Upwork and Bidding Wars

Leave these platforms behind

I started my freelance career on Upwork. 

Back then it was called eLance, which later turned into Upwork after the company merged with another platform called Odesk.

Even though I was able to land some of my first gigs on this platform, I still hate it with a passion for all the underlying mechanics it uses to manipulate freelancers.

One of those evil features is the bidding system that pits freelancers against one another.

In most cases, Upwork is used by clients who are looking for a way to get a job done for the cheapest price possible. Upwork’s bidding system helps them by turning their offer into an auction— the freelancer who offers the cheapest quote wins the job!

This not only demeans your skills, experience, and abilities but also turns your entire career into a battle against millions of other freelancers.

Massive corporate platforms like Upwork are great for getting your first experience in the freelancing world, learning to write a proposal, and negotiating with clients. Also, and more importantly, to learn what not to do.

Once you’re confident enough to be on your own, leave these platforms behind. You don’t need them to succeed as a freelancer.

For further reading, I will leave you with this article.

See you next time!

-Roshan

PS: If you’re interested in learning about freelancing, check out my free start guide. Or grab my book, Freelance Like a Pro. You can also support me with a donation here.