How to Go from Side Hustle to Full-Time Freelance in 2026

25 Freelance-Friendly Skills You Don’t Need to “Master” to Start Getting PAID

🧡 Quick heads up! This was created when FWE was brand new. Since then, we've grown into a thriving beginner freelance community on Skool [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica/about] with multiple courses, trainings, q&a calls, coworking, tools/resources and an incredible group of people just getting started. You may hear references to "free" in the video — everything now lives inside the community for just $19/mo or $129/year. If you're sitting there thinking "I'd love to try freelancing, but I have ZERO skills that anyone would pay for" then this training is about to completely flip that script for you. Whether you're a teacher, healthcare worker, retail employee, or stuck in ANY job you hate, I'm about to walk you through 20+ freelance-ready skills that you can start learning TODAY. No degrees required. No certifications needed. No years of experience necessary. Just you, a computer, internet access, and the willingness to be resourceful. 💻 (Quick note: If you want to fast-track this entire process, I have a course called 10 Days to Paid [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica] inside my Skool community at skool.com/freelancewitherica [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica]. Students are landing clients, earning Rising Talent badges, and getting 100% job success scores. But more on that later...) 🎯 Who Am I And Why Should You Listen? I'm Erica, a top 1% freelancer on Upwork out of more than 18 MILLION freelancers. I've retired my husband, and we've spent the last few years traveling the US as digital nomads. But here's the thing — I started EXACTLY where you are right now. I worked in healthcare compliance (one of the most boring areas of the medical field though I LOVED it cuz I’m a NERD 🤓). I was a Director of Compliance, Privacy, Quality, and Health Information Management. Translation: I had approximately ZERO current job-to-freelancing skills to offer. None. Nada. Zilch. 🤷‍♀️ When my chronic illness got worse and my employer's brilliant accommodation was to "close my door on bad days," I knew I had to make a change. That's when freelancing literally saved my life [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/welcome-to-freelance-with-erica] — giving me the flexibility to be with my family as we navigate my dad's stage four cancer journey. The point? If I can go from healthcare compliance to a six-figure+ copywriter, you can absolutely figure this out too. The Framework That Changes EVERYTHING Here's where most people get freelancing completely wrong. They try to jump straight into specialized, high-paying work without any foundation. It's like trying to perform brain surgery when you haven't even taken Biology 101. Instead, I teach a four-step framework that lets you build skills WHILE getting paid: Step 1: Start WIDE ($ - Lowest rates, highest learning) * Focus on generalist gigs that don't require specialized skills * These aren't related to your eventual niche * Goal: Get those first 5-star reviews and build momentum * Think: surveys, app testing, basic research tasks Step 2: Go SHALLOW ($$ - Building confidence) * Dip your toe into your chosen field * Short, low-risk projects in your area of interest * Still beginner-friendly but more targeted * Goal: Learn what you actually enjoy doing Step 3: SPECIALIZE ($$$ - Money starts stacking here) * Become known for ONE thing you do really well * Longer-term contracts with better clients * You've found your groove and proven your skills * Goal: Charge premium rates for specialized expertise Step 4: STACK SKILLS ( - The big leagues) * Add complementary services around your specialization * Become the ONE-STOP solution for your ideal clients * Premium pricing because you solve multiple problems * Goal: Stand out even among other experts The beautiful part? Your rates go UP with each step, but your effort goes DOWN. It will NEVER be harder than when you're a beginner. 💪 My Personal Journey Through The Framework Let me show you exactly how this played out for me: Step 1 - Starting Wide: ~$15/hour * Random tasks: website testing, surveys, research * Focused on rebuilding my terrible job success score * Just trying to get ANYONE to give me a chance * Learning copywriting skills on YouTube and with AI Step 2 - Going Shallow: ~$40/hour * Exploring ALL writing jobs: blogs, websites, editing, ghostwriting * Discovering what I actually enjoyed vs. what I thought I'd like * Building confidence with small copywriting projects Step 3 - Specializing: ~$75/hour * Focused specifically on sales copywriting * Still learning on the job, but clients were happy * Used AI to fill knowledge gaps as they came up Step 4 - Stacking Skills: $150+ per hour * One of my amazing coaching clients challenged me to begin offering operations work WITH my copywriting work * Combined copywriting with systems building and funnel creation * Became an "Online Business Architect" (yes, I made that term up) * Now I don't just write the sales copy, I build the entire backend of people’s coaching businesses Timeline to get to Step 3? About 3 months. (Though I had the luxury of working on this 20-30 hours per week. For most people with jobs/kids/life, expect more like 6 months — which is still INSANELY fast!) Why RIGHT NOW Is The Perfect Time There has NEVER been a better time to learn freelance skills than right now. Here's why: 1. The Internet Is Your University * Unlimited access to free, high-quality education * YouTube, blogs, podcasts — everything you need is out there * Content creators are literally giving away million-dollar knowledge for FREE 2. AI Is Your Personal Coach * It's like having a $2,000/month business coach sitting in your pocket * Can teach you any skill step-by-step * Helps troubleshoot real problems as they come up * Available 24/7/365 with the world's knowledge base Pro tip: Tell AI: "I need you to act as a business coach. I'm learning [skill] from ground zero. Create a curriculum for me and start with lesson 1." Then just follow along and ask questions as you go! 🤖 The Skills That DON'T Require Years of Training Here are 25 in-demand skills you can start learning immediately, organized by category: Marketing & Advertising 📊 * Ads Manager (Meta, Google, etc.) * SEO Specialist * Email Marketer * Social Media Management * Public Relations * Lead Generation/List Building Content Creation & Design 🎨 * Designer (logos, websites, collateral, Canva-style graphics) * Writer (blogs, technical, grant writing, sales copy, editing) * Video Editor * Podcast Manager * Live Streaming Specialist * Community Management * Course Developer Business Operations & Management 💼 * Online Business Manager/Architect * Project Management & Coordination * Bookkeeping * Analytics & Data Specialist * Appointment Setting/Sales Development * Affiliate Program Management * Online Reputation Management Tech & Automation ⚙️ * Funnel & Checkout Builder * Automation Specialist * Software Expert (become THE person for specific tools like Notion, Asana, Google Sheets) * AI Specialist (this field is EXPLODING and pays ridiculous money) * E-commerce Specialist (Not sure which service might be right for YOU? I created a free diagnostic quiz [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica/] that analyzes your personality, preferences, and past experience to suggest your two best-fit niches, PLUS gives you ideas for potential specializations as you grow. It takes about 5 minutes and might just reveal skills you didn't even know you had!) Real-World Examples: How The Framework Looks In Action Let me show you how three different skills would progress through my framework: Ads Manager Journey Step 1 - Starting Wide: * Competitor research, app