Profiles on freelance platforms can make or break your success. Having a good grasp of skill means nothing if you don't showcase it properly. Therefore, if you're just getting started on Upwork, you must set up your profile correctly.

We'll cover some tips and tricks for creating a profile that draws clients' attention the moment they land on it.

1. Basic Profile Setup

Face Forward Profile Photo on Upwork

Before setting up major profile elements, you must first perform the following basic steps:

  • Ensure your profile photo has your face forward and visible with decent clothes on.
  • Decide on a balanced hourly rate. Do not set it too high and impede your chances of getting hired, nor set it too low that you lose the value of your time. Be sure to gauge it well.
  • Don't try to fake your identity. If the profile is set up using incorrect credentials, it will result in an automatic dismissal upon verification. Even if you get around it somehow, you will eventually be caught.
  • Add the languages you are proficient in and set your level of proficiency.
  • Don't overcrowd your skills section. Your profile will have a more significant impact and better reflect your expertise if you add a few relevant skills.

2. Add a Video Introduction

Adding Video Introduction on Upwork

An introduction video that portrays your expertise, experience, and personality is an excellent way for clients to get a feel for who they will be working with upon landing on your profile—the same profile the client would have overlooked by looking at mere text alone.

Videos not only convey the message but also show off your communication skills, personality, confidence, etc. In this way, your video introduction will leave a lasting impression on your client.

As videos tend to attract more attention, having a video introduction will surely increase your chance of being hired.

3. Leverage Specialized Profile

Specialized Profile of Freelancer on Upwork

Freelancers on Upwork can now create specialized profiles, which means they can offer multiple services simultaneously. Simply put, if you work as a content writer but also have a sense of design, you can list both skills side by side on your profile.

The specialized profiles rank separately on Upwork, increasing your chances of appearing in more search results and thus winning more organic orders. However, a client will value you more if you have closely relevant skills in specialized profiles.

If you're interested in learning more about what information stays consistent across all of your specialized profiles and which categories you can create a specialized profile in, read a detailed article about specialized profiles on Upwork.

4. Keep the Title Specific

Title of an Upwork Profile

A clear title that speaks directly about your expertise is essential. As soon as your client catches sight of it, they should understand the type of service you provide.

Along with being easy to understand, it should also be concise. Upwork recommends keeping it under 10 words, so do your best to keep it within that limit.

Before you finish setting up your profile, download the Upwork desktop app so you can track your freelance hours efficiently.

5. Craft an Engaging Overview

With a beautifully crafted title, the overview should also be engaging. Clients expect the overview section to give them all the information they need about their future hires. Therefore, answer all questions you think the client would ask you in a personal interview in a Q&A format.

Include a summary of your skills, services, experience, language proficiency, any certifications you hold, and a short glimpse of other information you've included in dedicated sections of your profile.

Also, include a few recent testimonials your clients have provided at the beginning of the overview. A pile of praise on top of the overview keeps clients hooked and leaves a lasting impression.

Moreover, it's not a bad idea to hire a copywriter to clearly express your services' overview to have higher conversion rates. Do so if you are hesitant to write it on your own.

6. Organize Your Portfolio and Keep It Updated

Portfolio of a Freelancer on Upwork

Organize your portfolio to make it easy to navigate by your clients, and make sure the projects in your portfolio are aligned with the services you currently provide. Additionally, it is essential to keep adding new projects to the portfolio as you grow on the platform.

With Upwork, you can select projects from your completed projects to use as a portfolio and add details such as the requirements of each job, how you handled it, and so on to allow others to see your expertise. By doing so, you demonstrate that you take your clients' expectations seriously and deliver projects as planned.

Thus, if you want to succeed as a freelancer on Upwork, make a habit of regularly updating your portfolio with new projects every month.

7. Get Testimonials

Testimonial of a Freelancer on his Upwork Profile

Client testimonials are an excellent way to build your credibility with prospective clients. Having a couple of testimonials that praise your work ethic makes you more trustworthy.

Upwork allows freelancers to request testimonials from their former employers or clients. When you send a request, it's forwarded to the person by Upwork. Once verified, Upwork posts it on your profile.

Choose the right person to send the request to and discuss with them beforehand if they are willing to give you a testimonial, as you can only send 20 requests.

8. Add Certifications, Employment History, and Other Experience

Certifications of a Freelancer on Upwork Profile

Certifications related to your expertise and your services will help you establish yourself as an authority in your field. Add your employment history, showing all relevant roles you have held in the past, both online and offline.

Employment History and Other Expereinces of a Freelancer on His Upwork Profile

Further, Upwork has a dedicated section for Other Experience, where you can showcase any skills that are not related to your professional skill set. These can be undocumented competitions you have won, community service you have done voluntarily, and other informal activities you have engaged in.

You should not leave any of these sections blank to fully utilize every part of your profile to present yourself better.

Don't Forget to Check the Public View of Your Profile

Upwork allows you to peek at your public profile. This is to show you how others will see your profile. Thus, after you have set up your profile clearly, do a proofread to catch any mistakes you have made and consider further improvements.

As shown below, it is labeled as See Public View, and you can access it right next to your profile avatar.

Checking the Public View of the Profile on Upwork

Without a doubt, Upwork is one of the most secure freelance platforms available today. Despite this, there are still some loopholes to be aware of. Read our article to learn about common scams on Upwork and how to use the service safely.

Set Up Your Upwork Profile the Right Way

The tips in this article will help you optimize your Upwork profile the right way. If you're not confident, there's no harm in getting feedback on your profile from experienced freelancers in your circle. Their experience on the platform will help you improve your Upwork profile.

LinkedIn, Fiverr, Indeed, Facebook and Craigslist are some of the other websites and platforms besides Upwork that can be useful for hiring people online.