₦airaland Forum

Babtunz:
Some times when I read a job description and price the client wants to pay on Upwork, I don't know how I always end up saying "you're mad". Especially those Indians

And if you go do mistake, put head, your own is finished.

If by some miracle you're able to complete the job, them fit still bone face give you 3.5 stars.

As per na their moni so they can do as they please.

If you value your mental health, bruv...

Read time: 2 minutes

It's not too difficult to become a freelancer if you know what you're doing.

Freelancing is basically you working remotely either for a person or a company without being directly affiliated with that person/company.

For instance, some companies hire in-house graphic designers and pay them monthly, and they handle all creative jobs the company might have. They need to come to work every day and interact with their bosses in the office.

A freelance graphic designer, on the other hand, does not get paid monthly. He gets paid per completed job. He does not come to the office. He can work at any time he wants.

He can also work for as many clients as he wants, as long as he can keep up with the workload. Or as a smart businessman, he can hire people to work for him while he manages things on the front end with the client.

To be a freelancer, you need a skill that people want. You also need to be able to work remotely. An electrician cannot work remotely. His job requires his physical presence. Neither can a medical practitioner.

But a social media manager can do everything he wants to do online.

After having a skill, you can also join freelance platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, Guru, etc. where clients paste jobs and you apply for them, get
hired, deliver, and get paid.



I hope this answers your question.

© John Alabi

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1forall
mukina2
CrazyMan

princeagu:
A friend introduced me to upwork 3 weeks ago and thankfully I stumbled on this thread.
Guys, I've verified my account but I seem to have one problem which is getting a job as a beginner. I've read quite a lot here from the beginning of this thread to at least page 33. I've applied some tips too. Here is my profile below - https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~01984a5cbbf74bf936
Pls, I need a critical review & thanks in anticipation.

I think your Upwork profile needs some portfolio items.

That profile is looking too scanty.

I dunno if you feel comfortable with this, but can you make a 1-minute video with your phone just describing yourself and what you do?

This would give clients a better sense of your personality and might increase your chances of getting hired.

Next, send your last three Upwork proposals here and tag me. I'll help you appraise them.

That's really dope, man

Unsolicited Tip:



Be selective about the jobs you apply for on Upwork if you're going to save your connects. Be intentional.

Create a criteria for applying for jobs and never deviate from them.

Good luck.

Dollywood:
Congratulations to me. I landed my first Upwork job yesterday! I dedicate this W to Matthew my friend on Reddit. He's also a freelancer, and he's from the United Kingdom. He really gave me some good advises that helped me achieve this milestone. And also shout out to my bosses in here even though I can recall y'all names but I just wanna let know that y'all are appreciated.

Congratulations on getting hired. Now you just have to keep them coming.

Omo. The oppression here is getting much.

DrLevi:
I guess I should mention that I am now Top Rated with a JSS of 100.

Looking forward to Top rated plus in a couple months

Good job, blood.

jackest1:
We muveee

Udoboss:
It is compulsory you start small??
I got a project to deliver more than 30 articles but after conveting it to naira.. It's lyk #1per word.


Can I become a millionaire via writing?

Starting "small" refers to choosing a singular niche. I'm not talking about the prices. If you find someone who can pay you well, regardless of your expertise, then please go with them.

But most people would not pay you top-dollar rates if you're only just beginning.

As you get more experience, you can increase your price.

And yes, writing can make you a millionaire. It just will not happen overnight.

I know a copywriter who charges 300k per client and they pay before he begins. His clientele is made of big companies though, not the average guy.

I am sure you may have seen a post that looked something like this:

Here are 5 skills you should learn if you want to make money in 2021:

>> Programming
>> Copywriting
>> Affiliate marketing
>> Blah Blah Blah



Don't get me wrong. There's nothing wrong with learning these skills. But here's free advice if you want to scale up quickly and start chilling with the big boys who are earning thousands of dollars every month.

Pick a niche and stick to it.

I'll use writing as an example since that is what I do.

