₦airaland Forum

samtobi:
It seems almost everyone has a boat of money to dish out in that country. I have seen some of their job posts and it pains me so much that I can't bid because my desk is already piled up with too much paper work.

You got me laughing with this line. Wouldn't it be lovely if we could replicate ourselves or get more than 24 h in a day ?

I appreciate the tip you gave.

samtobi:
Guys, how have you been able to garner the top rated badge? Most of my clients are always repeated which is good but when they are done, the don't want to close the dem thing.

How do you handle that? Please your response is much appreciated.

Thank you for adding some spark to this thread. I also want to know inside tips for earning a top rated badge.

Congrats on your recent success, don't diminish it! You are being paid for your talents and effort, I say well done and continue to improve your skills - writing and marketing.

Funny enough, the feeling I get when I read some posts put up by Singaporeans is that they are demanding and tightfisted so I avoid them. I am glad to hear your positive experience and to be proved wrong.

wman:
My friend's account got suspended also on that basis. And he had completed 2 contracts sucessfully.

easysunny:
Gurus in the house, pls help! Upwork suspended my account two days ago on the ground that I submitted too many proposals without successful contract. Whereas I have not even submitted up to 30 proposals in total since I joined on February this year, 2017. In average, it's less than 10 proposals per month. I can't get it.
I contacted the customer support to lift the suspension as the allegation is not justifiable but they replied saying that their decision is final and the suspension is indefinitely.
I got one job, completed it successfully, and the client even gave me 5 star review. I have $5.28 in my available account, yet they suspended it. I'm in writing niche
It seems as if upwork doesn't want newcomers to succeed in their platform.
Pls what should I do next? Any way out of this?

This is frightening. What can be done? Does anyone have any advice?

kuyubi:
So knowing there are so many odds we have to make the rules as we go. The general rule does not always apply to us.

So very true. You have given many of us something to think about. Thank you for sharing.

That client though..how rude!

Wishing you success in all your future endeavours.

kuyubi:
I agree with you.
Sometimes you also need to do free work. Yes you do. I joined upwork in August 2016 and I have completed 42 jobs with 5 pending. That is an average of 5 jobs per month. How did I do it? I never stop trying.
Here is how I got 8 out of my first 10 jobs. I sent my proposal with a version of the work. You want a logo done? I draw out 2 concepts for the logo and send with my proposal. Is there a possibility the client will steal the idea? YES. but it does not matter. If I do not do it I might not get the job, If I do it I might get the job also. But what do I lose? Time? That time is worth no money if I keep the idea to myself anyway. So I send the client a tip of what they will get if they work with me. And it worked. 5 came back and paid straight up without adjustment done. 3 came back loving the direction I took and edited the concept some more.
It does not hurt if you do a little research on that subject and drop a paragraph or two about the client's project.

42 completed jobs - I am excited to hear this! Wishing you more success.

You know, when you talked about doing free jobs, it set alarm bells ringing in my head. That's because many of the Upwork pros I follow insist we avoid that. The way you laid it out makes sense though. It will pay off for WELL PAYING clients with proven track records. For scam clients, they will definitely run away with your work. For anyone reading who is still afraid - try a sample AS CLOSE to what is asked for...and then say in your proposal, for your particular project I will do this and that like in my sample.

You are right though, to succeed on Upwork, you must do the work as a beginner. Thank you kuyubi for the bolded especially. Will also keep that in mind, when I need to source for more clients.

ophidiophobic:
Clients don't download attachments anymore?

That was written by a regular client on Upwork I read a while ago. If I put myself in the client's shoe, I wouldn't want to download documents from 10 (sometimes more) people I don't know.

Lanka4jah:
Hi, freelancers in the house.
I have been on upwork for about 6 weeks going to 7 now and I haven't gotten any job yet. A client interviewd me yesterday and decided not to hire me. He said he had many offers. I know I have to keep trying and bidding but I don't know if anyone in the house can help me in getting my first job. I believe after the first job, getting others will be a little easier cos It will show on my profile that I have completed a job. I am a writer and my upwork profile is focused on the writing niche as well. I just wish someone can please refer a client to me. I know no one is under obligation to help me as you do not know me. But I will really appreciate it if someone out there can help me. I won't let you down.
here is my profile link:
https://www.upwork.com/o/profiles/users/_~01ddbd904899dd5719/

kuyubi:
I am sorry I am not able to refer someone. I am a graphic designer and currently dont have a client that requires writing. Just like you I have a Nigerian profile and I have been okay.
The truth is not everyone gets job immediately they start on upwork. Some people dont get jobs in 18 months. You just have to keep trying, improve your skills and keep trying.
Trust me when it comes you will be complaining of too much work.

