My 3-month Upwork progress report

@KristenH (33351)
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
September 29, 2016 4:43pm CST
My fellow Mylotters, since I've been busy most of my time with Upwork lately, I thought I would give you a progress report. Since I've joined in mid-July, I've landed 7 fixed price projects, when I could set my own work schedule and get it done within the weekly deadline. I've written 2 articles, did various book reviews, 1 product review, and did 2 book reviews for a publisher's two authors. For the past 9 weeks, that had accumulated to close to $80 dollars. Then I landed my first 3-month hourly project by invite only, 6 weeks ago, to do product descriptions for a costume company. In spite of my previous computer trouble, when I should've had one day or training, I had to watch videos and podcasts in 3 days. Three test batches followed then and approved. Though I've started slow with doing one batch a day for the first week, I had increased it to 2 batches a day since then. And then I've landed my first and second Upwork payment of $100 and more. As the next 3 weeks followed that, I got paid the same, even with the 20% off from the service fee. Last weekend, I checked in my client, who said I was doing great with the product descriptions. Though they needed 1700 descriptions from costumes, wigs, panty hose, accessories and home decor, I'm glad I'm not alone. I've found out from my client, that 3 other writers are doing the same as me, but probably longer like for 40 hours, when I can only do 12-20 hours a week. That's close enough for me. It would be a long while, before I can do the 5 bullet points like you see on Amazon's product descriptions. Maybe next month, since I have another 5 weeks left after this weekend. Phew! After I got paid yesterday, I got an email from Upwork that since I've made $500 with this client only, my service fee had decreased to 10%. I did get paid an extra $10 to my current amount. I doubt I'll hit $10,000 with my current client as I have 5 weeks left to get the 5% service fee decrease. Coming this weekend in October, I'll be starting to work a bit longer to make more money with 3 batches a day on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and do 2 batches on Mondays, Fridays, and the weekends. During my final week on this project, I'll dwindle it down back to one batch a day to wrap things up, since it ends in the first week of Nano. I'll also look for more projects, whether hourly or fixed price to work on in the meantime. Since my current proposals from this summer had also decreased down to six and soon be down to one, when I closed my status to not available, I'll be open again around Halloween. I'm sticking with Upwork for the time being as I'm being flexible with my writing/editing and other online work like here on Upwork. I'm going to enjoy the next fast five weeks while it lasts and wait for more projects to head my way. Who knows? I might save enough Paypal money to hire an editor, buy a smartphone, renew my gym membership next spring, or go to a trip for research for my novels or for vacation. It's funny, that how my job coach and I looked for a work-at-home job for years, during my job search, and never find one that worked. This is perfect for me! (Now to pass those skills tests next month..)
9 people like this
8 responses
@snowy22315 (169940)
• United States
29 Sep 16
That is fantastic...What tips do you have for gaining work on Upwork? It is good to know you don't have to pass the skills tests first, as they are rather lenghty.
2 people like this
@KristenH (33351)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
29 Sep 16
Thanks Snowy. My tips are having a profile with your resume. Submit a bunch of short proposals to clients if you can think you can do the job. If you get invited, consider the job and see if it's a good fit. As for the skills tests, if you fail, you can retake them next month. I hope third time's the charm for me. You're right. It's 40 minutes for 20 multiple choice questions. The more you get job interviews, you'll get good feedback and a success score. If it's 90 or more, you'll get accepted to more. Be patient and try to get your assignment done in a timely manner. And use the desktop app for keeping track of your work time.
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (169940)
• United States
29 Sep 16
@KristenH Thanks!
1 person likes this
@KristenH (33351)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
29 Sep 16
@snowy22315 You're welcome. I hope it helps. I'm still learning the ropes. Feel free to ask if you have any questions.
1 person likes this
@marlina (154166)
• Canada
25 Oct 16
Congratulations for doing so well.
1 person likes this
@KristenH (33351)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
25 Oct 16
Thanks. My latest assignment ends in 1.5 weeks, unless they want me for another project this winter/fall.
@maezee (41997)
• United States
30 Sep 16
Sweet that is awesome! Good job! I may have to check it out. Pm me the details if you have a referral link
1 person likes this
@KristenH (33351)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
30 Sep 16
thanks not sure if there's a referral link for it but I can find out
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
1 Oct 16
that's... really impressive for online work!!!!!
1 person likes this
@KristenH (33351)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
1 Oct 16
Thanks Jess! It is. I hope I can line up some work from November to December to finish out the year.
@rina110383 (24495)
30 Sep 16
That's the spirit! The reason why I always recommend Upwork is that - it's an earning site and it's a legitimate one. Despite the competition and high Upwork fees, people like us still manage to get hourly and fixed price projects from the site. On the 26th of October, I'll be celebrating my 1st year on Upwork. It is a site I won't leave since the hourly pay I get from my clients is way higher than what my firm can give me. I'll never find a company here in the Philippines that can give me such kind of salary, same with what I receive on Upwork. If I were to compare the rate, it's as if I'm working in US or in European countries. I'm so happy with your progress. Soon, you'll get the top rated badge and you'll get lots of invites from clients. By that time, I'd be so eager to welcome you to the club. Keep it up!
1 person likes this
@KristenH (33351)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
30 Sep 16
Thanks Rina. I hope so. I have a long way to go.
1 person likes this
@jennyjoy (1961)
• Bangalore, India
30 Sep 16
Great news!! Good things come in threes.
1 person likes this
@KristenH (33351)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
30 Sep 16
thx
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (115992)
• United States
29 Sep 16
You're really doing well there.
1 person likes this
@KristenH (33351)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
29 Sep 16
I am. Not bad for an entry level job.
1 person likes this
• Agra, India
30 Sep 16
Congrats...n keep going well n rising
1 person likes this