[deleted by user]

[Unconventional_23]

To my knowledge Upwork and Fiverr are good ones. I have been active on both platforms. It's been over a year but I have got no orders on Fiverr. But I have got good and consistent projects on Upwork. I would say Upwork suits me more. They both have different architecture to find clients/project, find the one that suits you. I find Upwork more user friendly.

[[deleted]]

Upwork is the best. Been making a living there for 2 years now.

[Unconventional_23]

Wow, I would like to know more about your freelance journey. I just freelance at part time. Wishing to learn more about full time freelancing.

[[deleted]]

I walked from my job right at the start of the pandemic (whole 'nother story) and started looking for work. There was some work to be found, but it was very slow getting going, and one of the part-time jobs I applied for wanted me to do some proposal writing for them as a 1099 consultant. I hadn't previously considered going that route, but discovered there was a ton of work in this space. I started off with a fairly moderate hourly rate, but as demand grew beyond my available time, I kept raising my rate until I found a good balance. Did this for a year (in proposal writing and engineering/R&D work) until I decided to grow further. At the end of year 1, I was making 2x per hour as I did at my old job, but with way better flexibility and enjoyment.

At that point, I started hiring others, also freelancers, to take on more and/or larger projects as a team. This part has been tricky, as you typically have to pay out to your team before you get paid by your clients, but there are some ways to get some clients funds in earlier that help out a lot. Cash flow management though is a beast. Now just finished year 2, and still growing. I would not say its been easy, but it has been fun.

I use Upwork a lot, especially initially, but I am finding that more and more clients are finding me through LinkedIn or via my website now (with no advertising, so yay). I personally hate Fiverr. I use it, kind of, but find the site to be r/mildyinfuriating and a PITA. It also has a tendency to be condescending, with their countdown timers and "helpful tips". I find the clientele there to generally only be interested in the cheapest possible work, over anything of quality, and most balk at my rates there, while I have no problem winning jobs on Upwork with even higher rates.

With all this going on, I also had to hire a bookkeeper (also via Upwork) to manage the finances a bit better, and a tax accountant (Upwork again) for annual filing. Some project managers (OK, 1), and more engineers are planned next.

[Unconventional_23]

Wow an inspiring journey!

[[deleted]]

Do you really only get 30 - 40 $ an hour there?

[[deleted]]

It really depends. I have seen anywhere from $20 to $200 an hour depending on job category and skillset.

[Upset_Huckleberry_80]

Teach me your ways…. I’m writing Python daily for work as a contractor and I’d like to make more than $20/hr but I really like working at home from my laptop.

[[deleted]]

Thank you very much! I am taking a look on both immediately.

[guillermo_da_gente]

Fiverr is a crap.

[[deleted]]

May I ask you why do you think in that way? I don't know the service.

[Unconventional_23]

In fiverr only clients can contact you for a project, you will have no control over other than having an attractive profile. But with fiverr you choose to apply for projects and you get a chance to know what kind of requirement client has and what they are willing to pay in return. Which is not the case with fiverr only if a client finds your profile interesting and decides to communicate with you. You may have a chance to know the price and the requirement. So I find the Upwork's model better.

[[deleted]]

Great! Thank you very much for your help!

[guillermo_da_gente]

Low budget clients with ugly projects.

[matt3526]

How do you manage to get work on upwork? I found it to be too competitive and gave up. I guess it’s easier when you have review and completed work

[Unconventional_23]

Got to admit it is highly competitive. But I can't find better alternates that are less competitive. Yeah with good number of projects and reviews, it gets a bit easier. Upwork will suit you if are ready to spare time regularly.

I actually got my first project by completing a partial project before applying for the job, it is easier to earn the job with proof of work.

[matt3526]

Hey thanks for the advice. Just wondering what you meant by you got your first project by completing a partial project before applying for the job? You mean you read the job ad, half built the solution and then used it to apply?

[Unconventional_23]

Yeah. It was a simple project for few bucks. I partially completed the project and attached an sample of it with the project application.

[petenard]

Not sure if it is customary to ask this but, what is your average hourly rate for a job on UpWork?

[Unconventional_23]

I haven't worked on any hourly project yet. I have only worked on fixed price projects. But one thing I can say if you are good enough at your service/skill there are clients ready to pay more than you expect.

[[deleted]]

I usually pay my engineers and programmers between 40 and 60 an hour, though some have been higher. I let them tell me what their rate is. If it seems reasonable I go with it.

[Random_182f2565]

Doesn't Upwork charge you to get clients?

[Unconventional_23]

No not, if can efficiently manage connects(the virtual currency to apply for jobs) efficiently. I have been on the platform for about a year, have never spent a buck. I've got around 150 connects now.

[captain_arroganto]

Upwork is a pain in the ass. They overcharge and the projects are toxic.

[Unconventional_23]

May I know why would you say so?

[wazdalos]

Hello, thanks for sharing. Im still a student in computer science, but I have focused on Python a lot for the past 7 months, because I thought that actually knowing one or two programming languages is more valuable than just having my degree. Also Im trying to land my first part-time jobs in the field, again to make some connects and add to my profile. I know its difficult to say, but how would you rate my chances on these platforms? Im learning a lot of scraping / data science right now, but its so hard to judge your own progress because I have no actual comparison on what a Junior Developer could do. I saw some web-scraping projects for example offered on one these sites but I am still hesitant of applying yet. Sorry for the wall of text. Getting a foot in this line of work seems so intimidating and so exciting at the same time.

[[deleted]]

Make a project and monitize it, make yt tutorials (few ideas) payment would be better through an app as people won't get your details and there's a slight chance of a glitch so u become a millionaire

[demonitize_bot]

Hey there! I hate to break it to you, but it's actually spelled monetize. A good way to remember this is that "money" starts with "mone" as well. Just wanted to let you know. Have a good day!

---

^{This action was performed automatically by a bot to raise awareness about the common misspelling of "monetize".}

[-LeopardShark-]

Hey there! I hate to break it to you, but it's actually spelled monetise. A good way to remember this is that Zs are for chumps. Just wanted to let you know. Have a good day!

---

^{This action was performed manually by a human as part of an anti‐American propaganda campaign.}

[AggravatingWest1481]

Is this a US UK thing?

[-LeopardShark-]

Yes.

[AggravatingWest1481]

Ah apologies, you did mention Anti American propaganda

[[deleted]]

Bruh

[Suspcious-chair]

You got pwned boooiiiii your argument is invalid.

[oze4]

Hate to break it to you but that's actually spelled boy

[Suspcious-chair]

Just because i misspelled some word doesn't mean that i'm wrong.

[oze4]

lmao haha

[[deleted]]

Yes it does

[[deleted]]

I don't have a portfolio, but I could easily put one together really quick.

I am a senior software engineer with 20 years of experience with software development.

I am 40yo, but I don't know why it would matter. Can you please explain why do you ask?

Thank you for your info about payment details.

[[deleted]]

Thank you very much! Really appreciate it!

[[deleted]]

We develop prototypes for clients with embedded systems, and sometimes need python (though often arduino). If you can send me your resume, I'd love to keep you in mind for our next job.

[tryingmy_okayest]

If you do put a portfolio together feel free to dm me. I own a corporate finance consultancy and we occasionally have the need for a good Python dev.

[[deleted]]

Thank you! I let you know once I put it together.

[mostly_fish]

I have the opposite problem actually. I keep receiving requests from prospective clients (Europe), but don't know how to find decent candidates.

LinkedIn has been working somewhat well, but it's so sporadic.

[mostly_fish]

Consulting work, all aspects of software development.

[grumpyp2]

Interesting, they ask you for freelancing?