Niall Doherty's Blog, page 199
October 20, 2017
Digital Nomads Having Coffee – Episode 3 – At The Sandbox In Gran Canaria With Wandering Earl
Digital Nomads Having Coffee – Episode 3
At The Sandbox In Gran Canaria With Wandering Earl
https://www.facebook.com/digitalnomad...
Digital Nomads Having Coffee at The Sandbox coworking space in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Your hosts:
Niall Doherty, freelance web designer and full-time digital nomad since 2010, spent 44 months traveling around the world without flying.
Derek Earl Baron, long-time travel blogger at Wandering Earl, one of TIME Magazine’s “Best Blogs” back in 2012 and atop pretty much every list of “best travel blogs” you’ll find. He’s been on the road since 1999 and has visited 101 countries.
Links & Notes From This Episode
Work On Board Cruise Ships
How To Rent An Expensive Apartment For A Budget Price When Traveling
Renting A Short-Term Apartment While Traveling
Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card
Wandering Earl Tours
Facebook group: Digital Nomads Around The World
About
Digital Nomads Having Coffee is a show broadcast live on Facebook every so often, featuring digital nomads having coffee in cool locations. We chat a bit, and we also take questions live from viewers.
Like the DNHC page on Facebook and you'll be notified next time we're live:
Digital Nomads Having Coffee
The post Digital Nomads Having Coffee – Episode 3 – At The Sandbox In Gran Canaria With Wandering Earl appeared first on Disrupting the Rabblement.
October 17, 2017
Momentos: October 1st – October 15th, 2017
MOMENTOS
October 1st – October 15th, 2017
1
Took a little trip to old town Las Palmas this morning. It’s beautiful over there, feels all proper Spanish with the cobbled calles and pretty plazas. We stumbled into one square with almost no people but filled with sports cars. Another had a bunch of old people dancing merrily to a big band playing live music. We sat nearby and had a coffee and talked about things.
2
Good stretch of work today then headed across town to bust my AcroYoga cherry. I was the base a couple of times and got to fly quite a bit. At one point several people picked me up and spun me head over heels in the air. The feeling of weightlessness was a trip, especially as a guy weighing 85kgs.
3
Mastermind call. Putting the outreach efforts on pause to focus on video this month. Before November hits I have to do three live webinars, publish three new videos, and broadcast three live episodes of Digital Nomads Having Coffee. For each of those nine I miss, it’s a $300 penalty. So $2700 total on the line. Better get my shit together.
Earlier today, old man busting some moves to live music in old town Las Palmas.
Posted by Niall Doherty on Sunday, October 1, 2017
4
You know that old advice people give to a guy who struggles with the ladies? Just be yourself, they’ll say. Which is great advice in one sense, but in another it’s completely worthless. Being yourself isn’t automatic. It takes practice. Same with writing. Takes a while to find your voice, to sound genuine. And the fastest way to get there is to write, publish, rewrite, publish. The practice is the doing.
5
Basketball down by the beach, competitive 3-on-3. I hadn’t played for almost a year, but did okay. All that time walking on sand recently seems to have toughened up my feet, no blisters to worry about. And it was nice to get my hands on a basketball again. Reminds me of the journey I’ve been on, and how it never might have been if I hadn’t become obsessed with that sport.
6
This having a girlfriend thing gets me out and about more. 4pm beach volleyball today, something I doubt I’d have done if not for her. You don’t want to be the boyfriend who stays home all day working and not doing any fun stuff. Plus, with a partner, being lazy doesn’t feel like wasting time, because you can be lazy together, which is just another way of enjoying each other’s company.
First time at AcroYoga.
Posted by Niall Doherty on Monday, October 2, 2017
7
There’s a fundamental thing I have that’s easy to take for granted, a kind of safety net that lets me take more risks and live this fancy free lifestyle. And that is: kind and loving parents that would welcome me home with open arms if some catastrophe struck. Worst case scenario, I know I’ll always have a place to sleep and food to eat. That’s huge. And many people don’t have that.
8
Watched a webinar today, for Authority Hacker. I’m already a member, but it was interesting seeing how they ran through everything and then made their sales pitch at the end. You could see some people in the live chat complaining about the sales part. Same people who asked irrelevant questions all the way through. Same people who were never going to buy in the first place.
9
Just after 9pm. I believe I sat down here at about 4pm. Been lost in a work session since. People talk about the pomodoro technique but that’s never worked well for me. Have an alarm go off every 25 minutes? Get up and walk around a couple of times every hour? Completely breaks the flow. Let me go deep and long with no interruptions.
A bit a basketball down by the beach yesterday. This video is mostly my team losing and me not passing the ball
October 3, 2017
Momentos: September 16th – September 30th, 2017
MOMENTOS
September 16th – September 30th, 2017
16
We curse a lot, us Irish people. I find myself spilling expletives more often when I’m home. And on this flight from Lanzarote I’m sitting in the vicinity of some middle-aged folk from West Cork who think nothing of throwing a casual fuck into almost every sentence. Sometimes two in one. I’d fuckin love a cup of tea now I’m fuckin tellin ya.
