April 2024 EHI Online Meeting

By
EHI Meetings

DATE: 19 April 2024 

Welcome and Prayer 

Philemon opened the meeting with prayer. 

Discussion 

Greg: Philemon has earned the Top-Rated Badge on Upwork! This means he is in the top 10% of Talent on Upwork.

Elin: This badge lets clients know you have a track record of great work. Developing great relationships with your clients is the first step toward becoming a Top-Rated freelancer. Communication and professionalism are essential. Successful freelancers also choose projects that match their skills, provide quality work, and complete projects on time. To qualify, your profile must be 100% complete and you must have earned at least $1,000 in the past 12 months. You must also have a current Job Success Score of 90% or higher. You must meet all the requirements over time to keep the Top-Rated Badge. You worked hard to get there, and you need to work hard to keep the badge.   

Greg: There are two reasons why we want Philemon to celebrate this accomplishment with his friends and family. The first reason is it’s a great accomplishment for Philemon, and we need to celebrate our accomplishments. Celebrations are throughout the Bible. We celebrate to remind ourselves and others of God’s faithfulness, because the truth is that Philemon worked diligently, and God provided the opportunities. The third reason we want Philemon to celebrate is to spread the message to other people that this is a real job. I suspect if we told Philemon he would earn a few thousand dollars on Upwork, he would have said we were crazy. I remember even his mother thought that he didn’t have a real job. So, this is proof that this is a real job and something to celebrate.

Philemon: Thank you! 

Greg: There are two reasons why we want Philemon to celebrate this accomplishment with his friends and family. The first reason is it’s a great accomplishment for Philemon, and we need to celebrate our accomplishments. Celebrations are throughout the Bible. We celebrate to remind ourselves and others of God’s faithfulness, because the truth is that Philemon worked diligently, and God provided the opportunities. The third reason we want Philemon to celebrate is to spread the message to other people that this is a real job. I suspect if we told Philemon he would earn a few thousand dollars on Upwork, he would have said we were crazy. I remember even his mother thought that he didn’t have a real job. So this is proof that this is a real job and something to celebrate. 

Philemon: Thank you so much for your encouragement. It was really a surprise, because I never expected anything. We should spread the news about Upwork all over the community. 

Greg: Does anyone have any questions for Philemon? 

Jephte: I would love to know when he created an Upwork account. 

Philemon: I created my profile on Upwork in December 2020, but I started applying for jobs in March 2021. I would love to point out that I almost gave up after 3 months without getting any jobs but kept going.  

Efatha: What is the best advice for the next generation to achieve what he has done? 

Philemon: The first piece of advice I would give is that you must be confident in your work to succeed. The second thing is perseverance. Do not let yourself get discouraged. We also have to pray to God so that God can provide strength to continue. 

Greg: Has anyone had problems on Upwork that we need to talk about? 

Josaphat: I would like to know if I speak only French, can I get a job in French? 

Greg: I think it will be difficult, but I’m not sure. 

Elin: Upwork caters to all clients and freelancers worldwide. The Upwork platform by design is in English language only. The Upwork website and help resources are currently in English only. There is no Upwork Resource in French for the time being. You can use Google Translate to translate information from English to French. You can change the language setting on the browser being used from English to French.

Jeff: We are trying to work with Josaphat to help him create his profile in French and then in English, but still, you must know some English to work on Upwork. 

Bible Verse 

Matthew 22:36-40 

(NIV) “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 

(LSG) Maître, quel est le plus grand commandement de la loi? Jésus lui répondit: Tu aimeras le Seigneur, ton Dieu, de tout ton coeur, de toute ton âme, et de toute ta pensée. C’est le premier et le plus grand commandement. Et voici le second, qui lui est semblable: Tu aimeras ton prochain comme toi-même. De ces deux commandements dépendent toute la loi et les prophètes. 

Greg: A lawyer asked Jesus, “What is the greatest commandment? He was looking for one commandment, but Jesus answered in two. Now, in the last verse, verse 40, what does Jesus say about these two commandments?  

Idriss: All of these fulfill the Law and the Prophets. 

Greg: Yes, and what does that mean? 

Jephte: It means perfection. 

Greg: Yes, it means it is a summary of everything that was written in the Old Testament. How are these two commandments related? Why does Jesus tell us to love God and to love our neighbor? Why doesn’t he just tell us to love God? 

Jephte: I think was a trap, because God knows that many people say they love God, but they do not love their neighbors. They may bring many troubles to their neighbors, but still stay that they love God. 

Greg: That is very interesting, Jephte.  

Idriss: Real loved is proved when you love your bother and your neighbor. 

Greg: I think in some ways, loving your neighbor is a way to show that you love God. What are some ways that you love your neighbor? 

Efatha: I think I can be neighborly by sharing everything that I have. This could be something material, a laugh, just everything. 

Legrand: I think the best way for me to show love to my neighbors is to do for them what I would like them to do for me. 

Greg: Here is another example. Philemon is working with 5-6 people in his church to help them get started on Upwork, and in that way he is loving his neighbors. The reason that Elin and I have been working on Upwork with you is because we love you as our neighbors. Sometimes loving your neighbor means sharing food. Sometimes loving your neighbor means sharing knowledge. Here is another question. What reward do we get for loving our neighbor? 

Efatha: One of the rewards is I feel happy when I help someone. I feel greater when I seem them enjoying what I helped them with. 

