I had heard about the existence of foreign project exchanges for a long time, but before the economic crisis broke out in Russia, I never looked towards foreign customers at all: there were enough Russian orders, a serious language barrier stopped me, and I didn’t even think that my specialization could be in demand there (My specialty is the implementation and customization of one domestic CRM). With the fall in the ruble exchange rate, I began to look for new markets for my team’s services, and decided to try upwork.
After trying it, I regretted that I had not tried it earlier. Looking ahead, I will say that I like the work culture of foreign customers. Hourly work there is, indeed, hourly work, and not work according to the standard hours beloved in Russia. This makes upwork orders more profitable than Russian orders at a slightly lower hourly rate.
My experience is not great yet - this is what happened in my personal account during 4 months of work in my free time from my main activity:
But I think my post will help those who want to, but are still afraid, decide to start working for upwork:
1. How I overcame the language barrier
I studied English at university. However, this language was never good for me: I had a good vocabulary, but terrible pronunciation, and I always had problems with listening.
In January of this year, having firmly decided that I now needed English, I found myself a tutor, and we studied with him 3 hours a week and I studied on my own for another 3 hours a week. It was very difficult to combine this with my entrepreneurial activity - these 6 hours seemed like an unbearable addition to my already busy schedule, so after a while I realized that either I should already feel the profit from my English, or I should quit this idea.
At the end of April, I moved from theory to practice - I registered an account for myself on what was then oDesk, filled out my profile and started looking for my first order. In my profile I indicated that my level of English is basic. At the moment, my basic level has been checked and confirmed by the exchange staff. This check happened in a strange way. Some unknown person knocked on my Skype and started a conversation with me on a topic distracted from work in English. I wrote to him, also in English, that if he is not going to order anything from me, then I am not interested in wasting time on him. Immediately after this, an icon appeared in my profile indicating that my English had been verified.
2. First order
I took my first order literally the next day after registration. It was a small order with a fixed price. I set the price 2 times higher than the customer’s budget, hoping that the high price would draw the customer’s attention to my zero profile. The strategy worked - I got the order, and after 2 days my profile was decorated with the first 5 stars.
3. First hourly order
Having received the first review, I decided that it was time to look for an hourly order, I set a price of $35 per hour in my profile, and literally a few days later my first hourly contract was signed. Like last time, the customer chose me because my price was about 2 times higher than the highest offered by other applicants, and in general I think that my marketing strategy is working quite well:
Communicating with the customer in English was, frankly speaking, more than difficult. We had to discuss the project not only in writing, but also orally via Skype. However, to my surprise, the customer's employees showed more patience and tolerance towards my level of English - they repeated the same phrase 5 times in different words until we had complete understanding. After Skype calls, my head was buzzing, but my level of English was growing noticeably every day (now I no longer need Google translator for correspondence). I realized that not a single tutor in the world can teach a language the way communication with a native speaker teaches.
Another problem was with the customer's time zone. The client was from Australia, and when I woke up for him at 7.30 in the morning, his working day was already ending, and these morning discussions were very tiring for me.
That contract also ended with a 5-star review, and I earned $775 from it within a month without interrupting my main activity, which I did not give up during my upwork experiments.
Later, I introduced the specified customer to my team, and we hired him as support - we continue to work with him at the moment.
4. First success
I consider my first success to be the day when the first foreign customer found me by Googling my Upwork profile. A customer from England found me himself and wrote to me by email. Since I had not worked directly with foreign customers before and was afraid of deception on his part, I said that I work only through the exchange, he registered on upwork, created a contract, connected me and 2 other contractors of my agency to it, and also became mine regular customer. By the way, British English is much clearer than American and Australian, and the difference in time zones with England is quite small, so I like working with this customer, and we have already done and continue to do a number of projects for him.
5. Agency
I already mentioned that I have a team and that I created an agency on Upwork. It was the creation and development of the agency that was and remains my ultimate goal. For some time now I have not been the lead developer on my team, although I started out as one. My responsibilities are sales and project management. Although I often take on projects for myself personally, so as not to lose my qualifications. All my upwork clients initially get to know me as a developer, and then I try, with varying degrees of success, to replace myself with another developer from my team.
Some customers willingly agree that another developer will work on their project. Some do not agree, and depending on whether I am ready to part with them completely, I either continue to work on their project myself or part with them. In order to make customers more willing to switch from me to my leading specialist, we make a price range: the customer can work with me personally for $45 per hour or with my leading specialist for $30 per hour.
