Top 10 Upwork Questions and Answers I Hear Every Day
True story of most often questions from hundreds of consultations
Does an independent freelancer have a better conversion rate than an agency?
This is a common question, and the answer is NO. I've tested it multiple times. We compared bids from a freelancer and an agency, and the conversion rates were about the same. However, freelancers may perform better for small jobs like retouching, while agencies excel in handling enterprise-level projects. Exclusive and non-exclusive team-members is an another story.
How to apply for free?
There's no way to apply for free anymore. Even invitations are now paid. The only free option is sending direct messages. I recommend creating more project catalogs and offering consultations.
Should I add all 10 categories to my profile? Will it affect my conversion rate?
Yes, you should add all 10 categories. The maximum allowed is 10, so use them all. If Upwork allows more in the future, take advantage of that as well. On Upwork, more is better.
How can I give credentials to my sales manager to bid on jobs without risking a ban?
The safest way is to assign your sales manager the role of Business Manager in the settings. This allows the manager to apply on behalf of any company member. The client will see the developer/freelancer's name, not the sales manager's, in the cover letter.
Which is better: one big contract for $100k or 100 contracts for $1k each?
100 contracts for $1k each are better. Remember, Upwork prioritizes relevant work history, so more contracts mean more visibility and credibility.
How to get more invites?
To get more invites, continuously update your profile, add more project catalogs, use the availability badge, and optimize your titles with relevant keywords and skills. It's a daily task to keep your profile fresh and visible in searches.
Should I bid on payment-unverified jobs?
Yes, I would. Firstly, Upwork has a bug that delays the update of a client's payment verification status. Secondly, some of my best clients had issues with payment method verification due to bank restrictions in certain countries.
Should I send proposals to clients with a low average hourly rate paid?
Yes, if their work history shows that the low rates were for lower-level jobs. It can still be worth pursuing.
Will I get banned for using automated bidding?
It's possible. Never share your credentials with any third-party tool. The only safe way is to connect the bidding service as a Business Manager to your agency profile.
Won't my profile look bad after adding all those keywords, as you, Tamara, suggest?
My focus is not on making your profile aesthetically pleasing but on optimizing it to match with the algorithms. For branding and style, consider hiring a specialist.
I have a b'day tomorrow wohhoo! 🎂🎉🎈
Hugs,
Tamara