17
Six of us carrying this wooden box from the pointy building where men dressed in robes said my grandmother is in a place called heaven now. We walk to a hole in the ground and put down the box and some men lower it into the hole and cover it with a sheet of fake grass. Then there are words and tears, singing and hugs and handshakes. I find it hard to believe but I hope those robed men were right.
18
Fresh morning on the way to Cork. Humble mountains in the distance. A valley draped in fog. Lines of cloud across a pale sky. And those green fields stretching out, dotted with farms and cottages. That’s where the custodians live, tasked with taking care of the land as long as they live. To do the job well, they’ll have to give it better than they got.
Evening at the Wolfhouse in Tenerife.
19
Back in Tenerife. Different landscape. Kayaking across glass as the sun goes down, a white ball fading into the haze. We’ve been paddling a half hour to the feet of the giants, Los Gigantes, massive walls of rock almost a kilometer high. We see odd streaks on the rockface like melted wax running off a candle. We stop paddling and float for a while.
20
Most people selling something don’t want prospective customers to know their competitors exist, especially strong competitors. But holding back like that means you’re not serving people as well as you could be, you’re not pointing them towards the best info, the best service, the best value for money. I like to think you can be a signpost as well as a destination and still do well for yourself.
21
Camp is over, Wolfhouse is quiet. We’re in a hammock in the garden after a tiring day, looking up at a thousand stars. You know how they say many of the stars we see in the night sky may not exist anymore, because the light we see from them has taken millions of years to reach us? Blows my mind every time I think about it.
From Wikipedia: "Teide National Park is a useful volcanic reference point for studies related to Mars because of the similarities in their environmental conditions and geological formations."
Posted by Niall Doherty on Sunday, September 24, 2017
22
Teide. An active volcano once believed to imprison the devil. Columbus sailed past here on his way to the new world and reported seeing a great fire. Modern-day scientists come to test robotic vehicles destined for Mars. Sulfur dioxide and other gases can be seen spewing from the peak. Four million people visited last year, and we’re locked in a metal box with thirty strangers headed for the top.
23
€121 to rent a car here for eleven days. That’s €11 per day. Ridiculously cheap. What tends to bump up the cost though is parking on the footpath overnight because there’s nare a free space to be found in this town and then you wake up in the morning and the car is gone and you have to walk to the impound and pay €200 to get it back.
24
Looking at an attractions map of Tenerife. Dozens of dive sites around the island (including three shipwrecks), scores of beaches, endless hiking trails, plus all those caves and cliffs and pueblos to visit… you could spend a couple of years here and do something different every week and still not say you’ve seen it all.
Exploring Tenerife
25
In a stupid supermarket, scowling at their sub-par hummus. I’m tired and cranky and everything sucks. Why can’t the future hurry up and get here and I’d be wearing some device that would measure my blood sugar and other biological stuff and tell me to eat some cashews or whatever to get my mind right and not be standing here hating the world.
26
Going through 36 questions that lead to love. The fourth: What would constitute a “perfect” day for you? Well, today wasn’t far off. Woke up beside my lady. Morning beach swim and workout. Solid work sessions. Healthy eats and better hummus. Money in my inbox. And now we’re on another beach watching the sky fade and falling deeper.
27
Loving life in Las Palmas, easily one of my favorite places in the world. The coliving situation here is even better than last year, staying at this epic apartment close to the beach. Cost of living is reasonable and there’s a great community of entrepreneurs and digital nomad types. Only issue is my lady can’t stay here for more than three months at a time :-/
It's good to be back
September 29, 2017
Digital Nomads Having Coffee – Episode 2 – On The Roof In Gran Canaria With Danny Rusteen
Digital Nomads Having Coffee – Episode 2
On The Roof In Gran Canaria With Danny Rusteen
Broadcast live on September 29th, 2017 via the Digital Nomads Having Coffee Facebook page.
The basic idea with this series is to Facebook Live myself having coffee with digital nomads / remote workers in cool locations. We chat a bit, and we also take questions live from viewers.
Your hosts:
Niall Doherty, freelance web designer and full-time digital nomad since 2010, spent 44 months traveling around the world without flying.
Danny Rusteen, a former Airbnb employee turned digital nomad who now helps people earn more from their Airbnb listings.
Digital Nomad Topics Discussed In This Episode
Danny’s path to becoming a digital nomad
Saving for retirement
What we miss about working 9-to-5
If you can really be a digital nomad while earning only $1000/month
Insurance
How to stay sane and productive while working from home
Filmed at The Roof in Gran Canaria.
About
Digital Nomads Having Coffee is a show broadcast live on Facebook every so often, featuring digital nomads having coffee in cool locations. We chat a bit, and we also take questions live from viewers.
Like the DNHC page on Facebook and you'll be notified next time we're live:
Digital Nomads Having Coffee
The post Digital Nomads Having Coffee – Episode 2 – On The Roof In Gran Canaria With Danny Rusteen appeared first on Disrupting the Rabblement.
