How can a beginner find clients on upwork and what to expect?

Question

User interface

Trying to find clients on upwork.com. Passed the necessary tests on the topic, filled out a portfolio (Russian-language works). Wrote a cover letter.
I'm trying to find a clientele, but it starts to seem that without reviews and hours worked, this is unrealistic. Can customers be deterred by a small hourly rate? Maybe you should not throw applications for a fixed payment and place more emphasis on hourly pay? Who works on upwork, share your experience. Thanks in advance.
PS: If it affects something, I look for clients by design (logo, interfaces).

Answer 1

Read the blog: jff.name . At the time, he helped me a lot. And the author is responsive - always prompts.

Answer 2

Post a cover letter with an example of a project task, so we can at least give some advice.

Answer 3

I have been taking projects there for some time, I can share my experience.
1. At first, you need to take projects that you can definitely handle. Albeit not very expensive.
Free projects for the sake of feedback are a relic of Russian freelancing. In the West, this is not quoted.
There, even for paid projects, feedback is not always left.
2. If you are not sure about the rate - see who bids what. There you can open profiles and see the rates declared in the profile. The rate should not be low or high. The middle bets win more often.
BUT. If you already have a lot of hours flown and a lot of reviews for 5 - feel free to raise rates.
3. It is necessary to write not just a cover - some clients frankly write that they do not like it. And often they ask for some "code" from the text at the beginning to indicate.
4. After some time, if there are reviews and tests, you will be invited to projects. It does not waste bids.
5. Set your search to optimal parameters and don't waste time studying everything. Strict threading will help.
More useful articles can be found on the web designer portfolio website (elikov.ru).

Answer 4

Be the first

Answer 5

1) a good resume
2) a pro-account for 2 months (to leave more applications)
3) spam everything that is interesting, dumping when bargaining, explaining that a newbie (and this is still immediately visible on the profile) and feedback / experience is needed.

Answer 6

they also advise you to complete the first small orders for free in order to gain experience and raise the rating, for the sake of a good review.

Answer 7

If you think about what can influence, then atmospheric pressure can also affect the decision to choose a contractor. For this reason, I do not advise you to think what can influence. Considering the importance, the first and perhaps the only thing that really affects is the portfolio. If it doesn’t exist at all, then it’s pointless to expect some decent project, because after all, a designer without a portfolio is not the designer that is needed in commercial development. If you understand "why?" then a designer is a person passionate about creativity and he constantly (draws) designs something, therefore he must have at least a non-commercial portfolio. And then everything is simple - the customer looks at the portfolio and if your skills are suitable for his project, then he goes to see whether he will pull it or not. With a sufficient portfolio, few will wonder why it costs so much. How to find customers? - participate in the discussion of the order. What it is exactly (fixed, hourly or some other) - no one cares. Take action.

Answer 8

Fill out the profile by 100%, the proposal went quickly. Maybe you'll get lucky. I was lucky when I started, surprisingly, I managed to get hired on the first try =)