With my ebook on building a freelance writing business through Upwork gearing up to be released, I figured now would be a great time for us to get clear on one very simple question that I get asked time and time again: what is Upwork?
If you have any interest at all in freelance writing, building an online business, working from home, or even if you want to travel and work, Upwork is a platform that I highly recommend you get comfortable with. It could very well be the game changer that allows you to escape the 9-5, and make money online today.
And I say this because I’ve done it! (no scams here, my friends)
If you want to hear more about my first experience travelling and working, feel free to check out this article on how freelance writing allows me to travel and work.
With all that in mind, though, there absolutely was a time when I was totally clueless about ways I could make money online. I spent a whole summer desperately searching for a job that would allow me to work from home, and this platform called Upwork kept showing up.
What is Upwork? I would ask myself.
It seemed like one of those make money online scams, and to be honest, it also just seemed too good to be true. Who was I to think I could actually make money online using this platform?
Well guess what?
After only a month of being on Upwork, I brought in $453. In my second month, I came in at $1005. And that was with no experience! Needless to say, it didn’t take long before I was hooked to this platform.
What is Upwork?
In my opinion, Upwork is absolutely the easiest way to make money online today, especially if you’re looking for the best freelance writing jobs for beginners. It’s literally a treasure trove of paying work just waiting to be discovered! No marketing yourself, or sending cold emails here. Unfortunately, though, there are a lot of people out there who give Upwork a bad name, so I’m here to set the record straight on what Upwork really is.
Related: 6 Common AF Misconceptions Most People Have About Freelance Writing
To put it very simply, Upwork is a platform that allows freelancers (in many industries) to connect with clients. Think of it as the helping hand that guides you right to clients you might otherwise not have access to.
To find a job, freelancers browse through the list of projects available on the platform. When they find an interesting job description, they send a proposal to the client. In that proposal, the freelancer provides their bid on the job (a.k.a. what they would expect to be paid for the work), along with their cover letter, which explains why the freelancer thinks they’re the best fit for the project.
Once the cover letter is received, clients review the candidates, and then decide who they feel is best suited. Some clients take price into account, while others are more focused on experience. In my ebook I go into more detail about how to pick the right clients for you, but for now, just understand that, no matter what your experience level, there’s an Upwork job out there for you. Guaranteed.
With just a quick search on article writing jobs currently available, here’s one I found to give you an idea of what you can find on Upwork:
And of course, as with any job, there’s often an interview. You’ll discuss things like compensation, and details of the project. If both parties agree to the terms, you’ll enter into a contract with the client. You’ll then have deadlines and various expectations that you’ll have to complete for each job.
Really, the only difference when using Upwork in comparison to traditional freelancing is that you’re managing all your projects through one convenient platform, including things like payments, contracts, and messages. In my experience, this simplifies the whole freelancing process, especially when you’re just starting out! And hey, not to mention anytime you’re in need of a new client, you have a whole base of potential jobs just waiting to be discovered. Hello paying work!
RELATED: How to Start Your Career as a Freelance Writer
How Can I Use Upwork?
I specialize in helping aspiring freelance writers use Upwork, but really, this is an excellent platform to use for anyone who wants to build any sort of service based business.
Signing up for Upwork is free, and it never costs you to simply apply to a job. There is, however, a service fee you have to pay for each job you take (I just consider this a business expense). There’s also an application process you have to go through in order to get approved to use the platform, which I go over in detail in my ebook
But really, once you get past that point, you’re able to start applying to any job that catches your attention.
If you’re not sure if Upwork is for you, you don’t even have to be a member in order to view job postings. You can see exactly what kind of jobs are available on the platform by heading there now.
Who knows, you might just come across a job posting that sounds like your dream job.
And, if you want to accelerate your growth on Upwork, I’ll quickly mention that I do have an ebook on the topic. In it, I give you my exact strategy of how I’ve made Upwork for me, and how I make my money as a freelance writer.
If you’re interested in that sort of thing, give it peek. Happy freelancing!
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