Upwork is one of the most famous and credible sites for freelancing work. With more than 9 million registered freelancers, competition for clients is always high on Upwork. This means that simply building a profile on Upwork is not enough. You must have a killer profile to grab the attention of your clients. Want to know how? Here are a few tips to build an Upwork Freelancer Profile.
Before you start with Upwork and create your Upwork profile, it is significant to choose the right skill for your freelance business. These days, Upwork has started rejecting freelancers, there is an oversupply of some skills and not enough of one more. Do not let your profile get rejected.
A professional profile plays an important role in your success in Upwork. It is your introduction to prospective customers, a significant opportunity to grab the attention, and set yourself apart from other competitors- not just as a part of your proposal but also for potential customers who may find your profile. There are many clients who search for freelancers with the necessary skills they need and invite them to check their job posts. It is a proactive approach that can assist businesses to fill their project requirements faster and successfully.
Completing your profile not only gives the clients the info they require but also helps Upwork offer you relevant projects.
The first important thing you must do when starting op Upwork is to make sure that you create the right profile. Generally, there are two types of profiles on Upwork. These are the client profile and the other, Freelancer profile. As a freelancer who is looking for work, the correct profile will be a Freelancer. So, you need to click on the “work” button.
But what does a top-notch profile look like?
Start your profile by selecting work categories that match your skillset perfectly. Fix an hourly rate that shows your skills and experience level. You can search Upwork to attain an idea of what the other freelancers’ billing is. Make sure your profile shows your expertise and experience in the best manner.
Tips to Build an Upwork Freelancer Profile
Use each part of your profile to show your skills
Upwork has a wide range of standardized skills that can help to identify your strengths and weaknesses with relevant projects. These skills also assist clients to find you more easily, so they must reflect your expertise and specialization: Just claim and list the skills that you can back up in any of your other profile areas, like your employment or work history, education, certifications, or portfolio.
List up to about 10 of the most important skills depending on the projects that you are searching for- the more the better- and move the tags around so that they appear in order of significance. If you have different work interests, list out the number of skills that are proportional to how much you prefer each kind of project.
As you improve your skills or add new ones, update your skill tags accordingly, and remove the old skills as they become obsolete. An important tip to follow in this context is to note which keywords and skills potential customers use as you review interesting projects. You may find that clients in your niche are looking for freelancers by the service they need instead of the tools required.
Choose a professional picture
Clients must feel that they can trust a freelancer before they start engaging with them for a project. Your profile picture plays a significant role in this equation.
Show your expertise in the overview section
Coming up with a unique title may be simple, but it is a potentially powerful tool that is mostly overlooked by freelancers. Why is it so important? It is so because when a client gets your profile, the first thing they see is your title.
Produce an outstanding introduction video
An introduction video can help you to shine and stand out, mainly because several freelancers skip this section. Creating a video may seem to be intimidating, but it is not necessary. Begin with a great script that describes who you are, the kind of projects you have worked earlier, and your areas of expertise.
Select pieces that show your niche and help to prove your specialization. If your skills are not specifically visual, try to find new and creative ways to define the challenges behind every sample and how work had an effect.
List down your certifications
One of the significant tips to build an Upwork Freelancer profile is to list down all your certifications. Listing the certifications that you have earned can help to prove your abilities or knowledge, mainly if they relate to certain systems or software your customers may search for. To help connect with customers who may be searching for language skills that are not as same as your native language, consider adding your certifications that show your expertise in that language.
Mention your employment history
Adding relevant details about your previous employment can help customers understand your background both on and off the Upwork. You can begin by adding a small description of your accomplishments and responsibilities in your earlier roles’ pay attention to the projects that are related to the kind of projects you are searching for now. As your freelance business expands, add new entries for a few of your best projects to help reconfirm your integrity.
If you do not have a traditional employment history, add your freelance business as one item, with a small description that summarizes your focus. You can make use of bullet points to showcase your achievements and show your particular expertise.
Mention your educational background along with other experiences
Your knowledge does not just stem from your earlier work experience! Your education along with other activities like volunteer positions, online courses, mentorship programs, and several other extracurricular activities- can also assist you to shape what you do and how you introduce yourself online.
Consider including a detailed description of every relevant education item by listing the name of the institution and program in chronological order, starting with the most recent one. You can even mention your informal education and activities in the “ Other Experiences” section. This includes research projects, competitions, and other interests that could show your value.
Evaluate your profile
One of the significant tips to build an Upwork Freelancer profile is to analyze your profile. You can see other freelancer’s profiles, but make sure yours is unique and original.
Consider these additional tips to build an Upwork Freelancer profile
Make your freelancer profile about your customers. How can you assist them?
Ø Be consistent with your skills and leverage all profile sections to protect your skills
Ø Help to establish trust and confidence by completing all the sections
Ø Be straightforward and concise in your language
Ø Proofread every section carefully and update your profile daily
Ø Make sure you track your reputation by taking action on non-active contracts, and if you are Top Rate, exercise more control on the JSS score
Ø Update your profile’s visibility if your profile has been turned to “private” because of inactivity
Ø Link other expertise accounts in your profile settings to help Upwork find the right job that matches your skills
Before you publish your profile in Upwork, ask suggestions from your friends. Another good method to check your profile is to read it aloud. It is one of the best ways to see if your profile flows naturally, and has a nice rhythm. By following these above-mentioned tips you can build an exceptional profile in no time.