How I Make a Living on Upwork as a Digital Nomad (and How You Can Start Too)
Living and working from paradise (hello, Bali!) might seem like a dream—but it’s entirely possible. Of course, working abroad also means sorting out some practical things—like visas, banking, and health insurance. I personally use Genki Health Insurance because it’s built for digital nomads and covers me wherever I decide to work from next.
The reality is, Upwork has been my main source of income for the past few years. As a freelancer, I’ve earned the "Top Rated" badge and maintained a 100% job success rate, and I want to share exactly how I’ve made it work. These are my real, personal tips—no fluff, just practical advice you won’t find in generic guides.
This post is everything I wish someone had told me when I started on Upwork. Whether you’re just setting up your profile, frustrated with the lack of responses, or unsure where to start, here’s how to make Upwork work for you.
1. Scan Prospective Clients Before Wasting Connects
It’s important to be strategic with your time and resources. Before applying to a job, make sure to assess the client carefully. Check if they have a verified payment method, review any feedback left by freelancers who have worked with them, and look at the average hourly rate they offer. If the reviews are bad across the board, it might be best to steer clear. A client with negative feedback is likely to leave you a bad review, too. By paying attention to these details, you can avoid wasting connects on clients who are not a good match for you.
2. Don’t Be Picky When You’re Just Starting Out
In the beginning, you may have a tendency to want to be selective about the projects you apply for. But the truth is, when you’re just starting, it’s crucial to take on a variety of "boring" or simpler projects. For example, I started with transcription work in the languages I knew. The goal at this stage is to build up your profile with client reviews and experience. Don’t worry about getting the perfect project right away. Start with what you can do well, and gradually increase your rate as you gain more experience and positive reviews.
3. Remember the Rules About Contact Information
Upwork has strict rules regarding sharing contact information before a contract is in place. It’s tempting to exchange emails or phone numbers with a potential client, but don’t do it—Upwork can ban you from their platform for circumventing this rule. Make sure to follow their guidelines and take full advantage of the safety they provide, such as requiring clients to place funds in escrow for fixed-price projects with milestones.
4. Keep Your Bio Short and Catchy
Your bio is your first opportunity to impress potential clients, so make sure it stands out—but keep it brief. No one wants to read a long novel about your background. Instead, focus on highlighting your skills, experience, and the value you bring. If you’re unsure how to phrase things, don’t hesitate to ask ChatGPT for help in crafting a clear and catchy bio.
5. Apply Only to New Jobs with Few Applications
One of the best ways to increase your chances of landing a job is to apply to newly posted jobs that have fewer applications. Upwork clearly shows how many proposals a job has received, and it’s wise to apply to jobs with less than 20 applications. Additionally, check if the client has already hired someone for the job—sometimes clients leave the job open but have already made a decision. Avoid wasting your connects on these positions. Instead, focus on jobs posted within the last day and with minimal applications.
6. Be Open to One-Off Projects in the Beginning
While it’s great to eventually land ongoing roles, don’t be afraid to take on one-off projects when you first start out. The more projects you take on, the more experience you gain, which will help you land long-term, remote work. Being flexible in the early days will allow you to build your reputation and strengthen your profile for future opportunities.
7. Don’t Feel the Pressure to Niche Down Immediately
When I started out on Upwork, I didn’t niche down right away. In fact, I took on jobs in a variety of different areas: graphic design, social media management, legal blog writing, copywriting, customer service, VA tasks, business support, HR, PDF template creation, legal consulting, transcription, legal support, AI tool testing, and grammar checking.
While focusing on one niche might work for some, this approach helped me explore different areas and discover what truly resonated with me. I didn’t limit myself to a specific job type early on, and by staying open-minded, I applied for anything that piqued my interest and seemed like something I could confidently do. Over time, I naturally narrowed down my focus to legal consulting.
This might not work for everyone, but for me, it was a valuable strategy. Being flexible and applying to a wide range of jobs in the beginning allowed me to build up my profile, gain experience, and find my true passion within the freelance world.
8. Add Personal or "Fake" Inspiration Projects to Your Portfolio (Honestly Labeled)
If you’re working in visual fields like design or content creation, you can add personal or “fake” inspiration projects to your portfolio—just make sure to label them honestly. For example, I created mock-up designs or worked on personal projects that I hadn’t been hired for but were great examples of my skills. These projects can help fill out your portfolio and give potential clients a better idea of your capabilities. As long as you’re transparent about the fact that these are inspiration pieces, they can be a valuable addition to your profile, especially in creative fields.
9. Consistency is Key
One of the most important pieces of advice I can give is to apply to at least 3 valuable jobs every day. In the beginning, you may need to purchase additional connects, which I know isn’t ideal, but it’s necessary when you’re just starting out. The more you apply, the more experience you’ll gain—and the more chances you’ll have to secure a job.
Lastly, always be friendly, professional, and pay close attention to detail. Typos and bad grammar can seriously hurt your chances. If you’re unsure about your communication or documents, ask ChatGPT to help you refine your writing. Staying consistent with these efforts will set you on the right path toward success.
By following these tips and staying dedicated, you'll be well on your way to building a thriving freelance career on Upwork. From my experience as a digital nomad in Bali, I can tell you that with patience and persistence, freelancing can give you the freedom to work from anywhere in the world, while still maintaining a steady income.