Lex DeVille's - I Deleted My Upwork Account...

[Mr.Chaos]

Yeah sure..it's all in my head

I must be hallucinating, how silly of me, it's impossible for it to be anything else, right?

Yes, the problem is the system, only a small number of people will get the jobs and most people won't, that's how it's designed.

Saying you can change it with your mind is the like saying you can defy gravity.

I was VERY open-minded to freelancing when I started and I rationally deduced why it didn't work. In hindsight, it was more about the competition than anything else, the lack of control was also a major contributing factor to my failure.

But go ahead, don't let me stop you.

Yeah umm. I have been on upwork for about a month seriously, end of December through January...

And with copy paste proposals that I wrote myself, I have made a decent amount of money with hardly any effort. When I actually write fresh as Lex would say"YOU FOCUSED" proposals the response is overwhelming.

Don't blame upwork bud.

 

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[JAJT]

Moving on...

 

[Lex DeVille]

Okay, it only took half a day, but I finally got it deleted. F me, I can't believe it was such a pain in the a$$ to delete my account. Glad I decided to do it now instead of waiting for next week.

This video is mostly running through basic setup. Still a few good takeaways. I got approved in like 10 seconds, so if you've been rejected at sign up you may wanna watch.

 

[InspireHD]

Thanks, Lex. Through watching that video, I completed my profile on Upwork and submitted my first proposal.

I'm looking forward to the rest of your videos!

 

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[G-Man]

Thanks, Lex. Through watching that video, I completed my profile on Upwork and submitted my first proposal.

I'm looking forward to the rest of your videos!

Wait what, you actually did shit? Lex is building an Army

 

[Fox]

Thought experiment...

The guy who has had (and who will again have) massive success on UpWork creates a thread with lots of value. He will post great content and commit to it with more results over time. People are interested and the thread is already gaining momentum.

The guys who suck at UpWork come on to a thread, offer zero value, let us all know this can't work for them but also want the-instant-success-steps-TM in the very first 10 words.

Now... I wonder if these two different groups of people are approaching other areas with the same mindset and beliefs!!?

I don't even need to see other UpWork threads or progress stories - you can already see the difference here between the doers and whiners.

 

[Utopia]

Please stop spamming my progress thread and wasting other people's time. Both of those are things you said you wouldn't do in your own progress thread.

Haha thus why I gave you shit for not doing anything yet. I feel like we just circle-jerked each other off for a good three pages, talking about how great Lex is and all the problems we are having with UpWork.

Thanks for the video though, it was valuable.

 

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[G-Man]

Thought

First word and you've already lost the folks that really need to hear it.

 

[Sadik]

My original reluctance to join these freelance sites was reddit. I read that it's pointless trying to compete with people in third world countries who will work for nothing, and it stopped me dead from trying it out. Stupid.

This!

Reddit is so full of freelancers who keep saying Upwork is shit or scam! Case in point, look at this discussion I had on reddit only 3 days ago!



And I am so sick and tired of this "third world country" BS. I am from India and I make more per hour than a majority of so called "First World" Upworkers. It's like there are a billion people here and if you saw many poor freelancers, you club everyone like we are a factory output or something. Sorry for the rant, but I get really pissed off with this oh you are from the third world B.S.

By the way back to point. If you are a Freelancer and understand marketing, you can also make a living without using any of the freelancing sites. I do that too. But Upwork is just a "convenient" place for starters.

 

[DesignerOne.]

Lex is building an Army

He really is, I watched the video, hopped on upwork. 5 minutes later. Got a offer already. Thanks @SinisterLex, However it isn't for copywriting, I'm targeting the design industry. That being said, what he's saying also appeals to other freelance ventures on there!

 

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[Lex DeVille]

Last night I was looking over Upwork and a copywriting gig caught my eye, so I applied. My profile wasn't even built yet. No samples. No tests. Nothing but the basics from when I got set up on video yesterday.

Today I got a response.
One proposal. One response...

That's crazy considering how saturated Upwork is...and how saturated copywriting is...and that it's impossible to stand out or find clients.

Also, this client was on Shark Tank and got a deal with 2 sharks. So if I take the gig after further discussion, I guess that puts me in a pretty nice position considering this is the FIRST proposal I sent out.

I sent out a second one just a while ago and recorded my whole entire process. Should have it uploaded in just a bit.

 

[InspireHD]

Is there a way to know when you've been rejected or that the project has gone to someone else? I've applied to two projects so far. This morning, the first one wasn't showing under my submitted proposals. Today, I applied for a new project. Yesterday's proposal is now showing, but today's does not. It says I have 1 submitted proposal.

