In November of last year, I found myself in a tough spot after losing my last two jobs. Despite the low wages offered by driving and delivery apps, I knew I couldn’t go back to my old abusive workplaces. That’s when a friend recommended Upwork as a potential solution. He had found success on the platform with well-paid gigs like ghostwriting wedding speeches and chat zingers. Intrigued, I created an account and started exploring the site.
Upwork operates on a bidding system where clients post projects and freelancers propose their rates. The platform takes a 10% service fee from all payments to freelancers, along with other fees. I learned about Connects, the platform’s premium currency used to apply for jobs, and how freelancers must pay to boost their profiles’ visibility. It didn’t take long for me to realize the challenges of navigating this new economy.
After spending my Connects on job applications, I finally received a response from a client named Khuram D. He was looking for a creative writer to craft a short story about a person’s career/life. Despite some red flags in his communication, I was swayed by his positive reviews and payment verification on Upwork. Khuram praised my writing samples and seemed legitimate, so I was hopeful about landing my first job on the platform.