September 18, 2017
Momentos: September 1st – September 15th, 2017
MOMENTOS
September 1st – September 15th, 2017
1
Do you ever have bad days, he asks. I don’t think I do. Not really. I dated a nurse several years ago. Intensive care. She saw people die every day, traumatically, sometimes beneath her chest compressions. She’d come home and ask how my day was. Terrible. Fucking internet wasn’t working. That’s still about as bad as it gets.
2
Grabbed a rental car this morning, drove across the island, stopped off at a sports store to buy a towel, three tennis balls and a pair of cycling gloves. Then coffee at Playa de Las Teresitas, read Ambrose Bierce for a bit with my toes in the sand. Later some Ido-inspired movement on the beach, trying not to be self-conscious, and a little swim practice to finish.
3
All three roommates checked out of the coliving this weekend, leaving me by my lonesome. Now it’s Sunday afternoon and I’m dangerously close to spending the day Netflix bingeing on the couch, when a new guy checks in and we chat for a couple of hours and I’m buzzing after and decide to go get some shit done at the coworking. This is why it’s better for me not to live alone.
Playa de las Teresitas in Tenerife
4
Set up a Patreon account and announced it to my email subscribers today. Would be nice to bring in a bit of money that way each month. I support Sam Harris’s podcast on there myself, also give a little something each month to the Love & Courage podcast. It’s important methinks, to support work you enjoy and want to see more of in the world.
5
Been hitting the work stuff hard the past few days. Set a goal with my mastermind buddy that I’ll send at least 250 outreach emails before October hits, and before I can even start that I need to create a couple of juicy content pieces. If I fall short of the mark, I’m on the hook for a $1k penalty. Pushing hard to get the bulk done before my lady gets here next week.
6
There are a few things I only learned were “Irish” after leaving Ireland. Examples: green beer; The Boondock Saints; spelling Paddy with two T’s; coal wrapped in tissue paper on NYE. Also, the concept of an “Irish goodbye.” Never heard anybody mention that in Ireland. It’s when you’re out for the night with a group of people and then you just leave without telling anyone. Like I did tonight.
Recording the first episode of Digital Nomads Having Coffee at the Wolfhouse.
7
How do you improve your ability to focus? You practice. No different to anything else. Except there are all sorts of obstacles to practicing focus. We’re living in the age of distraction, constantly training our brains to look for novel stimuli. Every time your phone beeps you stop to check it. Every time you wait in line you’re scrolling through your Facebook feed. That’s you practicing distraction, the exact opposite of focus.
8
Reading a book about bees. Fascinating creatures. It’s the females that do all the work apparently. The males (drones) don’t even live in the hive as adults. They hang around outside, waiting for the queen to emerge so they can get jiggy with her. Unfortunately, for a male bee getting jigging entails putting his penis in the queen’s “sting chamber.” She then rips it off and he dies. Royally fucked.
9
Listening to a podcast about climate change. That’s one of those things we should all be outraged by… but aren’t. More people are probably outraged by Game Of Thrones spoilers on Facebook. Come to think of it… actually, never mind. A cockroach just dropped from the ceiling onto my chest and now nothing else matters.
You know how some people say there's no such thing as bad sex? Because even if you suck at it… well, you're still having sex. Beach volleyball is like that, too
September 17, 2017
Faith – Over Beyond Podcast – Episode 9
Over Beyond – Episode 9
Faith
Length: 2:21:59 | Download MP3 | Subscribe on iTunes | Podcast Archive
In this episode we talk about faith and ask each other questions like: Do you believe in a higher power? What do you think happens after you die? Do you consider religion to be a force for good in the world? Are some religions better than others? What’s the point of prayer?
Your hosts: Niall Doherty and Ciaran Hourican
Books Mentioned In This Episode
Podcasts Mentioned In This Episode
YouTube Videos Mentioned In This Episode
Related: full debate between Sam Harris and Deepak Chopra
Other Stuff We Mentioned
The 4 Horsemen: Richard Dawkins | Dan Dennett | Sam Harris | Christopher Hitchens
Deepak Chopra doesn’t understand quantum physics, so Brian Cox wants $1,000,000 from him
How One Stupid Tweet Blew Up Justine Sacco’s Life
Breda O’Brien’s articles for The Irish Times
Support The Podcast
If you enjoy these podcasts and want us to keep making them...
Rate / Review / Subscribe on iTunes
Podcast intro/outro music: Cribs 67 by Levente Maneas from Epidemic Sound Note: there are a bunch of affiliate links on this page. That means if you click through to another website and buy something from there, we will probably get a commission, but you won’t be charged anything extra (actually you’ll often get a discount). These kickbacks help justify all the time we spend preparing, recording and publishing these free podcasts, and allow us to buy things like chai lattes, falafel sandwiches, and private yachts. Thanks for your support!
The post Faith – Over Beyond Podcast – Episode 9 appeared first on Disrupting the Rabblement.
September 13, 2017
Podcast Introduction – Travel The World + Work Online
Travel The World + Work Online
Podcast Introduction
Travel The World + Work Online
Podcast Introduction
https://s3.amazonaws.com/ttwwo/20170917-ttwwo-podcast-intro.mp3
Length: 34:46 | Download MP3 (34.2 MB) | Subscribe on iTunes | Podcast Archive
Notes & Links For This Episode
This episode will serve as an introduction to the podcast, even though there are other episodes published beforehand. You can see and listen to them all on iTunes and in the archive.
