traps and end up facing problems.

What if You Make a Mistake?

If you mistakenly accept a contract with a fraudulent client, quitting the job won’t always solve the problem. Some clients are more focused on their own profit than on fair work arrangements. If you cancel a contract without completing it, it may negatively affect your Job Success Score (JSS) on Upwork.

In many cases, these clients won’t pay you, even if you’ve done part of the work. They might also leave a bad review, causing you to lose both time and money. So, it’s important to be smart and careful when dealing with clients.

In the coming days, I’ll share some excellent books and resources to help you further your knowledge and succeed in freelancing. Stay tuned!

Communication

Proper communication is crucial in online work. If you can’t communicate effectively, you are likely to face undesirable outcomes. Since most communication happens in English, it’s essential to have a good command of the language. If your English skills need improvement, don’t worry—you can learn and improve within a few days.

One key aspect of online communication is ensuring your tone is polite and respectful. Even if you don’t intend to sound rude, your words may come across as commanding or harsh.

When requesting or assigning tasks, choose your words carefully to avoid sounding like you’re giving orders. Remember, you’re part of a team, and collaboration works best when everyone feels valued and respected.

Here’s a comparison to illustrate this point:

Rude: Do this work!

Kind: Could you please check this? or Can you take care of this?

By using polite phrases, you create a positive environment where your intentions are clear, and teamwork flourishes.