Section 1.1: UpWork

UpWork is my preferred platform for finding freelance opportunities. While I have minimal experience with other sites like Freelancer, Fiverr, or Guru, they appear to be quite similar. I was quite active on UpWork from 2016 to 2020, but my activity decreased after becoming a mother, as balancing deadlines became increasingly challenging.

The initial hurdle with UpWork is securing your first gig; clients are often hesitant to hire someone without prior feedback or a record of experience on the platform. To overcome this, I took on lower-paying jobs initially to establish a positive feedback history, which eventually allowed me to apply for more lucrative positions.

Once you land your first few jobs, the hiring process becomes smoother as long as you maintain a strong feedback record. Although working for lower rates at the beginning may seem discouraging, putting forth your best effort is crucial. UpWork retains 10% to 20% of your earnings, depending on your contract amount, and payments are processed via bank transfer.

Section 1.2: Finding Direct Clients

If you possess the skills and know how to cultivate an online presence, selling your services directly can be quite fruitful. LinkedIn stands out as a premier platform for professional networking, while personal websites and other social media channels can also be effective.

I successfully attracted clients through Instagram for my academic writing services, likely due to its younger user demographic. Moreover, I received numerous full-time and part-time job offers via LinkedIn, leading to ongoing collaborations. However, my attempts to use Facebook for client acquisition were less successful, even after investing in promotions.

Therefore, in addition to maintaining a social media presence, I recommend creating a personal website to showcase your portfolio and services. This step is straightforward and free, and you can find more insights on this topic in my other article:

Section 1.3: Leveraging Medium

If writing is your passion, you might be surprised to learn that you can earn a decent income from your writing skills, even if you don’t see yourself as a professional writer. Medium is an excellent starting point, though platforms like Amazon allow you to publish and sell full e-books depending on your content type.

I personally contribute to Medium and have been pleased with the results. The primary advantage is the absence of stringent deadlines; you can choose your topics and write about what interests you, with no limit on how much you can publish.

If you're interested in joining Medium's partner program to monetize your content, my advice is to write about topics you enjoy or are knowledgeable about. Focus on quality over quantity, and remember that something substantial is better than striving for perfection.

Section 1.4: Selling on eBay

Chances are you have items lying around your home that you no longer use and have considered selling. eBay is a great platform to begin with, but alternatives like OLX, Facebook Marketplace, and Vinted also exist. I’ve sold various items on eBay, including old smartphones, headphones, cameras, smartwatches, clothing, antiques, and collectibles.