This step-by-step guide on Upwork Tips for Beginners on How to Get Your First Client is based on real-life success stories and will reveal all of the keys to landing your first customer.
Upwork is the most popular online job marketplace for connecting freelancers with businesses looking for professional services. It is, in my opinion, the simplest and quickest technique for a freelance newcomer to obtain clients. Whether you want to work full-time, part-time, or on a project-by-project basis, finding success on Upwork may swiftly increase your remote career.
What is Upwork?
Upwork is a freelancing marketplace that links businesses with freelancers all around the globe for short- or long-term projects. Upwork and other sites that cater to remote work, in my opinion, will only grow in popularity in the next years.
The necessity for people to hire local personnel is reducing as the entire globe gets increasingly linked with excellent internet connections. With increasing connection comes the potential to have video conferences instead of in-person meetings, remain in touch via messaging platforms like Slack, and manage whole team projects using tools like Asana. It’s never been easier to organize a remote team.
Similarly, businesses are quickly recognizing that remote employees are more productive and cost less.
With all of this in mind, I believe there is no better moment than now to start freelancing or working remotely.
Read More About: What is Upwork? How to Make Money on Upwork?
Is There Competition? Definitely.
Is there a plethora of decent work opportunities? a hundred percent
If you’re new to freelancing, I believe Upwork is the best place to start.
To give the answer to your question on How to Get Your First Client? And to assist you in getting started, I’ve compiled a list of all of my Upwork beginning advice. This contains everything I’ve learned on the site over the last few years, as well as the steps I feel it takes to be successful on Upwork.
Allow this manual to serve as your bible.
Let’s get started.
Step-by-Step Guide On How to Get Your First Client
Make Sure To Include A Decent Profile Photo
We believe strangers are more trustworthy if we can see their faces, much as we do in real life. As a result, the more clear and personal your profile photo is, the more probable it is that potential clients will think you trustworthy and compelling. Here are some things to think about while choosing a profile photo:
Use stock photos sparingly! It’s impossible to predict when a client may request a video conference. They’ll quickly discover that their appearance and personality are incompatible.
While logos might appear professional, the lack of a face makes it difficult for the client to create a relationship.
Use a shot without a distracting background if possible.
Because the profile photographs on Upwork are tiny, utilize a close-cropped image.
Smile! If you want your photo to appear pleasant, don’t be too serious.
Stand Out With An Introductory Video
Introductory films are a far more convenient approach to demonstrate to potential clients your personality and communication abilities. If you don’t feel at ease in front of the camera, you may make an animation that showcases your prior work and testimonials. This video does not have to be longer than a minute.
Create A Banging Proposal Template
When we talk about the basic question “How to Get Your First Client?” We can come to the point that as a freelancer, time is money. As a result, rather than producing different proposals for each listing, you should construct a templated proposal that is tailored to your specialty. You may then copy and paste the information into each job application for maximum efficiency while avoiding mistakes and typos.
As you spend more time applying for work on the site, you’ll begin to see which lines provide results and which areas prompt clients to request further information. Continue to adapt your template to meet these demands. Then, before you know it, you’ll be on your way to making a fantastic proposal!
Here are some general considerations to have in mind while you draught your proposal template:
Make your writing into short, easy-to-read paragraphs. Clients are too busy to read a slew of long proposals.
Make an effort not to repeat information that is already on your profile.
Tailor Your Proposal To Each Application
One of the first impressions a customer will have of your work ethic and enthusiasm will be formed by the communication style you present in proposals. Clients will study your proposal while interviewing to learn why they should choose you especially… As a result, offer them a cause! Give them a justification that is targeted to their profession and backed up with evidence. The following are some examples:
Include the client’s or company’s name at the start of your proposal. The text will feel less templated as a result of this customization.
Include testimonials and samples of comparable former work. These will be especially useful to the customer if they are comparable to the task that was asked in their brief. They will assist to reassure the customer that you are capable of performing their assignment if they are acceptable.
Ask your customer for further information, such as a link to their website, to encourage them to continue the conversation. This helps to establish trust and demonstrates that you are genuinely interested.