reviews, market research surveys Step 2 - Going Shallow: * Ad copy feedback, basic Facebook ad account setup, ad analysis reports Step 3 - Specializing: * Facebook ads manager for digital product businesses Step 4 - Stacking Skills: * Facebook ads + conversion rate optimization + Google Analytics + custom reporting dashboards SEO Specialist Journey Step 1 - Starting Wide: * Website feedback, competitor research, content proofreading Step 2 - Going Shallow: * Keyword research reports, basic SEO audits, meta-description writing Step 3 - Specializing: * Local SEO services specifically for restaurants Step 4 - Stacking Skills: * Local SEO + Google My Business setup + review management + local content strategy Video Editor Journey Step 1 - Starting Wide: * Video feedback, product reviews, transcription Step 2 - Going Shallow: * Basic YouTube cuts, transitions, thumbnail creation Step 3 - Specializing: * YouTube video editor for fitness influencers Step 4 - Stacking Skills: * Video editing + thumbnail design + YouTube strategy + channel analytics The Mindset Shifts You NEED To Make Here's what you need to embrace to succeed at freelancing: 1. Be RESOURCEFUL This isn't a traditional job where someone holds your hand through training. You'll need to find your own resources, solve your own problems, and have a willingness to figure things out as you go. (The good news? There are more free resources available now than ever before!) 2. Embrace Being a STUDENT You'll constantly be learning new things, even when you become successful. I'm STILL learning new skills regularly. The difference is now I get paid to learn them! 🎓 3. Challenge Your LIMITING BELIEFS If your brain is saying "I'm not resourceful" or "I can't learn new things" — that's just programming. These are SKILLS you can develop, not traits you're born with. Start proving yourself wrong in small ways and watch your confidence grow. You DON'T Need To Have It All Figured Out Here's the secret that most people miss: You don't need to know what you want to specialize in before you start. In fact, it's BETTER if you don't! Why? Because what you think you'll enjoy and what you actually enjoy are often completely different things. I thought I wanted to do blog writing. Turns out I found it boring. But I LOVED the variety and creativity of sales copywriting, which led me to business systems, which led me to where I am now. Let the process show you the path, instead of trying to force the path. Your Next Step (If You're Ready) If this resonates with you and you're thinking "okay, maybe I COULD do this," your next step is simple: Join my FREE (for now) Skool community at skool.com/freelancewitherica [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica] where you'll get: 🎯 10 Days to Paid [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica] — my complete course taking you from zero to first client + 5-star review 📊 Diagnostic tool — helps you find your best-fit niches 🛠️ Templates, swipe files, and resources 👥 Community of beginners supporting each other 📈 Students currently crushing it and sharing their wins (As of right now, the community is just $19/mo or $129/year — a fraction of what similar programs charge.) The Bottom Line If you have: ✅ A computer✅ Internet access✅ The ability to type✅ A willingness to learn You can freelance. PERIOD. 🎯 Your current job, education level, or past experience doesn't disqualify you. The only thing that can stop you is not starting. The question isn't whether you're qualified. The question is: Are you ready to bet on yourself? Because there has never been a better time to take control of your income, your schedule, and your life than RIGHT NOW. Let's do this thing! 💪 P.S. Remember, I went from healthcare compliance (literally the most boring job ever) to top 1% sales copywriter and later online business architect. If I can make THAT transition, you can transition from wherever you are to wherever you want to be. The skills are learnable. The path is proven. You just need to start walking. 👣 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freelancewitherica.substack.com [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

How to Go from Side Hustle to Full-Time Freelance in 2026

Hey there, freelance friends! 👋 If you've ever fantasized about quitting your job (and let's be honest, who hasn't?), today's training is going to give you the REAL tea about what it actually takes to go from "maybe I should try freelancing" all the way to "see ya later, corporate overlords!" But first, a quick heads up: I'm still recovering from COVID that absolutely DECIMATED me for two weeks (hence the lovely froggy voice you're about to hear in the video). So if I cough in your ear or sound like I gargled gravel, my apologies! This is day two of being upright, so we're working with what we've got. 😅 Quick housekeeping note: If you're new here, I'm Erica—top 1% Upwork freelancer who walked away from her six-figure healthcare job when my employer suggested I "close my office door" as an accommodation for chronic illness. Now I help beginners get started in freelancing on Upwork through my beginner community [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica]. These Tuesday trainings include both video and written tutorials that land directly in your inbox once you subscribe! And if you stick around until the end, I have a very special gift for my founding community members. 🎁 Also, when I record these trainings, I do them all in one shot because I'm not a content creator—I'm just trying to get what's in my brain into yours. So you'll see me glancing at notes, using filler words, and being generally human because I'm not spending hours editing. This is a side passion project, not my full-time gig. Yet. 😉 Why I'm NOT Selling You the Dream (Even Though I Could) [3:00] Here's the thing—I could totally lead with the sexy stuff. The "quit your job in 90 days!" promises. The "make six figures while sipping piña coladas!" fantasy. But I'm not going to. You know why? Because I've been in the online business world long enough to know that leading with the biggest, boldest dream is how you end up with a bunch of disappointed people who bought into unrealistic expectations. It's like weight loss ads, right? They don't show you the person who lost 10 pounds. They show you the extreme transformation—the person who lost 100 pounds and now runs marathons. Because that's what gets people to buy. But we all know statistically, most people won't get that extreme result. So when I was planning Freelance with Erica [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/welcome-to-freelance-with-erica], I made a conscious choice to focus on the hardest part—getting beginners through that initial hump where most people quit. Because THAT'S where I can actually help the most people succeed. But here's what I've discovered since launching: literally everyone wants to know about going full-time. 