Greg: That is very good, Efatha. One of the rewards is joy. Another reward is we know that we are obeying God, and when we obey God, we show God that we love Him. When we love our neighbor, we are really loving both our neighbor and God. Because when we love our neighbor, we are not waiting for our neighbor to give us something in return.  

Greg: I want to congratulate Augustin for reaching a new earnings milestone and Ash and Efatha for completing their first jobs.  

Closing Prayer 

Iragi closed us in prayer. 

Upwork Tips 

 TOP-RATED BADGE  

When you’re Top Rated, Upwork puts a dedicated badge on your profile, your proposals, and your projects on Project Catalog. This badge lets clients know you have a track record of great work and may increase your chances of being invited to an interview. Upwork updates eligibility every two weeks. Developing great relationships with your clients is the first step toward becoming a Top-Rated freelancer. Communication and professionalism are essential. Successful freelancers also choose projects that match their skills, provide quality work, and complete projects on time.   

To qualify as Top-Rated you must meet these requirements. You can maintain your badge by continuing to meet all of the Top-Rated requirements. For example, if your JSS drops below 90% or if you’re inactive for more than 90 days, you could lose your status.  

  • A current Job Success Score of 90% or higher  
  • First project on Upwork was more than 90 days ago  
  • Maintained Rising Talent status or a Job Success Score of at least 90% for at least 13 of the last 16 weeks  
  • A 100% complete profile   
  • 12-month earnings of at least $1,000  
  • Up-to-date availability (if unavailable now, set a date estimate)  
  • An account in good standing with no recent account holds  
  • Activity on the platform (proposal, accepted invitation, or earnings) in the past 90 days  

Top-Rated Badge Benefits:  

  • More control over your Job Success Score  
  • You can occasionally request the removal of client feedback.  
  • Job Digest email to make it easier to find jobs that are a great match  
  • A periodic email including jobs suggested specifically for the recipient  
  • Faster payments on hourly contracts  
  • With faster payouts, the typical 10-day wait for payment is cut in half for hourly contracts  
  • Ability to offer consultations to share expertise with clients  
  • Set up consultation to increase earnings, build a network of clients, and boost your reputation. Choose when you’re available to meet and set your rate, then clients can come to you. 

IN DEMAND SKILLS  

https://www.upwork.com/research/in-demand-skills-2024  

Recent research highlights the increasing importance of skills in today’s workforce, particularly in the realm of generative AI. Freelancers skilled in this area are not only earning more but also tackling higher-value tasks. While AI isn’t expected to replace jobs entirely, it will reshape the required skills. It’s crucial for both business leaders and workers to understand and adapt to these emerging skill demands. The Upwork Research Institute identifies key skill trends, revealing the skills translating into demand and earnings. Data Science & Analytics skills, especially those related to AI modeling and machine learning, are highly sought after. Project management and administrative support skills are also seeing increased demand, despite the integration of AI. The emergence of generative AI is affecting the skills-based economy, with companies increasingly turning to skilled independent professionals. Notably, top-growing skills across categories include Generative AI Modeling, Machine Learning, Scripting & Automation, Marketing Automation, Personal Coaching, and Packaging Design, among others. New entrants to the top 10 lists for 2024 include Generative AI Modeling, Medical Virtual Assistance, Executive Virtual Assistance, Logo Design, and Development and IT Project Management.  

TIPS FOR UPDATING OR CREATING A NEW UPWORK PROFILE

  • List 2-3 skills in the Title, use straight line between keywords (research the skill tags clients are using to search for talent)
  • Write 3-4 compelling paragraphs for the Summary with a focus on the first sentence because it appears in client search
  • Utilize all skill tags – used by Upwork algorithm when filtering
  • Add a Portfolio to demonstrate your knowledge and skills.
  • Demonstrate your skills and convey your expertise with Certifications
  • Set competitive rates, start low to build client success
  • Showcase all your skills, certifications, projects, testimonials, and professional experience to get maximum invites
  • Optimize your profile with a professional profile picture
  • Set your profile to Public

Stay active in first 90 days after creating an Upwork profile  

  • Public profiles are visible to clients  
  • Private profiles cannot be seen by potential clients  
  • Upwork may change a profile to Private if you’re a new freelancer and don’t earn money on Upwork within 90 days, or you choose not to submit a proposal within your first 90 days  

TRANSITION FROM A TRADITIONAL JOB TO AN ONLINE PLATFORM 

  • Self-Assessment: What are the skills you utilize on a daily basis? Consider not only the technical skills but also soft skills such as communication, time management, problem-solving, and adaptability.  
  • Research Freelancing Roles: Look into the types of freelancing roles that align with your interests and skills.   
  • Identify Transferable Skills: For example, if you’re transitioning from a project manager position, skills such as organization, delegation, and leadership can be highly transferable to freelance project management or virtual assistance roles.  
  • Highlight Relevant Experience: Update your resume, portfolio, or online profiles to highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to your chosen freelancing niche. Tailor your messaging to showcase how your previous roles have prepared you for success as a freelancer.  
  • Invest in Skill Development: Identify any gaps in your skill set that may be necessary for freelancing success and take steps to fill them. This could involve online courses, workshops, or self-directed learning. Many platforms offer certification programs that can help validate your skills to potential clients.  
  • Networking and Brand Building: Build a strong profile. Network with other freelancers in your industry to learn from their experiences and potentially find collaborative opportunities.  
  • Start Small: As you transition into freelancing, consider taking on small projects or offering your services at a discounted rate to build your portfolio and gain experience. This can help you establish yourself in the freelance market and receive valuable feedback from clients.