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GuestUser4aMPs1
Guest
Back in January, I started Freelancing to make some additional income while working a job, with the chance of growing the service into an agency. It's been really good practice for building a business, learning about all the processes and systems that make up one and maintaining it well.
A few months later, I'm bringing on my first intern to take off some of the workload.
Granted, it wasn't always like this.
As the title suggests, I metaphorically beat my head against a wall trying to get that "first client" from Upwork (which never came, by the way). On the other hand, I'm slightly reluctant to post this because my margins aren't huge. Certainly not enough to live on, yet.
But, this is written for those who have tried Upwork but aren't getting the results they want.
It's incredibly discouraging to keep going when you've had zero responses...for months...
A change in approach is all it took, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Now, I'm not saying that making a lot of money on Upwork is impossible. BUT...
If you're having a hard time getting responses, then it's probably time to change your approach!
So, this is written for the guys who are just on the edge of making something happen,
but just don't know it yet!
The biggest problem I have with Upwork is that it is a closed feedback loop.
If you don't get a response to your custom-tailored, you-focused application...
...you will have NO idea why it didn't work.
That alone is enough to drive anyone mad.
With that in mind, let's remember the reason why you're doing this in the first place.
If you're trying to freelance, the goal is "to add value." NOT "to be an Upwork rockstar."
Upwork is not a magic bullet. It is simply a source of leads, and other sources exist.
With that being said, there are plenty of lead sources and methods of reaching out.
One of my favorites is reaching out to posts on Craigslist.
Yes, Craigslist.
Now, it does have some flaws.
But I like it for a few reasons.
Take my analogy below.
I've tried reaching out by Cold Contacting Agencies, Responding to Upwork Requests, and Responding to Craigslist Requests.
Imagine in your mind's eye an image of yourself - and in your right hand is a glass of water.
The Glass of Water is the Service you're offering, and your objective is to give this water to someone thirsty.
So, You walk into an agency, and get right in the face of the owner.
You ask, "Do you want some water?" Their reply...
"No, I'm fine for now. But thanks. Come back in 2 months when I might be thirsty."
Well that's a while, so on you go.
You walk into the door of Upwork, right up to the first person that catches your eye.
You ask, "Do you want some water?"
Well, this Upwork dude is drowning in a sea of a million other "Do you want some water"-ers, unable to gasp for a sudden breath of air to give you a reply. Or so it seems. So, to prevent your sudden death of drowning in a sea of forgettable "Do you want some water"-ers, on you go.
But this time it's different, and you'll be surprised by the result.
You walk into Craigslist, right up to the first person that catches your eye.
You ask, "Do you want some wa-"
Before you can even finish your sentence, this Craigslist dude knocks you over and snatches your water because they've been dragging their feet through the hot desert for 29 days (their post expires after 30!) prepared to die and DESPERATE for someone to hand them a glass of water!
All in all, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Here is a comparison for Upwork and Craigslist; Proposals Sent vs. Responses Received
Upwork: (Started January)
38 Proposals / 1 Response = 3% Response Rate (wtf?)
Craigslist: (Started Mid April)
13 Proposals / 9 Responses = 70% Response Rate (!)
I'm telling you, this didn't take long;
If you've been beating your head against a wall, maybe all you need is a change of approach!
You don't have to make this freelancing shit so complicated!
All you need is a small change. Once you find that change, it will make all the difference and grant you the overwhelming confidence to keep going. Because you know "There is a way!"
Anyway, There are some cool things about Craigslist.
So far...
- You have a smaller talent pool to compete with, AND prospects are already actively looking for a solution. You never have to go in cold ever again, and they'll be overwhelmingly grateful for your help.
- You keep your prospects in the loop. They don't just disappear after the job is filled like Upwork
- FEEDBACK! If your prospect doesn't respond, you can ping them and find out why!
This is Impossible on Upwork, and this information will be vital in revising your strategy.
That's all for now. But stick around.