The Travel The World + Work Online podcasts aims to help people, well… travel the world and work online, and will strive to counterbalance a lot of the crappy advice and misinformation out there.
In the episode I shared some statistics about the global movement towards remote work:
CNBC has calculated that “over the past 20 years, the number of gig economy workers — those who operate as independent contractors, often through apps — has increased by about 27 percent more than payroll employees.”
The most recent statistics from Global Workplace Analytics tell a similar story:
80-90% of the US workforce says they would like to work remotely.
20-25% of the US workforce already operates remotely to some degree.
Another 50% holds a job that is compatible with partial remote work.
50-60% of the time, Fortune 1000 employees are not at their desk.
75% of employees who work from home earn over $65,000 per year.
Then you have Entrepreneur noting that remote workers are healthier, more productive, more loyal, and save companies huge amounts of money. And Pieter Levels talking about there being 1 billion nomads by 2035.
I also quote an article about digital nomads from Career Shifters:
20 years ago, they called it ‘telecommuting’, or ‘remote working’. Ten years ago, Lea Woodward coined the term ‘location independence’ to describe the lifestyle. Tim Ferriss brought it to a new audience in The 4-Hour Work Week, terming people who had designed their lives around freedom ‘The New Rich’.
Then, the terminology shifted from a way of working to an identity: the Digital Nomad.
In an ever-globalising world where flight prices are dropping and technology is developing at a dizzying rate, working online from anywhere in the world has never been so accessible to so many people.
About Your Host
I’m Niall Doherty, from Ireland, and I’ve been traveling the world and working online since 2010.
For most of that time I’ve earned a living as a freelance web developer, and more recently I’ve been running a course (3M1K) that helps people build an online business.
At one point I spent 44 months traveling around the world without flying, visiting 37 countries along the way. You can read more about that adventure here.
3 Ways To Support The Podcast
Rate, Review + Subscribe On iTunes
The post Podcast Introduction – Travel The World + Work Online appeared first on Disrupting the Rabblement.
September 12, 2017
4 Proven Upwork Proposal Templates To Save You Time And Win More Jobs
Work Online » Freelancing
4 Proven Upwork Proposal Templates To Save You Time And Win More Jobs
Updated: September 12, 2017
Upwork is the largest freelance marketplace online, with thousands of jobs posted every day.
Getting started as a freelancer on Upwork can be tough, because you’re often competing with dozens of other freelancers for a single job, and many of them are well established on the platform, with lots of great ratings and reviews.
So, how can you compete?
Well, it helps to submit A LOT of proposals.
In the words of Wayne Gretzky…
You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
And it follows that the more shots you do take, the more likely you are to score.
But you should also ensure that you’re submitting QUALITY proposals, proposals that will help you stand out from the crowd and give you a solid chance of winning the job.
So, QUALITY and QUANTITY.
That’s what you should be aiming for.
And that’s where the following list of Upwork proposal templates can help. They will enable you to apply for more jobs without resorting to generic copy-and-paste tactics.
Each template below is derived from a real proposal that won a real job on Upwork.
I’ve included screenshots of the original job postings and cover letters so you can see exactly what the job was and how it was won.
Below each example you’ll find a corresponding template you can use to quickly craft your own proposal for ANY job on Upwork.
There are 4 templates in total:
The Short And Sweet
The Screencast Standout
The Honest Newbie
The Quick Lister
Note that each example you’re about to see was submitted by a student of 3 Months → $1,000. Two of them were responses to job invites, and two were cold pitches.
Let’s dive in…
How To Find The Best Jobs On Upwork (5 Flags Method)
The Short And Sweet
This first proposal sample comes from Justin, a freelance web designer and digital marketer.
The Job Description
The Proposal
The Result
Justin was hired for the job at $50/hour.
The Template
Justin explains:
I typically use the same model for Upwork proposals: I ask about 3-4 relevant questions about the job in the first paragraph, and I qualify myself in the second paragraph.
So the template is as follows:
Hello Client Name,
If applicable: Thanks for the job invite. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Ask 3-4 short but relevant questions about the job here. This shows that you’ve read the description and know your stuff, and also invites the client to begin a conversation with you.
Qualify yourself briefly here. 1-2 lines that communicate why you’d be a good fit for this job.
Best regards,
Your Name
Notes
Justin addressed the client by name at the beginning of his proposal, even though the client never mentioned their name in the job description. Often you can find the client’s name mentioned in the reviews section of their profile. Going to the effort of finding their name and including it in your proposal will help you stand out from the crowd.
Keep in mind that Justin was invited to this job, which gave him a much better chance of being hired. I asked Justin about this and he believes the key to getting hired is his strong profile and track record on Upwork.
Justin taught himself web design in a two-month period, then started on Upwork at $9/hour. A little more than a year later he’d also taught himself digital marketing and was earning $45-55/hour consistently. Read more about his journey to Upwork success here.
How A College Dropout 5xed His Freelance Rate In 12 Months
The Screencast Standout
This next proposal sample comes from Natalia, a freelance copywriter.