God bless

Thank you Kuyubi for replying, I wanted some experts to respond before I did. Practical and well meaning advice is better than silence, whether I am an expert or a beginner so here goes:

1. Apply to job posts with purpose. You want each connect to count, so look out for clients who have paid reasonably in the past (you decide what value is reasonable to you, keeping in mind your skill and the effort required for the job - aim high) and have positive reviews.
2. Apply to jobs you can do. You will know this if you can create a sample that is similar to what is requested. Extensive research is allowed and the sample can be a snippet of reasonable length.
3. Create that sample and use it in your cover letter. Your cover letter should not be about I can do this, I have this experience, etc. As a beginner, no one will believe you. Let the client see that you can carry out the project. All that is left is to determine if your style is what they are after. If you are not contacted, it's okay, you have a new addition to your portfolio.
4. Don't attach this sample as suggested by UPWORK. Fear of viruses has made everyone wary of this. Rather save that sample in your Upwork portfolio (or your blog, I saw it - well done!) and include the URL of THAT SPECIFIC sample. Verify the link yourself.
5. Those funny questions that are sometimes asked - Your ideal travel destination, etc, answer them with care. This demonstrates that you are a person with something to say and not a robot just after the money.


These are the steps I took to land my first client on my 3rd attempt. Yes, it is tiring to create these samples, but it is good practice for you. It is unlikely that a client will look through each applicant's portfolio. So make sure that all your attractive qualities are easy for them to find.

I am sorry that I also don't have any clients to refer you to. Have you seen this from someone I admire: https://www.nairaland.com/2947212/exclusive-how-make-level-2/488#56281195

All the best!

helpfulposts:
Good morning.

Yes, another inspirational post!

I want to be a SPECIALIST that is why am yet to make a move on those two platforms. And the skills I am learning are TOP DOLLAR SKILLS and not LOW DOLLAR SKILLS.

Thanks

That's the spirit. Rooting for you my brother.

JohnieWalker:
Bro please what is your point? You have turned to a motivational speaker and I am still looking for the help you have been offering. You don't offer the novice tools to be better. Be like Ojasweb. Too much talk and you just a level 1 seller. Hope you don't release Encyclopedia when you become a TR seller. No hating but please its becoming stale. Thanks

Hi JohnieWalker, it might help if we are specific about the type of help we want to see more of from @hiremyminivan.

I have been helped immensely by his/her comments, I'll go with "his". An earlier post he made inspired me - you can read it here:
https://www.nairaland.com/2947212/exclusive-how-make-level-2/419#54255852

I followed that advice by settling on a skill I knew I could grow in, getting resources (free and paid for) and polishing my skills. I read and practiced until my head was about to explode. After this, I started applying for jobs. With my renewed confidence I repeated this to myself as I browsed through job listings - not every client is for me.

This way I have avoided low paying jobs. I started applying for jobs on Tuesday, April 11th (I am on UPWORK by the way). The one job I was selected for was my 3rd application, about 2 weeks ago. I have been busy ever since. The client raised my rate twice after seeing my first draft and is thinking of making me oversee and review submissions by other freelancers. We haven't settled on my rate for this task.

This is how @hiremyminivan has helped me, through motivation.

If you want something specific, please ask. Can't you tell he is excited that his hard work paid off ?

Wishing you success!

I have been rooting for you.
You inspire me, congratulations!

hiremyminivan:
Congratulations! You are now a Level 1 Seller!

Several days before the 90th day since the account was opened!!

Hope I have encouraged someone!!!

Don't mean to boast....

And if you need help and email me I will try to give 30 minutes daily to respond to emails asking for help.

I don't do WhatsApp or calls, very distracting.

helpfulposts:
The course is fully loaded. It's about $997, so I team up with 6 guys to buy it. But for now my laptop has a motherboard issue to be solved before i can download the course.

tonyx4x44:
1. Yes, I got a few jobs on the free account.