 

[Lex DeVille]

Is there a way to know when you've been rejected or that the project has gone to someone else? I've applied to two projects so far. This morning, the first one wasn't showing under my submitted proposals. Today, I applied for a new project. Yesterday's proposal is now showing, but today's does not. It says I have 1 submitted proposal.

If you go to your proposals area it should show it. It might be under archived if they weren't interested. If they cancelled the job post completely I don't think it shows you anything and just disappears. My guess is they probably cancelled the job post for some reason.

 

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[Lex DeVille]

Here's today's video. It's my entire thought process as I write a proposal.

This one's kinda long, but you'll experience the process from start to finish if you've got the will to finish and can deal with my nearly-mental head chatter. >)

P.S. Don't bother stealing my proposal for a template. I guarantee it won't work for you.

 

[Waspy]

This thread excites me.

I'm not even in the freelancing game.

 

[lowtek]

Here's today's video. It's my entire thought process as I write a proposal.

This one's kinda long, but you'll experience the process from start to finish if you've got the will to finish and can deal with my nearly-mental head chatter. >)

P.S. Don't bother stealing my proposal for a template. I guarantee it won't work for you.

UHM EXCUSE ME... AN HOUR LONG VIDEO?? I'M PRETTY BUSY NOT SUCCEEDING ON UPWORK. CAN YOU PLEASE CONDENSE IT TO 2 MINUTES AND REPOST? AND LIKE... CAN YOU ALSO GIVE ME A CHEATSH33T?

KTHXBAI

 

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[JAJT]

Also, this client was on Shark Tank and got a deal with 2 sharks. So if I take the gig after further discussion, I guess that puts me in a pretty nice position considering this is the FIRST proposal I sent out.

Bahahahaha

Rep sent. That's hilarious.

Too saturated you say?

 

[DesignerOne.]

Not finished with my first job, but already have him going to give me a good review, and lined up future jobs with him. Taking action really does work, who knew?!

Can't thank you enough again @SinisterLex, gonna pop some popcorn, dim the lights, and watch that hour long video,

 

[InspireHD]

If you go to your proposals area it should show it. It might be under archived if they weren't interested. If they cancelled the job post completely I don't think it shows you anything and just disappears. My guess is they probably cancelled the job post for some reason.

Thanks, found it. First one is still sitting there. Second proposal the client declined and now my third was closed. I think I overpriced my third at $5 since the project was a data entry job and would have taken about 10 minutes.

Anyway, thanks again for your videos. They have been super helpful. I'm 0-3, but I know my first win is right around the corner.

 

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[startinup]

Here's today's video. It's my entire thought process as I write a proposal.

This one's kinda long, but you'll experience the process from start to finish if you've got the will to finish and can deal with my nearly-mental head chatter. >)

P.S. Don't bother stealing my proposal for a template. I guarantee it won't work for you.

This video is amazing!

In the past, you've said that proposals should use similar language as the potential client, but here you really take it to another level.

I looked into enneagram types after the video you made about Trump being a type 8. Enneagram typing is really intriguing and you truly know how to empathize with the potential client.

Enneagram typing is clearly already critical to your process. Would you suggest studying Enneagram types to improve someones copywriting, or have you found more efficient ways along your journey?

Thanks for your videos and posts. I'm getting better at copywriting and progressing within Upwork everyday thanks to you.

 

[wade1mil]

This is the first I've heard of the Enneagram System and I'm fascinated by it.
This makes profiling your ideal customer so much more useful.
I find it to be far more definitive and concise and than the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.
I've got this page bookmarked to read tonight.

 

[Lex DeVille]

This video is amazing!

In the past, you've said that proposals should use similar language as the potential client, but here you really take it to another level.

I looked into enneagram types after the video you made about Trump being a type 8. Enneagram typing is really intriguing and you truly know how to empathize with the potential client.

Enneagram typing is clearly already critical to your process. Would you suggest studying Enneagram types to improve someones copywriting, or have you found more efficient ways along your journey?

Thanks for your videos and posts. I'm getting better at copywriting and progressing within Upwork everyday thanks to you.

All you need to become a good copywriter is empathy and a bit of technique. Much like tactics, or NLP etc., the Enneagram is useful, but if you can empathize with others and offer a solution they need, you'll get the job done.

Mirroring the language you see clients use is good enough to create rapport. The Enneagram, like you said, lets you take it to another level. It's just one more way to gain a deeper look at how others see the world.

It's also a great way to learn about yourself.

 

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[ZF Lee]

Wait, not only you got a gig in a so-called 'oversaturated' market, but you get A VERY HIGH VALUE CUSTOMER!
Please, take my reps. Take it!

And @MJ DeMarco , #gold thread? Notable?

