Hello everyone,
I am seeking guidance from experienced members of this community and would really appreciate your practical advice.
My Background & Skills
- CMA (Pakistan) student from ICMAP, currently in the final stage of qualification
- Strong interest and confidence in working with data
- I have Practical skills in: Microsoft Excel | Power BI | Data cleaning, shaping, and transformation | Data analysis and visualization | Turning raw data into meaningful and decision-useful insights.
What I Want to Achieve:
My short-term goal is to earn USD 1,000 in a single month by using my data analysis skills ethically and by adding real value to clients. I want to achieve this specifically through Upwork, but at the moment, I have zero practical knowledge of client hunting.
Where I Need Your Guidance:
I would really appreciate step-by-step or experience-based advice on:
- How to position myself on Upwork as a data analyst (Excel / Power BI)
- What type of services or niches are more realistic for a beginner to target
- How to find the right clients who actually need data analysis and dashboards
- How to approach proposal writing when starting from zero
- How to price my services initially while working toward the $1,000 monthly target
My Mindset:
- I am not looking for shortcuts or quick money
- I want to earn by solving real problems for clients
- I am willing to learn, test, fail, and improve consistently
- My aim is long-term growth, skill building, and client trust
If you were in my position today — with strong Excel and Power BI skills but no client-hunting experience — what exact steps would you take in the next 30 days to reach your first $1,000?
Any guidance, frameworks, personal experiences, or honest advice would mean a lot to me. Thank you in advance for your time and support.