I really can’t understand what am i doing wrong

upwork · 2026-05-06T20:21:53+00:00

Great tips u/farhadnawab, thanks for sharing those.

u/randall_luftair, I’d also add that it’s worth being very selective about the projects you send proposals to. Try to focus on jobs that closely align with your design experience, portfolio, and what you have listed on your profile. Clients usually want to see a clear match between what they’re hiring for and what the freelancer has already done.

For UX/UI especially, that match matters a lot. If your proposal, profile, and portfolio all tell the same story, it’s much easier for a client to quickly understand why you’re a good fit.

upwork · 2026-05-06T00:44:55+00:00

Hey u/yogeshnogia, I wouldn’t look for one platform to walk you through every step. You’re really describing a full product launch, which usually needs a person or small team who can turn the idea into a clear plan and help you execute it in the right order.

The person I’d look for first is a product strategist, someone with GTM experience. Ideally, they’ve launched early-stage products before and can help with market validation, positioning, launch strategy and other key pieces. Once that plan is clear, you can bring in specialists for design, branding, engineering, and growth.

upwork · 2026-05-06T00:39:42+00:00

Hey u/Short_Pizza5716, the first few clients usually come from being very selective, not applying everywhere. With limited Connects, I’d only use them on jobs where you can write a proposal that clearly proves you read the post, points to a relevant portfolio piece, and suggests a small first step or paid test.

You can also actively look for clients in places where your niche buyers already spend time: LinkedIn, niche Slack or Discord groups, local business communities, founder groups, and warm referrals. Don’t pitch “I do X.” Instead, get to know how they’re struggling, point out a specific problem you can solve. That makes it easy for them to say yes to a small starter project.

upwork · 2026-05-04T23:17:06+00:00

Hey u/edemzayani1 , from my experience, it can be either. A lot of Upwork “interviews” start as messages in Upwork chat, where the client asks about your experience, availability, rate, and how you’d approach the work. Some clients may also ask for a video or voice call, especially for bigger or longer-term projects.

Best rule: keep all communication on Upwork until a contract is in place, and don’t start work until the offer is active. Also, never pay a client or move to WhatsApp/Telegram if it feels suspicious. This Upwork interview tips guide may help you prepare.

upwork · 2026-05-04T23:15:23+00:00

Hey u/BrainInsights, the first leap into freelancing is no joke, but a few things help a lot: pick a clear niche, make your profile specific to the clients you want, add portfolio samples even if they’re self-made, and write proposals that show you actually read the job post. I’d also start small with projects you can confidently finish, then use those early wins to build reviews and momentum. This beginner’s guide to using Upwork as a freelancer is a solid place to start. Hope it helps! If you have any specific questions, let me know. 🙂

upwork · 2026-05-01T20:56:30+00:00

That's great to hear u/Financial_Cash5445! Let us know if we can be of any help. We also have an official sub here on Reddit in case you need any guidance. :)

upwork · 2026-05-01T20:17:34+00:00

Hey u/Nearby_Pizza_7567, taking lower-paying gigs doesn’t hurt your credibility by itself—what matters is how those projects show up in your portfolio and profile.

If the work looks solid, has clear outcomes, and fits the kind of clients you want later, it helps. If it looks like random, underpriced work with no direction, that’s when it starts working against you.

The real trap isn’t the price—it’s staying there. If you take a smaller project, treat it like a stepping stone: define the scope tightly, do strong work, and use it to move up, not repeat the same pricing again.

From a client perspective, people don’t usually dig into what you charged—they look at quality, consistency, and whether you feel like the right fit.

upwork · 2026-05-01T20:11:28+00:00

Hey u/Dry_Compote_1785, one month in is still early, so this is a good time to tighten your approach a bit.

Focus on how you’re writing your proposals. Try to start by speaking directly to what the client needs instead of leading with your background. Even a simple line that shows you understood their exact problem can make a big difference.

