Upwork vs. LinkedIn for Finding Your First Remote Gig

I remember staring at my laptop screen five years ago, two tabs open. Upwork on the left. LinkedIn on the right. I had zero remote work experience, no “online portfolio,” and a desperate need to replace my local income with something that didn’t require a commute.

If you’re in that same spot right now—trying to figure out where to invest your limited time and energy—this one is for you.

The remote work landscape has changed. What worked for me back then might not work exactly the same way today. But after helping hundreds of students and clients land their first online gigs, I’ve seen patterns. Clear ones.

Let me walk you through the real difference between these two platforms, and more importantly, how to use both without wasting months of your life.

Why This Decision Matters More Than Ever

Companies are still figuring out their permanent work setups. Some are calling everyone back to offices. Others went fully remote and aren’t looking back. And a whole new category of businesses started online and never even built a physical office.

This confusion creates opportunity.

But it also creates a problem: where do you even start looking?

Upwork and LinkedIn are the two biggest names in the game. But they work completely differently. Treating them the same way is like using the same strategy to ask someone on a date and apply for a mortgage. Technically both involve talking to people. Realistically you’re going to fail if you mix them up.

What Upwork Actually Is

Think of Upwork as a global freelance marketplace. Companies post jobs. Freelancers submit proposals. The platform handles payments, provides some protection, and takes a cut.

The good part: clients on Upwork are actively looking to hire someone right now. They have a budget (sometimes small, but it exists) and they want work done.

The hard part: you’re competing with millions of other freelancers, including people from countries where the cost of living is much lower than yours.

How to Win on Upwork With No Experience

When I landed my first Upwork client, I had zero reviews and no “portfolio” to speak of. Here’s what actually worked:

Start small. Like, embarrassingly small. I bid on a $50 job organizing someone’s email list. Took me three hours. Made less than minimum wage. But that first review changed everything.

Write proposals like a human. Most proposals sound like robots fighting over who can use the word “synergy” more. Read the job description. Mention something specific from it. Show you actually paid attention. That’s literally 80% of the battle.

Pick a tiny niche. Don’t be a “social media marketer.” Be someone who helps real estate agents write their Instagram captions. The more specific, the less competition, and the higher your chance of actually getting hired.

Apply to jobs posted in the last 24 hours. This matters more than almost anything else. Clients hire fast. If a job has been up for a week, they’ve either already hired someone or lost interest.

What LinkedIn Actually Is

LinkedIn is a professional social network. People share content, connect with each other, and sometimes post jobs. It’s less of a marketplace and more of a long-term relationship building game.

The good part: you can build authority over time. You can get hired without competing in a race to the bottom on price.

The hard part: it takes longer. You can’t just show up today and expect a job tomorrow.

How to Win on LinkedIn With No Experience

LinkedIn rewards consistency, not intensity. Here’s the approach that works:

Optimize your headline. Don’t just put “Looking for work” or “Aspiring freelancer.” Use something like “I help small businesses write blog posts that actually get read” or “Junior web designer focused on sustainable brands.” Tell people what you want to do for them.

Post useful stuff. You don’t need to be an expert. Just share what you’re learning. “I just finished a course on SEO and here are three things I learned…” This shows you’re serious and actively developing skills.

Comment on other people’s posts. This is the secret most people miss. Find people in your target industry. Leave thoughtful comments. Not “great post!” but actual thoughts that add to the conversation. People notice. They click your profile. Some of them hire you.

Connect with intention. Don’t just spam connection requests. Look for hiring managers, small business owners, and people working in the role you want. Send a short note: “Hey, I’m trying to break into freelance writing and your work in the SaaS space really impressed me. Would love to connect and follow your journey.”

The Side by Side Comparison

Speed

Upwork: Fast. You can have a client this week if you play it right.
LinkedIn: Slow. Expect to spend months building before offers come to you.

Income Potential

Upwork: Starts low, grows as you build reviews. Can hit a ceiling.
LinkedIn: Starts nonexistent, but can lead to high-ticket clients and full-time roles.

