How I Made $500K On Upwork Using AI Automation (Step-By-Step)
Nick Saraev: Claude, Codex & AI AgentsSummary
Marketers are increasingly voicing concerns over ineffective ad spending, labeling it "bullspend" as they seek to cut through the noise of metrics that don't translate into tangible results. The focus is shifting from impressions to actual revenue, with platforms like LinkedIn being highlighted for delivering the highest return on ad spend among major ad networks.
In the freelance realm, a successful Upwork user shares insights on how to optimize profiles and application strategies to achieve significant earnings. Key strategies include enhancing profile visibility through unique profile pictures, strategic pricing, and leveraging social proof in descriptions. The user emphasizes the importance of tailoring applications with personalized messages and video introductions to stand out in a competitive marketplace.
Additionally, the discussion touches on scaling freelance work into a business model by subcontracting tasks while maintaining quality control. The speaker advises freelancers to prioritize building a strong job success score and obtaining badges like "Top Rated" or "Expert Vetted" to enhance credibility and attract higher-paying clients. Overall, the conversation underscores the potential for freelancers to thrive on platforms like Upwork with the right strategies and a focus on delivering quality service.
Show Notes
GET THE FREE GAMMA and TEMPLATES 🙏https://gamma.app/docs/How-I-Made-500000-USD-on-Upwork-gnyg81aex5v3fwdUploaded 18-08-24Watch me build my $300K/mo business live with daily videos + strategy ⤵️https://www.youtube.com/@nicksaraevdailyJOIN MY AUTOMATION COMMUNITY and GET YOUR FIRST CUSTOMER, GUARANTEED 👑https://www.skool.com/makerschool/about?ref=e525fc95e7c346999dcec8e0e870e55dSUMMARY ⤵️I love Upwork to death and use it often. It's a straightforward, dependable lead source, and in my humble opinion too many people turn up their noses at the prospect of Upwork revenue (not me!)In this video I'll show you how to succeed on Upwork using the same strategies that got me to nearly $500,000—how I structured my profile, how I applied to jobs, etc.MY SOFTWARE, TOOLS, and DEALS (some of these give me kickbacks—thank you!)🚀 INSTANTLY: https://link.nicksaraev.com/instantly-short📧 ANYMAIL FINDER: https://link.nicksaraev.com/amf-short👻 PHANTOMBUSTER: https://link.nicksaraev.com/pb-short✅ CLICKUP: https://link.nicksaraev.com/clickup-short📈 RIZE: https://link.nicksaraev.com/rize-short (use promo code NICK for addn 25% off)WHAT TO WATCH NEXT 🍿HOW I HIT $25K/MO SELLING AUTOMATION: https://youtube.com/watch?v=T7qAiuWDwLwMY $21K/MO MAKE.COM PROPOSAL SYSTEM: https://youtube.com/watch?v=UVLeX600irkGENERATE CONTENT AUTOMATICALLY WITH AI: https://youtube.com/watch?v=P2Y_DVW1TSQFOLLOW ME✍🏻 My content writing agency: https://1secondcopy.com🦾 My automation agency: https://leftclick.ai🕊️ My Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/nicksaraev🤙 My blog (followed by the founder of HubSpot!): https://nicksaraev.comWHY ME?If this is your first watch—hi, I’m Nick! TLDR: I spent five years building automated businesses with Make.com (most notably 1SecondCopy, a content company that hit 7 figures). Today a lot of people talk about automation, but I’ve noticed that very few have practical, real world success making money with it. So this channel is me chiming in and showing you what *real* systems that make *real* revenue look like! Hopefully I can help you improve your business, and in doing so, the rest of your life :-) Please like, subscribe, and leave me a comment if you have a specific request! Thanks.Timestamps0:00 Upwork Success Blueprint1:14 Profile Optimization Secrets1:55 Application Strategy Unveiled2:34 Scaling Beyond Freelancing3:23 Mastering Upwork SEO4:01 The Importance of Niches10:18 Why Choose Upwork?11:41 Creating an Irresistible Profile17:16 Crafting the Perfect Job Title23:51 Setting Competitive Rates30:00 Writing an Engaging Description31:27 The Power of Video Introductions32:52 Maximizing Client Communication36:23 The Review System Explained44:14 Winning Application Tactics59:59 Application Process Insights1:06:52 Scaling Your Upwork Business1:15:04 Advanced Upwork Concepts1:23:37 Importance of Badges and Invitations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More from Nick Saraev: Claude, Codex & AI Agents
