Freelance Blend

Philippines | Freelancing, Online Jobs & Work From Home Tips

  • About
    • About
    • Work with Marv
  • Podcast
    • Podcast
    • Blog
    • Videos
    • Ask Marv
  • Events
    • Workshops
    • Webinars
    • Meetups
    • Blenders Group
  • Products
    • Social Media Training Course – New!
    • Freelance Blend School
    • Cyberpreneur Philippines Book
  • Resources
  • Contact

FBP 101: Upwork’s New Sliding Service Fee with Althea Sagayno of Online Filipino Freelancers Group

by Marv DL on Jun 12, 2016

FBP 101

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:


The-Most-Awesome-Tools-Ebook-iPad-72px

Are You Ready to Become a Freelancer?

If you are really serious about becoming a freelancer, you should first start with the tools of the trade.

I will make your life easier by handing you more than 30 of the latest and greatest applications, software and websites that I, and even some of the most amazing freelancers, use on a day-to-day basis to become a more productive freedom entrepreneur. 

Get “The Most Awesome Apps, Tools & Resources” Ebook Now!

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: freelancing, service fee, sliding service fee, upwork

 

Support Freelance Blend!

Join our Blenders Group in Facebook!

Blenders

Checkout Our Resources Page

Resources
I recommend InvoiceOcean. The easiest way to online invoicing

Featured Episodes

FBP 110: How To Use Instagram Stories For Your Biz

FBP 114: Why You Need To Start a Meetup Group

When-In-Manila-for-Freelance-Blend

FBP 009: Growing a Blog to One Million Readers, One Post at a Time with Vince Golangco of WhenInManila.com

Marv de Leon of Freelance Blend
Marv de Leon - Founder of Freelance Blend

Hi there! Welcome to Freelance Blend!

Are you a cubicle slave thinking of leaving the 9 to 5 to start your own cyber business? Or are you a full-time freelancer running your own freedom business?

Join thousands of freelancers at Freelance Blend and receive your regular dose of tips, inspiration, meetups, learning events and even entertainment!

Be part of an online revolution that is taking the country by storm! Be a Freelance Blender!

  • About
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Events
  • Products
    • Social Media Training Course – New!
  • Resources
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 · Freelance Blend | Web Development by Patricia Alix | Design by Marv de Leon | Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Education Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in