🙋‍♀️🙋🙋‍♂️ The DMs. The emails. The community questions. It's all: * "How realistic is it that I could quit my job in 3 months?" * "I got laid off—can I make freelancing work instead of job hunting?" * "What does the timeline actually look like?" So today, I'm giving you the FULL roadmap. From "hmm, maybe I should try freelancing" all the way to "I'm my own boss now, b*****s!" ✨ The Freelancing Funnel: Why Most People Quit Before the Magic Happens [11:45] Alright, let me show you exactly what this journey looks like. And fair warning—this might be the most important thing you'll ever see about freelancing timelines. What we're looking at here is what I call The Freelancing Funnel. Let me walk you through each level: The Top: "I Hate My Job" Land [17:16] At the very top, we've got HUNDREDS (let’s be honest - HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS) of people. These are folks sitting there thinking: * "I hate my job" * "I wish I could work for myself" * "Maybe I should try freelancing?" * "But I have no idea what I'd even offer..." Sound familiar? This is problem awareness without solution clarity. Tier 1: 10 Days to Paid [18:00] From that massive crowd at the top, only a small fraction will take action to solve their problem. We see this play out even here in my community. Despite having 100 people pass through, only about 25% actually take action and join my 10 Days to Paid course [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica]. Think about that. A course that teaches you exactly how to: * Figure out what to offer * Land your first client * Get your first 5-star review * Start building momentum And 75% of interested people still won't take that first step. This is why I focus on beginners, y'all. This is where we lose the most people. Tier 2: Road to Top Rated [20:05] Of those 25 who start 10 Days to Paid, ~10-15 actually complete it and start seeing real results. These are my graduates celebrating wins in the community chat [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica]! 🎉 (Side note: I may be stalking your profiles to see your progress. It's not creepy, it's INVESTED. There's a difference.) 😅 These successful students are now ready for the Road to Top Rated [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica]—my next course launching in August. This is where we transition from: * ✅ Quick beginner jobs → Niche-specific work * ✅ Building basic skills → Specializing your expertise * ✅ Getting any reviews → Strategic profile building You'll notice each tier has dollar signs next to it ($, ,$, , $). That's because as you move down the funnel: * 💰 You compete with FEWER people * 💰 You charge HIGHER rates * 💰 You put in LESS effort * 💰 You make MORE money But here's the catch—that first tier? It's a GRIND. Most effort, most competition, lowest rates. That's why people quit. Tier 3: First $10K [26:30] This is where we start specializing. No more random jobs—you're becoming the go-to person for specific services. This is also where we aggressively walk up your rates. Spoiler: I'm going to teach you to charge 2-5x what you made at your day job. Yes, really. Tier 4: Retainers & Projects [27:40] Now you can accurately estimate time, you've got proven frameworks, and you're ready for flat-fee projects and retainer agreements. ⚠️ WARNING: Do NOT try to skip ahead to retainers when you're a beginner. I don't care if someone offers you $35/hour for ongoing work when you currently make $30/hour. That's how you lock yourself into undercharging and burn out FAST. Wait until you're charging premium rates (think $75-150/hour) before touching retainers. The clients you attract at premium prices are: * More established * More stable * Better to work with long-term * Actually profitable for YOU Tier 5: Full-Time Freedom [33:50] The promised land. But notice how few people make it here? That's not to discourage you—it's to set realistic expectations. The Math That'll Blow Your Mind [38:30] Here's where it gets REALLY interesting. Let me show you how the same 10 billable hours per week transforms as you walk up your rates: * $10/hour: $400/month extra (feels like a grind) * $25/hour: $1,000/month extra (getting interesting) * $50/hour: $2,000/month extra (life-changing) * $75/hour: $3,000/month extra (holy s**t) * $100/hour: $4,000/month extra (retirement vibes) Same time investment. Same 10 hours. The ONLY difference? Following the system and walking up your rates systematically. Let's do some quick math with a real example: 📊 Current job: $30/hour × 40 hours = $62,400/year = $5,200/month (gross) Freelancing at $75/hour for 10 hours/week: $3,000/month Gap to replace your income: $2,200/month At $75/hour, that's: 29 additional hours per month = 7 hours per week So you'd need 17 total hours per week (instead of 40) to match your current income. And that's just to match it—most people exceed their day job income pretty quickly. The Emergency Fund Reality Check [43:15] Here's where I get REAL with you about going full-time. You need two things that are non-negotiable: * 6 months of expenses in emergency fund * Drastically reduced financial footprint (I did a whole training on this—check it out here [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/building-an-emergency-fund-as-a-freelancer?r=53parx]) COVID gave me the PERFECT example of why this matters. I was completely down for two weeks—couldn't work AT ALL. But because: * ✅ I have that emergency fund * ✅ Most clients are on retainers with monthly deliverables * ✅ I have amazing humans as clients * ✅ My financial footprint is manageable ...it was fine. Annoying, but fine. That's the security you're building toward. The Mindset Shift Nobody Talks About [52:45] Here's something I need to be honest about: I can teach you ALL the tactical stuff. The rates, the proposals, the client management, the emergency fund strategy. But there's something I can't teach you, and it's the difference between people who successfully go full-time and those who don't: Deep, unshakeable trust in yourself. I've developed what I call "Resourceful Confidence"—the bone-deep belief that no matter WHAT happens, I can figure it out. * All three clients give notice on the same day? I'll figure it out. * Unexpected $140K hospital bill? (Yes, that happened.) I'll figure it out. * Two weeks of COVID downtime right before a move? I'll figure it out. That's not something I can give you in a course. It's something you DEVELOP by doing the work, building the foundation, and proving to yourself that you CAN handle whatever comes up. Your Next Steps (And My Gift to You) [1:00:00] Alright, here's where things get EXCITING. 🎉 For everyone who's been with me in this beginner community as I've been building Freelance with Erica from scratch—you're my founding members, and I want to do something special for you. I'm moving our community to a beautiful platform called Skool [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica] where we'll have: * 🏫 Actual courses neatly organized (not just email sequences) * 💬 MUCH BETTER chat functionality * 🎮 Gamification (if you're into that) * 📱 Mobile app access * 🔔 Customizable notifications And here's the gift: Everyone who's here NOW—everyone who found me early and believed in this vision—you're getting FREE ACCESS FOR GOOD. [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica] WARNING: There’s nothing set up inside yet, so keep those expectations low. You’re bringing the party and over the next few weeks I’ll get us loaded up with great content. Starting in August, I'll be releasing Road to Top Rated [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica] trainings inside that community. As I record each training, you'll get immediate access. Then when it's complete, I'll package it up properly in the course section. Eventually (probably after Road to Top Rated is finished), this Skool community is now a $19/mo beginner freelance community. Why? Because you believed in this when it was just me with a crazy idea and a lot of caffeine. You deserve to be grandfathered in. ☕ The Reality Check You Need Look, I could promise you'll quit your job in 90 days. Some people do. But for most people, I think 6-12 months is realistic for this entire journey. And you know what? That's okay. Even if you "only" make it to Tier 2 or 3 and decide to keep freelancing as a side hustle—earning an extra $500-3,000/month while keeping your day job—that's still life-changing for many people. You're learning a skill that will ALWAYS be in your back pocket. You're building an asset (your freelance profile and reputation) that gets stronger over time. And you're proving to yourself that you CAN generate income independently. Some of you will go all the way to full-time freedom. Others will find their sweet spot somewhere in the middle. Both are wins. Coming Up: Schedule Changes Quick heads up—I'll be MIA for the next two weeks: * Next Tuesday: Best friend's 45th birthday in NYC 🎂 * Following Tuesday: Moving week (we are pausing RV life and moving back to Chicago to be near for my Dad’s cancer treatments and these next chapters ahead.) 