How I Got Freelance Clients on Upwork Without a Portfolio (Just Skills & Consistency)

How I Got Freelance Clients on Upwork Without a Portfolio (Just Skills & Consistency)

In January 2025, I quietly took a leap.

I had a full-time job, a regular routine, and a decent paycheck. But there was a growing itch—to try something on my own, to build smarter systems, not just follow instructions. I had been experimenting with automation tools like Make.com, n8n, and Google Apps Script for a while, and one day it hit me:

“Why not offer this as a service?”

So I opened Upwork. No polished portfolio. No testimonials. Just raw skills and a willingness to learn and show up.

I focused on what I knew best: Automation.

Think of all the small, repetitive tasks that businesses do—sending emails, updating Google Sheets, syncing CRM data, posting content, scheduling follow-ups…

Now imagine those happening on their own, without human error, 24/7.

That’s where I come in.

I help businesses automate their workflows using tools like:

• Make.com – for creating powerful visual automations across apps like Gmail, Slack, Google Sheets, Notion, etc.

• n8n – for custom backend workflows with more control and flexibility.

• Google Apps Script – for smart, tailored automations within Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, Calendar, Gmail).

• Webhooks & APIs – for connecting platforms that don’t talk to each other natively.

Whether it’s syncing leads from Typeform to Google Sheets + email + Slack… or building a bot that handles customer queries automatically… or setting up automated reports from raw data—this is the kind of work I do.

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So, how did I get clients?

• Niche Positioning: I didn’t try to do “everything.” I positioned myself specifically as an automation expert for small businesses, coaches, and agencies.

• Tailored Proposals: I read job posts line by line. My responses were never generic—I explained exactly how I’d solve their problem.

• Fast Communication: Even if I didn’t have a solution right away, I responded quickly and clearly. Clients appreciated that.

• Negotiation + Delivery: I learned how to set boundaries, manage expectations, and always deliver value—even if the scope was small.

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Fast forward to today…

In just a few months, I’ve worked with 10+ clients across countries and industries.

I’ve helped businesses:

• Save 10+ hours a week with no-code automation.

• Build robust dashboards powered by Google Sheets and Apps Script.

• Replace manual follow-ups with smart auto-responders using Make and GHL.

• Launch reels and social media posts automatically via Airtable + JSON2Video + Instagram.

And here's the best part—I started earning the same amount I was making from my full-time job, working part-time hours from my laptop.

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The truth?

You don’t need to have it all figured out.
You just need to start.
The rest, you figure out along the way—one client, one conversation, one solution at a time.

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If you're on the fence about freelancing or feel stuck in your 9–5, let this be a sign.
Your skills are valuable—especially when they solve real problems.

Feel free to reach out if you want help getting started or want to see how automation can work for your business.