Strategies to start earning on Upwork as a new freelancer
Product 01.01.2024
UpBid is committed to helping freelancers build thriving online careers. Our team has worked as freelancers, collaborated with agencies, and hired more than 100 freelancers. We’ve seen what works—and what doesn’t—so let’s walk through a few practical steps to kickstart your journey on Upwork.
Choose a niche with high-value projects
Before you jump in, it’s smart to focus on areas where the best opportunities exist. We’ve found that categories like Development, Sales & Marketing, and Design tend to offer more profitable projects. In fact, certain tech-focused niches command higher hourly rates, while some lower-paying fields hover around $3–$7 per hour and are less likely to help you stand out.
Choose a niche with high-value projects
Before you jump in, it’s smart to focus on areas where the best opportunities exist. We’ve found that categories like Development, Sales & Marketing, and Design tend to offer more profitable projects. In fact, certain tech-focused niches command higher hourly rates, while some lower-paying fields hover around $3–$7 per hour and are less likely to help you stand out.
This analysis isn’t guesswork: choosing a niche that’s proven to deliver strong earnings gives you a better starting point. We’ve put together a detailed study of the most profitable niches so you can make informed decisions and align your services with what clients really need.
Join an agency
Agencies are always looking for talented people and are often open to working with new freelancers. They can be a great way to help you build your profile and reputation since your success benefits them too. We’d suggest reaching out to a few prominent agencies in your niche and seeing if there’s an opportunity to collaborate.
Join an agency
Agencies are always looking for talented people and are often open to working with new freelancers. They can be a great way to help you build your profile and reputation since your success benefits them too. We’d suggest reaching out to a few prominent agencies in your niche and seeing if there’s an opportunity to collaborate.
Strategically build your reputation
Clients on Upwork look closely at your earnings and Job Success Score. Early on, focus on:
Optimize your profile for visibility and engagement
Upwork's algorithms work similarly to Google's. They recommend and rank profiles based on keywords and relevance. To improve your organic ranking and save on connects, make sure your profile is professionally optimized for SEO. Also, adjust your Upwork settings to ensure your profile is always online and open to work.
Next, focus on making a strong first impression. The initial three lines of your profile are prime real estate—use them to hook potential clients right away. Tailor each specialized profile to a specific niche and consider adding strategic touches, like a short trial period or unique value-adds, to keep prospects interested. For step-by-step guidance on optimizing your profile, check out our detailed guide [link].
Clients on Upwork look closely at your earnings and Job Success Score. Early on, focus on:
- Taking small projects to establish a track record.
- Inviting clients you’ve worked with elsewhere to hire you through Upwork.
- Consider joining an agency. This way, their reputation and earnings will show up on your profile, giving you a boost.
Optimize your profile for visibility and engagement
Upwork's algorithms work similarly to Google's. They recommend and rank profiles based on keywords and relevance. To improve your organic ranking and save on connects, make sure your profile is professionally optimized for SEO. Also, adjust your Upwork settings to ensure your profile is always online and open to work.
Next, focus on making a strong first impression. The initial three lines of your profile are prime real estate—use them to hook potential clients right away. Tailor each specialized profile to a specific niche and consider adding strategic touches, like a short trial period or unique value-adds, to keep prospects interested. For step-by-step guidance on optimizing your profile, check out our detailed guide [link].
Next steps
Starting out can feel overwhelming, but the right strategy makes a difference. Align your offerings with proven high-value niches, polish your profile, and consider joining an agency for faster traction. With each project, you’ll build credibility and move closer to a steady, rewarding income stream.
Want more insights on taking your earnings to the next level? Read Part 2 of our insights here.
Starting out can feel overwhelming, but the right strategy makes a difference. Align your offerings with proven high-value niches, polish your profile, and consider joining an agency for faster traction. With each project, you’ll build credibility and move closer to a steady, rewarding income stream.
Want more insights on taking your earnings to the next level? Read Part 2 of our insights here.
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