As a freelancer, you’re likely always on the lookout for new opportunities to get paid for the work that you love. You may have considered using UpWork in the past, but were put off by the fact that it seems like you need a contract in order to get started.
The good news is that you don’t actually need a contract in order to start working on UpWork. In fact, there are many benefits to not having a contract, including the freedom to work with whomever you want and the ability to set your own rates.
Of course, there are also some drawbacks to not having a contract, such as not being able to guarantee yourself a certain amount of work or pay. If you’re thinking about whether or not to sign a contract with UpWork, here are some things to consider.
The freedom to work with whomever you want is one of the biggest advantages of not having a contract with UpWork. When you’re not tied down to one client or project, you can pick and choose the work that you want to do. This can be great for your mental health and also give you the opportunity to try out different types of work.
Another advantage of not having a contract is the ability to set your own rates. With a contract, you’re usually locked into an hourly rate or project price.
But if you don’t have a contract, you can negotiate your rate on a per-project basis. This can be really beneficial if you’re just starting out on UpWork and want to build up your portfolio quickly.
One of the main disadvantages of not having a contract is that it can be harder to guarantee yourself a certain amount of work or pay. When you’re working on a per-project basis, there’s always the possibility that the project will end early or that the client will decide not to use your services again. This unpredictability can be stressful for some people, especially if they rely on their freelancing income to pay their bills.
So, should you sign a contract with UpWork? It really depends on your individual circumstances and what’s important to you. If having more freedom and flexibility is more important than guaranteed work or pay, then going without a contract could be the right choice for you.