JOIN MY AUTOMATION COMMUNITY and GET YOUR FIRST CUSTOMER, GUARANTEED 👑https://www.skool.com/makerschool/about?ref=e525fc95e7c346999dcec8e0e870e55dUploaded 11-08-24Watch me build my $300K/mo business live with daily videos + strategy ⤵️https://www.youtube.com/@nicksaraevdailyGET THE FREE GAMMA ⤵️https://gamma.app/docs/Top-3-Niches-for-AI-Automation-Agencies-in-2024-uvf5sk3ru1afjbwSUMMARY ⤵️Here are the 3 niches I'd pick in 2024 if I was faced with the prospect of starting my AI automation agency from scratch. I've seen dozens of people crush it in each + they're easy to source leads from, easy to find DMs for, and let you justify your automation agency expense quickly.WHAT TO WATCH NEXT 🍿How I Hit $25K/Mo Selling Automation: https://youtube.com/watch?v=T7qAiuWDwLwMy $21K/Mo Make.com Proposal System: https://youtube.com/watch?v=UVLeX600irkGenerate Content Automatically With AI: https://youtube.com/watch?v=P2Y_DVW1TSQMY TOOLS, SOFTWARE DEALS and GEAR (some of these links give me kickbacks—thank you!)🚀 INSTANTLY: https://instantly.ai/?via=nick-saraev🧠 SMARTLEAD.AI: https://smartlead.ai/?via=nick-saraev📧 ANYMAIL FINDER: https://anymailfinder.com/?via=nick🚀 APOLLO.IO: https://get.apollo.io/bisgh2z5mxc1👻 PHANTOMBUSTER: https://phantombuster.com/?deal=noah60📄 PANDADOC: https://pandadoc.partnerlinks.io/ar44yghojibe📝 TYPEFORM: https://typeform.cello.so/rM8vRjChpbp✅ CLICKUP: https://clickup.pxf.io/4PQo61📅 MONDAY.COM: https://try.monday.com/1ty9wtpsara2📓 NOTION: https://affiliate.notion.so/3viwitl53eg7🤖 APIFY: https://www.apify.com/?fpr=98rff🛠️ MAKE: https://www.make.com/en/register?pc=nicksaraev🚀 GOHIGHLEVEL: https://www.gohighlevel.com/30-day-trial?fp_ref=nicksaraev📈 RIZE: https://rize.io/?via=LEFTCLICKAI (use promo code NICK)🌐 WEBFLOW: https://try.webflow.com/e31xtgbyscm8🃏 CARRD: https://try.carrd.co/myjz1yxp💬 REPLY: https://get.reply.io/yszpkkqzkb8f📨 MISSIVE: https://missiveapp.com/?ref_id=E3BEE459EB71📄 PDF.CO: https://pdf.ai/?via=nick🔥 FIREFLIES.AI: https://fireflies.ai/?fpr=nick33🔍 DATAFORSEO: https://dataforseo.com/?aff=178012🖼️ BANNERBEAR: https://www.bannerbear.com/?via=nick🗣️ VAPI.AI: https://vapi.ai/?aff=nicksaraev🤖 BOTPRESS: https://try.botpress.com/ygwdv3dcwetq🤝 CLOSE: https://refer.close.com/r3ec5kps99cs💬 MANYCHAT: https://manychat.partnerlinks.io/sxbxj12s1hcz🛠️ SOFTR: https://softrplatformsgmbh.partnerlinks.io/gf1xliozt7tm🌐 SITEGROUND: https://www.siteground.com/index.htm?afcode=ac0191f0a28399bc5ae396903640aea1⏱️ TOGGL: https://toggl.com/?via=nick📝 JOTFORM: https://link.jotform.com/nicksaraev-Dsl1CkHo1C📊 FATHOM: https://usefathom.com/ref/YOHMXL🛒 AMAZON: https://kit.co/nicksaraev/longform-automation-content-youtube-kit📇 DROPCONTACT: https://www.dropcontact.com/?kfl_ln=leftclick📸 GEAR KIT: https://link.nicksaraev.com/kit🟩 UPWORK https://link.nicksaraev.com/upworkFOLLOW ME✍🏻 My content writing agency: https://1secondcopy.com🦾 My automation agency: https://leftclick.ai🕊️ My Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/nicksaraev🤙 My blog (followed by the founder of HubSpot!): https://nicksaraev.comWHY ME?If this is your first watch—hi, I’m Nick! TLDR: I spent five years building automated businesses with Make.com (most notably 1SecondCopy, a content company that hit 7 figures). Today a lot of people talk about