 

[MidwestLandlord]

The Enneagram, like you said, lets you take it to another level. It's just one more way to gain a deeper look at how others see the world.

It's also a great way to learn about yourself.

My apologies for the slight thread jack here @SinisterLex

For y'all studying the Enneagram: I think at the very least, especially when it comes to sales, empathy, and rapport, if you can learn just enough to be able to identity the "center" of the person you are dealing with, it will help immensely.

It's not necessary to be able to know each person's number type. But the Enneagram's fall into one of three centers, which will tell you enough.

They come in many different names, but here are the one's I use:

Head Types.
The thinkers. The one's stuck in their heads. Often looking for someone to follow and give them step-by-step directions. (types 5,6,7)

Emotional Types.
Usually emotional. Often seem illogical. Often looking for reasons bigger than themselves. "My boss will be so proud of me if I can make this happen!" (types 2,3,4)

Instinctual Types.
Shoot from the hip. Get it done. Action. "How much will this cost?" "When will it be done?" (types 8,9,1)

Of course, they all have their subtleties (a 9 is much more relaxed than an 8 for example) but overall, it's a good place to start.

And just for the record, 8's are the best of all the types

End thread jack...

 

[Raoul Duke]

This is the first I've heard of the Enneagram System and I'm fascinated by it.
This makes profiling your ideal customer so much more useful.
I find it to be far more definitive and concise and than the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.
I've got this page bookmarked to read tonight.

@SinisterLex goes into great detail in a INSIDERS thread - https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/co...er-your-mind-markets-mental-mannerisms.67805/

A really great read.

 

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[Lex DeVille]

So just a little update...

Remember, this is from my FIRST proposal and I sent it before I even had anything in my profile other than the basic bio so I could get signed up.

My offer to the client:

I'll make a few free samples for you based on your business and if you like them we'll go from there. Since Twitter & Instagram posts are short I'll do them for $2 each after that.

I ended up sending 2 Instagram posts and 3 Twitter samples.

This morning the client responded:



Let's recap...

I said those posts were FREE and now I'm getting $30 which is over $5 per sample piece when my offer was $2 per post. I'm getting a contract from a business that was on Shark Tank and got a deal with 2 Sharks (Barbara and Mark) and all of this within 72 hours of launching a brand new account on Upwork.

So what's your excuse now?

P.S. 10 to 15 people applied. 7 Got interviewed. 1 got hired.

 

[Ronak]

For those complaining about saturation, I just read a post from the perspective of a person doing the hiring on Upwork-- they got 74 bids for a simple editing job on Upwork. He shortlisted 3 for the same reasons described by @SinisterLex

You're not competing with the 70 other guys doing cut paste jobs talking about themselves, you're competing with the 3 who actually bothered to read the job details and address the task at hand. Add in some of the techniques like empathy and future pacing, and it's not hard to get a slam dunk. Another great tip is to bid twice a day so you get the fresh jobs that have been posted in the last day from multiple time zones. I haven't done it enough to declare a trend, but I've noticed that European clients seem more willing to pay for quality.

 

[Waspy]

So just a little update...

Remember, this is from my FIRST proposal and I sent it before I even had anything in my profile other than the basic bio so I could get signed up.

My offer to the client:

I'll make a few free samples for you based on your business and if you like them we'll go from there. Since Twitter & Instagram posts are short I'll do them for $2 each after that.

I ended up sending 2 Instagram posts and 3 Twitter samples.

This morning the client responded:

View attachment 14084

Let's recap...

I said those posts were FREE and now I'm getting $30 which is over $5 per sample piece when my offer was $2 per post. I'm getting a contract from a business that was on Shark Tank and got a deal with 2 Sharks (Barbara and Mark) and all of this within 72 hours of launching a brand new account on Upwork.

So what's your excuse now?

Look at this guys. Just look at it.

Add value. Get paid.

It's literally that simple.

 

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[Invictus]

Thanks, found it. First one is still sitting there. Second proposal the client declined and now my third was closed. I think I overpriced my third at $5 since the project was a data entry job and would have taken about 10 minutes.

Anyway, thanks again for your videos. They have been super helpful. I'm 0-3, but I know my first win is right around the corner.

Trust me, you can do it . Just grind and refine. Once you have your first review it gets even easier.

Honestly, the greatest thing you can keep in mind for Upwork/Freelancing/Life is too persevere. Don't expect it to be easy or for the wins to come again and again. Just keep moving forward. Do the work, refine your technique, do the work, refine, work, refine, work. The process eventually gives you the wins.

Don't think, "Well this is too hard, I'd be better off I tried to do ecommerce." Just keep pushing.

 

[Sadik]

@SinisterLex Loved your client selection and loved the strategy to offer "free samples". Absolutely brilliant stuff!