Federico, I don’t disagree with you.

When I was first starting out Upwork (and sites like it) didn’t exist like they do today. Elance was around (which I think eventually became Upwork). I signed up and tried it, but I quickly realised I didn’t want the type of projects that were offered there, so I chose a different path.

It’s not that there are no “good” clients on Upwork. Anywhere you look for clients will have a full spectrum of good and bad clients. But I wanted more than just decent clients. I wanted to chase my “ideal” client.

For me, an ideal client is someone who values design. Who understands its power in transforming business and pleasing customers. Someone who wanted to build a long-term partnership with a designer.

Most clients on sites like Upwork aren’t like that. There are exceptions of course. Most of them treat freelancers like commodities and are simply looking for the best price. I wasn’t interested in playing that game.

You said that you are no longer working full-time on Upwork anymore, and I think that validates my point. Upwork may be a valid option as a stepping stone to better things, but I wouldn’t build a freelance career around it.

There is far more to freelancing than working Upwork gigs, and when you break free from that marketplace you get rewarded with better clients, better pay, and much more satisfying work and business relationships.