The Job Description
The Proposal
See Natalia’s screencast here:
Unable to display content. Adobe Flash is required.
Natalia explained to me via email:
This was my very first proposal screencast. It saves time to make a screencast to review a client’s website rather than writing endlessly to explain what you mean.
This proposal was an answer to an invite to apply, but he invited a few people so I wanted to stand out.
The Result
The client was impressed:
Natalia ended up getting paid $350 for this job, but that wasn’t the end of it:
I’m still working for this client, and he is constantly thinking up new jobs I can do for the campaign because he is always happy with my work.
The Template
First, a warning:
You should be selective with screencast proposals. They are are not always appropriate. Use them if you find yourself trying to explain something to a client in writing that would be more easily explained on screen.
The template is as follows:
Hello Client’s Name,
If applicable: Thank you for your invitation.
Share a link to your screencast and briefly explain what it contains. You want to give the client a compelling reason to click the link and watch. Tell them what benefit they will get from it and note that it will only take up a few minutes of their time.
1 paragraph explaining why the job appeals to you. Bonus points if you can share why the goals of the client resonate with you personally.
1 paragraph sharing an example of your work, ideally closely related to the job you’re applying for.
If you want to collaborate with me let’s discuss it in more detail over the chat.
Kind regards,
Your Name
Notes
Use the free Jing software to create and share screencasts up to 5 minutes in length.
3 Successful Ways To Support Your Wanderlust
The Honest Newbie
This next proposal sample comes from Gray, a freelance graphic designer.
The Job Description
The Proposal
The Result
Gray was hired to do the job at a 10% discount, but that was only the beginning. As he explained to me via email:
This also led to ongoing work and was for the guys who I am pricing up that $8,000 job for. Its looking like it is going to be a bit more than that btw. Its for a complete game, and Im currently going through the spec with them bit by bit.
The Template
Gray explains:
I came at it with an honest approach and said basically ‘look, I have a lot of experience, but none on upwork, help me out and Ill do it for a 10% discount. Win win.’
So the template is as follows:
Hello Client’s Name,
I’d really like to work with you on this one if possible!
I do have a couple of questions, but first I’d like to make you an offer and some background so you can check my work out.
Short paragraph explaining your work experience relevant to the job.
However, I am new to Upwork and looking to get a few clients that I can build upon. If you take a look at my work and feel that I could help you, I’ll do it for a 10% discount.
You’ll get all the expected stuff like a great professional service and a fast turn around, at a bit less, and I get a bit more exposure.
If applicable, include a link to your portfolio website here, or invite the client to check out the work samples you’ve attached to your proposal.
Ask 1-2 short but relevant questions about the job here. This shows that you’ve read the description and know your stuff, and also invites the client to begin a conversation with you.
If the above offer sounds like something you would be interested in, I’d love to hear from you.
Regards,
Your Name
Notes
Not included in the template: the word TOKYO at the top of Gray’s proposal, which was a response to the client’s request at the bottom of the job description. Many clients use this trick to quickly determine if you’ve actually read the job description.
Why "Follow Your Passion" Is Bad Advice For Building An Online Business
The Quick Lister
This next proposal sample comes from Susan, a freelance editor and proofreader.
The Job Description
The Proposal
The Result
Susan explained to me via email:
I bid $125, and it was accepted immediately. This job took me 90 minutes to complete and 30 minutes to double check. As this was a legal document, I was careful to edit in a way that did not change the meaning of any of the sentences. This Swiss lawyer had English that was near perfect.
I delivered the files within 2 hours and the client added a $40 bonus to my payment and left me 5-star feedback. $165 for 2 hours is a pretty good rate.
The Template
Hi Client’s Name,
I would be happy to work on your document/job/whatever immediately.
Numbered list covering the most important requirements mentioned in the job description, and how you plan to meet them. This shows that you fully understand what’s needed and have a plan for making it happen.
1-2 paragraphs detailing your background/expertise, as relevant to the job at hand.
What you’ll receive:
Short list that paints a clear picture of what you will deliver (and by when) should the client hire you to do the job.
Send me a quick message and we can figure out if we are a good fit to work together!
Your Name
Notes
Not included in the template: the “Code 833” at the top of Susan’s proposal. This was a response to the client’s request hidden within the job description. Many clients use this trick to quickly determine if you’ve read it thoroughly.
Want to know how Susan earned €1,226 in just her second full month working online? Check out an interview with her here.
How To Free Up 10 Hours Per Week To Build Your Online Business
What To Do Now
Three things:
Pick your favorite template above, jump on over to Upwork, find some jobs you like, and use that template to quickly craft and submit effective proposals. 1
Report back and share in the comments what kind of response you receive.
Subscribe below to my free 10-day Work Online Mini Course for more tips and strategies for finding freelance clients, both on Upwork and elsewhere. 2
Let's Do This!
No spam, ever. Unsubscribe with a click.
Related Posts
How To Find The Best Jobs On Upwork (5 Flags Method)
The Easiest Way To Find Your First Paying Clients
Not Sure What Kind Of Work You Can Do Online? This Hedgehog Can Help.