Tell the customer why you applied for their position in particular. Perhaps you have a special interest in the industry in which their firm operates, or perhaps you simply want to show your support… This gives the customer peace of mind, knowing that they are working with a freelancer that values their business just as much as they do.
Take your time, if necessary, to detail how you propose to execute their task. Give them a deadline that you know you’ll be able to meet.
One thing to keep in mind is that Upwork clients may include a codeword in their briefs. They request that freelancers use this term in their proposals. This is a clever approach to catch individuals who haven’t properly studied their job description. Don’t be caught off guard!
Drop Your Rates To Gain Your First Review
You won’t have any reviews if you’re just starting. This makes you a gamble in the eyes of a client. They don’t have any proof that you’re capable of achieving what your profile claims. As a result, I hate to tell you this, but you should lower your hourly pricing to attract interested people. Clients should be informed of your condition by informing them that your charges are reduced in contrast to your degrees of skill. This usually puts customers at rest, and they’ll be less surprised when you start raising your pricing quickly after a short period.
Keep in mind that reviews are crucial to your chances of being employed on Upwork!
Alternatively, ask a friend, acquaintance, coworker, or family member who might legitimately benefit from your skills. They could employ you to do a tiny assignment on Upwork.
Apply For MANY Short Term Jobs
Apply for as many short-term employment as you can; beggars can’t be choosers. However, make sure you only apply for jobs you’re confident you’ll be able to finish.
You’ll be able to do more in less time if you apply for short-term jobs. In exchange, you’ll get more reviews and experience working with different types of clientele. Furthermore, if you receive positive feedback from several consumers, there is a greater chance that they will return as repeat customers.
Waiting for specific clients to respond is also a waste of time. After you’ve submitted your proposal, don’t look back. You might waste time and confidence waiting for clients to respond (when the majority of them won’t).
Exceed Your Client’s Expectations
Although it should go without saying, this item must be covered in our Upwork Tips for Beginners guide since it is critical! Great reviews map your reputation on the platform, thus you must obtain them, as mentioned in the previous phases.
Keep track of deadlines. Respond to inquiries as soon as possible. Show off your individuality. Overdeliver on promises made.
Of course, exceeding the client’s expectations is easy when they are paying less for your services. This is why it’s equally critical to lowering your rate in the first few gigabytes to accommodate for this.
Check Your Client’s Average Paid Hourly Rate
After you’ve gotten a few evaluations, you’ll need to change your strategy. You won’t have to do any more low-paying jobs to establish your value. As you search for better opportunities in the stream, you may become more discriminating.
Start assessing your clients’ profiles throughout this period. Upwork allows freelancers to see what their average hourly rate is for each customer. To put it another way, you can see how cheap they are when it comes to paying for their work to be done.
Aim for companies that pay a fair salary on average, as they are more inclined to keep hiring you if your rates are higher.
Take Your Relationships Off the Platform
To be honest, I believe that the secret to freelance success and pleasure is to work with clients that treat you like one of their own. Look for client connections that seem like they’re pals… And put in as much time as you can for them!
However, if you continue to work with that client on Upwork, your Upwork costs will continue to mount.
Like any other freelancing network, the faster you discover a good customer that loves your work and can find a method to deal with them outside of the platform, the more “success” you’ll have.
Once you’ve built a relationship, you’ll need to figure out how to communicate contact information because the platform doesn’t allow it within the messages. You’ll get a warning.
My recommendation is to set up a video chat with your client to discuss your relationship’s future. You might exchange emails, discuss bills, debate payment options, and even seek to be connected to Slack channels or Trello boards during this video session. If you’re looking for tools to help you keep this connection going, check out my article about the greatest websites for digital nomads.
Final Note On How to Get Your First Client
If you’re just getting started, you might be thinking to yourself, “Is Upwork worth it?” when you look at the milestones you have yet to achieve.
Upwork, in my opinion, is well worth any freelancer’s first-time commitment. If you’re successful from the start, Upwork will keep sending you to work for a long time, whether it’s needed regularly or in between larger assignments with independent clients.
If you don’t trust me or my Upwork Tips for Beginners, I don’t know what to tell you. Then check out how Upwork helped me succeed as a freelance graphic designer and digital nomad.
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