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One of the most commonly asked questions by newbie freelancers or those new to Upwork is, “How long does it take to get a project on Upwork?”
Below we try to provide an answer to this all-important question. Plus, we also share nine strategic tips to help you continue winning new jobs on Upwork.
The short answer: It depends…
To be honest, there isn’t a simple answer to the question. How long it takes to get a project—your first or subsequent—can be highly variable. It depends on several factors such as the freelancer’s skill set, their industry, the quality of their profile, their rates, the type of clients, and so much more!
We asked some experienced independent professionals how long it takes them to get new projects and here’s what they had to say:
Paid ads professional Lisa Jeannet says, “It highly depends. It can be anything from a couple of hours to a month or more.
Illustrator Thaddeus Pasierb shares that while he currently has a full plate, “It can take days and sometimes weeks to hear back regarding potential jobs.”
Social media marketing professional Fabiana Echeverria also has her hands full at the moment but before that, she says, “It took me about a month to fill in that time again—mainly because I was selective and careful about who I interviewed with.”
A couple of the professionals did say it took them less time. Web developer Kevin Campbell said it takes him “a week on average,” while Facebook and Instagram ads professional Hannes Jacobsson can usually acquire a new project in “less than a week.”
For further insights, we also took a look at the Upwork Community. Here are a few snippets of what community members had to say about their own experiences looking for their first job on Upwork:
As you can see, the real-life experiences of these independent professionals are varied. While some were able to land new projects in a week or less, it took longer for others.
9 tips to help you get more jobs on Upwork, more often
What can you do to get more jobs on Upwork? Getting your first (and other subsequent) projects on Upwork is all about strategy. You can’t just join Upwork and expect projects to fall into your lap. Getting projects requires hustle and a strategic approach.
These nine tips can not only help you get that elusive first job but also set you up for ongoing freelancing success.
1. Optimize your Upwork profile
Is your Upwork profile the best it can be? A great profile goes a long way toward helping you win your first project. After all, you’re just a name, a bid, and a cover letter to the client until they learn more about you. You need to differentiate yourself from other candidates.
Optimize your profile for maximum effectiveness by making sure it’s 100% complete and describes your skills and experience effectively. Don’t forget to include a profile photo, a portfolio, your rates, and, if you’re game, an introduction video as well.
Tweak your title and overview to see if it brings you more job invitations. Optimizing your profile with all the right keywords for your industry and niche will also help you show up more often in Upwork search results.
Graphic design and video ad professional Jeff Minnichbach says, “When I joined Upwork, I worked very hard on building out my profile, being fully transparent about who I am and what I can do. I learned very quickly that the number of reviews isn’t as important as your relevancy to employers and that it’s worth every bit of time to make sure your profile speaks to people in a unique way and that you’re not bidding on every job you see just to see what sticks.”
2. Write great proposals
Experienced Upwork freelancers will often get invited to jobs by clients. However, newbies may not always have this luck, so you will need to proactively send proposals. However, don’t just send the same copy-pasted proposal to every job. That’s not going to win you any favors (or jobs).
Work on creating well-thought-out, customized proposals for each job you apply to. This will help you stand out from the hundreds of canned proposals that potential clients will receive. Personalizing your proposal shows clients you’re willing to put the effort in and go the extra mile to win the client’s business.
Pasierb, who previously shared it can sometimes take weeks to hear back from clients, gives this advice: “Be short and direct but personable in your cover letters. Avoid standard or stock introductions. It’s important to read about the job and reference it specifically in the cover letter.”
Jacobsson agrees: “Every proposal I make is customized. Try to see it from the client’s perspective and give personalized advice based on their exact needs. I don’t use a template. I do, however, always use a specific structure for the text. The first section confirms that I have understood what they are looking for in the project, and I use many of their own words about what has to be done. Next, I tell them how I solved this problem for similar businesses and share case studies. Finally, I ask questions and in some cases outline possible next steps for the project.”
3. Show off your portfolio
When you’re new to Upwork, you don’t have any feedback on your profile. So how can you prove to potential clients that you are qualified and have the skills needed for the work you’re seeking? Show them your portfolio.
A portfolio of work shows the client that while you may be new to Upwork, you’re not inexperienced and can do the work they need. Your portfolio is tangible proof that you can deliver.
Include projects and work samples you have worked on outside of Upwork. Your experience outside of Upwork counts!
“It took me a long time to crack my first job. Once I landed those first few interviews, it was smooth sailing from there. I had to make sure I was telling clients in my applications that I had experience off-platform. I also upload sample work on my profile as proof,” says Echeverria.
You should also fill out the Employment History and Other Experiences sections of your profile with any relevant work experience and samples. Additionally, when you send proposals for jobs, be sure to refer to your portfolio or include links to samples of your work for the client to review.
4. Niche it down
Most independent professionals will have a variety of skill sets they can offer clients. When starting, you may be tempted to offer a bit of everything. However, specializing in one niche tends to present you as more of an expert. Clients often prefer experts in one area and are willing to pay a bit more for someone with specific experience.
In episode one of Upwork’s Work Unlocked podcast, PowerPoint wizard Courtney Allen shares how she grew her business 10x by niching down to a very specific skill—presentation design. Courtney’s advice is to narrow down and find a niche to attract clients who value your expertise.
