Last night I got a Facebook message from a guy named Gavin.
He’d seen one of my Upwork ads.
Profile pic: yellow aviator sunglasses. Anime baseball cap. The unmistakable look of someone who just discovered freelancing through TikTok.
He asked:
Can Upwork Domination be applied to a brand-new Upwork account?
The Short Answer
Yes. It works even if you have zero experience, no portfolio, and not a single client review.
But that’s the short version.
The Longer, More Useful Answer
There are two types of new freelancers on Upwork.
The first group is the “I saw a guy make six figures freelancing with ChatGPT and now I want in” crowd. They roll out of bed at 2:30 p.m., bounce between Fiverr gig ideas and League of Legends, and think this whole freelancing thing is just a side quest in their broader mission to avoid real effort.
I can’t help them.
But the second group? They’re different. They’ve got a skill—or at least the willingness to develop one. They see freelancing as a business, not a get-rich-quick detour. They know it’s not going to be easy, but they’re here to play the long game.
Those people can absolutely succeed on Upwork, even if their profile is a ghost town today.
Why Reviews and Portfolios Are Overhyped
Are they helpful? Sure. But here’s the trap: most new freelancers think they need both before they can start.
Wrong.
Your first job won’t come because of your glowing portfolio or 5-star history. It’ll come because of how you frame your offer. Because your proposal stood out. Because your first impression made someone believe you could solve their problem.
That’s why Upwork Domination doesn’t teach you how to “look professional.”
It teaches you how to win jobs before you have anything to show for yourself.
And once you land the first job? Everything else—reviews, case studies, referrals—starts falling into place.
What New Freelancers Actually Need
You need a system.
Not hacks. Not scripts. A system that works whether you’re starting from zero or retooling your freelance career for higher-paying work.
You need to know how to:
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Pitch the right way
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Avoid sounding like every other desperate beginner
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Position yourself as a solution, not a risk
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And most importantly, keep momentum after you land that first gig
If you’re trying to build that foundation, I write about this every single day on my email list.
It’s for freelancers who want to get better at persuasion, positioning, and winning clients—without sounding like a wannabe guru or sending soulless AI-written proposals.
Want in?
Join here: https://nickbandy.com/freelance
Your move, Gavin.
– Nick
