Freelancing on Upwork as a College Student

Hey everyone,

Welcome back:) I have been doing a lot of research on starting a freelancing business as a college student.

It started when I watched this video by Sean Canela called  “i got bored, so i made $100k (at 19).”

Watch here

In this video, Sean Talks about how he started 5 businesses, and each of them slowly became more and more lucrative until, eventually, he made over 100,000 freelancing. 

His main point is to focus on starting businesses that provide value to your ideal customer.

It’s a very informative video, and you should check it out 

Starting Freelancing 

Recently, I started finding clients on Upwork.

There are many pros and cons to using upwork.

However, I feel that individuals would like to try freelancing to see if they are interested in it.

It is the most user-friendly platform out there. 

Using Upwork for freelancing as a college student can be a great way to gain experience, build a portfolio, and earn extra income.

However, getting your first client can be challenging. Here’s a guide to help you stand out and secure that crucial first job.

Keep in mind it may take a while for you to find a real client

1. Create a Strong Portfolio

Since many clients prefer working with experienced freelancers, having a strong portfolio is key to proving your skills. If you don’t have previous freelance work to showcase, consider these options:

• Class Projects: If you’ve done relevant work in your coursework, use those as portfolio pieces.

• Personal Projects: Create mock projects that demonstrate your skills.

• Volunteer Work: Offer to help a nonprofit, local business, or friend for free in exchange for using the work in your portfolio.

Make sure your portfolio highlights your best work, is visually appealing, and includes descriptions of each project.

2. Get Testimonials Early

Since Upwork relies heavily on client reviews, having testimonials can help build trust even before you land your first job. Here’s how to get them:

• Ask professors, classmates, or previous employers for LinkedIn recommendations.

• Complete small projects for friends or local businesses and request feedback.

• Offer free or discounted services in exchange for testimonials that you can feature in your Upwork profile.

3. Optimize Your Upwork Profile

Your Upwork profile acts as your resume. Make sure it’s complete and professional by including:

• A compelling bio that highlights your skills, experience, and how you can help clients.

• A professional profile picture to increase credibility.

• Relevant skills and certifications to make your profile searchable.

• A portfolio section showcasing your best work.

4. Write a Winning Proposal

Since new freelancers often compete with experienced ones, a strong proposal is crucial. Here’s a simple cold pitch template you can use:

Subject: Helping You with [Specific Task] – [Your Name]

Hi [Client’s Name],

I came across your job posting for [specific task] and would love to help! As a [your field of study] student with experience in [relevant skills], I specialize in [specific service]. I recently worked on [mention a relevant project or classwork], where I [highlight a key achievement].

I’d love to discuss how I can bring value to your project. Let’s schedule a quick chat, or I can start with a small trial task to show my skills.

Looking forward to your response!

Best,
[Your Name]

5. Start with Small, Low-Competition Jobs

To build momentum, look for:

• Entry-level jobs with lower competition.

• Short-term projects to gain quick testimonials.

• Fixed-price gigs instead of hourly jobs to build credibility.

6. Be Proactive and Consistent

• Apply to multiple jobs daily to increase your chances of landing work.

• Follow up with clients if they view your proposal but don’t respond.

• Keep improving your portfolio and profile to attract better opportunities.

Final Thoughts

Freelancing, for me at least, is one of the most enticing businesses to start because of how simple of a concept it is.

Exchange time and skills for money

Not to mention that it’s practically the cheapest business to start in the world. For you, being in college, It will be a great business model to look into 

Sign up for Upwork today!

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