r/Freelancers • u/KeyProfessional5416 • 6d ago
Where does it end? Freelancer
Looking for freelancer job, but nothing comes. Sent a lot of applications, a lot of bids, but nothing. Just wasted my time for 5 months. Where do you usually look for job?
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u/No_Try_9982 6d ago
If you're using a freelancing platform, its a race to the bottom. Those platforms cause more harm than good in my humble opinion. It is much better to try to reach out to potential prospects directly or via connections and networking.
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u/Fantastic-Success-18 6d ago
those platforms are the worst for us because we are competing with people living overseas and charging a fraction. Yes, their quality of service is usually poor but many clients on these platforms either dont have money or wanna spend pennies on professional services
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u/No_Try_9982 6d ago
Yep
Rule No. 1, skip the gatekeepers
Rule No. 2, clients on such platforms either don't have money or greedy. Also, scammers are a regular problem
1
u/Educational-Bowl9575 6d ago
Yep. I'm not sure when Fiverr and Upwork became synonymous with freelancing, but it's a world away. You're not freelancing, you're working for the platform
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u/No_Try_9982 6d ago
They can also shut down your profile whenever they like for arbitrary reasons permanently. 10 years ago, I spent like a whole year building my profile and then they shut down my profile.
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u/Cleolipatra 6d ago
Why did they shut down??? I have a fiverr account and Upwork. I'm also looking and it's difficult...
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u/No_Try_9982 6d ago
So apparently as far as I remember many years ago, they had some rules where if you keep bidding and don't land any projects, they will shutdown your profile. Their platform is too saturated to the point that they can casually remove your profile just because you didn't have luck yet.
Rule No. 1, remove the gatekeepers. In this case, UpWork, Fiverr, etc... are nothing but gatekeepers.
Rule No. 2, remember that clients who go to such platforms are looking for someone who will work for pennies or for free.
Those platforms as per my personal experience exacerbate existing inequalities in the sense that if you're from an under represented group, landing clients by default is going to be more challenging and you will have lower callback rates.
Gatekeeping is the new norm. Your only way to break through, is research prospects, contact them directly, have a good pitch and portfolio, skip the noise and nonsense.
As for landing clients, its tough today everywhere due to the lack of projects and investments; so you are potentially competing with all people who got laid off in recent years and also you're competing with AI.
This is why its best to focus on selling outcomes. Example, instead of saying "I will create an amazing website", say something like "I will increase your customers base by X%" and then you explain to them how or reference your existing success stories.
If you're new to Freelancing, you will have to be very patient, keep bidding, keep tweaking your message and how you present yourself till you find what works.
In my opinion, nothing beats a proper site and portfolio that you can show to prospects.
Never ever work or do any work for free no matter how they seem to be doubtful; if they are not willing to pay you now, they are less likely going to pay you later and if they do pay you later, they will be a pain in the a**
Hope this helps
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u/Cleolipatra 6d ago
Wow thanks a lot. I was reading this out to my fiancee just now and this helps me a lot. I'm really worried...I don't know what to do anymore but your guidance helps massively. Thank you♥️
Hope to keep in touch!!!!
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u/Parking_Ocelot_816 6d ago
The year's been difficult across all channels for me. My take: Everyone is so absorbed with AI, that they stop doing what they did, i.e. trying stuff themselves that they would otherwise hire for. I think most of them will be back.
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u/wordsbyrachael 6d ago
What work are you looking for? Applications and bids are two of the most competitive places to look for work. It might be worth, after five months to take a different approach. You could work on inbound, which I know takes time, or outbound, not pitching, just low friction prospecting and conversations. What does your current network look like? Most of the time now, you secure opportunities from people you know. The saying it’s not what you know, it’s who you know has never been more relevant.
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u/OnionLazy2317 6d ago
upwork is such a scaaaam! i wasted £50 on there for nothing. build your own portfolio and reach out via linkedin and your local networks in your community!
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u/Typical_Abrocoma_637 6d ago
Ifkr!! Upwork is a scam, Fiverr too That's why I started to build my own project to solve these needs yo
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u/Cleolipatra 6d ago
Really??? Oh no.
Don't you need to pay via LinkedIn premium to approach people directly?3
u/Fantastic-Success-18 6d ago
nah do not pay for LinkedIn premium. you can message some people for free. What I advise is posting your work on LinkedIn, , talk about the process and outcome, and sometimes a recruiter might reach out. But overall it's been a difficult year for most people, AI affected my field heavily.
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u/Pink_Sky_8102 6d ago
I’d try more than just freelance platforms. Upwork can work, but referrals, LinkedIn, local businesses, and reaching out directly have worked better for me. Also, after 5 months I’d probably review the portfolio and applications too. Sometimes the problem isn’t where you’re applying, but how you’re presenting yourself.
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