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Just closed my Upwork account after five years!

by neshaword
3 replies
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And, I don't know how I feel or should feel about it? That was probably my longest and most intense "cyber/virtual relationship." I saw some warriors here with 10+ years of "service" here. I mean, you can't just say it's all the same to me, can you?

In the beginning, I used to work on oDesk, Elance, Freelancer, and Guru. Over the years, oDesk and Elance merged into Upwork, Freelancer played its game, and Guru simply disappeared off my radar. I'm not sure if it's still active these days. Maybe, I will check.

At one point I had this fifty-fifty ratio between Upwork (Elance/oDesk) and Freelancer regarding my projects and earnings as a freelancer. Then, little by little this almost equal distribution or work and earnings started to melt down mostly thanks to Upwork's (un)reasonable decisions. The site was down at some of the worst possible moments I can imagine. I said OK. Then there was this devastating new 20% fee. It was like Upwork was saying to me, you're too small for this platform, I don't need you. I said that's still OK.

I'm definitely not someone you can describe as a statistics fan, but just the other day I realized that Upwork represents less than 5% of my total freelance income. In other words, with or without Upwork, my freelance budget won't notice a difference. I couldn't stand one bad year? Well, to tell you the truth, it was more than that.

Yet, I have a plan. I plan to start all over again in 2017 on Upwork. I talked with some of my colleagues freelancers. Sometimes, when you have a few not so positive feedbacks in a row and you have a long pause between two last projects, it's better to have a fresh start. There are some rumors that nowadays it's better to be a new freelancer on Upwork than an experienced one. Why? There's this new rising talent thing or something. Very supportive. Once upon a time, I used to be a Top Rated Upworker, but what's was the use at the end?

I would give it one more try in 2017. See what happens. If some of freelancers stumble upon this thread, I would like to hear what you think. Thank you.
  • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
    I'm thinking maybe you should just go and make cookies with your uncle.
    Signature

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    • Profile picture of the author neshaword
      Originally Posted by Mike Anthony View Post

      I'm thinking maybe you should just go and make cookies with your uncle.
      Sure hope it's not too late to ask him, lol.
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  • Profile picture of the author GordonJ
    Originally Posted by neshaword View Post

    And, I don't know how I feel or should feel about it? That was probably my longest and most intense "cyber/virtual relationship." I saw some warriors here with 10+ years of "service" here. I mean, you can't just say it's all the same to me, can you?

    In the beginning, I used to work on oDesk, Elance, Freelancer, and Guru. Over the years, oDesk and Elance merged into Upwork, Freelancer played its game, and Guru simply disappeared off my radar. I'm not sure if it's still active these days. Maybe, I will check.

    At one point I had this fifty-fifty ratio between Upwork (Elance/oDesk) and Freelancer regarding my projects and earnings as a freelancer. Then, little by little this almost equal distribution or work and earnings started to melt down mostly thanks to Upwork's (un)reasonable decisions. The site was down at some of the worst possible moments I can imagine. I said OK. Then there was this devastating new 20% fee. It was like Upwork was saying to me, you're too small for this platform, I don't need you. I said that's still OK.

    I'm definitely not someone you can describe as a statistics fan, but just the other day I realized that Upwork represents less than 5% of my total freelance income. In other words, with or without Upwork, my freelance budget won't notice a difference. I couldn't stand one bad year? Well, to tell you the truth, it was more than that.

    Yet, I have a plan. I plan to start all over again in 2017 on Upwork. I talked with some of my colleagues freelancers. Sometimes, when you have a few not so positive feedbacks in a row and you have a long pause between two last projects, it's better to have a fresh start. There are some rumors that nowadays it's better to be a new freelancer on Upwork than an experienced one. Why? There's this new rising talent thing or something. Very supportive. Once upon a time, I used to be a Top Rated Upworker, but what's was the use at the end?

    I would give it one more try in 2017. See what happens. If some of freelancers stumble upon this thread, I would like to hear what you think. Thank you.
    First, I second the cookie idea, beg your uncle for another chance.

    Why in the world, would ANYONE with clear thinking, put so much thought and effort into this idea for what amounts to 5% of their income??????

    Say you earn 50,000 a year from your freelancing, that means 2.5 thousand would come from Upwork. What you are really saying is, you've dropped the ball there. You've gotten some bad reviews and a long gap between gigs as you say;
    when you have a few not so positive feedbacks in a row and you have a long pause between two last projects, it's better to have a fresh start.

     You want to start over to hide the negative reviews.

    Why don't you take the time away the 5% time from Upwork and turn your attention to improve your writing so you don't get negative reviews?

    Sir, you don't make sense, and haven't for the last two months you've been spamming the forum. You want some real, actionable advice which will improve your bottom line? Here:

    1) Take a break from posting at WF (here) or cut down to a couple a week.
    2) When you do post, make it perfect, let it represent your writing style and writing ability.
    3) QUIT giving advice to other freelancers, I don't know of any of them who work as hard as you do and get the dismal results you say you get in half your posts. The other half you tell us HOW to do it. You are a mixed signal, an incongruent person.
    4) Re contact some of those 1,000 jobs you've done with a dime sale or fire sale or special reacquainted offer.
    5) Reach out to those negative comments and see what you can do, if anything, to get another shot or to correct a mistake you've made.

    But first thing, get a book, any book will do, on goal setting or thinking or lifestyle, Scott Adams of Dilbert fame has a new one which is getting good reviews...then sit down for a week and figure out why you are getting the results you are, then decide if you really want to change.

    I think (since you asked), you want to be called a freelance writer, but from the perspective you've presented here...one of the hardest working guys, for the least amount of money, spending oodles of time, which could be spent playing with his kids or teaching them...but doesn't have clear goals and knows not how to achieve them.

    That's what I think, since you asked.

    GordonJ

    PS. You have potential, some command of the language, but you seem to be your own worse enemy. But, I could be wrong.
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