In the event you’ve been following my weblog for a whilst you’ll know that I switched my focus away from early retirement in the direction of constructing on-line revenue streams so I can journey the world with my household.
For over a yr I’ve been spending my restricted time constructing this weblog and dealing on different web sites that I plan to monetize. I am keen on engaged on web sites, I get up each single day excited to get began.
For the primary time in my life, I like what I do and don’t have any plans to give up.
BUT creating wealth from web sites is a protracted sport. And I wish to earn a living NOW so I’ve began taking writing jobs from Upwork.com.
I’ve been a consumer of Upwork (and Elance earlier than that) for years however by no means bothered giving it an excessive amount of time as a result of the charges of pay on supply appeared pathetic.
All that modified once I noticed an inventory providing $175USD for a 750-word submit. I utilized, although I had no expertise, suggestions or samples aside from my weblog. A number of days later I obtained a notification that the job was mine.
Need to know why the consumer supplied me the job? She liked my weblog. And I customized my pitch template to her wants.
In the event you’ve searched Upwork for freelance writing or digital assistant work you’ll have been turned off the pay charges accessible.
By being selective and utilizing filters, I’ve nonetheless been capable of make first rate cash on Upwork.
Find out how to Get Your First Writing Job on Upwork
In the event you’re fascinated with discovering work on-line or incomes an revenue whilst you journey I believe Upwork is unquestionably price wanting into. I’ve outlined some steps under for anybody desirous to get began.
1. Get your self a platform
I’m going to say it now. You want a weblog. Any freelance author price his salt has an internet dwelling, someplace to host their writing samples, and even simply common previous weblog posts which turn out to be your portfolio.
Running a blog is one of the simplest ways to get began as a contract author, as you’ll be able to construct networks and apply writing (it’s a craft, in case you didn’t know).
In the event you don’t have a weblog, be ready to spend about $100 to get began. You’ll must buy internet hosting (I like to recommend and use SiteGround for all my web sites – that is my affiliate hyperlink) and a premium theme which may run from $20 upwards.
Need extra information on getting began with a weblog? Try my submit: Find out how to Begin a Cash-Making Weblog in 5 Simple Steps
2. Write some samples
Now that you’ve got a weblog it is advisable to fill it with content material. What to write down? Search Upwork to see what sort of articles shoppers are in search of.
In my area of interest (private finance) there’s a demand for something to do with loans, funding data, listicles (5 methods to save lots of on groceries and many others).
Write a few every sort so that you’ll have strong samples to pitch when it comes time to use for jobs. It will in all probability take probably the most time, of all of the steps.
Need to be a greater author? I like to recommend beginning with On Writing by Stephen King. Different helpful books embrace On Writing Properly: The Basic Information to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser and A Pocket Fashion Handbook by Diana Hacker.
3. Fill in your profile
Your Upwork profile is the place you promote your self. Make it succinct.
Stick to some temporary sentences about your expertise and why you’d be one of the best match for a possible consumer. Keep away from describing the explanations you wish to work on-line and shoot straight for the advantages a consumer will get from working with you.
Be ready to promote your self (I hate this half however it’s mandatory).
I exploit Upwork to rent individuals for my advertising and marketing enterprise, and I can assure you, a protracted profile filled with fluff simply irritates me. I learn the primary few sentences after which skip straight to the critiques (extra on these quickly).
4. Seek for jobs
Now to the good things, discovering your first job.
Be part of any Fb group for writers or digital employees and also you’ll discover loads of individuals whining in regards to the pay charges on Upwork. Allow them to whine.
There are well-paid gigs on Upwork however it’s important to search exhausting to seek out them. In case you are a brand new author, think about this time your ‘apprenticeship’.
You might be studying the ropes and can’t carry a wealth of expertise to the function so naturally, you command a decrease premium. That’s not necessary now, the one factor that issues is getting your first gig.
How I discover appropriate jobs
I exploit the filters to weed out the entry-level articles and the hourly price articles. I don’t wish to monitor my time and I’m not entry-level in order that cuts out the irrelevant jobs.
I then use key phrases to seek for the kind of content material I wish to write about. I save all the roles I’m fascinated with after which undergo my record to learn the total job description.
What if the pay is low?
What are we evaluating this to? In my case, it was both writing articles from dwelling at any time when I needed or taking an evening job stacking cabinets on the grocery store for minimal wage so I may work round my husband’s hours.
That meant I needed to make over $15/hr to be higher off as a contract author.
Nevertheless, I do know my work is price greater than that so I set some parameters for my search:
- If the consumer talked about they had been a ‘rising’ firm I knew they might have a rising finances and may have the ability to pay me extra sooner or later so I’d undoubtedly apply to them even when the beginning price was lower than what I needed
- If the consumer had nice suggestions I’d apply
- Steer clear of the underside feeders providing a 5-star assessment for a $10 article.
