Is Upwork Still Worth It for Freelancers in 2024? I am Praying, Wanna Join Me?
Upwork used to be worth it for me because I once earned big with it.
But, Is Upwork Still Beneficial for Freelancers in 2024?In the early days, when Upwork was still known as oDesk.com, I fumbled my way into the world of freelancing without a clear understanding of how it worked. In a rookie move, I once translated something without initiating a contract, only to find myself unpaid. That experience taught me a valuable lesson about the importance of setting clear terms from the start. I was sure Upwork still a worthy platform for freelancers back then a decade ago.
This client appreciated my work expressed intentions to bring in another friend for translation services. Surprisingly, I didn't voice any hesitation or doubts. This decision marked the beginning of my true earnings on the platform. My first dollar, a modest sum of 5, came from an American client who amusingly assigned me the task of crafting a list of funny lines. Perplexed as to why he chose a newcomer and a non-native English speaker from Indonesia for such a task, I eagerly took on the challenge. To my delight, he not only gave me a full 5-star rating but continued to entrust me with two more similar projects, each resulting in another glowing 5-star review. This unexpected affirmation left me both flattered and tremendously motivated, solidifying my commitment to delivering quality work on Upwork.
While still working as an English teacher by phone, I ventured into new territory with Upwork. My first significant project involved illustrating an Islamic children's book using Photoshop. The outcome of this endeavor remains a bit hazy in my memory—whether it was approved or rejected—but it marked the beginning of my interest in self-learning Photoshop design. I belieaved, as a freelancer, I still found value in Upwork in 2010
As fate would have it, a twist in my career path occurred in 2015 when I got laid off from my position as an English tutor. Undeterred, I redirected my energy toward a newfound passion: whiteboard animation. Immersing myself in YouTube speed drawing videos, I honed my skills and gradually began earning my first $100. Simultaneously, in that same transformative year, I joined Fiverr.com. The combination of both platforms catapulted my earnings from hundreds to thousands of dollars, solidifying my identity as a successful freelance artist.
Upwork was a viable option for freelancers, yes! I found immense satisfaction in generating income through both Upwork and Fiverr, each platform possessing its distinctive characteristics and a set of advantages and disadvantages. Upwork, dominated by my whiteboard animation and fiverr by my voice over gigs. The continuous influx of orders bestowed a sense of miraculous vitality to life; waking up and checking my email in the morning felt like a daily ritual filled with possibilities. Whether it was inquiries about potential projects or the confirmation of a hundred-dollar assignment, the consistent flow of opportunities through my inbox brought a reassuring rhythm to the freelance journey on both platforms.
However, the once-enjoyable advantages began to diminish with the introduction of Upwork's connects system, requiring freelancers to purchase connects in order to bid for jobs. This system introduced an element of uncertainty akin to gambling, as discerning whether a job post is legitimate or a potential scam became increasingly challenging. Even securing an interview did not guarantee success, as clients retained the option to decide after the interview process. The situation worsened with the policy of keeping freelance profiles hidden if they remained inactive for a period, making it challenging for freelancers to be discovered. The shift in Upwork's approach left many veterans feeling unappreciated and without the convenient avenues for making money that were once readily available. OK, let's take a deep breath now, you may begin to decide whether Upwork is still a viable option for freelancers in this year.
Despite my efforts to comply with their rules, the process of purchasing connects on Upwork, even with the surplus of rollover connects, has made securing jobs more challenging than it once was. Faced with this difficulty, I made the decision to redirect my focus to Fiverr, leveraging its platform for freelance opportunities. Simultaneously, I embarked on creating my own website, serving as an alternative space for those who may not find me on Upwork. In essence, this shift reflects a pragmatic response to the changing dynamics on Upwork, where visibility and job accessibility have become more complex.
So, is Upwork still worth it for freelancers in 2024? I can only say, “I am truly disappointed with Upwork, and unfortunately, it appears that the past cannot be restored to the present.”
This client appreciated my work expressed intentions to bring in another friend for translation services. Surprisingly, I didn't voice any hesitation or doubts. This decision marked the beginning of my true earnings on the platform. My first dollar, a modest sum of 5, came from an American client who amusingly assigned me the task of crafting a list of funny lines. Perplexed as to why he chose a newcomer and a non-native English speaker from Indonesia for such a task, I eagerly took on the challenge. To my delight, he not only gave me a full 5-star rating but continued to entrust me with two more similar projects, each resulting in another glowing 5-star review. This unexpected affirmation left me both flattered and tremendously motivated, solidifying my commitment to delivering quality work on Upwork.
While still working as an English teacher by phone, I ventured into new territory with Upwork. My first significant project involved illustrating an Islamic children's book using Photoshop. The outcome of this endeavor remains a bit hazy in my memory—whether it was approved or rejected—but it marked the beginning of my interest in self-learning Photoshop design. I belieaved, as a freelancer, I still found value in Upwork in 2010
As fate would have it, a twist in my career path occurred in 2015 when I got laid off from my position as an English tutor. Undeterred, I redirected my energy toward a newfound passion: whiteboard animation. Immersing myself in YouTube speed drawing videos, I honed my skills and gradually began earning my first $100. Simultaneously, in that same transformative year, I joined Fiverr.com. The combination of both platforms catapulted my earnings from hundreds to thousands of dollars, solidifying my identity as a successful freelance artist.
Upwork was a viable option for freelancers, yes! I found immense satisfaction in generating income through both Upwork and Fiverr, each platform possessing its distinctive characteristics and a set of advantages and disadvantages. Upwork, dominated by my whiteboard animation and fiverr by my voice over gigs. The continuous influx of orders bestowed a sense of miraculous vitality to life; waking up and checking my email in the morning felt like a daily ritual filled with possibilities. Whether it was inquiries about potential projects or the confirmation of a hundred-dollar assignment, the consistent flow of opportunities through my inbox brought a reassuring rhythm to the freelance journey on both platforms.
However, the once-enjoyable advantages began to diminish with the introduction of Upwork's connects system, requiring freelancers to purchase connects in order to bid for jobs. This system introduced an element of uncertainty akin to gambling, as discerning whether a job post is legitimate or a potential scam became increasingly challenging. Even securing an interview did not guarantee success, as clients retained the option to decide after the interview process. The situation worsened with the policy of keeping freelance profiles hidden if they remained inactive for a period, making it challenging for freelancers to be discovered. The shift in Upwork's approach left many veterans feeling unappreciated and without the convenient avenues for making money that were once readily available. OK, let's take a deep breath now, you may begin to decide whether Upwork is still a viable option for freelancers in this year.
Despite my efforts to comply with their rules, the process of purchasing connects on Upwork, even with the surplus of rollover connects, has made securing jobs more challenging than it once was. Faced with this difficulty, I made the decision to redirect my focus to Fiverr, leveraging its platform for freelance opportunities. Simultaneously, I embarked on creating my own website, serving as an alternative space for those who may not find me on Upwork. In essence, this shift reflects a pragmatic response to the changing dynamics on Upwork, where visibility and job accessibility have become more complex.
So, is Upwork still worth it for freelancers in 2024? I can only say, “I am truly disappointed with Upwork, and unfortunately, it appears that the past cannot be restored to the present.”
I can only pray, Wanna join me?
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