I paid Upwork over $5,000 in fees last year. And guess what? I’m not even mad about it.
As a matter of fact, I’m about to tell you why I’ll happily keep paying these fees in 2024 and beyond. But before you think I’ve lost my mind, let me share what three years of freelancing on this platform has taught me.
With nearly three years of working on Upwork as a freelancer, I have come across many opinions, good and bad, about the platform. Some people just love the freedom and global scope it provides, while others do not appreciate the premises, fees and the competitiveness of the market.
But here’s the thing—despite the critics, I really do enjoy the work on Upwork. And even more so if you are thinking about jumping into the freelancing bandwagon, I reckon whatever I want to share here is quite necessary.
Wait! What is Upwork?
As Upwork.com advertises, it is a “hub where businesses and independent professionals can connect and collaborate remotely”. It allows finding different types of specialists in writing, design, programming, marketing and more. Because freelancers can submit proposals for projects and be hired by clients, they can work from home at their desired time. Upwork takes care of the contracts, allows users to make payments, and provides dedicated collaboration features, thus simplifying the experience for both the freelancers and the clients who want to pay and get the job done fast and safely.
Flexibility: The Greatest Liberation
Allow me to begin with what I particularly detest about Upwork: the lack of flexibility. If you are anything like me, the prospect of being mad to an office from 9 to 5 hours is less appetizing. Upwork empowers me to perform my duties whenever and wherever I see fit. With all my work-related tasks to handle, having a coffee in quite a busy café in Lisbon, or lying on the tranquil Sri Lankan coast is all possible for me. I only require my laptop computer and a good Wi-Fi connection.
Such a capacity and the privileges that come with it are priceless. This implies that I am now able to organize my day around my life, and not inverse as it was the case in the past. Want to go out with a friend for a long lunch? Bearable. Do you want to visit the local fresh market for some groceries? Simple. The ability to self-manage my working hours has improved my work experience a great deal and this is something I could never do in a conventional job.
Global Opportunities at Your Fingertips
I think the other reason and probably my favorite feature of Upwork is the fact that there are so many opportunities. It does not only bind you to local clients but attempts to seek and get clients from other countries as well. Be it a writer, a designer, a developer, a marketer, or any other service provider, there is a job available for everyone. Such a worldwide outreach means that I never run out of choices, and I can pick the projects that excite me the most.
Also the breadth of my work experience enables me to craft a portfolio that cuts across various industries and cultures. It has bestowed upon me a level of experience that I highly doubt I could have acquired from any other sources. As well as dealing with international clients makes It interesting and novel as all the time one has to do different things and no two projects are ever the same!
Security and Peace of Mind
Few features of Upwork are appreciated more such as security provided. Working through the platform makes you feel that you are not just another independent contractor trying to survive in the wilderness called the remote work environment. Knowing that my hard work will be rewarded in due time and that any troubles can be resolved quickly makes me much more relaxed. I can concentrate on providing a good and timely service free from concerns about order payment or even the invoice status.
The 20% Fee: The Cost of Doing Business
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: Upwork’s fees. That’s Right, I’m talking about Upwork fees for freelancers. Yes, the platform does take a 20% cut on all you earn from a client. Not particularly convenient, especially for beginners. But then the way I see the whole issue is different once again: the fees paid to the platform are quite reasonable for everything it offers me. Oh yes, there are two sides to this coin.
Consider it this way – apart from exploring the site, I am active. Where else can I regularly receive orders for work that I can perform from any part of the world, when I wish? Upwork deals with all the nitty-gritty details, handles contracts and payments, and offers a platform where customers are ready to pay for services. All this has a catch, right?
Making It Work for You
Upwork isn’t perfect, and like any platform, it has its challenges. As is the case with any platform, there are also disadvantages here. I mean, the barriers to entry are quite strict, and getting your first couple of gigs may take quite a bit of effort. But once you find your groove, Upwork can be an incredible platform to build a thriving freelance career.
For those willing to put in the effort, Upwork offers something that’s increasingly rare in today’s world: the freedom to work on your own terms. Yes, there’s a fee, but I view it as an investment in my career and lifestyle. If freedom, security, and global opportunities are what you’re after, then Upwork is more than worth it.
So, if you’re on the fence about Upwork, consider this: where else can you find work that lets you live your life exactly how you want? For me, the answer is clear—and it’s why I’ll keep coming back to Upwork, fee and all.