As a vertical, writing is a very broad career path and has a lot of niches and sub-niches under it. You can find someone who's just getting started with freelance writing and they want to offer everything.

Well, spoiler alert: You can't.

Under the writing vertical, we have

>> Academic Writers
>> Article Writers
>> Biography Writers
>> Blog Writers
>> Business Plan Writers
>> Business Writers
>>Comedy Writers
>> Content Writers
>> Copy Editors
>> Copywriters

The list goes on and on.

Don't try to kill yourself, sir.

If you want to be more effective in your career, pick one thing and get good at it. Even if you want to offer more than one service, you should have one or two VERY strong areas and the others as added bonuses.

Cheers and good luck!

© Author, John Alabi

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Uboma
davide470
mukina2

HELLASJ:
So insightful.... Thank you Mr Op

You're welcome, boss

CrownOfClay724:
Man,
Can I dm you, please?

Of course

Kingnelson9:
I like the use of X and Y in this article
Weldon

Thanks, boss.

phill63:
Those who seldomly do well are those that will always deliver on the job if they're hired. Experience thought me this

Hiring people is like picking apples. You pick the good and bad ones and put them all on the job then keep an eye. Between two weeks and two months you should be able to tell who you need and who you don't. Been there done that, and it worked perfectly well.

People can master interviews like exams and give you exactly what you want to hear. But the real assessment is on the job.

Very well said

Reeses:
Chief,thanks much.

You're welcome, boss.

Originalsly:
I don't agree that one should restate the problem to the interviewer to show that you understand. He expects you to understand .... so why waste his time? That may work against you as in he thinking ..."hmmm... if I hire this guy and tell him what to do he will be repeating it back to me.... I wouldn't have time for that... time is money."

I believe one should have a clear understanding of the job requirements .....highlight all your qualifications and experiences that are related to the job ... tell of your history of reliability and punctuality and close by asking for the opportunity to prove what you just said and assure him you will be an asset to the company.

Oh, maybe that wasn't too clear. But, one of the quickest way to make a connection with someone is to give them an answer in words they use or are familiar with.

If the job description goes, "I need an editor who's punctual, thorough, and saves me time," You can reply by saying, "I pay close attention to detail, I don't miss deadlines, and deliver my results without external supervision."

When highlighting your strengths, you should use the same or similar words that was used in the job description.

Yes, this shows understanding, but more importantly, it helps you connect better with your interviewer.

Hope this makes sense.

mikezuruki:
Gane for me would win a rematch.

Agreed

Rachyrachy the:
Permission to dm you

Granted.

thesicilian:
As a job seeker I hated interviews, even now as an employer I still do. And both for the same reason: just because a person didn't do well in his interview doesn't mean he'd not have been the perfect fit for the job.

Hiring people definitely requires a different set of skiills than applying for jobs. Anyone can master both.

True, job interviews are not the perfect tools to judge competence, but selling is a skill everyone must learn—how to sell yourself, how to sell your products and services.

You have clients and customers. If you'd failed to convince them you can deliver a job, they wouldn't patronise you.

Allasame, you can always channel your distaste for interviewing to teaching people how to do it right.

Watched the match this morning.

Gane won the first two rounds, Francis won the second two. Gane got the takedown in the fifth and final round and made a tactical mistake, giving up his advantage to Francis.

Very close fight.

The rematch would be a banger if it ever happens.

Francis biggest advantage in this fight was not his power. It was his corner. I mean, those guys were telling him the exact right things to do, and to his credit, Francis listened.

I like both men but I'm a bigger fan of Cyril than Francis.

You begin by restating their problems back to them to show them that you understand it properly.

Because, let’s face it: human beings are selfish at heart, and we are only interested in how we can benefit.

Your potential clients/employers are doubly so because they would be paying for you out of their own pocket, so they want to be sure it’s ultimately in their best interests to do so.

So, restate the original problem as stated in the job description.

I know you have this problem, and because I have skill set A, B, and C, and I have been working in this niche for a while now so I’m quite proficient at what I do

You might be paying me X amount of money, but hiring me would save you Y amount of money from working with amateurs, or lazy people.

