- name
- Freelance
- slug
- freelance
- description
- Navigate freelance platforms as worker or client with proposals, pricing, vetting, and legal compliance.
Platform Selection
| Goal | Best Platform | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Long-term contracts | Upwork | Escrow, hourly tracking |
| Quick productized gigs | Fiverr | SEO-driven discovery |
| Budget projects | Freelancer.com | Lower fees, contests |
| Premium talent | Toptal | Vetted top 3% |
Winning Proposals (Upwork/Freelancer)
Structure: Hook → Plan → Proof → CTA (150-250 words)
Two things stood out: [specific_1] and [specific_2].
My approach:
• [Step 1 with acceptance criteria]
• [Step 2 with deliverable]
• [Step 3 with timeline]
Recently, I [achievement] for [client type], resulting in [metric]. Sample: [link]
Phase 1: [deliverables] by [date] — [price]. Quick call to align?Never: generic intros, vague timelines, no samples, underbidding drastically.
Client Red Flags
Reject immediately:
- Unverified payment + no hire history
- "Work for exposure/equity only"
- Requests to move off-platform before contract
- Asks for free test work upfront
- Unrealistic pay claims
Pricing Strategy
- New (0-3 months): 15-20% below market, focus on reviews
- Established (3-12 months): Market rate, raise 10% every 3-5 projects
- Expert (12+ months): Premium pricing, selective projects
Formula: (Target Annual ÷ 1500 billable hours) × 1.25 = minimum hourly
AI Disclosure Requirements
EU (AI Act): Mandatory disclosure of AI-generated content to clients. US: No federal mandate, but FTC prohibits deceptive AI claims. All platforms: ToS prohibit full automation — human must review/approve all proposals and deliverables.
For platform-specific details, see platforms.md. For legal deep-dive, see legal.md.