Upwork Global Inc formerly Elance-oDesk, is an American freelancing platform headquartered in Santa Clara and San Francisco California. The company was formed in 2013 as Elance-oDesk, after the merger of Elance Inc. and oDesk Corp. The merged company subsequently rebranded to Upwork in 2015.
In 2017, Upwork had over twelve million registered freelancers and five million registered clients. More than three million jobs worth over $1 billion USD together were posted in 2017.
In March 2022, Upwork was named to TIME’s List of 100 Most Influential Companies of the year 2022.
Create your profile (it’s free)
An eye-catching title and client-focused overview help us match you to the work you want. Include your work history, your skills, and your photo. Add more, like an introduction video, to create a profile that really stands out.
Explore ways to earn
Work and earn in different ways. Bid for jobs. Pitch your projects. Discuss your in-demand skills with our recruiters so they can find opportunities aligned with your passions and career goals. Do all three. Create a predictable pipeline and build your network.
Search on Talent Marketplace™ for the hourly or fixed-price work you’re looking for. Submit a proposal, set your rate, and show how great you’ll be. Give a little extra by sharing your unique approach and offering a rapport-building interview.
Create easy-to-buy projects with Project Catalog™. Match your projects to what clients need. Be clear upfront by defining your scope, timing, price, and terms. Once we’ve approved your project, clients can start to buy.
Get paid securely
Choose how you get paid. Our fixed-price protection releases client payments at project milestones. Hourly protection bills clients every week. However you work, our service fees are the same. Spend less time chasing, more earning.
Create winning proposals
Getting new clients starts with your proposal and cover letter and that means figuring out what it takes for you to get their attention.
“When I post a new project as a client, I can get anywhere from 10 to 50 submissions,” said Overholt. “Clients don’t have time to read through every proposal, they fly through them. You’re trying to quickly stand out in a pool of 50 other professionals and that can be intimidating.”
Continue updating and improving your skills
One thing you’ll quickly learn about running a business is that being proactive pays off, whether that’s thinking about your next project, following trends in your industry, or keeping your expertise sharp.
Independent talent may enjoy an edge over employees when it comes to up-to-date skills: They’re nearly twice as likely to have completed skills training in the last six months.
So, as you start to carve out your new routine as a business owner, consider including time for regular research and learning. Check out top tools independent talent can use to keep their skills fresh for ideas.
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