oxiide22:
I swear I am not their agent I don't even know how play that game at all but seriously I wan earn sapa don humble me

lolu2019:
OK.I will let u know with time.I won't teach u.but I can help u earn.just save my digits.

oxiide22:
happy to this from you sir, thank you.
So how can you help me earn sir?

lolu2019:
probably, u invest or u fund ur betking account.

oxiide22:
okay sir which ever way you choose to help me earn I'll do

lolu2019:
alright

oxiide22:
I sent you msg on what'sapp

ikezudon:
Kudos for the write-up. My own journey started in March this year. However, it is a little bit different from yours.

I have a knowledge of these things but nothing worked for me with my Nigerian profile. I understand SEO, can research any topic, and put it down technically, or in a conversational tone..

I submitted 100s of proposals, yet I didn't get 1 invite for an interview.

However, March this year I switched to my sister's profile. She lives in the UK and isn't interested in the platform so I asked her to create and verify an account for me.

I got my first job on the 3rd proposal I sent. Same methods and formats I used for my Nigerian profile is what I used still.

It has been interviews and jobs from then on...

So yes, in some niches, your Nationality won't help you.

Na my own 2 cents be this Sha.....

Obudupikin:


Dude, the sky is wide enough for all birds to fly.

And the apartheid against your fellow citizens diplayed in your comment is appalling in the very least.

hollandis:
Nonsense write up
Why didnt you just do 1 write up instead of breaking it into several comments

Persephone1:
You are nothing but an attention starved perv! Its so sickling that a grown ass man like yourself can stoop way below the ground to seek a 5 minute attention . You claim all shit! But its amazing that those you have tried to slander are doing better, touching lives and making impact while "you whom God has blessed" goes about with a virtual "Please Notice Me" placard around your neck begging for 5 naira attention .
Just this evening man with balls like you testified to being blessed by a female nairaland whom in your warped mind is evil. But here you are trying to bring down a Good woman for sharing something your flaccid balls are too weak to do even though you earn billions every seconds. If i talk say your brain is upside down now, it will be as if i'm rude. Meanwhile its just the truth about how your brain really works.

Yes! we put POCO on the pedestal, As a matter of fact shes the only nairalander that intrigues me on this forum and i respect her for who she is. If that is what is killing you, kindly go hug a working transformer to end your misery. Do that early because that respect and love we have for Poco isn't ending ever!

Didiplay:


Omo I need a free course from you on giving the Best beast retorts

Lol

Course would definitely not be free .

pocohantas:
It was exactly November 2nd, 2021, I was cruising around Nairaland and I saw THIS COMMENT by a female Nairalander.

kamtrix:
Hi Pocohontas. This is just me saying thank you. We've probably never spoken here on nairaland before, but you've already been a blessing to me. I have always passively played with Upwork and fiverr, never ever ever gotten a job from there as I fealt it's mainly tech people that'll benefit from it the most.
However, after I read through all your posts on this thread, I took note of all your points and the other people that posted useful information here and on a few YouTube videos, and I worked on my proposals. I interestingly gave myself one month to keep trying before giving up, as my issues has always been I lose interest, and feel they'll never pick me, but amazingly, I went back to my old account of over 6 years, before I slept I sent out just 1 proposal. I didn't even log the account on the app, the next day afternoon I mistakenly saw an email that the person replied, I was shocked, so shocked that I didn't respond till night, believing that I was going to be rejected. When I finally responded , i explained more and my proposal, and less than twelve hours later, I'm on my first Upwork contract.
Thank you so much for putting all this information out here, the stress and time. I'm the at least one person that has benefited from it. Thank you.

Funny enough, I never really liked you, I always used to mix you up with, honestly I don't also know why I didn't like her, I just see everyone as a villain, lol. But reading through here, I realized you're really smart and very determined. Thanks again and God bless you.

lolu2019:
wake up bro.collect ur money

TwentiesGirl:
Hi @pocohantas, thanks so much for making this thread. I always come back to read through whenever I start to feel discouraged. Do you have any advice for someone trying to get their first gig?
I've watched a lot of videos and sent proposals they recommend sending but no one is getting back to me even though I even bid below the minimum budget.
P.s it's for UI/UX roles so tech related

pocohantas:


Wow! This is good news! I am very happy for you. Yes people think it is only tech people that benefit from Freelance. Ironically, it is easier for a non-tech person to get a full-time role.

For example: If an accountant is employed today, you won’t sack he person next week na. Accounting is an integral part of the business and the books must be handled everyday.