Competition

Upwork: Massive. You’re in a global race to the bottom on price.
LinkedIn: Less direct competition. More about standing out as a person.

Skill Building

Upwork: You learn how to write proposals, manage clients, and deliver work.
LinkedIn: You learn how to network, build authority, and sell yourself.

Long Term Value

Upwork: Medium. You own your reviews but the platform controls everything.
LinkedIn: High. You build a network you can take anywhere.

The Real Strategy: Use Both, But Differently

Here’s what I tell my students. It’s not Upwork versus LinkedIn. It’s Upwork and LinkedIn, used the right way.

Phase One: Upwork for cash flow and case studies.

Take small, low-paying jobs on Upwork. Yes, the pay stinks. Yes, some clients are difficult. But you get something you can’t get anywhere else: proof.

Real client work. Real results. Real testimonials.

Treat these first few jobs as paid education. You’re learning how to work remotely, how to communicate with clients, and how to deliver value. And you’re building a paper trail that proves you can do the thing.

Phase Two: LinkedIn for leverage.

Once you have three or four Upwork projects under your belt, take those results to LinkedIn.

Write a post about what you accomplished for a client. Share the numbers. Talk about the process. Now you’re not some random person asking for work. You’re someone with proven results looking for bigger opportunities.

I’ve seen people take a $50 Upwork job and turn it into a $5,000 client on LinkedIn simply by showing what they did and attracting attention from people who could pay more.

What Nobody Tells You About Both Platforms

Upwork takes a cut. They take 20% of your first $500 with a client. That hurts. But you’re paying for access to people who are ready to hire. Decide if that tradeoff makes sense for you.

LinkedIn has an algorithm problem. Your posts won’t be seen by everyone. Don’t take it personally. The game is showing up consistently, not going viral.

Scams exist everywhere. On Upwork, never work outside the platform until you trust someone. On LinkedIn, never pay for a “job opportunity” or coaching program someone promises will lead to work. Real jobs pay you, not the other way around.

Both reward patience. The people who win on either platform aren’t the ones who try for two weeks and quit. They’re the ones who keep showing up, keep improving, and keep building.

Simple Steps to Start Today

If you’re reading this and feeling stuck, here’s your plan:

1. Pick one skill you can do well enough to charge for. Doesn’t have to be world-class. Just better than the average person.
2. Create an Upwork account and write five proposals to jobs posted in the last 24 hours. Keep them short, human, and specific.
3. Update your LinkedIn headline to clearly state who you help and what you do.
4. Find five people in your target industry and leave thoughtful comments on their posts.
5. Repeat step two and four every day for 30 days.

That’s it. No secret formula. No magic hack. Just consistent action on the platforms that actually connect freelancers with work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really get hired on Upwork with no experience?

Yes. I did it. Hundreds of people I’ve worked with did it. You need to be willing to start small and prove yourself. The first job is the hardest. After that, you have proof.

Is LinkedIn worth it if I hate posting publicly?

You don’t have to post. Commenting on other people’s posts works almost as well. But hiding your profile and hoping someone finds you rarely works. You need some visibility.

How much should I charge as a beginner?

On Upwork, start slightly below market rate to get your first reviews. On LinkedIn, aim higher and justify it with your Upwork results. Your price increases as your proof increases.

What if I get rejected or ignored?

Everyone does. I still do. It’s part of the process. The goal isn’t to avoid rejection. It’s to get one yes that changes everything.

The Bottom Line

Upwork and LinkedIn serve different purposes. Upwork puts you in front of people who need help right now. LinkedIn puts you in front of people who might need help later, or who know someone who does.

You don’t have to choose. Use Upwork to build your foundation. Use LinkedIn to build your future.

The remote work revolution isn’t waiting for anyone. People are landing their first gigs every single day. There’s no reason that can’t be you.

Here’s my question for you: If you knew with 100% certainty that consistent effort on these platforms would land you a remote gig within 90 days, would you put in the work?

Think about your answer. It might tell you everything you need to know about what’s really holding you back.