Upwork is where thousands of people across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond are earning in dollars right now. Virtual assistants, customer support agents, telehealth workers, social media managers, customer success managers, telemarketers. The platform is real and the opportunities are real.
But getting your first client on Upwork is the hardest part. Most people do not know how the platform actually works before they start applying. That is usually what slows things down, not a lack of skill.
This guide will show you exactly how to set up your profile, write proposals that get responses, and land your first client on Upwork.
What Is Upwork and Why Should You Use It?
Upwork is the world's largest freelance marketplace. Businesses and individuals from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and other countries post jobs and hire remote workers to complete them. That means you can work for international clients from your laptop or phone and get paid in dollars, pounds, or euros, no matter where in the world you are.
Even at beginner rates of $10 to $15 per hour, that converts to a meaningful monthly income. A freelancer working part time at $10 per hour, 20 hours a week, earns $800 a month before platform fees. That is real money.
Upwork works differently from Fiverr. On Fiverr, you create a service package and wait for clients to find you. On Upwork, you browse job posts and send proposals directly to clients. Think of it more like a job board where you pitch for each opportunity.
If you are still figuring out which skill to offer, read our guide on how to get a remote job with no experience first. Our guides on becoming a virtual assistant, customer support training, and tech skills for stay-at-home mums also cover some of the most popular Upwork skill categories in detail.
What Do You Need Before Creating an Upwork Account?
Before you sign up, have these things ready. Upwork requires identity verification and you cannot submit proposals without completing it.
- A valid government-issued ID. National ID card, international passport, or driver's licence
- A clear profile photo on a plain background
- A Payoneer account to receive payment. It is the most widely used and reliable payment method for Upwork freelancers outside the US and UK
- A clear idea of the specific service you are offering
One thing people often get stuck on is the live selfie verification. Upwork requires you to take a live selfie that matches your ID photo. This is mandatory. Make sure your ID is valid and your face is clearly visible before starting the process.
How Do You Set Up an Upwork Profile That Gets Noticed?
Your profile is your storefront. Before a client reads your proposal, they check your profile to decide if you are worth considering. A weak profile means even great proposals go nowhere.
Choose One Clear Skill
This is where most beginners go wrong. They list ten different services hoping to appeal to more clients. Upwork's algorithm rewards specialists. Pick one or two closely related services and build your entire profile around them. You can always expand later once you have reviews.
Write a Strong Profile Title
Your title appears in search results and in every proposal you send. Make it specific. Not "Virtual Assistant" but "Virtual Assistant for E-commerce and Scheduling | Email and Calendar Management." The more specific, the better your chances of appearing in the right searches.
Record a Short Video Introduction
Upwork now has a short video section on your profile. Use it. Record a 30 to 60 second video introducing yourself, what you do, and who you help. You do not need a professional setup. A clean background, decent lighting, and a clear confident voice is enough. Most freelancers skip this. That means doing it puts you ahead of the majority before a client even reads a word you have written.
Write an Overview That Speaks to the Client
Most beginners write their overview about themselves. What they studied, where they are from, what they hope to achieve. Clients do not care about that. They care about their problem and whether you can solve it.
Start your overview with the client's problem. Something like: "Managing emails, scheduling, and admin work is taking time away from your core business. I help busy entrepreneurs handle all of that remotely so they can focus on what actually grows their revenue." Then explain what you do, what tools you use, and what a client can expect from working with you.
Add Portfolio Samples
You do not need paid work to have portfolio samples. Create demo projects. A mock email management workflow. A sample content calendar. A Loom video walkthrough of how you would handle a client's inbox. Upload these to your profile. Profiles with portfolio samples consistently get more responses than empty ones.
Set Your Hourly Rate Correctly
Pricing too low does not make you more attractive. A rate of $3 to $5 per hour signals low quality to most international clients. Start at $8 to $12 per hour as a complete beginner. Once you have two or three strong reviews, raise your rate. Build credibility first, then increase your earnings.
How Do You Find the Right Jobs to Apply For?
Not every job on Upwork is worth your time. Learning to filter well is one of the most important skills for new freelancers.
Look for jobs posted by clients who have a verified payment method and a hire history. You can see this on the job post. Clients who have hired before and paid previous freelancers are far safer than brand new accounts with no track record.
Filter for entry-level jobs in your skill area. Search for your service and filter by experience level. As a beginner, target jobs with lower competition where you have a realistic chance of being noticed.
Avoid jobs that already have 20 or more proposals. Your chances of standing out from a pool that large as a new account are very low. Look for fresher posts where you can be one of the first applicants.
How Do You Write a Proposal That Gets a Response?
Most proposals on Upwork sound exactly the same. "I am a hardworking professional with excellent communication skills and I am confident I can deliver great results." Clients read hundreds of these and most of them say the exact same thing.
Before you write a single word, check the client's job history. Look at who they have hired before and read the reviews they left those freelancers. Some clients leave detailed feedback that tells you a lot about what they value and how they like to work. And sometimes, from those reviews or the job post itself, you can find the client's name. When you can, use it. Opening with "Hi Sarah" instead of a generic greeting immediately sets your proposal apart. It shows you did your research and actually paid attention, not just to the job description, but to who is behind it.
A good proposal does three things. It shows you read and understood the job post. It addresses the specific problem the client mentioned. And it gives them one concrete reason to trust you.
Here is a simple structure that works:
- Open by addressing the client by name if you can find it, then acknowledging the specific thing they need
- Explain in two to three sentences exactly how you would handle it
- Reference a relevant portfolio sample or training you have completed
- End with a clear, low-pressure next step. "Happy to jump on a quick call or answer any questions."
