Freelancing Tips

2 years ago   •   11 min read

By Zekeriya Mulbay
Table of contents

Tips for Illustrators

Always be ready to explain your style and approach.

You may have a portfolio full of beautiful pieces, but if you don't have a client-friendly way to talk about them, then you're going to have a hard time getting work. After all, you can have the most incredible illustrations in the world, but if your client doesn't see it or understand it, they won't hire you.

Make sure your profile is complete!

Your profile is like a first date: you only get one chance to make a good impression. When potential clients look at your Upwork profile for the first time, they want to see everything they need to know about you—and more—right away. If they can't find what they're looking for right away, they'll move on to someone else's profile.

Don't be afraid of feedback!

It's totally normal to get nervous when clients ask you to change something on a piece in your portfolio, especially if you weren't expecting it and didn't give yourself enough time to make revisions. But when this happens, just remember that clients are just looking out for themselves and their brand image—it has nothing to do with you as an artist. And besides: revisions are part


Tips for Social Media Managers

Looking to get more work on Upwork? Here are some tips that will help you stand out from the crowd and make your profile pop.

Make sure your Upwork profile is consistent with your other social media accounts. This way, your clients can be assured that they're working with the same person across platforms, giving them a sense of security and consistency in their interactions with you.

Write a clear and compelling summary statement, describing exactly what you have to offer as a freelance social media manager in terms that the average layperson can understand. Just because your clients aren't social media experts themselves doesn't mean they don't want an expert managing their accounts! But if you use jargon or buzzwords too often, it's going to sound like you're doing it for the sake of sounding impressive—not for making yourself clear and easy to understand.

Make sure your Upwork portfolio features 2-3 engaging examples of outstanding social media content that you've created for other companies or brands in the past, so potential clients can see what kind of work they can expect when they hire you!


Tips for Mechanical Engineer

You've probably been working as a mechanical engineer for years, and you're only now looking to break into the world of freelancing and work from home. Congratulations on your decision! As you get started with Upwork, there are a few things you should know that will help you enhance your profile and start earning more money.

First: Your profile picture is crucial. Choose something professional but not too formal, like a headshot in which you're smiling and dressed in business casual attire.

Second: Your title is important. Make sure your title conveys exactly what kind of work you do and what kinds of jobs you want to be hired for—and make sure it's searchable. For example, if you're a mechanical engineer working in construction, make sure to list yourself as a "freelance construction mechanical engineer."

Third: List all the tools you can use. Even if they seem obvious to you (like, say, AutoCAD), write them all down. That way potential employers will know at a glance that you're qualified for their job posting.

Fourth: Make sure your cover letter is perfect. You'll have one already written up from applying to other jobs; customize it for every job application, being careful not to submit the same


Tips for Project Manager

Welcome, fellow freelance project manager!

Are you hoping to enhance your Upwork profile and start earning more money? Check out these tips for using Upwork as a freelance project manager!

Make sure your profile is complete: It should be 100% complete, with a good profile picture. Include a video if you can. Remember that clients will check out your profile before deciding whether to hire you. Make it look its best!

Don't forget to check out the daily jobs: Do this regularly, so you can make sure you don't miss any opportunities that might come up.

Use the Upwork app! This is a great way to stay on top of new job postings and things clients might want from you.

Be specific in your proposals: Clients are looking for someone who has real experience doing what they want. If a client wants someone who has worked as an SEO manager, then include examples of SEO work in your proposal and cover letter. This will help clients see that you are the right person for the job!

Practice your English skills: Good English skills are essential in the international workplace, so take time to develop those skills in order to make yourself more marketable.


Tips for Copywriter

Freelancing as a copywriter can be a very rewarding, lucrative career—and Upwork is one of the best places to get started. Here are some tips for new freelancers to set up their profiles, use Upwork efficiently, and make the most money possible:

-Be as specific as you can in your profile’s title. For instance, instead of just “Copywriter,” try “B2B Copywriter With 10 Years of Experience Writing About Finance.”

-Ask all clients that you work with on Upwork to give you feedback on your profile page. You will need feedback from at least five different people before you can start applying for jobs from clients who don't already know you.

