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How can someone successfully build a client base on Upwork without any referrals
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How can someone successfully build a client base on Upwork without any referrals
Gaining entry into Upwork without a reference or experience is quite difficult, but with the right strategy, you can go on to prove good clientele. Here’s how:
1. Optimise Your Profile
Your Upwork profile will be your first impression, so make it shine and really professional.Outline relevant skills or types of experience, even if that experience is from another job, internship, or a personal project.
If you’ve never had direct experience, focus on related skills like research, writing, or problem-solving.
Add a professional photo and write an interesting summary of what you can offer to clients and why you care about it.
2. Think Small and Specialize
Start with projects that are not large and ambitious.Begin with work that is not very complex to perform yet permits you to demonstrate all your skillful craftmanship in this sphere. Another thing is to engage in some specific area of your niche.
Instead of being an ordinary content writer, you can be a blogger who writes on health and well-being sites or even one who does product descriptions for online stores.
3. Custom Proposal Writing
Every proposal that you send needs to be really job-specific.Not even a single copy-paste in the same message.
Mention the client by name and mention specific details of the post and how you can be of help to them. Lightly edited to be very clear and focused on creating value, more than succinct.
Even if you are a noob, it is still very important to show that you understand what the client needs.
4. Provide Competitive Pricing
You could charge a lower price for your first few projects.Not that you have to sell yourself out, but this initial lower price will attract those clients who will most likely want to give a go at a new person.
Once you’ve got some working experience and a collection of reviews, you can proceed with increasing the prices incrementally.
5. Do Quality Work Always
Your early projects are crucial for building your reputation on Upwork.Go above and beyond to deliver high-quality work, meet deadlines, and communicate effectively with your clients.
Even if the pay is lower than youād like, these projects are investments in your future success.
Happy clients will leave positive reviews, which are essential for attracting more work.
6. Create Connections
Once youāve completed a project, stay in touch with your clients.
Send a thank-you message after the job is done, and let them know youāre available for future work.
Building strong relationships with clients can lead to repeat business, referrals, and long-term contracts.
7. Continue Learning and Advancing
Level up with the tests and training that Upwork’s academy offers, making you more professional.
The more one knows, the higher the confidence level in one’s job, which helps perform even better; this will soon help in attracting high-paying clients.
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2 Replies
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What i have learned from major experienced freelancers is that you dont need real work or clients but you can create projects on your own like case studies and how would you approach a particular project and more of your POV.
Any client with a larger vision would definitely hire you!
I know 2 of my buddy freelancers who got their first clients like this, one is a graphics designer and another is a web developer
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Upwork has its pros and cons I’d suggest anyone to create a profile and build it the way Adam suggests because it’s not just a portfolio that counts but also the completeness of the profile.
Also if you dont have work to show then you can definitely explain the video intro of your profile as to how you work and what kind of quality clients can expect from you!
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