Cut the umbilical cord.
The freelance platform trap
It seemed like a good idea at the time.
Freelance platforms.
To many solopreneurs just starting out, sites like Upwork, Toptal and Fiverr (and 99designs and PeoplePerHour on and on...) offer an opportunity to get started fast.
And what's not to love? Quick gigs, easy money, and a steady stream of clients.
But as your skills blossom and grow, and your income goals begin to shift, those platforms start feeling less like an opportunity and more like a trap.
What used to be a solid strategy for getting clients isn’t cutting it anymore. Fees go up, quality projects dry up, and it’s harder than ever to find good clients with real projects.
Which brings us to the real problem.
Not for Serious Experts
Remember when Upwork felt like the answer? It used to be a place to land steady work, meet great clients, and make money while you kicked off your solo career.
It was good while it lasted, no?
If it seemed like a good idea at the time, it’s because it was. But now, it’s less “land of opportunity” and more island of low-ball offers and AI-generated posts.
The projects you actually want are buried somewhere under all the piles of spammy looking projects.
And all the good clients seem to have vanished.
Not hating. Just growing.
If this post feels like I’m hating on sites like Upwork, I’m not. As an Expert Vetted and Top Rated Upworker, I’ve had a lot of great experiences on the platform and made a lot of money.
Because of this, people ask me how they can do it too.
I challenge them… why even try when the platform isn’t what it used to be?
Why the System is Failing You
In the end, platforms like Upwork were made for volume. Built for clients, not the freelancer. They thrive on churning through as many transactions as possible.
The more projects posted, the more fees they collect. The platforms don't care if those projects are worth your time.
I’m not hating the player, I’ve just outgrown the game.
It wasn’t always like this. If you’ve been around a while, you probably remember a time when you could log on, find a decent high-level project, and get hired without selling your soul.
But now?
Fees are eating into your earnings.
You’re spending more money & time on connects competing for low-quality projects.
The “Top Rated Plus” badge isn’t what it used to be.
Let’s not even talk about the swarm of AI-written job posts clogging the feed.
To make matters worse, you’re scrapping with thousands of other freelancers for the same crappy projects.
It’s Not Your Skills. It’s the System.
If you’re stuck in this mess, it’s easy to feel like the problem is you. Maybe you think you need to lower your rates, add more services, or build a flashy website to stand out.
What if the problem isn’t your skills, but the system you’re using to sell them?
Freelance platforms aren’t built to help you rake in the dough. They’re designed for transactions and cater to the client.
They don't want to help you grow or find high-value clients. They just want another gig posted and a slew of freelancers buying connects and trying to get hired.
There’s Another Way
If this all feels like a wake-up call, great.
I want you to know there’s a better way forward.
One that’s simpler, smarter, and finally puts you in control.
You don’t need a website. You don’t need a million testimonials. And you definitely don’t need to grind for projects that don’t pay what you’re worth.
What you need are 5 basic things to build a repeatable off-platform system that works for you.
A simple place where clients can find you and get in touch.
A service menu that highlights what you're really good at.
A framework to present what you do that gets clients to say, “I need this.”
A step-by-step path to make them think you're a mind reader.
And a way to book and get paid without all the platform headaches.
Next time, I’m sharing something you'll wish you started a year ago. It's a way to cut through the noise and start getting paid directly.
No proposals. No connects. No low-ball clients. Just a handful of things that make a massive difference so you can cut the umbilical cord.
Trust me, you’re going to want to see this.