UpWork, Freelancer.com, People Per Hour, and Guru.com are excellent platforms to kickstart your freelance career. Nevertheless, merely creating an account and filling it with random content won’t yield favorable results.
If you are genuinely committed to establishing a successful freelance career, your initial step should be crafting a comprehensive and appealing freelancer profile. Here’s what you should incorporate into your freelancer profile:
1. Use Your Real Name
It’s a fundamental practice to employ your real name when conducting business. Surprisingly, some freelancers still opt for pseudonyms in their profiles.
2. Upload A Professional Photo
Avoid the temptation of using a selfie or an oddly close-up webcam shot as your profile picture. This is a common mistake made by novice freelancers. Instead, present a polished image. Dress professionally and have someone take a photo of you. Pay attention to the background, but more importantly, remember to smile!
3. Craft A Specific Headline
Your headline should precisely reflect your job title. Be as specific as possible to help clients understand your expertise. Remember, this isn’t Twitter, so opt for a more professional headline. For instance, if you specialize in writing eBooks, use “eBook Writer” instead of just “Writer.” Similarly, “WordPress Plugin Developer” is more informative than “Web Developer.” Narrowing it down to a niche improves your chances of getting noticed on major platforms like Upwork.
4. Write Your Bio In First-Person
Avoid describing yourself in the third person, as if narrating a movie, and resist the urge to write your freelancer profile in a corporate website style.
5. Describe Your Qualifications And Experience
Include a sentence or two about your qualifications and experience in your bio. However, strike a balance and avoid excessive self-promotion. Aim for a more professional tone. Additionally, utilize the “Employment History,” “Education,” and “Other Experiences” sections to inject personality into your profile.