📦 * Plus still catching up from COVID chaos But I'll be active in our new community, so definitely join us there [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica]! When I'm back in August, we'll kick off Road to Top Rated and keep building this thing together. Your Action Items Right Now ✅ * Take the 10 Days to Paid course [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica] if you haven't already * Join our new community [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica] (open to everyone!) * Start that emergency fund (here's how [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/building-an-emergency-fund-as-a-freelancer?r=53parx]) * Begin working through the funnel systematically—no skipping ahead! The path to freedom isn't always pretty, but it's absolutely possible. And I'm here to help you every step of the way. Thanks for hanging out with my froggy COVID voice, and I'll see you on the inside! 🐸✨ With caffeine and optimism (and probably too much cough syrup),Erica P.S. If this training was helpful, smash that like button, leave a comment, share it with your "I hate my job" friends, and follow our beginner community. The algorithm needs to know this stuff is valuable so I can keep reaching the people who need it most! 🙏 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freelancewitherica.substack.com [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The "Why Isn't Anyone Responding?!" to My Upwork Proposals [FREE CHECKLIST]

🧡 Quick heads up! This was created when FWE was brand new. Since then, we've grown into a thriving beginner freelance community on Skool [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica/about] with multiple courses, trainings, q&a calls, coworking, tools/resources and an incredible group of people just getting started. You may hear references to "free" in the video — everything now lives inside the community for just $19/mo or $129/year. Welcome to this week's Tuesday Training, where we tackle the uncomfortable truths about freelancing that nobody wants to talk about at parties. (Not that I go to parties. #IntrovertLife.) Today we need to have a heart-to-heart about something that's happening right now in our community. I'm watching brave souls work through 10 Days to Paid [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica], and I'm seeing a pattern that makes my heart hurt a little: The 15-Proposal Panic Attack™ 😰 You know the one. You've been diligently following 10 Days to Paid [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica]. You've sent out 10... 15... maybe 20 proposals, and your inbox is giving you the silent treatment. NOTHING. Not even a "thanks but no thanks." Just... 🦗🦗🦗 And that little voice in your head starts whispering: * "Maybe I'm not cut out for this" 😰 * "Everyone else is getting jobs but me" 😭 * "I must be doing something wrong" 🫠 * "I knew this was too good to be true" 💔 * "Time to update my Indeed profile" 🙃 STOP. RIGHT. THERE. Before you rage-quit and go back to scrolling job boards, let me normalize something for you: It might take 40-50 proposals to land your first job. Cue collective gasp and/or laptop being thrown I KNOW. That sounds like a lot. That *IS* a lot. But here's what's happening behind the scenes: As a beginner, you're fighting against: * ❌ No reviews (yet) * ❌ No job history (yet) * ❌ No "Rising Talent" badge (yet) * ❌ The algorithm not knowing you exist (yet) * ❌ Clients filtering by experience level * ❌ 50+ other people applying to the same job Notice all those "yets"? Because this is TEMPORARY. Once you land that first job and get your first 5-star review? The whole game changes. It's like dating apps—you might swipe through 100 profiles before finding someone who doesn't think "u up?" is charming conversation starter. But once you find your person? The swiping stops. (Okay, maybe freelancing is better than dating apps. At least clients PAY you for your time.) 💰 Why Your First 20 Proposals Feel Like Shouting Into the Void 🌌 Remember when River [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/your-free-upwork-freelance-course] ( [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/your-free-upwork-freelance-course]my guinea pig kiddo [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/your-free-upwork-freelance-course]) [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/your-free-upwork-freelance-course] went through this challenge? Even with me literally coaching him through every step, it took 18 DAYS for one client to respond to a proposal he'd sent on Day 1. EIGHTEEN. DAYS. That's not because his proposal sucked. It's because: * Clients are busy (and disorganized) 🏃‍♀️ * They post jobs then forget about them 🤦 * They're comparing 50+ proposals 📚 * They're waiting for budget approval 💰 * They're on vacation 🏖️ * They're just... human 🤷‍♀️ Meanwhile, you're sitting there like: * "Did I say something wrong?" 😰 * "Is my profile photo giving serial killer vibes?" 📸 * "Should I have used a different emoji?" 🤔 * "Maybe I should just apply for a NEW soul-sucking job..." 😭 Look, I could tell you to "just keep going" and "trust the process" (which is true), but that's about as helpful as telling someone with insomnia to "just sleep." So instead, I created something ACTUALLY useful: An interactive proposal checklist [https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/f2f32981-b765-46fe-9f8a-59c0debf1403] that ensures every proposal you send out is optimized for beginner success. Why Your Proposals Might Be Getting Ghosted 👻 Here's the thing: Sending out 5 proposals a day sounds easy. But when you're being intentional—taking time to choose quality jobs, crafting personalized proposals—it's can actually be time-consuming AF. (Another thing that gets easier over time. Eventually you won’t even have to send out proposals anymore.) On the flip side, if you're doing the "spray and pray" method—clicking random jobs, copying/pasting generic AI slop, hitting send while barely looking—you're basically playing freelance roulette with terrible odds. Most people fall somewhere in the middle. They're trying, but they're missing key elements that make proposals actually WORK. That's why I created this checklist—to help you maximize EVERY proposal you send. Introducing: The Proposal Checklist That'll Save Your Sanity 📋 I've built an interactive checklist that covers the 8 CRITICAL elements every proposal needs when you’re following my 10 Days to Paid program. This isn't just some PDF you'll download and ignore—it's a actual tool you can use for EVERY proposal. Access the Interactive Checklist Here [https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/f2f32981-b765-46fe-9f8a-59c0debf1403] (Yes, it has confetti when you complete it. Yes, I'm extra. No, I'm not sorry.) Let me walk you through each element and why it matters: 1. Craft a Compelling Proposal Hook 🎣 This is the hill I will die on. Your opening 1-2 sentences are worth more than the rest of your proposal combined. This is THE MOST IMPORTANT real estate in your entire proposal. Those first sentences determine whether clients keep reading or move on to the next freelancer. The difference between invisible and irresistible: ❌ INVISIBLE (aka Boring): "I'd be happy to provide a comprehensive review of your website and deliver actionable feedback through a structured survey format." I fell asleep just typing that. 😴 ✅ IRRESISTIBLE (aka Attention-Grabbing): "Need this done quickly, clearly, and without a single follow-up? I've got you. 