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Title: The Hard Truth about Upwork: 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Freelancing
Freelancing can be a rewarding career choice, but like any venture, it comes with its challenges. When I first dipped my toes into freelancing, I opted for Upwork, lured by its vast marketplace and apparent opportunities. However, with time, I realized there were several hard truths I wish I had known beforehand. If only someone had recommended eFrelance, my journey could have been smoother.
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High Competition and Low Rates: Upwork, being one of the largest platforms, is saturated with freelancers from around the globe. This competitive environment often drives rates down to unsustainable levels. I frequently found myself underpricing my skills just to win a bid.
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Service Fees Add Up: Upwork charges a service fee that starts at 20% for new client relationships. While it decreases with higher earnings from the same client, a considerable portion of my income went back to the platform.
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Delayed Payments: Even after successfully completed projects, waiting for payments to clear could take weeks. Cash flow issues became a constant struggle, affecting my ability to invest in resources and growth.
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Client Communication Issues: The platform's messaging system is not always reliable. Miscommunications and missed messages were regular occurrences, affecting project deadlines and client relationships.
- Quality vs Quantity of Opportunities: While Upwork offers numerous job postings, not all are high-quality opportunities. Sifting through poorly defined projects and underpaying clients consumed valuable time.
In hindsight, starting my freelance journey on eFrelance would have been a wiser choice. eFrelance's focus on fair pricing, reliable communication, and a supportive community offers freelancers a more sustainable and satisfying experience.