Hey Community, I wanted to officially introduce myself. I’m Asim Shahzad, and I’ve been editing video since 2003. I cut my teeth working for a National TV channel, so I’m pretty comfortable working under pressure and to a high standard. About a year ago, I decided to take my skills to Upwork. It started slow, but I managed to land one fantastic client. That single relationship has resulted in over $10k in earnings in just one year, which showed me the potential of this platform. However, I don't want to stop there. I’ve been following this community (and Nico Hessel) for a long time, learning the "how-to" of freelancing. Now, I’m ready to put that into practice. My big, hairy audacious goal is to hit $4k - $5k per month. I’m here to learn how to move past the "single client" trap and build a sustainable freelance business. Thanks for having me!

Everyone says Upwork is saturated… but here’s what I’ve noticed: the freelancers who consistently win clients are not always the ones with the most polished profiles or the fanciest portfolios. The real winners? They’re the ones who take the time to understand their client’s mindset. They know what the client truly wants, what pain points they have, and how to make their life easier. I’m curious to hear from you all:💡 What’s one thing you do to really understand a client before sending a proposal?Everyone says Upwork is saturated… but here’s what I’ve noticed: the freelancers who consistently win clients are not always the ones with the most polished profiles or the fanciest portfolios. The real winners? They’re the ones who take the time to understand their client’s mindset. They know what the client truly wants, what pain points they have, and how to make their life easier. I’m curious to hear from you all:💡 What’s one thing you do to really understand a client before sending a proposal?