Is it ok to start cheap on UpWork?

[Villain]

I've been offered a $15 gig on UpWork for some basic web development work. It's easy work but will probably take several hours.

It would be my first gig on UpWork. Should I just take it to get the ball rolling? Or will having a $15 gig on my profile make me look like a low quality freelancer?

 

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[Lex DeVille]

Take it.

 

[Villain]

Take it.

Roger. Just got the contract.

 

[UnderdogStrategy]

You did the right thing.

That first gig is not worth $15 but $15 + your first 5 star review + (maybe) more work from the same client.

Small jobs are the best way to build a good amount of reviews/testimonials within the platform.

 

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[SEBASTlAN]

That first gig is not worth $15 but $15 + your first 5 star review + (maybe) more work from the same client.

Great insight.

 

[Tom H.]

Yeah, I started years ago on odesk or freelancer, whatever it was, taking $15 jobs that took me days to finish. No regrets, all of that experience paid off.

 

[MJ DeMarco]

The sole "NO" vote was mine.

It was my knee jerk reaction, don't take it, that's less than minimum wage!

But you guys are right. I've been out of the "hustle" for so long, I forget what it takes to go from nothing, to something.

Working cheap -- sometimes free-- to build a portfolio is often what it takes to build social proof, reviews, etc.

Your next job you can charge $50 for two hours of work, and level up from there.

 

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