How An Irish Couple Earns $10,000/Month Online While Traveling The World
The post 4 Proven Upwork Proposal Templates To Save You Time And Win More Jobs appeared first on Disrupting the Rabblement.
How To Find The Best Jobs On Upwork – 5 Flags Method
Work Online » Freelancing
How To Find The Best Jobs On Upwork
(5 Flags Method)
Updated: September 12, 2017
Let me start with a confession.
While I haven’t had a “real job” since 2010, and have mostly earned a living freelancing online since then, I’ve rarely used Upwork to find clients.
But recently I have been helping lots of other freelancers find great clients and earn a lot of money on Upwork.
Here are some of the emails and Facebook messages I’ve received from them:
How exactly did I help those people (and many others) achieve such great results on Upwork?
Four ways:
I taught them how to create a killer Upwork profile
I showed them which jobs were worth applying for (and which they should avoid)
I taught them how to write winning proposals
I advised them to pitch frequently and consistently 1
#2 above is rarely talked about, but it’s absolutely crucial to your success on Upwork.
So let’s spend the rest of this article talking about that.
4 Proven Upwork Proposal Templates To Save You Time And Win More Jobs
How To Find The Best Jobs On Upwork (And Avoid The Worst)
The sad truth is that there are A LOT of terrible clients on Upwork.
Terrible clients post terrible jobs, hire naive freelancers, and proceed to crush their souls.
If you’d like to keep your soul intact, you must be on the lookout for five “flags” whenever you evaluate a job on Upwork.
"Did someone say Six Flags??"
No, sorry, only five.
These five in particular, which I’ll teach you to recognize in a moment:
The Money Flag
The Pro Flag
The Newbie Flag
The Snowball Flag
The Location Flag
Each flag can be RED or GREEN.
Green flags are good. Red flags are bad. Most jobs on Upwork will contain a mix of both.
Smart freelancers avoid jobs with mostly red flags, and apply for jobs with mostly green flags.
Let’s go through them one at a time.
The Easiest Way To Find Your First Paying Clients
The 5 Flags
The Money Flag
This is the first thing you should check for. It will give you an answer to this question:
Is the client willing to pay for quality?
To determine whether or not that is the case, look for the following four things in the job posting:
Budget (if set)
Experience level required
Total Spent
Avg Hourly Rate Paid
Example 1A
Budget of $1,000 and the client doesn’t even expect an Expert Level freelancer for that price, happy to hire someone at Intermediate Level.
They’ve already paid more than $60,000 to only 14 freelancers on Upwork.
The average hourly rate they’ve paid isn’t huge ($28.41/hour), but not unreasonable for an Intermediate Level freelancer.
Example 1B
The client hasn’t set a budget for this job but we can see that they’ve already spent more than $8,000 on Upwork, paying freelancers an average of $53.63 per hour.
Example 1C
Looking for an Expert freelancer but only willing to pay $10, a clear indication that this client is insane.
Example 1D
Looking for an Expert freelancer but only willing to pay $20.
$40,000 total spent, but the average hourly rate they pay is a ridiculous $2.16.
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The Pro Flag
This flag helps you answer the following question:
Does this client seem professional / someone I would like to work with?
To find out, look for these two things in the job posting:
Positive reviews
Clear requirements (as per the job title, job description, and listed questions)
Example 2A
Twelve reviews, all 5 stars.
Very clear title and requirements for the job. They’ve obviously thought this through and know exactly what they’re looking for, which means you can get to work right away instead of going back and forth with the client trying to figure out what needs to be accomplished.
Example 2B
Six reviews, all 5 stars.
Clear title and very specific requirements, not a job that was posted on a whim.
Example 2C
Less than a 2.5-star average on 11 reviews means this client is most likely a nightmare to work with.
Incredibly vague job title and description.
Example 2D
No reviews yet.
The job title and job description give little information. They don’t specify how many “amazing pieces” they’ll want you to produce or in what timeframe, nor do they specify what topics they want you to write about.
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The Newbie Flag
This tells you whether or not a client is new to Upwork.
Some newbies are obviously worth taking a chance on, but they are an unknown commodity so if you spot a newbie flag you should be extra diligent checking for the rest.
Tell-tale signs that a client is new to Upwork:
Payment Method Not Verified
0% Hire Rate
Example 3A
Payment method verified (as signified by the green check mark on the right side)
41 jobs posted and a 96% hire rate.
Example 3B
Payment method not verified.
3 jobs posted and a 0% hire rate.
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The Snowball Flag
The question you’re looking to answer here is:
What are the odds of getting hired for this job? 2
Obviously you can increase your odds by writing a great proposal, but that’s not the only factor at play. You can also get a good feel for the odds via a careful perusal of the job posting.
In particular, you should check:
Hire Rate
Number of proposals already submitted by other freelancers
Example 4A
This client has an 88% hire rate and only 5 people have already submitted proposals for the job. If you can submit a quality proposal fast, the client is very likely to see it and you’ll have a solid chance of getting hired.
Example 4B
More than 50 people have already submitted proposals for this job, and the client only hires someone about half of the time (54% Hire Rate), so you might as well be competing with 100 other freelancers.