Tip: I initially thought I needed to write down for blogs once I began freelancing, however I rapidly realized that I don’t like to offer content material for different bloggers in my area of interest.
It’d sound egocentric, however my concepts are mine, and promoting them for a set value to a different blogger is undercutting myself. I now favor to work with industrial operators comparable to finance firms or on-line magazines.
5. Apply to a choose few
When you’ve narrowed down the roles you need, it is advisable to apply. To save lots of time I created a pitch template: right here’s mine if you need an concept of what works for me.
Hello there,
I want to specific curiosity in your content material author alternative.
My title is Emma Healey. I’m a married mom of two. My pursuits embrace journey, property funding, private finance, and enterprise. I’m a private finance and life-style blogger (at mumsmoney.com) seeking to department out to freelance writing.
(I at all times personalize the subsequent paragraph to the consumer’s necessities. This was for a journey gig)
I journey extensively – over 30 international locations to date – and have written content material about journey on my weblog. Examples as per under:
Insert related weblog submit hyperlinks right here
(This was for an actual property gig)
On a private stage, I’m very (perhaps somewhat obsessed) in actual property funding as a car for constructing wealth. I’m at the moment renovating my very own place which is a whole lot of enjoyable, and a steep studying curve for this wannabe DIYer!
I’ve written a number of articles about actual property funding, home-buying and decreasing housing prices on my weblog. I’ve posted the examples under:
Insert related weblog submit hyperlinks right here
Tip: Personalize your software for every job. Though I’ve a template, I at all times personalize the main points to indicate the consumer I’ve learn and understood their necessities.
How a lot to pitch?
I set a minimal restrict of 10 cents per phrase once I was beginning out*.
That nets me $50 for a 500-word article earlier than Upwork charges (which begin at 20% for the primary $500 you earn with a consumer).
That’s fairly low for a local English speaker, however I’d moderately get the job and enhance my charges as soon as I’ve constructed a relationship with the consumer than work nights on the grocery store.
I really accepted a job paying half of what I needed as I figured I may ask for extra in the event that they needed additional work.
- I did my first article with this consumer for $25. I did good work after which doubled my price and so they accepted and have been an ongoing consumer since.
That’s how a $25 article turned $675 and counting.
Tip: Don’t pitch too excessive otherwise you may by no means hear from the consumer once more. Pitch a good value for the work you do, however bear in mind you’re competing with others and as a newbie, it is advisable to nab your first gig to get the ball rolling.
6. Do your finest work
Do I actually need to say extra? Submit your finest work.
This consumer is perhaps an ongoing relationship for years.
If you wish to be on this for the lengthy sport, begin as you imply to go on. In the event you’ve executed your very best work, think about any edits as methods to enhance your writing.
7. Counsel methods for the consumer to enhance their supply
Including worth to your work is one of the simplest ways to get repeat enterprise. You’re not only a author, you’re a content material strategist.
What do I imply by that, you ask? Do you point out any services or products in your article?
In that case, counsel the consumer apply to affiliate packages so these hyperlinks can turn out to be affiliate hyperlinks and make the consumer cash!
It’s in your curiosity to assist your consumer turn out to be extra worthwhile. Do you hyperlink to the consumer’s current content material?
In the event you’ve researched your consumer’s web site and located associated articles, hyperlink to these articles the place doable. You’ve saved them a job and they’ll discover.
In the event you’re pleased with the work you’ve executed, share it! The consumer will love you for it and it’s an effective way to showcase your work.
If like me, the vast majority of your freelance work is ghostwriting, you may add it to your sharing calendar however you can not say that you just wrote it.
Employees writing (the place your title is within the article) is far more durable to return by on Upwork however if you happen to’re fortunate sufficient to nab a workers writing gig, make sure you share it far and large as soon as the article goes dwell.
9. Ask for suggestions – your first 5-star assessment
- Do good work and it’ll begin to snowball.
Don’t overlook to ask your consumer to present suggestions. It’s so necessary to make sure you preserve getting employed. Plus Upwork will acknowledge constant optimistic suggestions and reward you with a ‘rising expertise’ badge which lets you get higher affords.
We’re about to move abroad for 4 months and I plan to tackle extra work by way of Upwork to offset our bills.
Upwork has been a significant a part of my on-line working technique and I believe it’s one of the best place for a brand new digital nomad or freelancer to get work.
The assist is superb and the escrow system means you’ll at all times receives a commission, which is a continuing wrestle for freelancers. I like to recommend trying out Upwork if you wish to begin creating wealth on-line.
Associated:
*I now cost 20 cents per phrase.
