How I Landed My First High-Paying Client on Upwork (and How You Can Too)
When I first started on Upwork, I thought landing high-paying clients was impossible.
Everyone told me the same thing: “You have to start by taking low-paying jobs, getting reviews, and slowly working your way up.”
So, I did what most beginners do — I set my rates low, applied to every job I could find, and hoped for the best.
Spoiler alert: It didn’t work.
I sent dozens of proposals, spending hours crafting what I thought were compelling pitches, but all I got were rejections (or worse, silence). At one point, I seriously considered quitting and looking for writing jobs elsewhere.
But then, I changed my strategy.
And that’s when everything shifted.
I landed my first high-paying client — a $5,000 ghostwriting project. That one client led to referrals, long-term work, and the foundation for my ghostwriting business.
If you’re struggling to find high-paying clients on Upwork, let me save you the frustration. Here’s exactly what I did (and what you should do too) to attract premium clients instead of competing on price.
Step 1: Stop Applying for Every Job and Niche Down
One of the biggest mistakes I made was trying to appeal to everyone.
Blog posts? Sure!
Business content? Why not!
Ebook writing? Of course!
I thought casting a wide net would get me more opportunities, but instead, it made my profile look generic and unfocused.
The turning point came when I realized that high-paying clients aren’t looking for generalists — they want specialists.
So, I niched down to ghostwriting for entrepreneurs and business founders.
Why? Because they:
✅ Have a budget.
✅ Need ongoing content (books, thought leadership, articles).
✅ Value expertise over cheap labor.
When I positioned myself as “Ghostwriter for Founders & Entrepreneurs” instead of “Freelance Writer Available for Any Project,” my profile started attracting the right kind of clients.
Lesson: If you want premium clients, define your niche and tailor your profile to their needs.
Step 2: Optimize Your Profile for High-Paying Clients
Once I identified my niche, I revamped my Upwork profile to speak directly to my ideal client.
Here’s what I changed:
1️⃣ Headline (Your First Impression Matters!)
Instead of something vague like “Freelance Writer Available” (boring and forgettable), I made it specific:
“Ghostwriter for Founders | Helping Entrepreneurs Share Their Stories”
This immediately tells potential clients:
✔️ Who I help.
✔️ What I do.
✔️ Why it matters.
2️⃣ Bio (Make It About Them, Not You!)
Most freelancers make the mistake of saying: “I’m a passionate writer with years of experience…”
Instead, I framed my bio to focus on the client’s needs:
“Are you an entrepreneur with a story to tell but no time to write? I help busy founders turn their ideas into powerful books, thought leadership content, and brand-building articles. Let’s make your voice heard.”
See the difference? It’s not about me — it’s about what they get from hiring me.
3️⃣ Portfolio (Show, Don’t Tell)
Even though I was new to Upwork, I created portfolio samples that reflected the type of work I wanted to attract.
Ghostwritten articles for fictional founders.
A sample ebook introduction.
A case study format showcasing a storytelling approach.
If you don’t have past client work, create mock samples. Clients don’t care if it was paid work — they just want proof of skill.
Step 3: Master the Art of Proposals
Before I landed my high-paying client, I was making another major mistake:
My proposals sounded like every other freelancer’s.
Generic, forgettable, and way too focused on me.
Here’s what my old proposals looked like:
“Hi, I’m a freelance writer with experience in blogs, articles, and ebooks. I would love to help with your project. Please let me know how I can assist.”
Yawn.
High-paying clients don’t want generic pitches — they want solutions.
So, I started using this proposal format instead:
1️⃣ Personalized First Line — Show them you actually read their job post.
“Hi [Client Name], I saw that you’re looking for a ghostwriter for your business book. I love working with founders who want to turn their expertise into a powerful story!”
2️⃣ Why You’re the Right Fit — Focus on their goals.
“With experience ghostwriting thought leadership pieces for executives, I know how to craft engaging content that sounds like you while delivering value to your audience.”
3️⃣ A Quick Win — Provide immediate value.
“Based on your project, I’d suggest structuring the book with a storytelling framework to make complex ideas more engaging. I can map this out in our first draft!”
4️⃣ A Call-to-Action — Make it easy for them to say yes.
“Would you be open to a quick call this week to discuss your vision?”
This small shift in proposals made a massive difference. Clients started responding. I wasn’t just applying — I was connecting.
Step 4: Set Your Rates Like a Pro
Most freelancers assume low rates attract clients. But in reality, high-paying clients associate value with price.
When I increased my rates, I:
✔️ Attracted clients who respected my work.
✔️ Stopped wasting time on lowball offers.
✔️ Started making real money on Upwork.
Here’s the secret: You don’t get paid based on effort — you get paid based on results.
If your work helps a founder land press coverage, grow their audience, or build authority, that’s worth WAY more than just words on a page. Price accordingly.
Step 5: My First $5K Client (And What Happened Next)
After implementing these changes, I applied for a ghostwriting job with a premium client.
✅ I personalized my pitch.
✅ I showed them I understood their goals.
✅ I confidently stated my rates.
And just like that… they hired me on the spot for a $5,000 project.
That one client led to referrals, repeat work, and long-term ghostwriting contracts.
The best part? I never had to compete on price again.
Want to Land High-Paying Clients on Upwork?
If you’re tired of lowball offers and ghosted proposals, it’s time to change your approach.
That’s why I created The Ultimate Guide to Landing High-Paying Clients on Upwork so you can skip the struggle and start getting results faster.
Download it here: https://stan.store/GhostwritingWithMinolta/p/the-ultimate-guide-to-landing-upwork-clients-