automation, but I’ve noticed that very few have practical, real world success making money with it. So this channel is me chiming in and showing you what *real* systems that make *real* revenue look like! Hopefully I can help you improve your business, and in doing so, the rest of your life :-) Please like, subscribe, and leave me a comment if you have a specific request! Thanks.Timestamps0:00 Introduction to Top Three Niches for Automation Agencies8:58 Criteria for Selecting Profitable Niches16:28 Qualities of B2B Tech Niche21:06 Challenges and Solutions in Recrui Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
💎 Get all resources 100% free: https://skool.com/maker-zero/about📚 Watch my NEW 2026 Claude Code course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoQBzR1NIqI🎙️ Listen to my silly podcast: www.youtube.com/@stackedpodUploaded 07-04-26📚 Free multi-hour courses→ Claude Code (4hr full course): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoQBzR1NIqI→ Vibe Coding w/ Antigravity (6hr full course): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcuR_-rzlDw→ Agentic Workflows (6hr full course): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxyRjL7NG18→ N8N (6hr full course, 890K+ views): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GZ2SNXWK-cSummary ⤵️Is it possible that Anthropic just released a model that was.. *too* good? With Mythos now out, I think we're about to see the next generation of (closed) models.My software, tools, and deals (some give me kickbacks—thank you!)🚀 Instantly: https://link.nicksaraev.com/instantly-short📧 Anymailfinder: https://link.nicksaraev.com/amf-short🤖 Apify: https://console.apify.com/sign-up (30% off with code 30NICKSARAEV)🧑🏽💻 n8n: https://n8n.partnerlinks.io/h372ujv8cw80📈 Rize: https://link.nicksaraev.com/rize-short (25% off with promo code NICK)Follow me on other platforms 😈📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nick_saraev🕊️ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/nicksaraev🤙 Blog: https://nicksaraev.comWhy watch?If this is your first view—hi, I’m Nick! TLDR: I spent six years building automated businesses with Make.com (most notably 1SecondCopy, a content company that hit 7 figures). Today a lot of people talk about automation, but I’ve noticed that very few have practical, real world success making money with it. So this channel is me chiming in and showing you what *real* systems that make *real* revenue look like.Hopefully I can help you improve your business, and in doing so, the rest of your life 🙏Like, subscribe, and leave me a comment if you have a specific request! Thanks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
GET THE BLUEPRINT HERE FOR FREE ⤵️https://leftclicker.gumroad.com/l/gbwwpaUploaded 30-06-24Watch me build my $300K/mo business live with daily videos + strategy ⤵️https://www.youtube.com/@nicksaraevdailyJOIN MY AUTOMATION COMMUNITY and GET YOUR FIRST CUSTOMER, GUARANTEED 👑https://www.skool.com/makerschool/about?ref=e525fc95e7c346999dcec8e0e870e55dSUMMARY ⤵️Time to talk about advanced techniques! Now that you guys know how to *actually* make money with Make.com, you can spend a bit of time learning some of the finer points of the platform. The first on my list is Breaking Up Scenarios—i.e how to split one master scenario into a series of sub-scenarios to mitigate runtime errors, organize your workflow, etc.WHAT TO WATCH NEXT 🍿How I Hit $25K/Mo Selling Automation: https://youtube.com/watch?v=T7qAiuWDwLwMy $21K/Mo Make.com Proposal System: https://youtube.com/watch?v=UVLeX600irkGenerate Content Automatically With AI: https://youtube.com/watch?v=P2Y_DVW1TSQMY TOOLS, SOFTWARE DEALS and GEAR (some of these links give me kickbacks—thank you!)