At the first stage, when my agency’s profile on Upwork was zero, I had difficulty finding contractors. Even those people who usually go through fire and water with me doubted that this game was worth the candle, and they had to be convinced. New freelancers who had not worked with me before refused my invitations in a rather rude manner, some of them then tried to work for Upwork on their own, picking up my idea, and I could watch how their accounts died without developing. Now I no longer have problems finding teammates, but I only work with those who believed in me from the very beginning.
My earnings as an agent are still far behind my earnings as a developer, despite the fact that I spend a lot of effort on forming and selling the team’s services, but I’m not going to give up trying, because this income promises to be passive.
In general, there is money and clients on upwork, and competition is low. Customers do not consider Indians desirable performers, but they love specialists from Russia and the former CIS countries. Among other things, the upwork profile is well indexed in Google, and in addition to orders through the exchange itself, it provides a flow of direct customers from this search engine. Searching for orders on upwork is both simple and difficult at the same time, but much easier than you might think. Therefore, I recommend this exchange to everyone.
1. To excite or arouse one's emotions. A noun or pronoun can be used between "work" and "up." Try not to work up Mom too much. We just want to have a nice relaxing afternoon. I think you"re working yourself up over nothing. I"m sure the doctor will tell you it"s nothing.
2. To achieve a new level of ability, responsibility, etc., through continued effort. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "work" and "up." You can work up to the more advanced techniques once you"ve mastered the basics. Mr. Mahoney famously worked his way up from an entry level position to become the publisher.
3. To gradually build towards something, as a conclusion or climax. A: "What"s your point?" B: "Just listen, I"m working up to it." The story simmers, slowly working up to a chilling climax.
4. To produce through effort or exertion. I really worked up an appetite on that hike. Let's grab something to eat.
5. To prepare or produce something, usually quickly or without being completely thorough. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "work" and "up." I can work up a draft of the script, but it won't be anywhere near finished. If you have time, work some slides up for the presentation.
worked up
In a state of mental or emotional agitation. Often modified as "all worked up" or "really worked up." You"re getting worked up over nothing—I"m sure the doctor will tell you it"s nothing. Mom sounded really worked up when I spoke to her on the phone. The professor said she really needed to speak with me later, and now that has me all worked up that I might be failing the course!
work someone up
to get someone ready for something, especially medical treatment. (See also work oneself up.) The staff worked up three patients for surgery that morning. The doctor told the nurse to work Mr. Franklin up for surgery.
work something up
*worked up (over something)
and *worked up (about something)excited and agitated about something. (*Typically: be~; get ~; get oneself~.) Tom is all worked up over the tax increase. Don"t get so worked up about something that you can"t do anything about.
work up
2. Increase one's skill, status, or responsibility through effort, as in He worked up to 30 sit-ups a day, or She worked up to bank manager. Also see work one's way.
3. Intensify gradually, as in The film worked up to a thrilling climax.
4. Develop or produce by effort, as in Swimming always works up an appetite.
work up
1. To arouse the emotions of someone or something; excite someone or something: The skillful politician worked up the crowd. What I read in the newspaper today really worked me up.
2. To increase one's skill, responsibility, efficiency, or status to some level through work: I"m increasing my exercise routine and am slowly working up to 30 sit-ups a day.
3. work up to To intensify gradually to some state: The film works up to a thrilling climax.
4. To develop or produce something by mental or physical effort: I worked up my appetite while moving the lawn. The doctors worked up a patient profile before making their diagnosis.
– an American platform for finding remote work (freelancing). I hope these tips will be useful for beginning freelancers.
Why Upwork?
At the moment, this is the largest international labor exchange on the Internet, hence a large number of orders. Your work is paid more generously than on Russian sites. It is also believed that customers on Upwork are more adequate.
Who is suitable for working on Upwork?
- people with the profession of programmer, designer, tester, copywriter/translator, SEO specialist, content manager - that is, with the ability to work remotely
- those who have basic knowledge of English
- for those who want to organize their work independently, have a free work schedule, and do not depend on the workplace
To whom Not Suitable for working on Upwork
- freebie lovers. The amount of money earned directly depends on the amount of work done
- those who need a boss to give tasks and force them to work
- complete beginners in their field. It’s better to come to freelancing with some knowledge.
Where to start?
It's time to find out how to start working on Upwork. First of all, of course, we register - create a Freelancer Account.
Profile created! But don’t rush to look for orders right away. First you need to fill out your profile - without this, they are unlikely to pay attention to you.
In chapter Overview you need to create a description about yourself - work experience, skills and technologies that you possess. This text should interest the potential customer and give him confidence that he needs to hire you.
