For my current hourly rate, i would say 2 years? When I started, my rate was about $20-25/hr because i just wanted to get some traction on my profile.
over time, i've realised i lose more than money with low rates. some clients don't value time and my rate reflects that i value my time/work. high enough to keep me contented and low enough not to chase future contracts.
As for what I would do differently, to be honest, I would not freelance, especially on Upwork. But apart from that, if I'm starting today, I will niche down and be so specific, pivot when necessary, increase my rate high enough, and have some money for bidding.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts honestly. I have heard similar feedback about Upwork from a couple of other freelancers. Hope all goes well with your freelancing and the newsletter :)
Ame, thanks for sharing your freelancing experience. I can see it's very difficult to arrive to a point where you can obtain the expected jobs. Maybe it Is convenient to look at freelance plataforms other than Upwork.
ALL freelance platforms are the same, including LinkedIn.
as long as you have to bid for contracts, you're going to pay for something before you get a gig.
** It's all voluntary and except you're getting steady invites to apply for contracts, you will have to pay for whatever currency the platform uses before you can apply for a gig.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I've never freelanced before but the thought of paying to TRY to get an opportunity to work is WILD. Is that what "connects" in Upwork are? You have to pay just to apply to a job?! 🤯
haha 😀 that’s basically what it is. to apply for a contract, you need connects and to have connects you have to pay for it.
problem is, a contractor might require let’s say 20 connects to apply, but because you want to be the top proposal or cover letter, some people bid up to 150 connects and that is A LOT for one contracts.
tbh, people spend more money than they make on connects, it’s sad.
That's extremely disheartening to read tbh. Kudos to you and all the other freelancers out there that navigate through such a predatory system, is this the norm?
Ame, thank you for your honest take. Aspects of freelance work sound quite rewarding, but it does sound like it takes an immense amount of patience and level of tolerance for the ups and downs that come with it. You are doing great work!
This is a great write up Ame! I have got 2 questions cause I'm doing consulting now as well (mainly existing contacts though):
1- How long did it take you approximately to reach your usual hourly rate?
2- What would you differently if you were starting today?
thanks for reading Data Tinkerer 😊
For my current hourly rate, i would say 2 years? When I started, my rate was about $20-25/hr because i just wanted to get some traction on my profile.
over time, i've realised i lose more than money with low rates. some clients don't value time and my rate reflects that i value my time/work. high enough to keep me contented and low enough not to chase future contracts.
As for what I would do differently, to be honest, I would not freelance, especially on Upwork. But apart from that, if I'm starting today, I will niche down and be so specific, pivot when necessary, increase my rate high enough, and have some money for bidding.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts honestly. I have heard similar feedback about Upwork from a couple of other freelancers. Hope all goes well with your freelancing and the newsletter :)
Thanks for sharing your truthful experience Ame!
I respect you so much for going through all these and still being so encouraging.
Thank you Jenny. this means a lot to me. I appreciate it..
Ame, thanks for sharing your freelancing experience. I can see it's very difficult to arrive to a point where you can obtain the expected jobs. Maybe it Is convenient to look at freelance plataforms other than Upwork.
ALL freelance platforms are the same, including LinkedIn.
as long as you have to bid for contracts, you're going to pay for something before you get a gig.
** It's all voluntary and except you're getting steady invites to apply for contracts, you will have to pay for whatever currency the platform uses before you can apply for a gig.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I've never freelanced before but the thought of paying to TRY to get an opportunity to work is WILD. Is that what "connects" in Upwork are? You have to pay just to apply to a job?! 🤯
haha 😀 that’s basically what it is. to apply for a contract, you need connects and to have connects you have to pay for it.
problem is, a contractor might require let’s say 20 connects to apply, but because you want to be the top proposal or cover letter, some people bid up to 150 connects and that is A LOT for one contracts.
tbh, people spend more money than they make on connects, it’s sad.
That's extremely disheartening to read tbh. Kudos to you and all the other freelancers out there that navigate through such a predatory system, is this the norm?
LOL, yes it is. it's the norm. It's "voluntary" but it's the norm. thanks for empathizing. i appreciate it.
Ame, thank you for your honest take. Aspects of freelance work sound quite rewarding, but it does sound like it takes an immense amount of patience and level of tolerance for the ups and downs that come with it. You are doing great work!
Absolutely... I tried to be as honest as possible, it can be rewarding, but it's not immediate. it takes a lot of time (years), work, and patience.