🚀 INSTANTLY: https://instantly.ai/?via=nick-saraev🧠 SMARTLEAD.AI: https://smartlead.ai/?via=nick-saraev📧 ANYMAIL FINDER: https://anymailfinder.com/?via=nick🚀 APOLLO.IO: https://get.apollo.io/bisgh2z5mxc1👻 PHANTOMBUSTER: https://phantombuster.com/?deal=noah60📄 PANDADOC: https://pandadoc.partnerlinks.io/ar44yghojibe📝 TYPEFORM: https://typeform.cello.so/rM8vRjChpbp✅ CLICKUP: https://clickup.pxf.io/4PQo61📅 MONDAY.COM: https://try.monday.com/1ty9wtpsara2📓 NOTION: https://affiliate.notion.so/3viwitl53eg7🤖 APIFY: https://www.apify.com/?fpr=98rff🛠️ MAKE: https://www.make.com/en/register?pc=nicksaraev🚀 GOHIGHLEVEL: https://www.gohighlevel.com/30-day-trial?fp_ref=nicksaraev📈 RIZE: https://rize.io/?via=LEFTCLICKAI (use promo code NICK)🌐 WEBFLOW: https://try.webflow.com/e31xtgbyscm8🃏 CARRD: https://try.carrd.co/myjz1yxp💬 REPLY: https://get.reply.io/yszpkkqzkb8f📨 MISSIVE: https://missiveapp.com/?ref_id=E3BEE459EB71📄 PDF.CO: https://pdf.ai/?via=nick🔥 FIREFLIES.AI: https://fireflies.ai/?fpr=nick33🔍 DATAFORSEO: https://dataforseo.com/?aff=178012🖼️ BANNERBEAR: https://www.bannerbear.com/?via=nick🗣️ VAPI.AI: https://vapi.ai/?aff=nicksaraev🤖 BOTPRESS: https://try.botpress.com/ygwdv3dcwetq🤝 CLOSE: https://refer.close.com/r3ec5kps99cs💬 MANYCHAT: https://manychat.partnerlinks.io/sxbxj12s1hcz🛠️ SOFTR: https://softrplatformsgmbh.partnerlinks.io/gf1xliozt7tm🌐 SITEGROUND: https://www.siteground.com/index.htm?afcode=ac0191f0a28399bc5ae396903640aea1⏱️ TOGGL: https://toggl.com/?via=nick📝 JOTFORM: https://link.jotform.com/nicksaraev-Dsl1CkHo1C📊 FATHOM: https://usefathom.com/ref/YOHMXL🛒 AMAZON: https://kit.co/nicksaraev/longform-automation-content-youtube-kit📇 DROPCONTACT: https://www.dropcontact.com/?kfl_ln=leftclick📸 GEAR KIT: https://link.nicksaraev.com/kit🟩 UPWORK https://link.nicksaraev.com/upwork🛑 TODOIST: https://get.todoist.io/62mhvgid6gh3🧑💼 CONVERTKIT: https://partners.convertkit.com/lhq98iqntgjhFOLLOW ME✍🏻 My content writing agency: https://1secondcopy.com🦾 My automation agency: https://leftclick.ai🕊️ My Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/nicksaraev🤙 My blog (followed by the founder of HubSpot!): https://nicksaraev.comWHY ME?If this is your first watch—hi, I’m Nick! TLDR: I spent five years building automated businesses with Make.com (most notably 1SecondCopy, a content company that hit 7 figures). Today a lot of people talk about automation, but I’ve noticed that very few have practical, real world success making money with it. So this channel is me chiming in and showing you what *real* systems that make *real* revenue look like! Hopefully I can help you improve your business, and in doing so, the rest of your life :-) Please like, subscribe, and leave me a comment if you have a specific request! Thanks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
GET THE GAMMA HERE FOR FREE 🙏https://gamma.app/docs/The-Best-Way-to-Test-Your-Automations-358bxcblmdwwzsjUploaded 14-08-24Watch me build my $300K/mo business live with daily videos + strategy ⤵️https://www.youtube.com/@nicksaraevdailyJOIN MY AUTOMATION COMMUNITY and GET YOUR FIRST CUSTOMER, GUARANTEED 👑https://www.skool.com/makerschool/about?ref=e525fc95e7c346999dcec8e0e870e55dSUMMARY ⤵️From an Airbnb today so excuse the quality. Wanted to talk about a concept called *iterative testing* in this video—basically the only way I build my Make.com scenarios in 2024. TLDR: start at the end and work your way backwards, run every module before you connect a subsequent one to it, and do just one end-to-end test at the end (as opposed to dozens throughout the building process). Much cleaner, more effective, and it's a great way to train junior engineers on effective Make.com building practices.MY SOFTWARE, TOOLS, and DEALS (some of these give me kickbacks—thank you!)