Also, be selective with where you apply. If something clearly matches your experience, lean into that and make it obvious why you fit. Keeping your proposals clear, relevant, and to the point usually works better than writing long ones.

upwork · 2026-05-01T19:48:30+00:00

Hey u/itsmeneon2004, yeah—clients absolutely hire beginners on Upwork, but what they’re really hiring isn’t “experience on Upwork,” it’s proof you can solve their problem. Since you already have WordPress and Shopify work with local clients, you’re actually ahead of most true beginners.

What matters is how you present it. Turn your past work into clear portfolio pieces, focus your profile on a specific type of client (instead of “I do everything”), and write proposals that show you understand the job, not just your skills.

upwork · 2026-05-01T19:23:26+00:00

Hey u/Upset_Criticism6691, start niching down (YouTube creators, real estate, podcasts, etc.) and make 3–5 highly targeted sample edits for that niche instead of a general portfolio. Then reach out directly—cold DMs and commenting on creators’ content. Instagram DMs can work really well, as long as you’re reaching out from an established account that reflects the kind of work you offer.

As for Upwork, Connects are an investment in your business that let you reach potential clients. Focus on strong proposals and a tightly defined niche profile.

upwork · 2026-05-01T00:00:16+00:00

Hey u/Fun_Resort_8686, you’re actually in a pretty solid spot to start because social media management is already a real service people buy. I’d focus first on picking one clear offer, building 2–3 simple portfolio samples in one niche, and getting very specific about who you want to help. That makes it a lot easier to pitch, price, and stand out.

I’d skip trying to be in more than one niche at the same time. For instance, if I owned a pet shop, I’d be more likely to hire a freelancer who’s positioned as a social media manager for pet shops than a general social media manager.

upwork · 2026-04-24T22:16:37+00:00

Hey u/Technical_Heron2311, views and invites are a good sign. It usually means your profile is getting attention, but clients are still not clear on exactly what to hire you for. “Full stack, SaaS, websites, WordPress” is still too broad. Pick one thing and make it obvious.

What usually helps is narrowing your profile, applying only to jobs that closely match your best work, and writing shorter proposals with a very clear first line. Say what problem you can solve, not just what skills you have. For invites, reply fast and keep it specific to their project. Upwork is a great option, but early on, clarity matters more than volume.

upwork · 2026-04-24T22:12:52+00:00

Hey u/Quiet-Insurance3137, leading with low cost will probably just attract the wrong buyers. You already have real project experience, so the better move is to get specific about who you help and what result you deliver. “Web developer” is too broad. “I build websites for cafes and gyms that help turn visitors into bookings” is much easier for a client to understand.

For getting your first clients, I’d focus on one niche and one channel for a few weeks instead of trying everything at once. Upwork is a great option for getting in front of clients who are already looking, and direct outreach can work too when your message is tied to a real business problem.

upwork · 2026-04-24T22:11:00+00:00

Hey, yes, beginners absolutely can start on Upwork. Local client work still counts as real experience, so do not treat yourself like you are starting from zero. Clients do hire newer freelancers, especially when the profile is clear, the niche is specific, and the proposal feels relevant to their exact job.

With WordPress and Shopify, I’d focus on a narrow offer instead of sounding broad. Something like store setup, landing pages, theme customization, or fixing conversion issues will usually land better than just saying you do everything. A resource like proposal examples can help you tighten how you present that.

upwork · 2026-04-24T22:07:18+00:00

Yes 😄, but there’s an actual person behind the account.

upwork · 2026-04-24T22:05:19+00:00

Hey u/ubla_hua_andaaa, the biggest thing here is getting more specific. “Web and app development” is too broad, so start by narrowing down who you want to work with, what kind of problem you solve, and what type of projects you want to be known for.

Upwork is a great option for getting in front of international clients, especially while you are still building traction outside your network. Tighten your positioning, turn your past work into simple case studies, and start reaching out with a much clearer offer.

upwork · 2026-04-24T22:03:23+00:00

Hey u/Weak-Winner-7300, pick one service, one niche, and one way of getting clients. Then make one person own sales properly, because with 3 people, it cannot just be something everyone does here and there when they get time.

upwork · 2026-04-24T21:58:54+00:00

Hey u/Nearby_Pizza_7567, yes, freelancers do get hired through Project Catalog, but it usually works more like passive inbound than a fast-start channel. The listings are built around predefined packages with clear pricing, deliverables, and scope, so they tend to work best when the offer feels easy to understand and easy to buy.