“There are a lot of graphic designers out there. So I wanted a narrow focus … I have found that the more you funnel or narrow your focus, the more you’re looked at as an expert in that specific field. And in my opinion, the easier it’s been to attract clients,” said Allen.
5. Be active
As we mentioned earlier, sitting and waiting isn’t a strategy for finding work on Upwork. You need to actively look for work. Review newly posted freelance jobs daily—more if your industry has a lot of jobs. When you find a job that interests you, submit a personalized proposal.
You can also set up notifications for specific search criteria. This way any time a client lists a job that matches your criteria, you will be alerted. To do this, go to Settings> Notifications and check the box next to “Job Recommendations” at the bottom of the page. You can also select how often you would like to receive the notifications.
It’s a numbers game at the beginning. So keep submitting proposals until something clicks. Plus, when you’re active on the site, you’re also more likely to show up in Upwork search results.
6. Don’t apply to everything
While it’s important to be proactive and apply to lots of jobs, it’s equally important to apply to the right jobs. For the best chance of success, you’ll need to be strategic and selective about which projects you send a proposal to.
Pasierb says it’s essential to “know your skillset and seek jobs that best fit those skills.” There’s no point wasting Connects as well as your time and effort applying to projects you’re not suited for. Be realistic about your skills and send proposals only for jobs you feel confident about being able to compete effectively.
Further, Echeverria’s advice is to “look at when the jobs were posted and how many people have applied.” If the job was posted too long ago or there are already 50 proposals, you’re probably better off moving on. As a newbie, there’s already too much competition for you to stand out.
When you’re going after your first project, you should focus on trying to get a quick win to get started. You might decide to look for a small, relatively easy project to kick things off. While these projects may not offer a lot of pay, they can help you get past that hurdle of getting the first job under your belt. Do great work so the client leaves a positive review and you’ll be on your way to Upwork success.
7. Vet the client
In addition to being selective about projects, you should also learn to vet clients before you apply for a project. Clear job descriptions say a lot about the client. A brief, barely legible post can be a sign a client doesn’t quite know what they’re looking for.
Pasierb likes to check for “clarity in what they are looking for. Vague descriptions are an immediate red flag.”
Jeannet agrees and seeks “clients with clear expectations and realistic goals.”
Additionally, check out the client’s reviews and their history of hiring. If a client has a series of bad reviews, say no and move on. On the other hand, if a client has a history of consistently hiring on Upwork, take it as a good sign that this may be a client who can provide ongoing or repeat work.
8. Build relationships
Growing a successful freelancing business is all about building and maintaining great relationships. Once you get hired for a project, don’t look at it as a one-and-done deal. Instead, always look for opportunities to build long-term partnerships with your clients.
First and foremost, do good work. Good work and great communication with clients can make you a favorite professional that a client will hire again and again. Plus, they may also recommend you to others, thus helping you grow your business even further.
9. Keep at it
Finally, even when landing a project feels all too hard, please don’t give up. Being new to anything can be challenging. Just remember that it takes time to build a successful solopreneur business but it’s possible. Put the work in, continue to optimize your profile and applications, stay optimistic, and keep learning from your mistakes. Don’t take early rejections to heart.
Jeannet empathizes that “it can be really hard when you’re new and you can get demotivated very quickly. But I want to tell you that even when you are expert-vetted with 50+ reviews on your profile, it doesn’t mean that clients will get back to you! I also apply to jobs and I sometimes get zero response! You just need to keep trying, always,” says Jeannet.
Content designer and UX consultant Kelsey Notstad’s words of wisdom are, “Keep going and keep pitching! It can be discouraging when you’re just starting out, but there are some really amazing opportunities out there. Your dream projects are most certainly within reach—as long as you keep putting yourself out there, interviewing for jobs, and gaining experience.”
Increase your opportunities with Upwork tools
The early days as an Upwork freelancer looking for work can be challenging. Upwork has a variety of tools and features to help independent professionals maximize their potential for finding work on the platform. As you build your business, utilize these features to truly thrive in the world’s work marketplace. Check out:
Project Catalog
Project Catalog™allows independent professionals to pre-package and sell their services with upfront prices and specific deliverables. Learn how to make the most of it: 4 Ways to Attract New Business Leads with Project Catalog.
Consultations
Consultations let clients reach out to you directly for paid advice about a project or business challenge. This is helpful for clients seeking further guidance on the scope of work for a project or even just an honest assessment of the feasibility of a project.
Talent Scout
The Talent Scout™ program helps established freelancers find new clients and grow their businesses. Once accepted into the program, Upwork’s internal recruiters will match your profile to projects and present you to clients. Talent Scout also grants you exclusive access to top-tier opportunities and shares your Upwork profile with a pool of top-paying clients.
Availability badge
Adding the availability badge to your profile is a way to help your profile stand out in search results. The badge helps communicate when you have availability to take on new projects.
Boosted proposals
Boosted proposals enable you to bid additional Connects on your proposal, entering it into an auction for three boosted slots at the top of the client’s list. When you’re first in line for projects, you’re more likely to land the work you want.
