Earning as a Freelance Programmer: The Upwork Experience

Introduction

In this blog, I share my 30-day journey freelancing on Upwork as a programmer. From initial struggles to successful projects and negotiations, this is my experience and analysis of earning on the platform.

Freelance Programming on Upwork

• After the initial struggles, the freelance programming on Upwork turned out to be better than expected.

• The first week involved multiple hours of applying for jobs, costing $10, and a challenging first interview.

• After 24 hours on the platform, the first job was landed, followed by a $10 payment and a $5 tip.

• A five-star review on the profile then led to landing a real gig for $15, working on a music streaming app.

• Completing the job brought in $82.50, and by the end of week one, a total of $97.50 was earned.

• Initially, it was felt that Upwork wasn’t worth the time and cost, but that changed after a late reply on a proposal for a new job offer.

A Successful Project and a New Opportunity

• After completing my first week on a project, I received another offer to work on a different piece of software, specifically a mobile app that needed to meet Apple’s review guidelines.

• The terms of the contract included a payment of $19 per hour for a maximum of 10 hours per week. Despite the app not being too difficult, it took me about a week to ensure its compliance with Apple’s review guidelines.

• Upon completing the project, I earned $164.67 and received a five-star review on my profile. This marked my third five-star review within a span of two weeks, hinting at a positive trend in terms of earnings and reputation on the platform.

• Initially, I had planned to move on from Upwork after this project. However, a conversation with the client, who expressed immense satisfaction with my work and even made me a verbal offer to continue working on the mobile app, made me reconsider my decision.

Negotiating a Higher Rate on Upwork

• The freelancer initially expressed that $19 per hour was not worth their time for a mobile app project on Upwork.

• After a professional and respectful conversation with the client, they proposed a rate of $50 per hour, expecting the client to refuse.

• To their surprise, the client agreed to the higher rate, and a contract was quickly finalized.

• This experience was pivotal as it highlighted the value of quality work over securing the best deal on the platform.

• Despite being busy with other commitments, the freelancer managed to dedicate five hours to the project over two weeks, earning a total of $241.67.

• The positive outcome also added another great review to their Upwork profile, reinforcing the importance of good reviews in attracting clients and earning well on the platform.

Analysis of Upwork Earnings

• The speaker worked a total of 19 hours on Upwork and completed four contracts, earning varying rates from $10 to $50 per hour.

• At the end of 30 days, the total earnings were $503.84, averaging out to approximately $26 per hour before Upwork’s cuts.

• After Upwork’s cuts, the total earnings came to $400, resulting in an average of $21 per hour.

• Initially, the speaker had a negative impression of Upwork due to the cost of applying for jobs and the low post-cut earnings, but over time, they recognized the platform as a grinding process with potential for decent earnings.

• Overall, the speaker describes Upwork as ‘meh,’ indicating that while there is money to be made, it may not be as great as some people claim.

Challenges of Using Upwork for Freelance Developers

• When working on a website like Upwork, freelancers in the United States face several challenges.

• The high level of competition is a major concern, with freelancers having to compete against dozens of proposals for a single job.

• Additionally, the platform charges fees of $5 to $20 for job applications, and freelancers risk fines if they take clients off the platform.

• These factors make Upwork less favorable for freelance developers in the United States, as it adds unnecessary hurdles and limitations to their work.

• While using Upwork as a supplementary tool for client acquisition and income may be a viable option, relying solely on the platform may not be the best strategy.

Conclusion

The journey of freelancing on Upwork as a programmer showcases the potential for decent earnings, the challenges faced, and the strategies for successful projects and negotiations. Find out about the real experiences and analysis to make an informed decision about freelancing on Upwork.

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