If I told you there was a way to work on projects through Upwork that align with your exact skillsets AND you get to set your own rate, would you think I was off my rocker?

Well, I’m not.

There is a way to do just that. It’s called the Upwork Project Catalog. It’s a place where freelancers create their own projects - with their own self-defined rates, timetable, and deliverables. And clients have all the information they need to make an informed decision before moving forward. 

Now, this isn’t a new thing. It’s actually been around for over a year. But not many freelancers know about this unique opportunity. So I’m here to give you an overview so that you can add a little diversity to your income stream. 

First, I’d like to share a couple of helpful articles from Upwork. The first one is Introducing Project Catalog where they give a brief introduction, and more importantly, Getting Started with Project Catalog where they explain the process of how to create your own project.

Now, onto the good stuff. 

When creating a project for the first time, it can be a bit overwhelming. You’re sure to have questions such as:

• How do I word the introduction to my project? 
• How much should I charge? 
• How do I stand out?
• What type of project should I create?

And the easy answer is to search the catalog yourself for other similar projects to see what the competition is doing. Now - I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that we’re only looking for inspiration here. You never want to copy word-for-word what another freelancer is doing. While you may think it’s making your job easier, in the long run, your potential clients may see that as a sign that you’re unoriginal and untrustworthy. Besides, it’s just bad all around and not something we want in the freelancing community.

With that said, the catalog is the best place to find new ideas and to get a feel for what sorts of projects others are offering. If you have a project in mind, you can simply search for that term in the catalog. When you click in your search bar at the top of your Upwork page, there’s a small down arrow beside the magnifying glass. If you click on that, you’ll have the option to search by projects. Simply type in a keyword and you’ll be shown all of the projects others have posted in the catalog.

As far as what type of project you should be creating - that’s completely up to you. I suggest doing something you enjoy, and that you’re well versed in. You want to be able to complete it in a timely manner so that both you and the client get the best value for your work.

If you’re ready to create your own project, you can do so by looking to the right-hand side of the page where your profile information is placed. Below Proposals is a menu box titled Project Catalog. This is exactly where you’ll want to be. Simply click on Create a Catalog Project to get started.

If you still have questions about the Project Catalog, why don’t you bring them to the community forum on Freelancers Aligned? At Freelancers Aligned we offer support through our robust member’s forum, skill workshops, and newsletters full of tips to get you earning more money as a freelancer. And the best part - It’s completely Free! Click here to join today!