Still panicking about the upcoming implementation of the new sliding service fee policy by Upwork? Then we hope to provide you some perspective on the issue and hopefully a lot of reassurance that everything will be okay if you are willing to do the work.
Recently, here in Freelance Blend, we interviewed Althea Sagayno of Online Filipino Freelancers (OFF) to provide us some perspective on the new Upwork policy, which according to her, has garnered a lot of negative comments from Pinoy freelancers these past few weeks.
Listen as Althea and I discuss helpful tips on facing the Upwork change this coming June 21, 2016 and navigating your freelancing career in general.
You can also Download the transcript of the interview now.
What’s more, we also talked about Althea’s (pronounced as “AL-THEE-YA”) life as a freelancer, how she left the BPO industry and why she jumped into full-time freelancing.
Show Highlights
In this episode, Althea shared:
- How she started into online freelancing after 5 years in the call center industry in 3 different companies
- Her experiences in conventional work and how freelancing changed all that
- How Althea declines and negotiates with a client when she thinks the work is not right for her
- How Althea has succeeded in Upwork
Quotes
“When you have an interview with a client they don’t just interview you, you interview them.”
“Skills do not always mean success.”
“Create a good profile. In Upwork it’s all about profile.”
Upwork’s Sliding Service Fee
Althea offered the following advice to help Filipino freelancers cope with the upcoming sliding fee policy of Upwork:
- After the change been implemented, relax, don’t panic, and assess your situation.
- Complaining about the matter won’t help us. Focus on the positive side. Focus on making more money.
- Increase your skills. The more skills you know the better stand you are to ask for higher rates.
- Leaving Upwork and working outside of a freelancing platform can actually hurt you.
- Don’t put your eggs in one basket. Shop for other freelancing platforms.
- At the end of the day, Upwork is a business. Remind yourself that you are also a business. Like you, Upwork needs to change also.
- More often than not, you are worth more than what you currently charge. Not because you are from the Philippines, your rates are less than in other countries. You are working in a global marketplace, so your rate should be global too. Revisit your pricing every few months (3 months is good), and increase accordingly.
Links and Resources
- Cyberpreneur Philippines – In the book, freelance expert Celine Roque, wrote about why and how freelancers can increase their rates by Celine Roque. Get your copy here.
- The Art of Pricing for Freelancers with Francis Guintu – An upcoming workshop from the Online Filipino Freelacers group.
- Online Filipino Freelancers Facebook Group – formerly “Upwork | oDesk | Elance Philippines” Facebook group. Join here.
- Download the transcript of this interview by clicking the button below:
Download the transcript of the interview now.
Watch the replay here on Freelance Blend TV:
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