🎯" See the difference? One sounds like every other proposal. The other sounds like a REAL PERSON who gets what the client actually wants. Pro tip: Ask AI to generate 20-30 different hooks for each proposal. Then use your gut to pick the one that makes YOU go "Ooh, that's GOOD!" (I know it sounds woo-woo, but your body knows. When you read the right hook, you'll feel a little spark of "YES!" Trust that feeling. Yes, I'm the same person who creates spreadsheets for fun. We contain multitudes.) You're feeling for: * 😂 Humor that lands * 😰 Pain points that sting * 🎯 Specificity that shows you GET IT * 💫 Outcomes they're dreaming about * 🧐 Curiosity that gets the click-through * 🫨 Disruption that makes them stop scrolling Want to dive deeper into hook writing? Check out my previous training on attention-hijacking headlines [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/get-your-upwork-proposals-opened] and hook writing. 2. Offer Strategic Pricing Discount 💸 As a beginner, your pricing is your SECRET WEAPON. But it has to be strategic, not desperate. If your profile says $25/hour, offer $15/hour and TELL THEM about the discount: "My standard rate is $25/hour, but I'm offering a special introductory rate of $15/hour as I build my Upwork presence. You get premium work at a beginner price—win-win!" Pro tip from River's playbook: His profile headline was literally "0 Upwork Reviews. 100% Committed to WOW You." He LEANED INTO being new. In almost every proposal, he talked about being eager to earn his first 5-star review. Own where you are. Make it work FOR you, not against you. Clients LOVE being someone's first success story—if you position it right. 3. Polish Your Writing with AI 🤖 Look, I'm all about keeping it conversational and real. But typos and grammar mistakes scream "amateur." Run EVERY proposal through: * ChatGPT or Claude (ask it to "please clean this up while using as much of the same word choices and phrases as possible") * Grammarly Keep your personality. Lose the mistakes. 4. Target Recent Job Posts ⏰ Jobs posted 2+ weeks ago? Skip 'em. The client has either: * Already hired someone * Lost interest * Forgotten they even posted it Sweet spot: Jobs posted within the last 3 days Acceptable: Up to 1 week old Pushing it: 1-2 weeks The exception here is when the client has a high “Hire” rate (70%+) or is hiring multiple freelancers for the job and still has openings. Newer = Less competition + Higher response rates 5. Verify Client Quality 🔍 Not all clients are created equal. Before wasting connects, check: ✅ High Quality Client Signs: * 4+ star rating (more than 20 reviews) * Payment verified * 20+ past hires * Clear job descriptions with realistic expectations * Look at their job history to see if they’ve historically left 5 star AND written reviews with previous freelancers they worked with. 6. Confirm Job Availability 👀 Before you spend those precious connects, CHECK: * Has the client already hired someone? * If they have, are they hiring multiple people? * Is the job still marked as open? Nothing worse than crafting the perfect proposal for a job that was filled 3 days ago. 😤 7. Focus on Beginner-Friendly Jobs 🎯 I know you want to dive into your dream niche, but for your first few gigs, prioritize: BEGINNER GOLD: * Surveys & feedback collection * Website/app testing * Simple research tasks * Basic data entry * Quick admin tasks * "Review our [thing] and give feedback" Save for later: * Complex creative projects * Long-term commitments * Anything requiring extensive portfolios * Jobs with 50+ applicants already 8. Choose Small Scope Projects ⏱️ Your first jobs should be measured in HOURS, not days or weeks. Perfect starter jobs: * 1-4 hours of work * Clear, specific deliverables * Due within a few days * Simple requirements Too big for beginners: * "Looking for long-term partnership" * "Need someone 20 hours/week ongoing" * Complex multi-phase projects For bigger projects? Use the 2-hour trial method I teach in 10 Days to Paid. Using the Checklist (And When to Ask for Help) 🚨 Here's how I want you to use this: First 20 proposals: Follow the 10 Days to Paid system exactly. Don't overthink it. Start using the checklist. Experiment with different hook styles. Proposals 21+: If you haven't gotten ANY responses, it's time for a proposal review. Drop them in our community chat [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica], and the community can help you figure out how to tighten up your proposals. Remember: Some clients take a WEEK OR MORE to respond. River got hired for a job he applied to TWO WEEKS earlier. Patience, grasshopper. 🦗 The Reality Check You Need 💊 I'm not going to sugarcoat this: Those first proposals feel like shouting into the void. It's demoralizing. It's frustrating. It makes you question if you’re cut out for this. But here's what I know: * MY first 30+ proposals? Mostly crickets AND a ghosting client. * Fast forward a couple years? I haven’t sent a proposal in AGES and TURN DOWN new client work every month. The breakthrough always comes RIGHT after you want to quit. Your Homework (Yes, There's Homework) 📚 * Download the checklist [https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/f2f32981-b765-46fe-9f8a-59c0debf1403] and bookmark it * Review your last 5 proposals against these criteria * Send 5 NEW proposals using the checklist * Track which hooks get responses in your proposal tracker [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/upwork-proposal-tracker-tool] (data is your friend!) * Share your wins (and struggles) in our community [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica] And if you haven't started 10 Days to Paid [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica] yet? What are you waiting for? It's: * ✅ 12+ hours of step-by-step training * ✅ Includes templates, AI prompts, and swipe files * ✅ Documents an actual success story (follow along as a 22 year old Starbucks barista lands their first jobs following this program) * ✅ Will transform you from "what do I even offer?" to "I GOT PAID!" And now it includes this shiny new checklist to make sure every proposal counts. This checklist won't make much sense without the full strategy. It's like having a map without knowing the destination. No paywalls. No "upgrade for the REAL secrets." Just the complete system that actually works. The Bottom Line 🎯 Landing your first freelance job is: * 20% having the right skills * 30% sending quality proposals * 50% not giving up when it gets hard This checklist handles the quality part. Your persistence handles the rest. Every "no" gets you closer to "yes." Every ignored proposal teaches you something. Every ghosted message builds your resilience. And when that first "Hi, I'd love to work with you!" message lands? Chef's kiss It makes every ignored proposal worth it. And your first "You're hired!" message is closer than you think. 💪 Now go forth and GET THOSE GIGS! 🎉 P.S. If you're reading this after sending exactly 7 proposals and wondering why you're not rich yet... bb, no. That's like going to the gym once and wondering why you don't have abs already. Give it time. 😅 P.P.S. Seriously though—if you hit 25+ proposals with ZERO responses, post in the community chat [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica]. We'll troubleshoot together. 🤝 P.P.P.S. Yes, the checklist [https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/f2f32981-b765-46fe-9f8a-59c0debf1403] really does have confetti. Because if you're going to track your freelance progress, you might as well CELEBRATE it too! 🎉 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freelancewitherica.substack.com [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Should You Offer Hourly, Project-Based, or Packages as a Beginner Freelancer?