In the next couple of posts I will dissect my entire process here,
and show you some very powerful tools to get the same results.
Stay Tuned!
A few months later, I'm bringing on my first intern to take off some of the workload.
Granted, it wasn't always like this.
As the title suggests, I metaphorically beat my head against a wall trying to get that "first client" from Upwork (which never came, by the way). On the other hand, I'm slightly reluctant to post this because my margins aren't huge. Certainly not enough to live on, yet.
But, this is written for those who have tried Upwork but aren't getting the results they want.
It's incredibly discouraging to keep going when you've had zero responses...for months...
A change in approach is all it took, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Now, I'm not saying that making a lot of money on Upwork is impossible. BUT...
If you're having a hard time getting responses, then it's probably time to change your approach!
So, this is written for the guys who are just on the edge of making something happen,
but just don't know it yet!
The biggest problem I have with Upwork is that it is a closed feedback loop.
If you don't get a response to your custom-tailored, you-focused application...
...you will have NO idea why it didn't work.
That alone is enough to drive anyone mad.
With that in mind, let's remember the reason why you're doing this in the first place.
If you're trying to freelance, the goal is "to add value." NOT "to be an Upwork rockstar."
Upwork is not a magic bullet. It is simply a source of leads, and other sources exist.
With that being said, there are plenty of lead sources and methods of reaching out.
One of my favorites is reaching out to posts on Craigslist.
Yes, Craigslist.
Now, it does have some flaws.
But I like it for a few reasons.
Take my analogy below.
I've tried reaching out by Cold Contacting Agencies, Responding to Upwork Requests, and Responding to Craigslist Requests.
Imagine in your mind's eye an image of yourself - and in your right hand is a glass of water.
The Glass of Water is the Service you're offering, and your objective is to give this water to someone thirsty.
So, You walk into an agency, and get right in the face of the owner.
You ask, "Do you want some water?" Their reply...
"No, I'm fine for now. But thanks. Come back in 2 months when I might be thirsty."
Well that's a while, so on you go.
You walk into the door of Upwork, right up to the first person that catches your eye.
You ask, "Do you want some water?"
Well, this Upwork dude is drowning in a sea of a million other "Do you want some water"-ers, unable to gasp for a sudden breath of air to give you a reply. Or so it seems. So, to prevent your sudden death of drowning in a sea of forgettable "Do you want some water"-ers, on you go.
But this time it's different, and you'll be surprised by the result.
You walk into Craigslist, right up to the first person that catches your eye.
You ask, "Do you want some wa-"
Before you can even finish your sentence, this Craigslist dude knocks you over and snatches your water because they've been dragging their feet through the hot desert for 29 days (their post expires after 30!) prepared to die and DESPERATE for someone to hand them a glass of water!
All in all, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Here is a comparison for Upwork and Craigslist; Proposals Sent vs. Responses Received
Upwork: (Started January)
38 Proposals / 1 Response = 3% Response Rate (wtf?)
Craigslist: (Started Mid April)
13 Proposals / 9 Responses = 70% Response Rate (!)
I'm telling you, this didn't take long;
If you've been beating your head against a wall, maybe all you need is a change of approach!
You don't have to make this freelancing shit so complicated!
All you need is a small change. Once you find that change, it will make all the difference and grant you the overwhelming confidence to keep going. Because you know "There is a way!"
Anyway, There are some cool things about Craigslist.
So far...
- You have a smaller talent pool to compete with, AND prospects are already actively looking for a solution. You never have to go in cold ever again, and they'll be overwhelmingly grateful for your help.
- You keep your prospects in the loop. They don't just disappear after the job is filled like Upwork
- FEEDBACK! If your prospect doesn't respond, you can ping them and find out why!
This is Impossible on Upwork, and this information will be vital in revising your strategy.
That's all for now. But stick around.
In the next couple of posts I will dissect my entire process here,
and show you some very powerful tools to get the same results.
Stay Tuned!
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