🚀 INSTANTLY: https://link.nicksaraev.com/instantly-short📧 ANYMAIL FINDER: https://link.nicksaraev.com/amf-short👻 PHANTOMBUSTER: https://link.nicksaraev.com/pb-short✅ CLICKUP: https://link.nicksaraev.com/clickup-short📈 RIZE: https://link.nicksaraev.com/rize-short (use promo code NICK for addn 25% off)WHAT TO WATCH NEXT 🍿HOW I HIT $25K/MO SELLING AUTOMATION: https://youtube.com/watch?v=T7qAiuWDwLwMY $21K/MO MAKE.COM PROPOSAL SYSTEM: https://youtube.com/watch?v=UVLeX600irkGENERATE CONTENT AUTOMATICALLY WITH AI: https://youtube.com/watch?v=P2Y_DVW1TSQFOLLOW ME✍🏻 My content writing agency: https://1secondcopy.com🦾 My automation agency: https://leftclick.ai🕊️ My Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/nicksaraev🤙 My blog (followed by the founder of HubSpot!): https://nicksaraev.comWHY ME?If this is your first watch—hi, I’m Nick! TLDR: I spent five years building automated businesses with Make.com (most notably 1SecondCopy, a content company that hit 7 figures). Today a lot of people talk about automation, but I’ve noticed that very few have practical, real world success making money with it. So this channel is me chiming in and showing you what *real* systems that make *real* revenue look like! Hopefully I can help you improve your business, and in doing so, the rest of your life :-) Please like, subscribe, and leave me a comment if you have a specific request! Thanks.Timestamps0:00 Introduction to Iterative Testing6:15 The Power of Quick Hacks16:29 Practical Iterative Testing Techniques27:29 Conducting an End-to-End Test30:44 Conclusion on Iterative Testing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
GET THE BLUEPRINT HERE FOR FREE 🙏https://gamma.app/docs/Makecom-HTTP-Module-API-Masterclass-s1ta03lzcofgikpUploaded 13-08-24Watch me build my $300K/mo business live with daily videos + strategy ⤵️https://www.youtube.com/@nicksaraevdailyJOIN MY AUTOMATION COMMUNITY and GET YOUR FIRST CUSTOMER, GUARANTEED 👑https://www.skool.com/makerschool/about?ref=e525fc95e7c346999dcec8e0e870e55dSUMMARY ⤵️In this video, I cover everything and anything about the HTTP request module. This is a top 1% skill that'll let you connect any platform to Make.com—even if it's not natively supported. Incredibly important if you want to upskill and take your Make.com talents to the next level.MY SOFTWARE, TOOLS, and DEALS (some of these give me kickbacks—thank you!)🚀 INSTANTLY: https://link.nicksaraev.com/instantly-short📧 ANYMAIL FINDER: https://link.nicksaraev.com/amf-short👻 PHANTOMBUSTER: https://link.nicksaraev.com/pb-short✅ CLICKUP: https://link.nicksaraev.com/clickup-short📈 RIZE: https://link.nicksaraev.com/rize-short (use promo code NICK for addn 25% off)WHAT TO WATCH NEXT 🍿HOW I HIT $25K/MO SELLING AUTOMATION: https://youtube.com/watch?v=T7qAiuWDwLwMY $21K/MO MAKE.COM PROPOSAL SYSTEM: https://youtube.com/watch?v=UVLeX600irkGENERATE CONTENT AUTOMATICALLY WITH AI: https://youtube.com/watch?v=P2Y_DVW1TSQFOLLOW ME✍🏻 My content writing agency: https://1secondcopy.com🦾 My automation agency: https://leftclick.ai🕊️ My Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/nicksaraev🤙 My blog (followed by the founder of HubSpot!): https://nicksaraev.comWHY ME?If this is your first watch—hi, I’m Nick! TLDR: I spent five years building automated businesses with Make.com (most notably 1SecondCopy, a content company that hit 7 figures). Today a lot of people talk about automation, but I’ve noticed that very few have practical, real world success making money with it. So this channel is me chiming in and showing you what *real* systems that make *real* revenue look like! Hopefully I can help you improve your business, and in doing so, the rest of your life :-) Please like, subscribe, and leave me a comment if you have a specific request! Thanks.Timestamps0:00 Introduction to HTTP Module32:00 Connecting to Any Mail Finder API44:35 Exploring Phantom Buster API57:20 Adding Leads with Instantly API58:44 Understanding OAuth 2.0 Requests1:05:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices