Upwork Problem Solving Tip
Upwork Problem Solving Tip
Upwork Problem Solving Tip
Upwork is becoming strict as days go by. I have been monitoring the situation closely and here are
my observations:
Upwork has made it their business to make sure that only competent and serious
freelancers get accepted there. Therefore, they reject almost all new accounts, making it
very difficult to have an account with them.
The company is also working hard to do away with inactive accounts, those that have
submitted far too many proposals without success, those with penny/imaginary names,
those without clear and original profile pictures, those that have not filled a W8BEN form
and those without a verified paypal account; bearing your real name.
I have also noticed that there is a 90 percent probability that upwork will request for a video
call to confirm your identity, immediately you get your first client. They normally request a
copy of your ID card, and a receipt of the recent bills you paid to confirm your physical
location. In such a case, you can use a recent bank statement or an MPESA statement to
verify that; but if you are in Kenya. Their customer support guides you on how to take a
video call with them.
Note:
Please make sure you edit your education level, employment history and your address. The details I
normally add are just imaginative and should not be left as they are. You can however leave the
title, skills and overview as it is.
The most challenging task for freelancers in Kenya and other third world countries is to convince
clients that you are a true professional, and you can indeed deliver quality work.
Note:
You can either decide to bid while your location is still in Kenya, but only if you trust your cover
writing prowess.
Otherwise, change your location to any of the developed countries and submit flawless cover
letters. The quality and uniqueness of your cover letters tells the professional in you. I write mine
when fresh and take time to plan for it. In fact, visualize it, dream it and write your heart out. Show
passion, honesty and integrity.
Note:
Please don’t change your location to United States of America or United Kingdom. You will not be
able to reverse the changes or even withdraw your hard earned money. This is because USA and UK
authorities are very strict when it comes to paying taxes. Changing your location back portrays tax
evasion in their system.
Some of the countries you can change your location to are: British Virgin Islands, Australia, Canada,
Bermuda and others.
You should, however, change the location back to Kenya, immediately you land your first client. This
is because the upwork team is most likely to request for a video call shortly.
And please note that clients rarely check your location after awarding you the project. It is the
quality you deliver that will save you or make the client doubt you. Please concentrate on building a
relationship with a client. That is one of the surest ways to get long term clients and do away with
bidding for some time.
There is nothing I can do from my end, if your account has been put on hold or it has been
suspended. The only option left is to sweet-talk the upwork support, and be professional when
doing that. But don’t beg.
Upwork has prepared some canned answers that they send to freelancers’ email address, when
your account is on the spotlight.
One of the messages you might get is that “We have noticed irregular activities in your
account…please contact customer support” or “The financial transactions of your account had been
put on hold…” or worse still “Your Upwork account seems to be connected to Elizabeth Mumbi and
others”.
Don’t get scared if you see such messages/emails. Just contact support and be nice to them. Refute
everything and seek further clarification on the same. Be friendly and prepare a copy of your
scanned ID, Certificates, a copy of your photo and bank statement.
Many thanks,
Frank Otwori