Being a freelancer has its ups and downs. But it’s never dull. When the pandemic struck, it hit home about not having control over my financial stability. I’m sure a lot of people felt the same way. I began to investigate freelance writing as an opportunity to supplement my income. I also want to move into freelance full-time.

There are many freelancing sites, and one of them is Upwork. I didn’t know much about the site except that many artistic and skilled people use it book work. Getting setup on Upwork was easy. I liked how it seemed more professional than some of the other sites I came across. It felt more like a job board on LinkedIn.

The Type of Work I Book on Upwork

What I noticed at once was the quality of the client that uses Upwork. I wasn’t getting haggled about prices for my services. And I dealt with more businesses than individuals. I made more money on Upwork in a shorter time than on other sites I’ve used. I’ve also had interviews and meetings with people who’ve hired me.

Most of the work I’ve booked has been from applying for the jobs there. Unlike other sites, it’s only been one person who booked a service I uploaded on my profile. The rest of the jobs I’ve gotten have been through applying for them. My specialty is in the education and edtech industries and I’m able to get consistent work.

Upwork’s cut

Like some other sites, Upwork takes its share of the payment. This is understandable. I would not get the clients I need if Upwork did not supply the platform. Even though there is no limit to what I can earn, 20% cut of my payment is steep. What if I could use that extra to market my own services and get clients who will be loyal to me?

It’s something to think about, and I don’t have to leave Upwork. I can stay on the platform and still market myself outside of it. Building my clientele outside of the freelance sites is my goal. Yet, developing and diversifying my portfolio through the sites has been great. It has given me a range of knowledge and skills I would have thought to acquire on my own.

My Plug

I’m a school counselor and write copy in my spare time for education and edtech companies. If you need any writing (blogs, articles, email sequences, press releases), I would be happy to collaborate with you. Please email me here for information.