-Make sure that you have an active portfolio with at least three samples of work. If you don’t have anything yet, offer free work to friends and family, or use writing prompts like these to build up your portfolio quickly.

-It should go without saying that your cover letter should be perfect! This is a skill that employers will be looking for. Make sure it’s proofread and edited multiple times before sending out any applications.


Tips for 3D Designers

Are you a 3D Designer & Artist looking to earn some extra money freelancing? Or are you a new freelancer in the field, just starting to build your portfolio?

Either way, welcome! We're so glad you're here. Here are 5 tips to help you be successful on Upwork.

Be specific in your title: As a 3D Designer & Artist, it's important that you show clients that you specialize in particular areas of your field. Is your focus on interior design? Architecture? Product design? Animation? Set design or other film-related work? By being specific about your specializations, you'll be more likely to show up when potential clients search for freelancers working in those areas.

Include relevant keywords: Your title isn't the only place where it helps to include specifics and keywords! Don't be afraid to add details about your experience and skills throughout your Upwork profile.

Get accredited: Upwork offers tests for many different skills, and it's worth taking a few minutes to take them if you know that they're relevant to the kind of work you want to do. This way, clients will know right away that you have the skills they need, and they'll be more likely to reach,


Tips for Graphic Designer

Hey there! I see you're new to Upwork. That's AWESOME.

You've come to the right place—there are so many opportunities for graphic designers on here, and I'm sure it won't be long before you find work!

But before you get too excited, let me tell you a little secret: it's not always as easy as joining and just starting to get jobs. In order to really stand out and get noticed, you need to make your profile POP. And that's where I come in.

I'm going to tell you my top five tips for improving your Upwork graphic design profile—so that when a client does a search for someone with your skills, they'll love what they see!

First of all, remember that content is king. A client doesn't care how many different things you can do—they want to know how well you can do their specific thing. So make sure your profile is targeted at the type of job or client you want to attract. You've got the skills; now show them off in a way that will get attention!

Second, pay special attention to your portfolio section. This is the place where clients will go first to see examples of your work and make an initial decision


Tips for SEO Expert

Of course, you hopped on the Upwork platform to earn money! We are here to help you make the most of your time and efforts. Here are some of our best tips for sprucing up your profile so that you can land more clients:

It's all in the title: If you are a freelance SEO expert, then that should be reflected in your title. You want to be as specific as possible in order to stand out from other freelancers!

Add a video: Videos will allow you to show off your personality and build rapport with potential clients. They are a great way to add some pizazz to your page!

Use keywords wisely: When it comes to SEO, keywords matter! Make sure that you integrate the right ones into your profile so that clients can easily find you when searching for freelancers on Upwork.

Update regularly: Your profile should be updated regularly with new skills and work samples - this will help keep things fresh for potential clients who visit your page often or frequently review their freelancer options on Upwork (as most do).

Avoid typos and grammatical errors on any part of your profile's content (including descriptions).


Tips for Data Analyst

Data analysis is a fast-growing field that's poised for continuous growth, and the good news is you don't have to go back to school to start earning more money with it.

Data analysts help companies make sense of the tons of information they have available and turn it into something they can use. If you're new to this field, though, you might be wondering how you can start taking advantage of it to boost your income.

Here are some tips for getting started as a data analyst on Upwork:

Find the right clients

Many companies need help making sense of their data, but not all of them will be a good fit for you. Think about which industries or fields you're most interested in working with, and then focus on finding clients in those areas.

Learn from your clients

As a data analyst, you'll need to be able to learn quickly on the job. While Upwork has tons of training resources available, the best way to get up-to-speed and stay there is by learning from experienced people who are already doing what you want to do.

Be consistent

Like any other skill or habit, becoming a successful data analyst takes time and practice before you're an expert in your field.


Tips for Illustrator

Tip 1: Be specific in your title. Instead of "Illustrator," consider using something like "Vector Illustrator" or "Digital Painter." This makes it easier for clients to find you.

Tip 2: Focus on one niche at first. Maybe it's "vector illustration," "children's book illustration," or "character design." Being the best at a specific type of work will make you stand out from the crowd.

