I’ve been a member of Odesk way back 2009 and started being active around 2013. There is no top rated freelancer then only 5-star for each profile. I am sparkling with the 5-star then and the client keeps coming. It was the best day of my life and with my professional career and impressive portfolio.
In the first quarter of 2014. I found direct clients through Linkedin this made me ignore my Upwork account and in that time I am pregnant so I cannot really find time anymore to do multiple jobs. It is the year too that Odesk is starting to migrate to becoming Upwork and everything has changed. I was left with a 76% Job success and star rating no longer served each purpose. I didn’t bother at all that time to have that kind of rating with them as I am established with my client turned full time and I love my job.
Unfortunate things happened and I was removed from the organization. I was left hanging. It looks like someone has pushed that reset button and now, I am starting all over again. Where will I go? I am not so lucky getting clients all over Facebook groups who can pay me with the pay that I wanted too. Linkedin is not the same with me anymore that client contacted me to work for them since I started not being active to those accounts. I have a 76% rating in Upwork and clients are looking for a 90% or higher when applying for a job. It was my mistake to disregard everything and being comfortable with the life and job I am getting from the company I am serving for almost 3 years.
I am on top of the air when I see my profile gets the TOP RATED badge in Upwork. When I logged into my account I notice sparkling notifications of a “Special Offer Jobs” which is new to me. I thought it was just a filter since a lot of Upwork representative is reaching out to me to apply for a special job. I have accepted their beta program for team builders because it has this tag that it is a program for rising star and top freelancer program only wherein I am not a Top Rated Freelancer at that time. I feel so blessed they ask for me to apply for a program that I am not even qualified at that time. In my cover letter to the client, I indicated that I am chosen to apply for them as part of the beta program for top freelancer and rising star. That trigger the button that they add that badge in my profile especially that the client responded to me asking for an interview. Thank you, Duncan!
How I become a top rated freelancer in Upwork? Here’s my tip…
- I started being active again in Upwork and applying only to the job I am interested.
- I raised my hourly rate to obtain the $1000 per year, its only February that I started being active so I need to push so hard to rich my goal.
- I optimized my profile, update it a little bit to be in line with the jobs that I wanted to accept.
- I only applied to several job openings 2 to 3 times a month. I waited for clients to ask for me.
- Respond to emails immediately when you receive it or a 24hours turnaround.
- I make sure that I adjust my availability.
- If Upwork representative reaches out to me for a certain job. I make sure to accept it, especially for the first time. This I believe raise my profile higher amongst freelancer and viewable.
- I decline to job offers politely. Ignoring this will also trigger profile for being unresponsive. That’s for sure!
- I deliver my task on time. If possible, I will be early than the said commitment.
- I ask my clients that are not sending task anymore to end the contract and since I have a good relationship with them I politely ask them to give me 5-star so I can use it for my work and let them know how important for me to have 5-star ratings and even ask them in by chance what might be stopping them to give me that five-star. Remember, that it is always with good communication comes good products.
With me getting 2 5-star client feedback and received 3 contracts to liven my profile. After 3 months I finally receive my TOP RATED FREELANCER BADGE from Upwork. Thank you Upwork and my clients who trust me with my job! I hope I give you inspirations for my story and never lose hope to be part of the program.
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Is there a free seminar/ training on how to become a succesful freelancer on upwork?
yes, there are several mentors already here in the Philippines that provide training for freelancers. Visit Jason Dulay’s website Work at Home Roadmap and you will find several courses. Good luck!
Hi Jeramie. Your post is so on point! Thanks for inspiring virtual assistants out there. Love what you do. Continue doing it. Oh by the way, you’re in Plaridel? I’m from San Rafael. Glad to find a fellow Bulakenyo. God bless and more power!
Hello Neri! nice to meet you. I hope to see you one day. I love your site! 🙂
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