When I started on Upwork, I had no reviews, no clients, and was competing against thousands of freelancers with more experience. The only things I had were my skills, the hunger to grow, and a mindset focused on delivering more than expected.
Today, I’m a Top Rated Plus freelancer — a badge given to the top 3% on the platform. It wasn’t luck. It was the result of strategic decisions, constant improvement, and thinking like a business partner, not just a coder.
The First Jobs: Overdelivering Was My Superpower
At the beginning, I took small, low-paying projects — but I treated them like they were $10k+ jobs. I delivered fast, wrote clean code, documented everything clearly, and communicated every step of the way.
I quickly learned that clients don’t just hire skills — they hire trust. And trust is built through clarity, consistency, and care.
Picking the Right Projects Was Key
I didn’t apply to every listing. I focused on projects where I could deliver fast, get visible results, and earn strong reviews. Even if the pay wasn’t great, I saw each project as an investment in reputation.
With every success, the snowball grew: more reviews, better projects, more leverage.
My Core Principles for Growing on Upwork
Here are some principles that helped me rise to Top Rated Plus:
- Speed + quality > vague promises. I always delivered ahead of schedule.
- Clear communication. I never disappeared. I updated clients regularly.
- Show up on time. It’s basic — but builds massive trust.
- Be proactive. I didn’t just follow instructions; I suggested improvements and flagged issues early.
- Niche positioning. Even though I’m full-stack, I positioned myself around SaaS and MVPs using Next.js, which made me stand out.
What Changed After Earning Top Rated Plus
The badge is nice, but the benefits go beyond that:
- Clients trust you more — instantly.
- You get invited to premium jobs.
- You can confidently raise your rates.
- You attract work outside Upwork too — because credibility compounds.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not Just About Upwork
Being Top Rated Plus is the result of how you work. It's what happens when you go the extra mile, focus on outcomes, and treat each client like a long-term partner — not a transaction.
You don’t need to be the best dev on the platform. You just need to be:
Reliable. Communicative. Obsessed with delivering value.
Want to reach Top Rated Plus too? I’m working on a free guide that breaks down my full process — from 0 to Top Rated Plus. DM me on X.