From Zero to $2,200 on Upwork in Just Two Weeks While Traveling
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Chapter 1: Getting Started on Upwork
Earlier this month, I decided to reactivate my old Upwork account to demonstrate that it's still the quickest and simplest platform for beginners to earn money through writing. Just a couple of weeks ago, I submitted my first proposal and was hired within five minutes.
During this time, I’ve been traveling to capture the essence of Middle America, highlighting the lives of everyday people in less-traveled regions. To ensure I had ample time for my writing and photography, I aimed to keep my billable hours below 20 per week, allowing me to avoid being tethered to a Wi-Fi connection in hotels and cafes.
Although I bring several years of writing experience and know how to persuade clients to hire me, starting fresh on this profile felt like a new beginning, as I hadn’t relied on Upwork for income in quite a while.
After just over a week, I wanted to share my journey to help aspiring writers understand what it’s like to break into the freelance world.
My first client was so satisfied with my work that they immediately extended our contract, increasing the frequency from one article a week to three. They pay $100 per article, but the word count is manageable, and they are incredibly easy to work with. As you begin to attract clients, you'll quickly discover that having a good rapport can be just as significant as their budget.
At $1,200 per month for flexible work hours, it's a solid deal. I can produce a 700-word article in about two hours, so even though $100 may seem modest, that translates to $50 an hour.
Having impressed my first client, I decided to explore additional opportunities and secured another long-term client willing to pay $1,000 a month for two in-depth articles that will require a bit more research. While their standards are somewhat higher regarding formatting and sourcing, $500 per piece is more than acceptable.
I aim to secure at least one more client by the end of the month and am currently in discussions with several prospects through Upwork's direct messaging. Despite the initial pace, I’m thrilled with the progress I've made. Achieving $2,200 in less than two weeks is remarkable.
While that amount might not be sufficient to live on, consider this: if you can consistently earn over $2,000 a month through stable, long-term contracts in your first few weeks, it won’t be long before your income doubles. Plus, landing a contract worth $5,000 in a year qualifies you for the Top-Rated Plus Freelancer badge, elevating your profile in search results and attracting job invitations without needing to use your connects.
For those unfamiliar, connects are essentially tokens purchased from Upwork ($15 for 100 connects) that allow you to bid on jobs. The more competitive the job, the more connects you must use to submit a proposal. You can also employ them to "boost" your proposal visibility, ensuring it’s among the first seen by clients.
While it may seem unjust that Upwork takes 10% of your earnings after charging you to compete for jobs, that’s simply their business model. In tough economic times, some see opportunities in others' desperation. Being invited to work on a project means you won’t spend any connects, allowing you to retain more of your earnings.
I recommend that once you've established a good relationship with a client, you tactfully suggest moving your collaboration off the platform. While discussing this before a contract begins can lead to being banned for violating Upwork's terms, there are no restrictions on transitioning once you’ve completed a job.
If the harsh realities of how Upwork operates don't deter you, let me conclude by saying that it remains the best avenue to enter the freelance writing world. Without a significant social media following, a targeted email list, or case studies from previous clients, you may struggle to convince others to work with you.
Many potential clients you reach out to might not even be looking for a writer. However, on Upwork, thousands of clients seek writers like you every single day. If you can’t find them, I certainly will.
May the most determined writer prevail.
Chapter 2: Tips for Success on Upwork
Section 2.1: Building Your Profile
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