
Upwork is an online marketplace that avails freelancers the opportunity to get hired for gigs and get paid.
The advantage of becoming a freelancer on Upwork is that you decide when to work, you’re in control of your time and you can do it at leisure to make extra cash on the side.
Some freelancers earn over $1000 per month. The first cash I made online was on Upwork.

I’m going to share my experience with you on how I did it, and I’ll also offer some expert tips on how you too can profit from this platform.
Basically, if you’re just starting an online business, freelancing is the way to go.
If you need ideas on other lucrative ways you can make money online, you can read this complete guide:
Must Read: 20 Proven Ways to Make Money Online In Nigeria [2020]: Beginners’ Guide
Upwork offers a wide range of opportunities for writers, graphic designers, web developers etc.
It requires zero amount of money to begin. All you need is pc/computer.
The journey of freelancing begins with finding a good virtual marketplace where you can offer your skill as a service and get hired by interested clients.
Below are some of the best online marketplace in 2022 where you can earn money through freelancing:
- Upwork
- Fiverr
- Freelancer.com
- 99designs (This is specifically for graphics and 3D designers)
- Elance
If you’re a beginner and want to make quick money online with zero investment, it is advisable, to begin with, Upwork.
I’m going to make this post very brief. However,
If you follow the steps recommended below, you can start making money on Upwork within hours right from your bedroom.
How to make money on Upwork
Step 1: Create an account by signing up.
Head over to Upwork and sign up for an account.
Step 2: Complete your freelancer profile which includes: listing out your skills (it could be writing, SEO, web design, graphics design etc.), filling your portfolio and certifications.
Pro tip: when listing out your skills, be very honest. In a bid to improve your chances of being hired, you might be tempted to list out skills you necessarily aren’t good at. Don’t do it!
Only state skills you have a good level of proficiency.
Also, do not lie about your nationality.
After your account has been approved and everything has been put in place, you can now proceed to step 3.
Step 3: perform a job search by typing a keyword relating to the service you offer (e.g. writing). When you find a job you want, click on “submit a proposal”.
Step 5: write your proposal and proceed to submit your application.
Pro tip: Your proposal is one of the most important determining factors a client considers before choosing to hire you. You would want to try to make yours stand out.
Do not be too casual in your proposal.
Try to maintain a good level of professionalism in the tone of your writing. Don’t beg to be hired and don’t make absurd promises.
There are numerous Upwork proposal templates online you could use if you have no idea how to create one.
You can find them with a simple Google search.
Upwork has a lot of freelancers and competition can be high.
Only apply for jobs that were posted within an hour. Anything above this means the hirer has probably received more than 20+ proposals.

Step 6: Don’t forget to add a payment method. You can fill in the details of your bank account. It’s cheaper than using PayPal or Payoneer.
Simply go to settings and on the left portion of the screen, click on “Get Paid.”
There you go.
Six simple and easy steps on how to make money on Upwork. It’s not difficult.
The most important thing is to have a digital skill.
If you have that covered, getting hired on Upwork won’t get you stressed. Take it from someone who has been there, and done that!
Now, go ahead and give it a try. It’s really that easy!