You might be paying me X amount of money, but hiring me would earn you Z amount of money.

You can track me over the next ninety days and I'll prove to you why I'm the best hiring decision you have made.

Make a list of your achievements and accolades if you have them. Highlight the education and training you have taken (even if your best education was a free course on Udemy).

When talking about your skill set, make sure you discuss your relevant hard and soft skills in detail.

Cheers and good luck applying!

© Written by author, John Alabi

byrron:
Hello reader's, I will be taken a week break from this thread to grieve over the passing of my dad. Just recieved the sad news from my mom this very day (01-22-2022 by 8:40 EST).

I'm completely broken.

My trip to Nigeria is scheduled for the month of April and I was visiting with my 6 year old son so he can see his grandma and grandpa and vice-versa and this unfortunate incident struck.

So sorry about your loss, sir. Celebrate the life he lived and his achievements, one of which is you and your son.

God grant you the fortitude and the grace to bear the irreparable loss.

Safe travels too.

You're doing well, Sir Genesils.

So, I was approached by this company to be offered the position of branding and campaign activation specialist.

They highlighted that if I was not interested in taking the job, I should recommend someone to them.

If you know you have the skills or someone who does, reach out to me through my profile.

Cheers!

Udoboss:
Thanks. Shed light on creating jobs for yourself.

Won't Upwork flag off as inappropriate??

Imagine you're a fiction writer. Instead of waiting for someone to write for, give yourself a task, write the story and add it to your portfolio.

If you're a social media marketer, the best way to showcase your skills is to market yourself on social media, instead of waiting for a client.

If you make animation, create a storyline and make the video for it, instead of waiting till someone hires you to.

If you touch up pictures, snap yourself and edit them.

That's what AdekunleGold and Joshua Mike Bamiloye did with their photoshop and design skills.

Brown14:
Good day Sir, I have to say this proposal I just read is very compelling and convincing. I still consider myself as a toddler in this craft but I want to open and own an upwork account but naive about the process, if you'll be kind enough to assist or just give me steps to.

Of course. I created a free guide on Nairaland to help you get registered on Upwork.

Here:

https://www.nairaland.com/6910990/kick-start-freelancing-business-free-upwork

Udoboss:
Thanks...My next question

Most times, beginners dont have samples for jobs posted...

How did you navigate through this hurdles?

This is the easiest thing to do. If you want to get paid for a skill, you need to have a skill. If you're a beginner writer, create articles (or any kind of writing) on topics you're interested in. Add them to your portfolio.

If you claim to be a programmer, create an app (or any kind of program you want)

If you are a video editor, create one for yourself.

Claim to be a graphic designer? Create a flyer or edit someone's pictures.

You can create a fictional job post for yourself and carry out the job.

In the beginning, you can also approach people who need your services and offer to help them for free.

Then post the positive reviews on your social media handles so people know you for it.

If you can't create portfolio items for yourself, then you don't need to worry about getting clients. You should worry about learning a skill first.

Blaccsam101:
Thanks boss. My question is with the years of experience, what about someone who doesn't have any years old experience, how would such an individual go about it.

If you're referring to years of experience in filling out your profile to get registered, use the amount of time you've been learning your skill as work experience.

If you just took a course on Python Programming six months ago, say you've been working for one year.

Formulate a fictional company or use your name as a company because you have been working for yourself.

Just make sure the space is not left empty.

SarutobiEky:
sir please can I slide in your dm? I've had my upwork account for over two years. I got frustrated one time and quit. I need to ask a few things sir.

Of course.

SarutobiEky:
bro.. Thanks but it's not downloading

I guess you're not used to PDF Drive. You should check it out. It's a great resource to find books.

Fabulouslouie:
How can I reach you

You can send me a WhatsApp message at +2348147073858

Or you can ask your questions here. I'll answer as best as I can.

Udoboss:
But if you formulate unique proposal for every job, you might end up between 20 to 50..

So, is there a shortcut to submitting unique proposal and still be on time??

If you do anything often enough, you become a good at it.

I can submit a detailed, engaging proposal up to 150 words in less than four minutes.