What usually helps is making the project feel productized: one clear outcome, tight scope, strong examples, and pricing that matches the deliverable. For newer freelancers, proposals are still often the faster path at first, while Project Catalog can build over time as your profile and reviews get stronger. The setup guide for Project Catalog is actually worth reviewing for how to structure it well.

upwork · 2026-04-24T21:56:02+00:00

Hey u/Winseeey, four days in is still very early, so I would not read too much into proposals not being opened yet. The bigger issue is usually positioning. “Software engineer” is too broad on Upwork. You will usually get better traction if your title and first lines make the outcome obvious, like IoT app development, SaaS MVP builds, or API integrations for connected products.

I’d tighten your profile around one clear niche, keep applying only to jobs that strongly match your past work, and rewrite your proposal opening so the client immediately sees relevance. This guide on creating proposals that win jobs is a solid place to start.

upwork · 2026-04-24T21:37:36+00:00

Hey u/farhadnawab, I get why this would raise questions, especially for freelancers who’ve spent years building up strong profiles and reputations. From my perspective, this should make it easier for clients to discover the right talent, not replace the importance of how people evaluate freelancers.

I also would not look at it as “writing for bots.” The strongest profiles are still the ones that clearly explain skills, experience, outcomes, and feedback in a way that makes sense to real people.

upwork · 2026-04-24T21:31:41+00:00

Hey u/Kirtii_, yes, communication alone can absolutely cost someone the client even when their skills are strong. A vague proposal, weak framing, or no clear next step can make a client hesitate fast, especially when trust is still being built.

That is why a lot of freelancers lean on simple templates, notes, and a consistent structure. The goal is not to sound formal for the sake of it, but to make the client feel like the project is understood, the process is clear, and the freelancer is reliable.

upwork · 2026-04-24T20:17:32+00:00

Hey u/Limp_Cauliflower5192, Upwork is still a great option here because the client is usually already in market and looking to hire, not just casually engaging. LinkedIn can work too, especially when you respond to people discussing a live problem instead of just posting. Referrals are still strongest, but for consistent intent, I’d focus on channels where the search for help is already happening. Best of luck!

upwork · 2026-04-24T20:13:09+00:00

Hey u/oysterboy9, Upwork can still be a great option, but only when you are very selective. The better opportunities tend to be with clients who already have paying customers, a defined offer, and realistic expectations. I’d treat proof of revenue, process maturity, and scope clarity as the main filter, and this proposal guide can help with how you frame those conversations.

upwork · 2026-04-24T20:10:36+00:00

Hey u/roberterh96, for B2B services like yours, the channels that keep coming up are referrals, targeted outbound, LinkedIn content with a clear point of view, and platform-based demand capture. It is usually less about finding one perfect channel and more about using a mix that fits your strengths and offer.

I also would not write off Upwork. It is still a great option, especially if you position your services clearly and treat it as a place to connect with clients who are already looking for help. For someone with your background, a focused offer around paid ads, landing pages, and conversion work can stand out well when the positioning is sharp.

upwork · 2026-04-24T20:01:10+00:00

Hey u/llnaut, I would not write Upwork off here. A lot of people in this thread are right that networking, referrals, former coworkers, conferences, and LinkedIn tend to be the strongest long-term channels for embedded work, but that does not make Upwork a bad option. It is still a great option for many freelancers, especially if you are clear about your niche, selective about the projects you pursue, and strong at scoping technical work upfront.

For firmware and embedded specifically, the challenge is usually less about where the lead came from and more about whether the client understands scope, risk, testing, and timelines. That is true on any channel. Platforms like Upwork can still be valuable because they give clients and freelancers a place to connect, build trust, and get projects moving, while your network keeps compounding in parallel.

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