1. How to set your hourly rate
I bet you tried calculating it like that: I get 2000$ a month on my full-time job working 40 hours/week. 160 hours/month.
Dividing 2000$ by 160hrs sets your hourly rate to 12.5$/hr.
I have to STOP you here for a second, did you put in mind
that:
- Most of the time you’ll not be working for 8 hours a day.
- Neither you will get paid for the time you’re spending on searching and bidding on jobs nor the interview time.
- You wouldn’t get health insurance as you were getting at your previous full-time job.
- You wouldn’t be working for 8 hours a day even if you’re a full-time freelancer.
keep these in mind, and you’re ready to set an hourly rate then.
Dividing 2000$ by 160hrs sets your hourly rate to 12.5$/hr.
I have to STOP you here for a second, did you put in mind
that:
- Most of the time you’ll not be working for 8 hours a day.
- Neither you will get paid for the time you’re spending on searching and bidding on jobs nor the interview time.
- You wouldn’t get health insurance as you were getting at your previous full-time job.
- You wouldn’t be working for 8 hours a day even if you’re a full-time freelancer.
2. Who are you?
You are a professional freelancer now. So don’t be shy and put your real name out there. Neither your nickname nor your snapchat’s one.
That’s necessary for the verification process as using a fake name may get your account banned. Also, you’ll not be able to withdraw your earnings.
So don’t play with fire. Also, don’t forget to capitalize it.
3. Standing out title
Did you ask yourself before how many freelancers out there are having the same title as you?
Well, you should.
Moreover, if you think that it is a common title (Web Designer), believe me, you want to get rid of that right now.
From Your title, the client should be able to know what specifically you are doing.
Try to explain that in a short title like the following examples for writers:
example #1 “writing blog posts that convert visitors into customers.”
example #2 “writing Facebook ads that get traffic.”
Which gives the client a clear message about what are you doing.
So take a look at your competitor’s titles and don’t choose a similar title in order to stand out.
Another important thing most freelancers miss it. Don’t create a long title that appears incomplete in search results!
How could you check that?
I’ll explain.
First, go to the search bar and choose freelancers instead of jobs and search for your name.
you should see your profile in search results like that (notice the incomplete title)
as you can see my title requires editing as it was (Full-Stack WordPress Developer with a great eye for UX and UI).
So I got rid of the last part (and UI), so it looks like that in search results.
Of course, you have the freedom to change all of it. Just do whatever it takes so it looks nice in search results (should give a clear message also).
example #1 “writing blog posts that convert visitors into customers.”
example #2 “writing Facebook ads that get traffic.”
4. Clients do judge an Upwork profile by its Profile Picture
It is the sad truth that looking older could attract more clients.
This freelancer tried adding a fake beard on his Upwork profile picture which increased proposal respond from 14% to 32%.
So grow a beard!
Don’t put one of your tagged facebook photos there. Instead, follow these most important 5 upwrok profile picture tips:
tip #1 only your face and shoulders should be in there (no need for your body unless you are a
fitness trainer or something)
tip #2 smiling (not dumb smile, but your face should look happy not aggressive)
tip #3 wearing a good looking outfit (not too informal).
tip #4 clean background that has no people in it.
tip #5 good lighting (sunlight will do just fine)
If you do not have one already, get your friend shooting some pictures of you in highest possible quality (you can use a good mobile camera), and remember the above tips.
tip #1 only your face and shoulders should be in there (no need for your body unless you are a
fitness trainer or something)
fitness trainer or something)
tip #2 smiling (not dumb smile, but your face should look happy not aggressive)
tip #3 wearing a good looking outfit (not too informal).
tip #4 clean background that has no people in it.
tip #5 good lighting (sunlight will do just fine)
5. Your Skills
Now it is time for some serious stuff.
This is one of the important things especially if you are just starting out and have no client’s reviews yet.
When you choose your essential skills on your Upwork profile, you have the chance to verify them from Upwork.
…It’s easy.
You just take its test (more details on the next tip), which gives proof to clients when they look at your Upwork profile that you are qualified for these skills.
One important thing to put in mind as you would not take tests in every single skill on your first day, so put the most relevant and marked skills at first followed by less relevant and less important ones.
You’ll notice that if you choose more than five skills, it will only display 5 and a more link which shows the rest after clicking on it.
So make sure you put your top five skills that’ll grab client’s attention.
0 التعليقات :
إرسال تعليق