And I'll still need to navigate away from the proposal page to get the links to my portfolio.

But I didn't start like that. Practice is what gives you the edge.

I've submitted a lot of proposals over time.

Genesils:
I was surprised that you even sent a screenshot of your beautiful responses here.

Kudos man!

Most won't show us their winning proposal.

I should have opened an Upwork account 3years ago, but every time someone talks about it, they say it's difficult to get job there, especially as a Nigerian using a Nigerian profile.

This discouraged me a lot from opening one.

But even till now, I'm seeing that same, discouraging line of "Upwork is saturated, no jobs" ahhh� and people are cashing out from there

Woh, wohefa, lemme open an account today and join the hustle.

Hopefully I'll see someone to hire me for a content writing, proofreading/editing, graphics design, social media management or virtual assistant job

Cos I'm really good at those

Nice one!

So have you opened your Upwork account now?

What would you give to make an extra 20,000 to 100,000 every month from your freelancing on Upwork?

It may be you've been struggling to get clients since you signed up on the platform, or maybe you suddenly stopped earning as if someone switched off the tap to your earnings.

If you do not have an Upwork account but are interested in starting your freelancing journey, then you can check out this Nairaland thread.

https://www.nairaland.com/6910990/kick-start-freelancing-business-free-upwork

Here are five tips to help you win on Upwork

1. Have a professional-looking photograph

You don’t want to scare your potential clients away by frowning into the camera. Studies have been shown that clients are going to pick a smiling freelancer over a frowning one even though they have a similar set of achievements and skillset on the platform.

Let the photograph have a close up of your face, and the top of your shoulders. Use a plain background and not a busy one that would distract your clients.

2. Buff up your portfolio

You can always showcase your work in your portfolio. Make sure you have as many items in your portfolio as you can find. Ideally as a beginner, you should begin with five items in your portfolio.

Make sure the portfolio items are on subjects you want to be seen as an expert in. Make sure it is relevant to your niche. You want to select items that you enjoyed working on and would like to work on more of those.

Your first few items should be as eye-catching as you can make them to be.

If you've been working on the platform for a while, you should constantly update your profile whenever you complete a job.

If you don’t have a portfolio, create one. Do NOT steal someone's job and do NOT project yourself as someone you're not.

If you are looking to get paid for your skills, then you must have skills to sell. So use those skills to create a portfolio and add it to your Upwork profile.

3. Optimize your profile overview

This is the place you get to sell yourself to the maximum. Your overview should answer the following questions:

>> What do I do?
>> Who do I do it for?
>> What qualifies me to do it?

Your overview should also end with a clear CTA for clients to contact you because you're eager to work with them and solve their problems.

SEO can help you here.

How so?

Your profile should highlight those words your potential clients are using to search for freelancers who offer your services. Add keywords to your headline and overview.

Tip: Use the profile of top-rated freelancers in your niche as a template if you do not know where to begin.

4. Write an eye-catching proposal

Your proposals should contain the answers to your client's questions. Use the words, terms and phrases they use in their job description.

You must also catch their attention. The first fifty characters on your proposal are the most important, because they're the first things that show. Grab attention. An easy way to do this is to ask a question that would pique their interests.

For instance, "Do you know CPA organisations lose an average of $5 million every week due to an overburden of paperwork?"

This sets you apart as an expert. You should also avoid using "I". Use "You" as much as you can and make your proposals about the client.

You should practice with this a little bit because it's good to submit proposals quickly. But do NOT copy and paste proposals. It is irritatingly obvious when you do and you send a negative message to your client.

If you could not take the effort to write a proper proposal, how are you going to handle the job you're applying for?

This is especially tempting for newbies. Don't be tempted!

5. Niche Down

One of the biggest mistakes newbies make is trying to be an all-rounder. No one wants to hire a jack of all trades. They want to work with experts and you need to project yourself as one.

Project yourself as an authority in a single niche and you can charge higher than the average person who's doing everything.

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So there you have it. Ask your questions and receive free wisdom.

Good luck, guys.