Why Job Board Sites Like ‘Upwork’ and ‘Fivver’ Don’t Help Your Career
I’ll confess. I did the saaaaame thing you probably are doing, or are thinking about doing. Job board sites like ‘Upwork’, ‘Fivver’, and any other big freelancing job board website are super tempting. Its mostly free, you can browse the jobs you like and want, AND make some extra cash and build clients - right? Ehhhh…. not so much. When I started on Upwork, I hit it HARD, sending proposals left and right, trying to stock up on my “connects” and market myself well, creating packages for people to buy. In the 6-8 months that I have had an Upwork account, I’ve gotten about 3 gigs. None of them copy-related. Here’s why these sites sound so enticing, but really don’t do most people much good.
They Force You to Undercut Yourself to Sell
On Upwork, there is about 1 bagillion other freelancers looking for similar work that you are. This means, that people will get a lot of “bids”, which also means, that they are going to take what they perceive as the best “deal”. When you know your work is priced at something like 70/hr, but the job budget, or the bids are coming in at 50/hr, you are forced to lower your rates just to get jobs. No bueno and nooooo thank you!
Crazy “Freelancer” Fees!
Of course, these companies have to make money too, so most of them take crazy fees off of the top of whatever you are paid. For example, Upwork takes TEN percent. That means if I am charging 100 /hr, I am really only getting 90/hr - something that would never happen when you’re working with your own clients!
People Aren’t There To Network
Most people employing the freelancers on these sites are looking for quick turnarounds for projects that they dont want to do, or something extremely random, like translating Oma’s old letters. They are not usually there looking to hire someone long term, to network, or create a long-standing relationship. Now, I will say, there are some times where this can happen, but it is the exception, not the rule.
It’s Endless Time and Effort For Little to No Pay Out
Like I said - I have had an Upwork account for like, 8 months? The first 2 I spent religiously scouring the job board, sending proposals, marketing, etc with 3 gigs to show for it. You can easily utilize that time building your own website, sending pitches, networking, creating spec ads, etc for your REAL copy business, rather than just trying to scavenge for what little these websites will offer you.
So - there you have it, my personal, and very (wink, wink) professional opinion on freelance job board sites. If you are one of those people that these sites work amazing for, and youre killin’ it, then hey - more power to ya.
