The Ultimate Guide to Upwork

Find work online can feel like a challenge. You know that there’s work out there, but how do you separate the real stuff from the crazy scams? It’d be nice to be a “Single mom who makes $325 on Google every day”, but let’s be real; that’s not the way the world works.

That being said, there are tons of opportunities to start working online. With the globalization of the planet you might end up having clients in from Australia, England, and next door. On top of that, once you start working online these are a couple of the benefits you’ll enjoy..

Freedom to travel. As long as your destination has internet you’re good to go.

No boss. That means you’ll need discipline, but the payoff is worth it.

Set your own hours. Are you the most productive from 2 till 5am? Work then!

Coming from a guy who has drank beer on a beach on Thailand, while writing and earning $15 an hour, I can assure you that the benefits of working online are real. They’re amazing in fact!

So what kind of work is out there then? I’m not even sure because there are is so much out there, but a good way to get some idea is to read my post: 7 Great Ways to Make Money Online. As a general rule, if you can do it on a computer, you can make money with it online. Here’s how.

Getting Started Online

www.Upwork.com is a great place to start your online career. Upwork is a freelancing website where tens of thousands of clients from all over the world post jobs that they need done. Some jobs are very simple and you may only earn $25 or $30 for a bit of work. Other jobs are long term and you may end up getting thousands of dollars from a client.

The big advantage of starting on Upwork is that you don’t need to be a professional to get your first job. There are plenty of clients who are looking for someone to do the work inexpensively, which gives you, the inexperienced freelancer, a chance to compete for work.

Not only that, but as you continue to get new jobs on Upwork you’ll get better at what you do, you’ll get better at managing relationships with clients, you’ll build your portfolio, and ultimately you’ll end up making more money.

And that’s why I’ve written this guide.

It contains all of the essential information that you need to jump start your freelance career on Upwork. Everything from creating a profile to securing your first job. It’s all the information that I wish I had when I started. On top of that, I’ve also included an advanced principles section designed for freelancers who already have experience on Upwork.

If you’re ready to download the guide it’s as easy as following these three simple steps.

1. Go to the bottom of this page and enter your email
2. Check your email and click the link to confirm you’re not a robot
3. Download the guide and get started freelancing today!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can I make on Upwork?

It depends on what you do, if you’re a native English speaker, how much experience you have, and the demand for your work. For example, my friend Sergej makes about $1,500 a month doing German and English translation. A good 1,000 word SEO article will get you $30. Do three of them a day for a month and you’re making $2,700 a month. I have less experience in other areas like web design or coding, and I can’t say what you should expect.

Can I get hired with no experience? 

If you’re willing to work for almost nothing, sure. When I started on Upwork I worked about 70 hours at $5 an hour. That’s not even close to minimum wage! But I gained a bunch of experience, got some good reviews, and a year later I regularly charge $25 or $30 an hour. If you’re just starting out don’t be afraid to work for less.

How do I get paid? 

Upwork makes it easy. You can have a direct deposit set up so that your weekly earnings go straight into your account.

Do I have to pay taxes?

I can only speak for American citizens, and I can assure you that yes, you do. Upwork doesn’t take out any taxes so come tax season you may be looking at a big bill. Since you report your own taxes it can be tempting to report less than you made. My advice is to not do this. Just pay the taxes and you’ll never have to worry about any problems down the road.

Is it easy to find work?

Sure, it’s usually pretty easy but you will have to work to get it. Apply to lots of jobs, make a great profile, and keep your reputation spotless. These will all help you to get an optimal amount of work. Also, it depends on what field you’re in. Social media management and translation are examples of tough fields to enter because of the competition. Writing is somewhere in the middle, and coding probably has the least competition.

Can I make a full-time living freelancing?

Probably, but you’ll have to work awfully hard to find the work in the beginning. I think of Upwork as a good place to get a supplemental income, or a decent income to go and party in a country like Thailand. While it’s possible to make a full-time wage, if that’s your goal you’ll need to have a lot of persistence to make it work.

Ready to Get Going?

Great, let’s do it! The Ultimate Guide to Upwork has everything that you need to start your freelancing career. I’ve included an example to show you how to make a profile, examples of successful applications, and lot’s of good advice.

If you’re ready to check out the guide and get started just enter your email below. Click the confirmation email (to confirm you’re not a robot), and you’ll be able to immediately download the guide.

Thanks, and I wish you the best as you start working online!