Get Approved on UpWork - Creating A Perfect Profile

So this week your boy has started checking out a few UpWork community pages and I've noticed that a lot of people are struggling to get their profiles approved on the site. It's not as hard as you think to get approved on UpWork!

One of the ways UpWork distinguishes itself from other freelancing sites like Freelancer and Fiverr is by enforcing a relatively effective vetting process to stop the website being saturated with freelancers who offer the same skills.

This basically means that if there are too many freelancers who offer the same skills as you already, it's unlikely that you'll be able to create an account. So how can you get around this?

get approved on upwork

UpWork has a two stage process for assessing applications. The first stage is automatic, relying on algorithms which probe your application. The first loophole to jump through is your email address - you're less likely to get accepted with a generic gmail or outlook account than you are with a company one!

Stage One - The Overview

The first stage of your application requires you to fill in an overview of your skills for UpWork to review. Straight from the beginning, you should tell UpWork everything you think you could potentially offer clients.

So as a writer for example, select the four types of work that you are most likely to be able to offer clients - even if it means selecting 'Other - Writing.' This might require a bit of a fake it til you make it attitude.

get approved on upwork

When selecting the skills you offer clients, it is worth choosing a variety which include some general skills (such as blog writing), but also some related skills which are more niche. I've selected Sales Writing (which is just blogging in order to make sales) and Article Spinning (rewriting content) - which are both things you're easily capable of as a blogger, but will separate you from the rest.

Try and select the maximum (ten!) number of skills. Remember - a mixture of general and niche.

It's also important not to undersell yourself - if you know your way around writing an article you're probably already at intermediate, and if you've been paid to blog already it's no harm positioning yourself as an expert!

Stage Two - More About You

On this page, it almost goes without saying that you should choose a friendly, professional and good quality picture of you for your profile. Almost. This is crucial!

Next you are asked to choose a professional title to describe your work. Here it's important to find a balance - too broad (i.e. "Content Writer") seems a little like you are desperate to grab whatever work you can get, however too narrow (i.e. witty haiku author) makes it look like you only have a narrow skill-set.

Fill out as much as you can at this stage. In your professional overview, highlight a list of skills, past accomplishments, passion projects - don't take shortcuts here. Let UpWork know that you are committed by including as much information as possible, so long as it informative for clients.

This goes for employment history and education as well.

Even if your employment history isn't relevant, you can write about what it was in your last job which made you want to become a freelancer.

If your education has nothing to do with your future freelance career, get creative - maybe you were inspired by a popular science book you once read and endeavor to create informative easy to read science blogs in your niche. Who knows.

To reiterate: let UpWork know that you are committed by ensuring this section is as professional and enthusiastic as possible. This means correct grammar, spell checking and highlighting as much relevant information as possible.

Finally, don't sell yourself short when setting your hourly pay. If you've chosen the intermediate experience level in stage one, reflect this by setting your hourly pay as the amount you would ideally like to make from your freelancing. Don't be tempted to go in low!

And remember, you can always change this information later on.

Now.. Be Free

Follow those guidelines and your profile *should* get approved on UpWork. Unfortunately it can take a few attempts. Once your profile is accepted, it is important to link social media accounts, take a few basic tests and aim for 100% profile completion as soon as possible.

And if you have to try again? Get creative. Remember that once your profile is approved, you can change your profile details - which means that it can be worth "exaggerating" a little bit on your application to make it more unique if needs be.

Once your account is created and you have linked accounts and a few tests under your belt, there shouldn't be much chance of UpWork shutting it down.

Got questions? Leave a comment. I'll help you out.

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