In chapter Portfolio It is advisable to add examples of your work with links to them. The presence of such examples may also interest a future client, as well as show your professional level. I don’t recommend adding other people’s work here, it can quickly become apparent :)
To section Certifications You can add a list of your certificates, if any.
Important section Tests– some clients are looking for performers that freelancers had to go through. Tests in your specialty are important to confirm your skills, so it is better to pass them with a score of at least Top 30%. In addition, you need to pass a test Upwork Readiness Test for Independent Contractors and Staffing Managers is a simple test of your knowledge of Upwork rules. Without it, the system will not allow you to send many requests to fulfill orders.
Employment History And Education: in these sections it is advisable to fill out information about previous work experience and education. As a rule, customers do not read this, but it will definitely not be superfluous.
In general, take the time to fill out your profile, because... The client's first impression is based on him.
How to get paid for work completed
Upwork offers several withdrawal methods:
For Russia, the most profitable methods are Payoneer and PayPal. Upwork charges a $2 fee for transferring money to Payoneer, and $1 for PayPal.
You can connect the payment method you need in your account settings in the “ tab Get Paid» .
Now how to start working for upwork? – Look for orders!
At this stage, you can already try to find your first order. In future articles I will describe how to write a cover letter correctly, as well as many other things.
Since the project exists on the Internet, therefore, you can work on it mainly in various areas of programming and those services that are controlled and performed online. In simple terms, customers are looking for freelance programmers on the site, and freelancers are also looking for orders.
The main advantage, appreciated by our compatriots, is that payment on the site takes place in US dollars. This advantage became especially extremely valuable after the crisis and the appreciation of the currency. At a time when there was complete uncertainty, many companies closed, and specialists were left without a lot. Earning money on Upwork.com has become a kind of lifesaver for them.
An additional bonus is the fact that most customers on Upwork prefer to involve a specialist from Russia in their project, rather than representatives from China or India. This is due to the belief that Russian specialists are more qualified than others. Payment on the site can be fixed or hourly. And hourly payment is really payment by the hour (favorite in the West), and not by standard hours (favorite in Russia and the CIS countries).
To increase the attractiveness of their services, specialists registered on the site must undergo testing and confirmation of the knowledge that they indicate in their application form. This happens with the help of special tests, the results of which give an overall rating of attractiveness.
Speaking about the advantages of Upwork, one cannot fail to mention the disadvantages of the platform. The main disadvantage is the language barrier. Communication on Upwork takes place in English, and if you don’t know it, then you need to learn it. And an online translator won't help much. Since situations often arise when communication occurs visually, for example, via Skype. By the way, returning to the tests, language knowledge is also tested by the platform. If you indicate that your knowledge of English is basic, then be prepared to take a short test or a secret interview via Skype. Having passed it successfully, you will receive a mark indicating that your knowledge has been tested and confirmed.
Be also prepared that the geography of customers will be diverse, therefore, there will be a time difference. And sometimes it will be significant. To discuss some aspects of ordering online, you will often have to sit at the computer either late at night or early in the morning.
Pay special attention to the description of your services in your profile. Your key features should come first. For example, if you specialize in creating websites using WordPress, then be sure to indicate your achievements, such as creating a unique high-load WordPress website in 3 hours. This will distinguish you significantly from other specialists who simply write about their skills in WordPress.
Also, your public Upwork profile will be indexed in search engines, which will allow you to attract customers from outside the service. The average salary of a specialist providing small services on Upwork reaches up to $1000 per month. Narrowly focused specialists, with high demand and lack of competition, earn much more.
There is such a thing as Upwork agencies ( managerial job on Upwork). The phenomenon has developed strongly in the CIS countries, where universities traditionally produce many good programming specialists, that is, a consistently large number of offers on the service market. The direction is suitable for those who want to make money on the site, but do not have the necessary knowledge. However, he can be an excellent organizer. We are recruiting a team of freelancers on a remote basis and managers to work with direct clients on Upwork. Managers with knowledge of English accept orders on the site, adapt them, translate them and distribute them among freelancers, monitoring the progress of work. After the work is completed, if there are no comments from the customer, managers submit the order. All this is done under the account of an Upwork specialist. The main task of the organizer is to create an ideal profile in such a way that it facilitates the search for orders. Profit distribution usually occurs in a ratio of 40% to 60%. Where 40% is the salary of employees and freelancers, and 60% is covering current expenses (for example, office rent for managers) and the profit of the organizer.
Withdrawing money from Upwork.com
UpWork commission ranges from 2% to 20%. The service offers many ways to withdraw earned money. Among them are Visa, Mastercard, PayPal. But, more advanced freelancers prefer a system Payoneer. This system simplifies the procedure for withdrawing money from Upwork, bypassing various obstacles and maintaining anonymity, which is important for many specialists. In addition, by registering with Payoneer using this link, you can get an additional $25 to your earnings. Which would also make a good gift.