2. I upgraded the first time I ran out of connects (within two weeks of joining Upwork)... yes I sent 30 proposals in 2 weeks... About 55 proposals the first month. 30 from regular connects, 10 from upgrade bonus, and 15 from Rising star bonus.

3. Since upgrading, I have not noticed any difference in job availability. However, I do like some of the perks of the paid plan such as rollover connects and viewing bid range on jobs.

Thank you so much for the useful info.

started Upwork last September, working in the writing niche, working less that 30 hours a week, flying my nigerian flag with my real profile. Upwork is now my primary source of income.

Brilliant, this is the spirit. More power to you! Please tell me tonyx4x44, did you get jobs on the free account when you started out and have you upgraded to a paid account? Did the quality of jobs available to you improve, if/when you upgraded? Thanks.

Good question masterz. I would also like to know. Every time I read a post on Danny's blog I feel so revved up. He has given away a lot of useful info for free that I can't imagine how loaded his course will be. It is not cheap. Anyone have an idea?

Just trying to keep this in view till the right candidate is found. Thank you.

kwaso2:
So na boy boy work u package like say na better thing....

It is honest work in the home of a well-traveled couple. Both are senior professionals looking forward to retirement in a few years. The job responsibilities have been posted here in order for the candidate to be well informed of duties beforehand. Everything is to be done professionally. Having had experience employing people into such positions overseas, the desire is to do so in Zaria. The position has not yet been filled.
Thank you.

rhemahil:
How many hours per day

Sorry to reply you late. 7:00-16:00. Please send me an email if you or someone you know is interested

Just trying to keep this in view till the right candidate is found. Thank you.

Vacancy: Full-time
Location: Zaria, Kaduna
Remuneration: N(10 000- 15 000) pm
Qualification: Minimum SSCE
Situation: Live in/ live out (negotiable)
Job Responsibilities
Performing homemaking activities which involve but is not limited to:
• washing of dishes and neatly putting away of washed dishes
• ensuring that kitchen is clean and neat
• vacuuming carpets
• sweeping and mopping floors
• dusting and polishing surfaces
• emptying and cleaning trash containers
• cleaning wash basin, mirrors, tub and shower area
• making beds and changing linens
• sorting, washing laundry and subsequent ironing
• folding and putting away of ironed clothes
• monitor and report necessary domestic repairs and replacements, e.g. light bulbs, toilet rolls, cleaning supplies etc.
Required Skills and Experience
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand English and follow instructions
• Knowledge of cleaning and sanitation products and methods
• Knowledge of operating household kitchen and cleaning equipment
• Ability to work without supervision and use initiative
• Possess a character of integrity and a stable life
• Ability to work well with others as a team

Interested persons should send an email to Homemanager.zaria@gmail.com with Subject: Home Manager Zaria. In the body of the email explain why you are most suited for the job and attach your CV.
Closing 31st January 2017

Vacancy: Full-time
Location: Zaria, Kaduna
Remuneration: N(10 000- 15 000) pm
Qualification: Minimum SSCE
Situation: Live in/ live out (negotiable)

Job Responsibilities
Performing homemaking activities which involve but is not limited to:
• preparation of healthy light meals and snacks
• washing of dishes and neatly putting away of washed dishes
• ensuring that kitchen is clean and neat
• vacuuming carpets
• sweeping and mopping floors
• dusting and polishing surfaces
• emptying and cleaning trash containers
• cleaning wash basin, mirrors, tub and shower area
• making beds and changing linens
• sorting, washing laundry and subsequent ironing
• folding and putting away of ironed clothes
• monitor and report necessary domestic repairs and replacements, e.g. light bulbs, toilet rolls, cleaning supplies etc.

Required Skills and Experience
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand English and follow instructions
• Knowledge of cleaning and sanitation products and methods
• Knowledge of operating household kitchen and cleaning equipment
• Ability to work without supervision and use initiative
• Possess a character of integrity and a stable life
• Ability to work well with others as a team

Interested persons should send an email to Homemanager.zaria@gmail.com with Subject: Home Manager Zaria. In the body of the email explain why you are most suited for the job and attach your CV.
Closing 31st January 2017