My tech friend is exploring Upwork for non-tech roles that revolve around strong Excel skills. That is the easiest way to hit a full-time remote role and full-time roles are bliss!

It is very okay not to like me. As far as you stay away from me . Just don’t allow your hatred make you blind to good information. That is where you showed maturity.

Congrats once again.

Please install the mobile app. That way you get messages realtime.

pocohantas:


You are welcome. It is okay to feel down, but always get back up.

1) It is a game of numbers and luck.

2) Apply for the toughest vacancies. The ones with more required skills. More interview questions and maybe video/voice introduction.

3) Apply only to jobs with verified payments.

4) Apply when it is less than 5 or at most 10 to 15 proposals.

5) Always attach a portfolio in the body of your proposal. A Google link would suffice.

6) Go through reviews from past freelancers to get the client’s name. Makes them feel you did some research and you are deliberate.

7) Don’t rely on jobs that appear on your feed. Search with keywords and find hidden jobs.

8- DON’T EVER BID BELOW THE MINIMUM BUDGET! It smells of desperation! Yes, clients want cheap, but you sef think am na!

If a client says $5 - $10 per hour. The least you should do is that $5 as a beginner with no history. If you have history on Upwork, do $7. If you have been tested and trusted, you can balance on the $10.

When you grow more and have more earnings, you increase your level and rates too.

9) I do hope you have a good and professional profile picture. Let’s not lie to ourselves, people would always gravitate towards the good-looking person.

kamtrix:
Hi Pocohontas. This is just me saying thank you. We've probably never spoken here on nairaland before, but you've already been a blessing to me. I have always passively played with Upwork and fiber, never ever ever gotten a job from there as I fealt it's mainly tech people that'll benefit from it the most.
However, after I read through all your posts on this thread, I took note of all your points and the other people that posted useful information here and on a few YouTube videos, and I worked on my proposals. I interestingly gave myself one month to keep trying before giving up, as my issues has always been I lose interest, and feel they'll never pick me, but amazingly, I went back to my old account of over 6 years, before I slept I sent out just 1 proposal. I didn't even log the account on the app, the next day afternoon I mistakenly saw an email that the person replied, I was shocked, so shocked that I didn't respond till night, believing that I was going to be rejected. When I finally responded , i explained more and my proposal, and less than twelve hours later, I'm on my first Upwork contract.
Thank you so much for putting all this information out here, the stress and time. I'm the at least one person that has benefited from it. Thank you.

Funny enough, I never really liked you, I always used to mix you up with , honestly I don't also know why I didn't like her, I just see everyone as a villain, lol. But reading through here, I realized you're really smart and very determined. Thanks again and God bless you.

obiekunie01:


good for you dear.

some of us has no other option than to triangulate to a different continent - it was all good.

Heyf:



Please can you highlight what you did differently in your proposal
I’m tired of writing endless proposals with no feedback

Mimisboygreat:
Good evening poco. Pls what freelance niche/area can someone with advanced Microsoft excel skills work?

[quote author=pocohantas post=115414652]I set my profile to 100% immediately. Then I played around with proposals. The proposal is your cover letter and what you send to bid for jobs. I didn’t know a lot and looking back, I submitted to many unverified payment jobs and wrote very bland proposals, but overall, I identified some key issues.

Didiplay:
Please what was your first niche?
This new connects I have would they crossover to the next month and add to the new 10connects I’d have? Or do they expire monthly?
The new job you’re working on is it still off up work?

Heyf:



Please can you highlight what you did differently in your proposal
I’m tired of writing endless proposals with no feedback

kamtrix:


Apply for only jobs with less than 5 or less than 10 applications, but not older than maybe 2 or 3 days of posting. Also, give a cheaper rate, but your proposal is honestly what will speak, write on what exactly you'll do for the person that'll improve their work, not on your qualifications.
Also, this may not work for you but maybe remove your profile picture, so they don't form a bias based on your face but on your proposal only.

kamtrix:


Apply for only jobs with less than 5 or less than 10 applications, but not older than maybe 2 or 3 days of posting. Also, give a cheaper rate, but your proposal is honestly what will speak, write on what exactly you'll do for the person that'll improve their work, not on your qualifications.
Also, this may not work for you but maybe remove your profile picture, so they don't form a bias based on your face but on your proposal only.

Heyf:


Thank you

Didiplay:


Can we share experience, like an accountability partner of sorts. I’m trying to target mid next month to get sth. If you don’t mind I’ll send a message via your email