How did you get your first client in UpWork?

[galegatling]

As the title goes, how did you do it? I tried joining UpWork and it has been a month, still no client. I think the clients are looking for workers with track record and hours worked. Sadly I haven't got them yet. Although I always keep on trying.

Please share me your tips and ideas!

Thanks.

 

[Cchaen]

I work a lot with upwork as a customer. and I usually hire only freelancers with proven results. However if there is someone who is relatively very cheap with no previous recommendation sometime I will hire him and test him first for a few weeks. So I advise you to start very cheap to get recommendations and in a few months you'll be able to get jobs for more money.

 

[galegatling]

galegatling

This is the sad reality. But we can't blame the client though. They want the best so they have to hire the best. I even set my rate to 4$/hr just to get those hours and feedback but still nothing.

 

[Unknown]

Don't feel discouraged. Remember that every start/beginning is the toughest. Once you break the ice it gets a bit easier and you will only go up.

I was pretty lucky getting my first UpWork client. I also faced a similar problem as you - I was a complete newb on the site versus all of these highly experienced freelancers with amazing reviews. I honestly thought that I had no chance whatsoever. I was primarly focusing around writing, developing and the sales and marketing category.

Then one day, out of nowhere, I actually got hired for translation. One of the clients urgently needed somebody to translate a text in a language that isn't really widely popular and that I happen to know because I live next to the country. You could say I was blessed in a way. So, we ended up working together, not only for that one task but he also rehired me after on 4 different occasions. This gave me a nice little boost that I needed and the good reviews. He recommended me to his friends and so it began.

What I am trying to say is - it can happen completely randomly and sooner than you know it, you will have a nice side income.

Meanwhile, I do agree with Cchaen. You can always try to lower your rate/wage. Also, which categories are you trying out? some categories are harder to get work in - it depends how much demand and supply there is. Consider picking categories that don't have too many people crawling around

 

[galegatling]

galegatling

Waaaa. You are so lucky. :'( I feel discouraged now. Lol. It's not everyday that something like that happens. I mean, you were just really lucky. I have been sending top notch proposals. I even give sample suggestions about the jobs the clients are posting but still nothing, no notif, no email, nada. I am not really good at anything else aside from article writing, some data entries or internet research. And yes, I know those jobs are already populated. I don't have the time to learn how to use photoshop or Ai. :/ I just need one client to give me some hours and a good review. Sigh.