Also, with so many proposals already submitted, it’s unlikely the client will even see yours at this point.
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The Location Flag
The geographic location of the client can be an important thing to check for two reasons:
Time zones.
Language and culture barriers.
These things can make it difficult to communicate and collaborate effectively.
For example, say you’re a freelancer in the United States and you’re hired by a company in India to write blog posts. There’s likely to be a long lag in communication because you’re working while they’re sleeping and vice versa. And if their level of English isn’t great, it could be a pain to resolve even the smallest issues.
Example 5A
A vague job posting from Spain with multiple typos. Fairly safe to assume that communication with this client would be muy difícil, especially if you’re in a time zone far far away.
Example 5B
Uhh…
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False Flags
You’ve seen above which pieces of information you should pay attention to when viewing a job posting on Upwork.
Now I want to show you three “false flags.”
These are pieces of information on Upwork job postings that newbies often get excited about (for better or worse) but don’t really mean anything.
They are:
Experience Level
Everything listed under “Preferred Qualifications”
The client promising more work in future
Let’s go through them.
Experience Level
Many inexperienced freelancers on Upwork see “Expert Level” in a job posting and immediately back away.
Even if you’re new to your craft, don’t let “Expert Level” jobs intimidate you.
Many clients have no idea what level of freelancer they need. They select “Expert Level” when posting their jobs because they know they’ll scare off a lot of the bottom-feeding freelancers and won’t have to waste so much time wading through their crappy proposals.
Check the 5 flags I listed above. If they are mostly green and you believe you can do a good job for the client, go ahead and submit a proposal.
Everything Listed Under “Preferred Qualifications”
Same story here.
If a job has enough green flags and you believe you can deliver the goods, don’t let a lack of “preferred qualifications” deter you from submitting a proposal.
After all, they are preferred qualifications. Not required.
The Client Promising More Work In Future
Beware of clients who write stuff like this in their job postings:
“There will be a lot more work for the right candidate”
“Long-term collaboration potential”
“If this first job goes well, I will hire you on an on-going basis”
Usually the clients who write stuff like that are trying to justify a really low budget, or there’s something else unsavory about the job that they’re trying to distract you from.
That’s not to say you shouldn’t apply for the job. Just don’t get your hopes up that it will turn into something more.
I bet you say that to all the girls.
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Fast-Track Your Flag Check
To save you from wading through tons of crappy jobs, you can fast-track your flag check by going heavy on the search filters Upwork provides.
For example, if I was looking for blogging jobs, I’d use the following filters.
With that, the jobs showing up in my search results are much more likely to be worth my while, and I can filter even further if needed.
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5 Flag Cheat Sheet
Here’s a quick summary of the flags to check for on each job posting:
1. The Money Flag
Answers the question:
Is the client willing to pay for quality?
Look for:
Budget (if set)
Experience level required
Total Spent
Avg Hourly Rate Paid
2. The Pro Flag
Answers the question:
Does this client seem professional / someone I would like to work with?
Look for:
Positive reviews
Clear requirements (as per the job title, job description, and listed questions)
3. The Newbie Flag
Answers the question:
Is the client new to Upwork?
Look for:
Payment Method Not Verified
0% Hire Rate
4. The Snowball Flag
Answers the question:
Do I have a snowball’s chance in hell of getting hired for this job?
Look for:
Hire Rate
Number of proposals already submitted by other freelancers
5. The Location Flag
Answers the question:
Am I likely to have issues communicating with this client?
Look for:
Location, duh.
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Final Tips
Before we finish up, let me emphasize that there’s no such thing as a perfect job on Upwork, so don’t hold out and only apply for jobs that have 5 green flags.
There are plenty of jobs on Upwork with 3 and 4 green flags that are well worth applying for, and you’re likely to find a few of those listed every day.
Also, as noted up top, being selective about which jobs you pitch is only one piece of the puzzle.
To give yourself the best chance of success on Upwork, you also need to:
Create a killer Upwork profile
Write winning proposals
Pitch frequently and consistently
Let me know in the comments which of those topics you’d like me to write more about. I’d also love to hear what you think of my 5 Flag Method above and how it works for you.
Oh, and remember, if you’re sick and tired of Upwork, there are better ways to find freelance clients.
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The post How To Find The Best Jobs On Upwork – 5 Flags Method appeared first on Disrupting the Rabblement.
September 4, 2017
Momentos: August 16th – August 31st, 2017
MOMENTOS
August 16th – August 31st, 2017
16
Next door watching the lads play GTA5. I remember the original GTA, top-down on the PC. Wasn’t that long ago. How much longer before these games become indistinguishable from reality? Simulation theory proposes that these hyper-realistic simulated realities already exist, and the odds are overwhelming that we’re in one.
17
Notice myself looking for distractions the past few days. Reaching for my phone, checking email more often. Part of that is being home. Tend to fall back into old habits here, old patterns. I was fairly lazy as a teenager, would happily sit in front of the TV for hours and devour a pack of biscuits. Trying to stave off the old urges and stay productive.
