Manage Your Upwork Reputation After A Bad Review
Recently, I ended a 6-months contract with a client.
I have been working with him since last December.
I have done more work for him than I might have done for any other client.
Every time, I suffered from scope creep.
We would agree on 10 things, and I would end up doing 20 things.
Because my reputation was on the line, I was compelled to do so.
Not that he was a bad client.
He was a good client. He was a perfectionist.
But I was tired of scope creep all the time.
So, I decided to fire my client and hire a new one.
Apparently, this didn’t go well.
Because he had a lot of pending work for his systems and processes.
So, he left me a 2.85 rating.
Bad Strategy. Don’t do this.
I followed up with him. Asking for reasons.
Crickets.
Still, waiting to hear from him.
I don’t think that I will be hearing from him soon.
Anyhow, I won’t be letting this bad review bring down my profile.
Or my freelance business.
I am more than this.
One bad review doesn’t define the 20+ good projects that I have pulled off.
So, to mitigate my risk, I came up with a reputation management plan.
It will help me and you manage my Upwork reputation.
Framework – Upwork Reputation Management
Assess and Understand the Feedback
There is no feedback given so I am following up with the client.
I will do a critical analysis of this and improve myself.
And if this was just anger from the client’s side, I am sure we can cool him off.
So, Understanding the client’s concerns and identify specific improvement areas are important.
Was it a communication issue, a deadline that was missed, or something else?
Pinpointing the exact problem is the first step to making improvements.
Respond Professionally
The first thing, I did was, give a stellar review to the client.
Instead of forcing him, I will be compelling him emotionally.
And instead of starting a war, I will write a professional and constructive response to the review.
In your case, acknowledge any valid points the client raised and explain the steps you are taking to address and improve these areas.
For example, if the review mentioned missed deadlines, mention how you’ve implemented a new time management tool to ensure better project tracking.
Remember to stay positive and avoid defensive or negative language.
Improve Your Profile
I will be:
- I am updating my profile to reflect my commitment to quality and improvement.
- I am revising my summary to highlight my dedication to client satisfaction and continuous improvement.
- Add any new skills, certifications, or training to boost credibility.
Showcase Positive Feedback
Now, I will bring my two clients outside of the Upwork.
I will work with them on Upwork to counterbalance the negative review by showcasing positive feedback.
I have 2 more projects going on. I will request testimonials from satisfied clients to boost your profile.
Optional: You can even create a dedicated section in your profile for client testimonials to highlight your success stories.
Proactively Seek New Projects
I will start bidding on smaller, manageable projects.
So that I can complete quickly and efficiently to build up a series of positive reviews.
My focus will be on delivering exceptional work and exceeding client expectations to turn my profile around swiftly.
Highlight Improvements in Proposals
In my future proposals, I am thinking of being transparent about the steps that I’ve taken to improve since the negative review.
Mentioning specific improvements and highlighting relevant examples of recent successful projects.
I am hoping, this transparency will build trust with potential clients.
Let’s see how it goes.
I am using my Notion template: Upwork Reputation Management Plan.
Notion Template: Upwork Reputation Management Plan
This Notion template is a checklist to help you manage your Upwork reputation after a bad review.
My 1:1 Upwork coaching will be closed tomorrow.
Only 2 spots are available.
So, hurry up and book your slot here.
Let’s hit your Upwork goals.
Excited,
Talha X
Dreamer & Founder @ The Notion Millionaire.