Tip 3: If your work is portfolio-worthy, show it off! A good portfolio can tell more than 10,000 words. We recommend [portfolio site] because they have a great interface that's easy to use and looks great on mobile devices (which most potential clients are using).

Tip 4: Use Careful English. Even small errors (like capitalizing the first letter of each sentence) will make you look unprofessional, so look over your profile with a fine-toothed comb and make sure everything is spelled correctly and uses proper grammar.


Tips for Video Editor

Establish your niche. Video editing is a broad field, and it can be tough to stand out. You’ll set yourself up for greater success by focusing on a particular area of video editing or media production. For example, you might specialize in corporate video, wedding videos, or video editing for real estate agents.

Create an awesome portfolio. Your portfolio is the single most important thing in your Upwork profile. Be sure to include at least 5-10 well-edited samples that showcase your talent and range of skills.

Use the right tools for the job. If you can’t use Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro X, or Avid Media Composer with ease, you’ll struggle to find work as a freelancer on Upwork. There are many other programs available for video editing, but these are generally considered the industry standards and many clients will ask specifically for video editors with experience using one of these three programs.

Get comfortable using supplemental software: Depending on your niche, you may also need to get familiar with other software packages that can help you edit your videos like a pro:

  • Lightroom (for colour correction)
  • After Effects (for motion graphics)

Tips for Graphic Designer

Congratulations on joining Upwork! You've taken the first step to earn money as a graphic designer.

Graphic design is an incredibly varied field, and you could be working in a number of different areas. Whatever direction you decide to go in, here are some tips that will help you take your business to the next level.

Think about your audience and what they need

This is true for any kind of graphic design, but it's particularly important if you're focusing on branding. Who are your clients? What does their business do? Why are they looking for new branding? Make sure you know the answers to these questions so that you can develop logos and brand identities that align with their needs.

Think about what sets you apart from other designers

If you're looking for work on Upwork specifically, odds are there are a lot of other designers who have posted similar jobs to yours. What will set your proposal apart from others? Is it your experience in a particular industry, or your ability to create designs that align with a certain style guide? Whatever makes you stand out, make sure it's clear to potential clients when they see your proposal.


Tips for Blockchain Developers

As a Blockchain Developer, you're a critical part of the workforce of the future. You know how to make that blockchain work… and we're here to help you get your career going in the right direction.

Before we get started though, if you aren't quite sure what blockchain is or why it's important, check out this article about what blockchain is and how it works!

Now that we've got that out of the way… let's start with the basics:

The first step to having any kind of success on Upwork is making a great profile. This means not just having an awesome professional photo, but also updating your skills on your Upwork profile so that clients can find you when they search for a Blockchain Developer. Just go to "My Profile" and click on "Overview" or "Skills." You'll see a list of skills already added to your profile—you can remove any that are irrelevant and add ones that you want to highlight.

Once your profile is updated, it's time to apply for jobs! Try searching for specific keywords—like "blockchain," "cryptocurrency," or "developer"—and looking for jobs that match.


Tips for Shopify Developer

Here are some tips for getting started:

When looking for new clients, use the word "Shopify" in your title or description (or both). That way, you'll be easy to find by clients who are specifically looking for services related to Shopify.

Shopify Developers often need other services, such as marketing help, web design, and more. Consider offering those services alongside your development work in order to grow your business!

List all applicable skills on your profile. For example, if you're comfortable with HTML5 and CSS3, make sure that's on your profile so you can show up when clients are searching for those skills!


Tips for WordPress Developers

If you want to be successful as a freelance WordPress developer, here are some tips:

Identify what kind of work you want to do. Do you want to build websites from scratch? Do you want to work on existing sites? Do you want to be a front-end or back-end developer? Be clear on this.

Get experience. If you don't have any experience yet, try building some small WordPress sites and apps by yourself and make sure they look good in your portfolio.

Build a portfolio website. This should include samples of the types of projects that interest you most. Make sure that this site is built in WordPress! (If not, maybe consider making it one.) It's also helpful if clients can see the code that was used for each project sample.

Optimize your Upwork profile for search engines so that clients can find you easily when they're looking for help with specific things (for example, "redesign ecommerce site" or "build chatbot").

Apply for jobs that interest you and submit proposals ASAP—the sooner the better!

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