How to Choose

the Right Clients on Upwork :

Practical Tips

A good client is more than just money. It’s your reputation, your opportunity for growth, and your daily work experience. Based on our years of experience on Upwork, we’re sharing practical tips to help you find clients that truly fit you. You’ll meet all kinds of clients on Upwork. Here’s what to pay attention to:

Reviews and Contract History

You can analyze a client even before reading their job post. We believe a good client is more important than a good project. A client with poor reviews is a risk to your reputation, so weigh the risks carefully.

Clients with a good reputation have many positive reviews, set clear tasks, communicate well, and usually pay fairly.

New clients with no history are just starting on the platform. They can become long-term partners, but they may also bring risks due to unclear expectations or lack of structure. Be prepared to guide them through how the platform works.

Clarity of the Job Request

You can often tell whether a client knows what they want from their job post and later communication.

👉🏻 Clear clients provide well-defined goals and detailed tasks, making your job easier.

👉🏻 Unclear clients are vague in their requests, lack examples, or don’t have a clear goal. This requires more communication, but can lead to interesting challenges.

👉🏻 Chaotic clients are driven by emotion and confusion.

They:

🚩 struggle to explain what they need;

🚩 give no clear direction (“just do what you think is best”);

🚩 may be aggressive or disrespectful.

These are red flags — loud and waving. Avoid them.

Business Size and Type

Understand how big the client’s business is, what goals they have, and what resources they already use. This will help you assess whether you can meet their expectations and how complex the tasks might be. Take on tasks you're at least 70% confident about—the rest you can learn on the go.

Who Makes the Decisions?

Gently ask during the call: “Can you tell me a bit about your role in the project?”

This helps you understand whether you’re speaking to the decision-maker or if approvals need to go through multiple people. It affects your communication speed and how quickly decisions are made about your work.

How Do You “Choose” a Client?

Everyone has their own approach and level of risk they’re willing to accept. Our advice: choose clients who are pleasant — or at least clear. Personal connection is the key to long-term collaboration. Take on tasks you're at least 70% confident about—the rest you can learn on the go.

During initial conversations, try to sense whether you'll be able to build a comfortable working relationship. This will make it easier to resolve misunderstandings later and lead to a more enjoyable and productive collaboration. Take on tasks you're at least 70% confident about—the rest you can learn on the go.

We spend a big part of our lives working—so let’s be intentional about how and with whom we do it. Take on tasks you're at least 70% confident about—the rest you can learn on the go.

Want more practical advice?

Check out these podcast episodes featuring our founder Denys Safonov and the creator of the YouTube channel Freelance Mushrooms:

Upwork Feedback: a trust tool you should learn to read and write

22-09-2025

Upwork feedback is more than stars — it builds trust, shapes reputation, and guides choices. Learn how to read, request, and write reviews effectively

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7 Hats: a thinking tool that saves time and nerves

08-09-2025

Instead of mixing emotions, facts, and criticism in chaos — this method by Edward de Bono helps separate thinking modes.

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Upwork: From Simple Fees to Pay-to-Play

29-08-2025

Discover how Upwork’s fees evolved from flat 10% to a pay-to-play model with Connects, boosts, and variable 0-15% commissions in 2025.

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Upwork Reset 2025: How to Refresh Your Freelance Strategy

25-08-2025

Discover 5 practical steps to reset your Upwork strategy in 2025: update skills, rethink pricing, optimize proposals, and grow with the market.

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How to Build a Team That Won’t Fall Apart in a Crisis

22-08-2025

How to build a strong team that survives crises: Denys Safonov shares lessons from 11 years of leading the agency Etcetera through global challenges.

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Upwork Q2 2025: What Changed and What It Means for Freelancers

15-08-2025

Upwork Q2 2025 results: fewer clients, bigger budgets, AI at the core, rising paid services, and strategic acquisitions shaping the platform’s future.

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