🧡 Quick heads up! This was created when FWE was brand new. Since then, we've grown into a thriving beginner freelance community on Skool [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica/about] with multiple courses, trainings, q&a calls, coworking, tools/resources and an incredible group of people just getting started. You may hear references to "free" in the video — everything now lives inside the community for just $19/mo or $129/year. Hey there, future freelancer! 👋 If you're sitting there frantically googling "how much should I charge for [insert the freelance service of your choice]" while simultaneously having an existential crisis about whether you're even qualified to charge ANYTHING... First of all, deep breath. Put down the Diet Coke. (Just kidding, *never* put down the Diet Coke.) Second, I'm about to make this SO much simpler than all those "charge what you're worth!" posts or “it’s an energy exchange” advice. (Your “worth” is defined by SO MUCH MORE than what labor you can perform for other people and their businesses, FYI.) Because here's the thing—as a beginner, you've got exactly ONE goal: Build momentum and credibility. FAST. 🚀 And the pricing model you choose can either rocket you toward success or leave you stuck in proposal purgatory forever. (Spoiler: I spent too much time in proposal purgatory. It sucked. Learn from my mistakes.) Quick Announcement Before We Dive In If you're new here, I just wrapped up creating 10 Days to Paid [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica]—my Upwork course for freelance beginners that takes you from "what would I even offer as a freelancer?" to landing your first paying client. It includes: 🎯 Exactly what service to offer (even if you think you have no skills)📝 Word-for-word proposal templates that actually work💰 My proven pricing strategy (what we're diving into today!)🚀 How to get clients WITHOUT a portfolio Grab it now [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica] if you haven't already. Because today's training is going to make a LOT more sense if you understand the bigger picture of beginner freelancing. Now, back to our regularly scheduled training on the pricing panic most new freelancers face... 😅 My Embarrassing Pricing Journey (So You Don't Have To Repeat It) When I first started freelancing, I did what any reasonable completely panicked person would do: I made up random numbers and hoped for the best. My thought process went something like: * "Well, I made $50/hour at my corporate job..." 💭 * "But I have no experience..." 😰 * "But I'm really smart!" 🧠 * "But no one knows that..." 😭 * "Maybe I'll charge $75 because…confidence?" 💪 * Sends zero proposals because paralyzed by fear 🫠 Plot twist: NONE of that mattered because I was doing it ALL wrong. If you're new to freelancing and wondering how the hell to price your work—hourly? flat fee? packages? retainers? blood sacrifice to the freelance gods?—I'm gonna make this REAL simple for you. The Pricing Strategy That Actually Works for Beginners 💰 1. Start With Hourly Pricing (Yes, Even If It Feels "Beneath" You) I know, I know. You're thinking: "But Erica, I have 10 years of experience!" 😤 "But Erica, I have a masters degree!" 🎓 "But Erica, hourly pricing is for BEGINNERS!" 🙄 To which I lovingly respond: YOU ARE A BEGINNER. (At freelancing, anyway.) Sips her Diet Coke aggressively 🥤 Here's the uncomfortable truth: As a beginner freelancer, your rate is one of the ONLY levers you can pull to compete. You don't have: * ⭐ Shiny 5-star reviews * 📊 Impressive job history * 💬 Glowing testimonials * 🏆 That fancy "Top Rated" badge * 🦄 A magical portfolio that makes clients JUMP to work with you So your rate becomes one of your MOST POWERFUL TOOL for creating interest and urgency with potential clients. You're not pricing for your skills right now—you're pricing for your position. And right now, you're the new kid on the freelance block. 👶 That might mean starting at $15-20/hour. Now, I know you're having one of two reactions: Reaction #1: Cue collective gasp from everyone who just calculated that's less than they made at their college job Reaction #2: "Wait, I could make $20/HOUR?! That's literally DOUBLE what I'm making!" 🤩 Here's the beautiful thing—IT DOESN'T MATTER which camp you're in. Because whether $20/hour feels like a pay cut or a massive raise, this is just your STARTING POINT. This is TEMPORARY and STRATEGIC. 🎯 Everyone starts somewhere. The magic is in where you're GOING. 🚀 You're not parking here forever. You're using that lower rate like a BATTERING RAM to: * ✅ Get quick yeses * ✅ Build job history FAST * ✅ Stack up those 5-star reviews * ✅ Create undeniable momentum * ✅ Make Upwork's algorithm fall in love with you Think of it as the freelance equivalent of a loss leader at Target. They're not making money on that $5 rotisserie chicken—they're getting you in the door so you'll spend $200 on stuff you didn't know you needed definitely essential items. (Just me? Cool cool cool.) 🛒 2. The ONLY Time I Recommend Flat-Fee Pricing for Beginners There's exactly ONE scenario where flat-fee makes sense as a newbie, and it's for what I call "quick win" jobs. These are the freelance equivalent of those free samples at Costco—small, low-risk, designed to get you in the door: * "Review our landing page and complete this survey - $20" 📋 * "Test our app functionality - $25" 📱 * "Give feedback on our website user experience - $30" 💻 These jobs are: * ✅ FAST (usually under an hour) * ✅ LOW-RISK (hard to mess up) * ✅ REVIEW-GENERATING MACHINES * ✅ Outside your main niche (and that's TOTALLY okay!) After your first 2-3 of these? We're moving on to bigger things. 🚀 Why I don't recommend project pricing for "real" work yet: You have NO IDEA how long things actually take. None. Zero. Zip. You think you do. YOU'RE WRONG. (Ask me how I know.) 😅 That "simple" blog post that should take 2 hours? Suddenly it's 3am and you're on hour 7 because the client wants "just a few more tweaks" and you're making $2.86/hour. Not that this has ever happened to me. Multiple times. DEFINITELY not. 😭🥤 3. The Magic of the "2-Hour Trial" Strategy 🪄 Once you've got a couple reviews under your belt, here's the strategy that changed EVERYTHING for me: Offer a 2-hour, 100% money-back guaranteed trial. I can hear you panicking already. "But Erica, what if they don't like my work?!" THAT'S. THE. POINT. 🤯 This strategy is BRILLIANT because: * 🎯 It removes risk for the client * 🎯 It gives YOU an escape hatch if they're awful * 🎯 It protects your profile from bad reviews * 🎯 It sets clear boundaries from DAY ONE * 🎯 It makes you stand out from other beginners * 🎯 It's like a professional "vibe check" for both parties If the client's not happy? You either don't log the time or refund it. (Yes, I have the exact word-for-word scripts for this in 10 Days to Paid [https://fwe.myflodesk.com/ipgc2t4mxn]. No, you don't have to figure it out yourself.) Out of all the trials I've offered (and I’ve offered a LOT), only THREE people required the money back guarantee to be used. Two of them were because *I* felt it was a bad fit and didn’t want to do continued work with their client. And none of them left bad reviews because I'd set expectations perfectly. 4. Why Hourly Pricing is Your Data-Gathering Superpower 📊 Here's what nobody tells you about freelancing: You don't know what you don't know. Like how I didn't know that: * Sales pages take me 3x longer than blog posts * Funnels are my ZONE OF GENIUS ✨ * I HATE writing technical documentation (never again) * Client communication can eat up 30% of project time * "Quick revisions" are RARELY quick Hourly pricing gives you REAL data about: * ⏱️ How long tasks ACTUALLY take * 😍 What you enjoy (and what makes you want to quit take a very long nap) * 🧛 Which clients are energy vampires * 💰 Your actual effective hourly rate * 🎯 What you should specialize in Let me paint you a picture of how this evolution happens: Month 1: "I do ALL the writing things!" 