Hey guys,
I have created account on Upwork and Freelancer since last 1 month. I have created my profile as web developer. This is what I have obse...
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I only ever tried upwork but it is so frustrating to use that I left the idea all together.
As a new one to these places, you only get clients due to your low prices...
One of the clients I refused to work with had a programming course selling site based in Kolkata, India and wanted me to sell a detailed 2.5hr detailed Natural Language Processing in Python and Javascript for INR. 1000 per hour or $13.55 per hour.
The course explained everything including the maths and logic of the underlying algorithms in animated and visual ways for beginners. Moreover I am a certified instructor.
Also when I called their boss to explain the value, he first tried to show me nonsense and then when I got the upper hand, simply hung up and probably blocked me for ever after. He was simply running a programming course site and himself did not know even a single line of code...(probably not even how to console.log)
I mean as a developer can you believe it?
The cheaper clients that you get when starting are "TERRIBLE" to say the least,
I ended up starting with things of my own...
I probably will post an article soon about the alternatives (will edit here) but the bottom line is developers and valuable people end up doing everything else other than code on these so NEWBIES ==> Please stay away.
That's so bad experience you got from there.
Yeah, it's so hard to deal with the non-technical client, There are so many of them especially in India who sells others Technical Work by impersonating them, and They don't even know what they are selling.
On these sites like freelancer and Upwork first of all as a beginner you have to bid lower or you have to bid faster then others so maybe the client will see it soon.
Still, It isn't a great way. Especially in WebDev, there are lots of competition, but very few can provide Quality Work!
Sure, I would like to read your article. Feel free to add it here.
I would avoid all those websites that try hard to organize a race to bottom where you become a commodity.
Actually, That's Right! So how do you prefer to get clients? Is it from reference or from any community! I'll be really grateful if you explain. Also, there are many people who are beginners just like me would want to find a good way to do freelancing.
That's a huge question, and it's a journey, it's fine to start with a bit of upwork as long as its a step to something better.
I think you have to change your mindset first.
Here are some favorite of mine from Johnathan Stark and Erik Dietrich
Thanks for this sharing all these amazing articles, this will also help to those who are reading this. I'll try my best to learn from it.
Also it's probably worth to benefit from the wisdom of the community and look what is already available on the #freelancing tag
dev.to/t/freelancing/top/infinity
In response to that question I'd say neither and then if you ask "how does one get clients then?" my response would be, creating a personal brand and showcasing what you're capable of, start from somebody you know that needs a site but doesn't know how to do it and get a referral from them and then word of mouth from that point on.
Yep. Right! That can be a good start instead of this competitive environment.
I clearly agree with you. Upwork is much better in terms of jobs and usability. But the problem with both sites is that, while you don't have lots of 5 star rated projects, the only way you can get some work from it is to go into a race with the lowest prices.
Other ways to get clients are: personal recommendation, have a great portfolio, have a great social media activity, doing some contracting work for companies.
Yes you're right! Rating is also hurdle in getting clients. You must have to start from something. also, Thanks for your suggestions I'll keep them in mind.
I personally hate using both. I use Fiverr which, in my opinion, is awsome.