#202 · 60min open Q&A on how I make $400k/mo
It's definitely the simplest and easiest — not necessarily the best platform cost-wise (it costs more than some alternatives), but it's the most accessible by far.
Focus on revenue‑proximate automations—sales, marketing, and lead generation—because they directly increase income. Upwork is the simplest and most accessible platform, though it costs more than alternatives; its ease of use makes it a good starting point.
No, you don't need to start anywhere else. Upwork is by far the easiest place to start for a number of reasons. As a beginner, sales is hard and consists of three parts: understanding the client’s problem, pitching a solution, and standing out enough for the client to pick you. Upwork handles the first two parts for you; you only need to pay for connects and a fee (now between 10‑15%) when you deliver a project. This means you only have to focus on being the best pick among freelancers, which is roughly one‑third of the sales work. It also minimizes capital outlay because you don't need to spend large amounts on cold‑email tools, ads, or other lead‑generation platforms. As a beginner you might spend around $200 on tools and see no results for weeks, whereas with Upwork you can start seeing ROI in a few days, making the gap between spending and earning much shorter.
Just jump straight into applying to Upwork jobs. If you build the automation ahead of time and present it to the client, your marginal cost is only a dollar or two per application, and you control whether they see the proposal by bidding high. This gives you a higher reply rate, and Upwork no longer refunds connects, but you also aren’t charged if they don’t accept.
Most clients on Upwork don’t want to work with agencies. I recommend not using Upwork as a primary agency growth channel; treat it as a way to get an initial foothold while you’re still freelancing. When you’re selling yourself, you want the client to feel they’re hiring you, not an agency. Avoid agency language on your profile—use “founder” if you like, and bring up any consultants only during calls after you’ve secured the project. Start as a freelancer, deliver a high‑quality first project, get a great review, then gradually introduce others or a consultant on later projects. Don’t say you’ll hand the work off to an agency; keep the work yourself initially. In short, don’t label yourself as an agency on Upwork—position yourself as an automation specialist or similar, because Upwork users dislike the word “agency.”