🎉 * Random blog posts * Some emails * A sales page or website * Standard operating procedures (shudder) Month 3: "Actually, I REALLY love writing for coaches..." 💕 * Specifically female coaches * Especially their email funnels * Using Flodesk is my jam Month 6: "I'm the FLODESK FUNNEL QUEEN" 👑 * 5-email welcome sequence? 10 hours flat. * Including strategy, writing, design, setup * I have templates for EVERYTHING * I can quote projects now with scary accuracy NOW I can confidently charge $1,999 for a 5-email sequence because I KNOW it takes me ~10 hours all-in. But trying to package that in Month 1? I would have either: * Undercharged and worked for $3/hour 😭 * Overcharged and never landed the job 💸 You can't package what you can't predict. And you can't predict without data. PERIOD. 📏 5. The Social Proof Goldmine That Hourly Creates 🏆 Okay, psychology lesson time! (Don't worry, I'll make it fun.) You know how you check reviews before buying LITERALLY ANYTHING? That $20 face cream has 10,000 five-star reviews so OBVIOUSLY you need it immediately? 💄 Upwork works the EXACT same way. When clients look at your profile, they see your job history including: * 💵 What others paid you * ⏰ How many hours you worked * ⭐ Your reviews and ratings * 📈 Most importantly: YOUR RATE PROGRESSION Flat fee jobs HIDE your value and social proof. A $100 project could be: * 1 hour of expert work (amazing!) 🌟 * 20 hours of newbie struggle (big yikes) 😱 But hourly jobs? They tell a story: Top of profile: "Sarah paid Erica $50/hour - 20 hours - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐" "Erica is exceptional! Will hire again!" Next job: "Tom paid Erica $45/hour - 15 hours - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐" "Best copywriter I've worked with!" Next job: "Michele paid Erica $40/hour - 10 hours - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐" "Exceeded all expectations!" See what's happening? Other people are paying these rates and LOVING IT. That's social proof on STEROIDS. 💪 Know what makes someone comfortable paying you $50/hour? Seeing that other people already are. Chef's kiss for psychology 👨‍🍳💋 The Rate-Climbing Strategy That Changes Everything 📈 Inside 10 Days to Paid [https://fwe.myflodesk.com/ipgc2t4mxn], I teach my exact rate progression strategy. But here's the preview of what this might look like for you: Starting rate: $15-20/hour After 3 successful jobs: $22-25/hour After 5 successful jobs: $28-35/hour After 10 successful jobs: $40-50/hour After 20 successful jobs: $60-85/hour We're talking MONTHS, not years. It took me 20 YEARS to eventually make more than $50/hour in my 8-5 job. I went from $15 to $85+/hour in less than 6 months. Two years later? I charge 3-5X what I used to make in my 8-5. That’s the beauty when YOU are the person in control and YOU get to set your own rates. Your Action Plan Starting TODAY 🎯 * Stop overthinking your pricing model * Set an hourly rate between $15-25 (yes, even if it hurts your ego) * Focus on landing quick wins to build reviews * Use the 2-hour trial strategy for bigger projects * Track your actual time religiously * Raise your rates every 2-3 successful projects * Consider packaging only after you've specialized This is just ONE piece of the complete strategy I teach in 10 Days to Paid [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica]—my beginner freelance course that shows you exactly how to go from "what's a freelancer?" to "I got the contract!". No hidden upsells. No "but wait, upgrade for the REAL secrets!" Just the exact system that works. Because honestly? I'm tired of watching people struggle with the same stuff I struggled with. The same overthinking. The same paralysis. The same "I could never do that" mindset. You can. You just need someone to show you how. Let's get you making money, shall we? 💰 P.S. Still worried about starting at a "low" rate? I started at $15/hour and felt like I was back to my my Taco Bell days. (Yes, I can make you a mean burrito 🌯) These days I charge $250+/hour for certain projects. Your starting point is NOT your destination—it's just where you get on the escalator. 🎢 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freelancewitherica.substack.com [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Your Upwork Job Success Score (A Freelancing "Credit Score" That Actually Pays Your Bills) 💯

🧡 Quick heads up! This was created when FWE was brand new. Since then, we've grown into a thriving beginner freelance community on Skool [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica/about] with multiple courses, trainings, q&a calls, coworking, tools/resources and an incredible group of people just getting started. You may hear references to "free" in the video — everything now lives inside the community for just $19/mo or $129/year. Hey there, freelance friend! 👋 Today, we’re digging deep into the thing most freelancers don’t think about until it’s too late: your Job Success Score (JSS). If you’ve been on Upwork for more than five minutes, you’ve probably seen this mysterious percentage floating near the top of freelancer profiles. But what IS it, really? And why does it matter more than your actual skills when it comes to landing jobs? Let’s just say this: one bad contract can tank it. And getting it back up? Brutal. (Ask me how I know...) So I’m walking you through exactly how Upwork calculates your JSS, why it can be more powerful than your portfolio, and the strategies I used to pull mine up from the 70s to a sparkling 100%—and keep it there ever since. Quick Intro for the Newbies 🙋‍♀️ I'm Erica Nall, one of the top 1% freelancers on Upwork out of over 18 million. I replaced my six-figure healthcare job by freelancing in a totally unrelated field—sales copywriting. I've since retired my husband, hit the road as a full-time RVer, and now work on my own schedule while managing chronic illness. Upwork was the foundation that made this possible. And now, I help beginner freelancers build their own bridge to freedom—faster, easier, and with fewer Oreos stress-eaten in the process. (Although no judgment. Oreos got me through my 73% JSS era.) Wait, What IS the Job Success Score? Let's talk Job Success Scores—or as I like to call it, "The Number That Controls Your Freelance Destiny." Your JSS is Upwork’s way of summarizing your performance into one tidy, powerful percentage. It’s like your freelance GPA or credit score. High score = high trust. Low score = you’ve got work to do. Clients do check it. The algorithm does prioritize it. And while it might feel unfair, it’s also one of the most leverageable parts of your freelance career—IF you understand how it works. The truth? It’s easier to protect your JSS than it is to fix it. Your Job Success Score is like your GPA. A 4.0 is great—but one "C" can drop you to a 3.5 and take MONTHS to climb back up. Same with JSS. A good JSS: * ✅ Boosts your visibility (hello, page one!) * ✅ Increases likelihood of landing jobs * ✅ Attracts new clients like moths to a flame * ✅ Plays a CRUCIAL role in landing those sexy badges (Top Rated, Top Rated Plus, or Expert Vetted—which is the top 1% of freelancers on Upwork) When I first joined Upwork in 2019, I was winging it. I took random jobs, had no niche, no plan, and treated it like a fun little side hustle. And my JSS? Fluctuated wildly: * 97% → 84% → 92% → then... the SEVENTIES. 