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| Upwork |
Upwork is a global online
work platform founded in 2003. It offers opportunities for web developers,
logo or banner designers, article writers, translators etc. After signing up
for an account, you have to create a profile that highlights your skills and
experience. Next, you can browse for jobs and apply which one suits you.
Submit a cover letter that describes your qualifications and
links to your profile. Using this information, the buyer selects the best
candidate for the job. He may take an interview via email, phone or Skype.
If hired, you’re required to provide regular work status update to the buyer
and send along deliverables as they’re completed.
Join Upwork in three steps:
- Sign up and select a membership plan: If you haven’t signed up already, now’s the time. Pick the Membership Plan that best matches your needs. Remember, you can change your membership plan in the future.
- Create your profile: Fill out as many fields as possible to create a profile that highlights your skills, elaborates on your experience and indicates your desired hourly payment rate.
- Set up your payment option: Get ready to get paid and tell us how you want to receive your earnings. We recommend setting up two fund transfer methods so that you can be paid easily.
Building a Great Profile
Successful
profiles are complete, accurate, and paint a compelling picture of your skills,
services and accomplishments. Your profile is your opportunity to advertise
your freelance business to potential clients, and you can complete it however
you think best. Here are some thoughts on how you can make a great first
impression.
Finding the right work
Searching
for projects, and setting up your Job Feed is easy, and an important part of
getting the most out of your Upwork membership. Again, while you are welcome to
do what you deem appropriate, your search will help ensure that you never miss
out on those project for which you are a great fit.
- Pick a core skill: Enter a core skill or two into the search bar to find projects that match your talents.
- Set Filters: Use filters on the left-hand side of the search result page to find a more targeted list.
- Add to job feed: After setting your search preferences, add it to your Job
Feed so you can have an ongoing, updated list of new projects that match your
preferences.
Fixed-Price or Hourly Contracts
HOURLY On
hourly contracts, you’re paid by the hour, making this a preferred option for many
freelancers when a project requires flexibility.
Examples
of projects that can work well in an hourly format include Technical Support
and Accounting Advisors.
Hourly contract
payments are eligible for Upwork Hourly Protection
Here’s
how:
- Agree to the number of authorized hours with your client via the Offer Details page.
- Install and track your project time using the Upwork Team App.
- Add descriptions and notes of your work to your Time Log.
- Quickly address with your client,
and request approval for, any changes needed to your authorized hours
FIXED-PRICE
On fixed-price contracts, you’re paid a final cost for a project deliverable,
or set of deliverables. This option can be ideal when the deliverable or
deliverables are more clearly defined. Examples of projects well-suited for
fixed-price format include Web Design and Mobile App Development. Fixed-price
contract payments are protected with Upwork Fixed-Price Protection
Here’s
how:
- Agree to project milestones with your client, clearly outlining what you’ll deliver, when you’ll deliver it, and for how much of the total project cost.
- Wait until milestones are funded before starting any work on the project.
- Submit your work deliverables through the Upwork platform.
- Make sure you’ve been paid for a milestone, and that the next one is funded, before continuing work.
Tips for a successful contract
- Agree to final payment terms (hours, deliverables and costs) on the contract offers page.
- Confirm that your client has a verified payment method on file.
- Deliver work product through the Upwork platform.
- Only receive payments through
your Upwork account.
