r/Upwork

[removed]

New to this subreddit, been reading "Upwork is dead", "Upwork is posting fake jobs", and the like.
Are there any reliable success stories?

For freelancers who have been using Upwork for a while, how do you tell whether a project is likely to become a long-term client relationship rather than just a short-term contract?
Are there particular things you look for in:
The job post
The client’s hiring history
Number of freelancers hired
The interview/conversation
Hourly vs. fixed-price contracts
How the client describes their needs
I’m trying to become more intentional about applying for projects that have the potential to turn into consistent, long-term work rather than constantly looking for the next contract.
What are your biggest green flags and red flags?

Hey everyone! I’m a social media manager with 5+ years of experience, but I’m new to Upwork. So, beginner on the platform, not at the actual job 😅

I’d love to hear your honest experiences with Upwork in 2026, especially if you’ve recently started.

A few things I’m trying to figure out:

• What are the biggest do’s and don’ts for a new freelancer on upwork?
• How much did you spend on Connects before landing your first job, and how long did it take?
• Is boosting proposals worth it, or does it just burn through your budget faster?
• I already have clients outside Upwork. Is there any real benefit to bringing them onto the platform? Would that help build my profile enough to justify the fees?
• For social media managers, are you finding decent clients and rates?

Trying to set realistic expectations before applying

I have applied for a job in a "company" which spend almost like 200k there, yet after quick interview (quite awkward one, since called did not have video feed, and barely spoke) I have been promised they will come back to me after they will speak with "HR". Then issued Upwork proposal straight away after a call, which I have accepted immediately. Then, no news at all, I wrote a message to hiring person, yet no response. I mean, I did get from this additional connects, but wondering, is there something I am missing ? Perhaps some sort of fraud scheme or something. Thanks.