Guide to Earning Thousands of Dollars on the Upwork Freelancing Exchange
(formerly freelance exchanges Odesk and Elance, now united under the Upwork brand)
and others.
When people ask me about the best ways to make money, I often laugh. Not because the question is stupid, but because there really is no “right” answer to it. The truth is that you can make money from almost anything.
But first you must change your thinking. You must begin to view your skills and experience as valuable business resources that must be paid for. You (yes, YOU) can help someone with the skills and knowledge you already have.
And the easiest way to do this is freelancing.
As they say, I have 2 news: good and bad.
The good news: There are several online freelance marketplaces—such as Upwork, Elance, and oDesk—that allow you to offer your services, get orders, and start making money quickly, even if you're a greenhorn.
The bad news is that these freelance marketplaces are incredibly competitive and overwhelming. If you don't know exactly what you're doing, it can be very intimidating.
But don't let this fact stand in your way.
Today I'll show you a simple hack that helped me make over $23,000 on Elance in just 4 weeks by designing simple WordPress sites.
(Note: The strategy described here applies to any freelancing skill, not just web design). For those who read to the end, I'll give you some tools that will help you take an even bigger leap in this competition.
Step 1: A Tricky Way to Research Your Competitors
Before you begin, you need to figure out what exactly you're getting into. In particular, you should know:
- What strategies are your successful competitors using to stand out from the crowd?
- How you can completely eliminate them from the competition due to your much better preparation.
To find answers to these questions for myself, I posted a fake assignment to see what types of answers I would get. I recommend you do the same!
Here is the task I posted on Elance:
My goal was to attract my own competitors and see what types of proposals they would send me - and then use this knowledge against them.
Note: to get a good result, you don’t have to publish a fake task, as I did. The main idea here is to show you what happens when you actually test a process and act on the results obtained in practice.
And here's what I learned from my test...
Step 2: Analyze the results
Within 30 minutes, I received almost 100 offers - and learned two very valuable facts:
- More than half of the applicants for my assignment were not native English speakers.
- Most people send template offers without any personalization.
Once I received this important information, I knew my proposal would be unique. Why?
Well, most freelance clients are from the US and UK - which often means there is a language barrier. And people are always more comfortable communicating in their native language.
And because of this language barrier, most of the proposals were very dry and uninteresting. For example, here is one of the messages I received...
See what I mean? So boring!
You can do much better. And here's how...
Step 3: How to Stand Out and Start Getting Orders
To stand out in the sea of freelancers, you must show that you understand your potential client and give them a reason to come back to your application. Your approach should be warm, engaging - and above all, personalized.
Nobody wants to feel like #573 in a day.
Research your prospect's profile in advance for these details:
- Purchase History - Does he regularly hire on Elance? If yes, then this is a good sign that he is serious about it.
- Review History - What types of reviews has he left about previously hired freelancers? What did he like/dislike?
- Personal data - name, interests, location, etc. Everything you can use to build contact with this client.
1-punch knockout: video with “mini-pitches”
Once you've collected all this information, use it to create short "mini pitches" from unlisted YouTube videos.
Your “mini-pitch” should:
- Be no longer than 90 seconds
- Introduce you and provide brief information about your background
- Say why you like this particular project (so the customer will understand that you have read his assignment)
- Give a simple “call to action” to get people to contact you
Bonus: If you have relevant experience and general personal information about this project, include information about them, it helps.
The entire further process is very simple. Instead of sending another proposal like everyone else does, just send the customer a short message with a link to your video.
This method works SHOCKINGLY well because it makes you stand out from the crowd and shows that you actually care about what the client is working on. It can't be faked.
Get the Exact Videos and Texts I Used to Make $23,700 in 4 Weeks!
By now you're probably wondering what this approach actually looks like in reality. I have prepared an advanced guide to “hacking the Elance exchange”, which includes:
- Exactly those scripts and screenshots that I used to negotiate with clients and receive orders
- Real videos of “mini-pitches” that have sent me thousands of dollars worth of orders
- The main mistakes that people make when trying my approach and recipes on how to avoid them
- Checklist of responses to the client’s main objections
A link to a translation of Daniel DiPiazza's guide will appear here soon, co-founder of Rich20Something, where he writes about starting a business you care about, the path to a happier life, and, sometimes, bacon.
If you liked this article, join the WOB blog, which translates the best English-language articles for you weekly, by subscribing to the free newsletter.