Keep it short. Four to six sentences is enough for most entry-level applications. A long proposal does not show effort. It shows you do not respect their time.
And never copy and paste the same proposal to every job. Clients can tell immediately. Each proposal should be written specifically for that job post. Because it should be.
The Digital Witch IT Support Programme teaches you how to write proposals that actually attract clients. It is part of the training, not an afterthought.
How Do You Build Reviews and Protect Your Reputation?
Your Job Success Score and reviews are everything on Upwork. They are what separate freelancers who keep getting hired from those who struggle to get noticed. Here is how to build and protect them.
When you complete a job and the client is happy, ask for a review. Do not be shy about it. Something simple like "I really enjoyed working on this. If you are happy with the result, a review on Upwork would mean a lot to me as I am building my profile." Most satisfied clients are happy to leave one if you ask.
Negative reviews are very hard to recover from early on. If a project is not going well, communicate early. Do not wait until the client is frustrated. Address issues proactively, be honest about timelines, and if the relationship is truly not working, it is sometimes better to end it professionally and refund than to risk a bad review.
Every strong review you collect makes the next application easier. Clients trust other clients. Two or three five-star reviews will do more for your profile than any amount of proposal writing.
How Do You Receive Payment From Upwork?
The most reliable payment method for Upwork freelancers outside the US and UK is Payoneer. Set up your account before you start applying. Once a client pays you through Upwork, the money moves to your Payoneer account and you can transfer it to your local bank account.
Wise is another option that works for many freelancers. Both are legitimate and widely accepted.
Upwork charges a service fee. It is 20% on your first $500 earned with each client, then drops to 10% from $500 to $10,000, and 5% beyond that. Factor this into your pricing.
How Does Digital Witch Help With Upwork?
Setting up a profile is one thing. Knowing exactly what to offer, how to position it, how to write proposals that get responses, and how to handle client conversations is another thing entirely.
The Digital Witch IT Support Programme covers Upwork profile setup, proposal writing, and interview preparation as part of the 6 to 7 week training. You leave the programme ready to apply, not still figuring out where to start.
Over 150,000 students have gone through Digital Witch since 2021 and 75% are actively working remotely. Many found their first clients through Upwork after completing the training.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone outside Nigeria or the US use Upwork?
Yes. Upwork is available to freelancers in most countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and beyond. As long as you have a valid ID for verification and a supported payment method like Payoneer or Wise, you can create an account and start applying for jobs.
How do I verify my Upwork account?
Upwork requires a valid government-issued ID and a live selfie that matches your ID photo. National ID cards, international passports, and driver's licences are all accepted. Verification must be completed before you can submit proposals or receive payment.
How much can a beginner earn on Upwork?
Beginners typically start at $8 to $15 per hour depending on the skill and profile strength. Working part time at $10 per hour for 20 hours a week gives around $800 a month before Upwork fees. Rates increase steadily as you build reviews and experience.
How do I receive Upwork payment outside the US?
Payoneer is the most widely used option and works across most countries. Set up your account before you start applying. Once Upwork pays you, the money transfers to Payoneer and from there to your local bank account. Wise is another option that works for many freelancers.
How many proposals should I send before expecting a response?
Your first ten to twenty proposals are a learning phase. Focus on refining your approach with each application rather than waiting for a specific number to produce results. Tailored, specific proposals will always outperform high volume generic ones.
Should I start with a low rate to get my first client?
Not too low. Rates below $5 per hour signal low quality to most international clients. Start at $8 to $12 per hour as a beginner, build two to three strong reviews, then raise your rates from there.
What skills work well on Upwork for beginners?
Virtual assistance, customer support, data entry, social media management, and telehealth support are the most accessible starting points. All of these are covered in the Digital Witch IT Support Programme alongside Upwork profile setup and proposal writing training.
How do I write a good Upwork proposal?
Check the client's job history first and use their name in your opening if you can find it. Address their specific problem in the first sentence. Keep the proposal to four to six sentences. Reference a portfolio sample or relevant training. End with a simple next step. Never send the same proposal to multiple jobs.
How do I get reviews on Upwork?
Ask for them. After completing a job well, send the client a brief message letting them know a review would help your profile. Most happy clients will leave one if you ask politely. Focus on delivering great work consistently and avoid situations that could lead to negative reviews by communicating proactively throughout each project.
How long does it take to land the first client on Upwork?
Some people land their first client within two to four weeks. Others take two to three months. Consistency in applying, quality of proposals, and the strength of your profile are the biggest factors. Those who treat it like a real job search from day one get results faster.
Where to Go From Here
Upwork works. The platform is competitive but not impossible. The freelancers who succeed are the ones who take time to understand how it works, build a focused profile, and keep applying even when early results are slow.
If you want to build the right skills and set up your Upwork profile properly from the start, the Digital Witch IT Support Programme covers everything you need in 6 to 7 weeks. Visit digitalwitchng.com to learn more and get started.
References
- Upwork. How Upwork Works. 2026 [cited August 2026]. Available from: https://www.upwork.com/i/how-it-works/freelancer/
- Upwork. Upwork Service Fees. 2026 [cited August 2026]. Available from: https://support.upwork.com/hc/en-us/articles/211062538-Upwork-Service-Fees
- Payoneer. Receive Payments from Upwork. 2026 [cited August 2026]. Available from: https://www.payoneer.com/solutions/receive-payments/upwork/