😱 When I returned to Upwork in 2023, I was serious—but I had a 73% JSS working against me. Clients didn’t want to take a chance. I had to write 3x as many proposals, explain myself in every single one, and prove that I was not the 73% girl anymore. The only reason I recovered? Strategy. Persistence. And an obsessive focus on protecting my JSS from every angle. I've since clawed my way back to 100% and maintained it ever since. Getting it back up? BRUTAL. I don’t want that for you. That's why I teach my students how to protect it from day one. Your goal: Keep this baby at 90% or above. The closer to 100%, the better. Think of it as your freelance credit score, except instead of determining if you can buy a house, it determines if you can afford a house. 💸 The Secret Sauce: What Actually Goes Into Your JSS 🔍 Upwork used to guard their JSS formula like it was the 11 herbs & spices for Kentucky Fried Chicken. But at the end of 2024, they added a beautiful, nerdy new feature: the Stats and Trends dashboard. Let me take you behind the scenes using my own account... Finding Your Stats (AKA Your Freelance Report Card) 📈 From your profile picture in the upper right corner, there's an option called 'Stats and Trends'. Quick sidebar for the trust-issue folks (I see you, and I am you): I first tried Upwork back in 2019 and quit like a proper quitter. Returned in September 2023, and in less than 6 months, I was moving my business OFF platform because people were throwing referrals at me left and right. These days? I basically just keep two dreamy copywriting clients on Upwork that I love working with. Almost all my billing these days comes from direct off-platform clients. BUT—and this is a big but—I still recommend EVERYONE start on Upwork. It's like learning to drive in a parking lot before hitting the highway. You need that foundation before you can scale to the fancy stuff. (On Day 2 of 10 Days to Paid [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica], I literally show you inside my bank account and client invoices. I probably OVERSHARE, but after being duped by fake-it-til-you-make-it gurus, I'm all about that radical transparency life.) Inside the Stats Page: Where Dreams Meet Data 📊 Once you're in, you'll see ALL sorts of fun stats: * Last 12 months of earnings (totally OK if this is a big fat ZERO when starting) * Proposal history (including how many were opened, messaged, and hired) * Profile metrics (views, invites, impressions) Want to see something wild? I’ve barely touched Upwork in the past year—yet I STILL get invited to jobs, show up in search, and hold a $333/hour profile rate. Here’s what my 2025 Upwork stats look like: * Sent: 1 proposal * Hired: 1 job (100% close rate) * Profile views: 67 * Job invitations: 7 * JSS: 100% * Top Rated + Expert Vetted badges * Connects: Nearly 1,000 💀 (If I could gift these Connects to you beginners, I would! You're probably scraping the bottom of your Connect barrel while I'm sitting here like Scrooge McDuck swimming in unused Connects.) The JSS Factors That Actually Matter 🎯 Here's where it gets juicy. Let's break down what ACTUALLY impacts your score: 1. The Basics (AKA "You Need These to Even Play") As a beginner, you won't get a JSS until you: * ✅ Successfully complete 2 jobs * ✅ Work with 2 unique clients (No, hiring your mom twice doesn't count. Nice try though.) 2. Client Satisfaction (The Obvious One) This includes: * Public feedback (those pretty stars everyone can see) * Private feedback (the REAL tea they spill to Upwork) * Contract ending reason (did they close it happy or... not?) 3. Long-Term Relationships (The Secret Weapon) 💪 A relationship qualifies as "long-term" if a client's last payment is made more than 90 days after their first payment. These are GOLDEN because they count as positive feedback even if the client doesn't leave a review! (Yes, you read that right. Sometimes silence IS golden.) 4. Higher Earnings (Size Matters... For Your JSS) 💰 Jobs with higher earnings have a bigger impact on your score: * $1+ = Weighted as 1 job * $251+ = Weighted as 1.25 jobs * $1001+ = Weighted as 1.5 jobs This can either amplify positive impact when you nail it, or amplify negative impact when you don't. (No pressure or anything.) 5. Contract Length (The Marathon Bonus) 🏃‍♀️ A single contract with a payment every 90 days is considered an extra "job" toward your JSS, up to a maximum of 8 jobs. Translation: Keep those good clients around, and Upwork will love you for it. 6. Ineligible Jobs (The Ones That Don't Count) These WON'T help your score: * Jobs with no earnings * Jobs with no feedback * Jobs with feedback removed (Yes, that "test" job your friend hired you for but you refunded them back the money? Useless. Stop it.) The Beginner's Focus: Keep It Simple, Stupid 🎯 As a beginner, your PRIMARY focus should be: * Get those first 2 jobs and 2 clients (activate your JSS) * Keep client satisfaction HIGH (use those strategies from 10 Days to Paid) Everything else will naturally happen as you scale. Don't stress about long-term clients when you're still trying to land your first gig! Want to Protect Your JSS From Day One? 🛡️ Now that you understand why your Job Success Score matters (and how easily it can slip, especially when you're just starting out), the next step is making sure you're set up to protect it from Day One. That's EXACTLY why I created my 10 Days to Paid Challenge [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica]. It's a course that takes you from "never freelanced a day in my life" to landing your first paying clients and 5-star reviews. And we've already proven it works! We used my kiddo—a 22-year-old Starbucks barista—as our guinea pig. He followed the program while I documented his progress, and he landed his first client just 6 days after sending out his first round of proposals. There's absolutely just $19/mo or $129/year. I give you EVERYTHING: * ✅ Swipe files * ✅ AI prompts * ✅ Tools and resources * ✅ Checklists * ✅ My sanity (okay, that last one's debatable) Your Next Steps 🚀 * Join our support community [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica] if you haven't already * Take the 10 Days to Paid Challenge [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica] * Start tracking your proposals [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/upwork-proposal-tracker-tool] with my free tracker * Drop your wins in our chat [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica] so I can celebrate with you! REMINDER: I provide coaching in our support community, focusing on what I teach in Find Your Freelance Ready Skills [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/no-experience-no-problem-how-to-find] and 10 Days to Paid Upwork Challenge [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica] for Beginner Freelancers. Drop your: * Questions ❓ * Profiles 👤 * Proposals 📝 * Tracker snapshots 📊 * Reviews/testimonials ⭐ * WINS (especially those first messages and contracts!) 🎉 Links You'll Need: * Support Community: https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica] * Find Your Freelance Skills: How to Find Your Freelance Ready Skills [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/no-experience-no-problem-how-to-find] * 10 Days to Paid: Start the Challenge [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica] * Free Proposal Tracker: Get Your Tracker [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/upwork-proposal-tracker-tool] I'll see you next Tuesday with another training. Don't forget to drop your wins so I can celebrate with you! 🎉 P.S. Yes, my JSS really did drop to the 70s. Yes, it was painful. Yes, I may have stress-eaten an entire sleeve of Oreos about it. But look at me now! gestures wildly at the recovered 100% JSS There's hope for all of us! 💪 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freelancewitherica.substack.com [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]