18
On the bus to Cork. A bunch of people get on with me and get off at the industrial estate ten minutes later. I watch them trudge to work and take a moment to appreciate how lucky I am. It’s a random Friday in August and I’m going to spend the day sipping coffee and meeting up with cool people in my favorite Irish city.
A rabble-rouser’s meetup in Cork
19
Standing at the top of Patrick’s Hill and Rob points out a building across the way. He has a story about that one, and another two doors down. That’s one of the nice things about staying in one place for decades. Memories everywhere, a sense of connection, belonging. I guess I have that too, but my memories and connections are spread across the globe, harder to revisit.
20
It’s a rainy grey morning and we’re out jogging the shore of Lough Mahon. We’ll do ten miles and be drenched through and I’ll have a bit of trouble walking the rest of the day – been a while since I ran distance – but there’s an afterglow from this kind of thing that compensates for all that. Food tends to taste better, rest feels well earned.
21
I have five pairs of footwear, and it takes me a minute to remember where they all came from. Runners bought in New Orleans. Brown shoes bought in Mexico. Black shoes bought in Amsterdam. Grey sneakers bought in Estonia. Flip-flops bought in Colombia. I think that’s right. Don’t ask about my underwear.
Blurry selfie from my “Travel The World & Work Online” talk in Dublin
22
Ever been there with a group of people around a table, and something comes over you and you step back over your shoulder and take in the scene with a kind of timeless perspective. You pay less attention to how everyone looks and what they’re saying and see instead how they used to look in all the years past and you sense everything they’ve been through that’s made them who they are.
23
Picking up a new Russian visa at an office in Dublin, ready to fly to Moscow and see my lady tomorrow. But wait… says here the visa’s not valid until October 15th. “Yes, that’s the date you specified.” I check and yeah, somehow I did specify that date weeks ago on a whim and promptly forgot about it. Balls. Now what?
24
Night time and I’ve arrived at the Wolfhouse in Tenerife. Which is a really nice place and the weather is warm and the people are friendly… but I was supposed to be all cuddled up in Moscow right about now, and I cut my barse shaving and the lock on my suitcase has decided to be a dick and I’m forced to trudge through all 1000 possible combinations to open the fucking thing.
Poolside at the < a href=”http://wolfhouse.co” target=”_blank”>Wolfhouse in Tenerife
25
Ideas are the easy part. I have a million ideas. Most of them are probably crap, but there are surely a few gems in there. And the only way to figure out which is which is to wade through them. To execute, fail, execute again, fail, execute again, and on and on until you find a diamond. It’s the execution that’s the hard part. Finding the time. Taking action. Staying focused.
26
After doing that podcast about eating animals last month, in which we mentioned several times that animal agriculture in Ireland is surely better than in most other countries, a friend sent me this video that argues otherwise. Took me weeks to get through it. And I’m sure you can guess why. It’s disturbing. And if you eat meat and dairy yourself you probably won’t watch it, which is fine, but that in itself is very telling, no?
27
On the move again. Just an hour in a rental car this time, but it got me thinking about these past two months. Since the beginning of July, I’ve visited seven countries, taken ten flights and slept in at least fourteen different beds. No wonder I’m exhausted. I don’t have the same energy for it anymore. I’ll have 2.5 weeks now at this place in Puerto, some welcome relief.
On top of Los Gigantes in Tenerife… take 2!
Posted by Disrupting the Rabblement on Sunday, August 27, 2017
28
Long work day, was at the coworking before nine and clocked out of there twelve hours later. Broke for a magnificent nap in the afternoon. Good stretches of deep work, bits and pieces caught up on, no food after breakfast, a few thousands steps before dark, balcony reading to wind it down. An unglorified kind of day, but one that has me perfectly content hitting the hay.
29
Saw an ad for McDonalds on Irish TV a few weeks ago. Our eggs come from free range chickens, they said, showing footage of a chicken frolicking free on a nice farm. So I went into a McDonalds in Cork and asked where they get their eggs, was told Greenfield Foods in Monaghan. I did some research. Five million eggs come out of there each week. 1 Google maps shows the big sheds they keep 150,000 hens in, each required to have just 750cm of space. 2
30
Finish another solid work day and take a stroll around Puerto as the sun sets, getting my seven thousand steps in. There’s a lot to like about this town. It’s tidy and scenic and quiet and you catch a nice whiff of flowers every few minutes just walking the streets, look up and there’s a paraglider drifting on the breeze, floating back and forth for kicks before landing on a black sand beach.
Scene from an evening walk in Puerto de la Cruz
31
Almost 8am, heading to the coworking. I’ll be the first one there and grab a coffee and open the place up like it’s my own. Flatmates were out last night. They’ll be blurry today. One of them came home as I was having breakfast, arm all bloodied, a drunken misadventure. Now I’m walking up the hill with a clear head, sunshine hitting the peak of Teide, ready to make the most of the day.
Previous Momentos
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About
These are my Momentos, vignettes I write daily and publish twice a month. They're incredibly self-indulgent and I'm surprised anyone reads them.
There's one for every day since February 27, 2013.
The post Momentos: August 16th – August 31st, 2017 appeared first on Disrupting the Rabblement.
