Business Development Partners host regular roundtable discussions and larger social meetups with Top Rated freelancers in their country. They also host other educational events such as the HiPo freelancer activation training or Upwork Freelance Forum conferences. This is “invite only” for freelancers to join said events.
What is a Business Development Partner?
In selected key freelancer markets across the world, Upwork has a local presence through Upwork Business Development Partners. Business Development Partners are working full-time for Upwork and are in charge of local marketing activities in their country. Their key responsibilities include:
- Acquire and onboard new high potential freelancers with specific skill sets that are in high demand through events, workshops and speaking at conferences
- Nurture and grow our Top Rated freelancers and agencies in their country
- Increase awareness of online work, and our brand, through Public Relations (PR) and marketing activities
They are part of the Operations > Talent Services > Freelancer Success team.
What countries are covered by Business Development Partners?
We currently have a Business Development Partner in Ukraine.
What is the difference between Business Development Partners and Ambassadors?
While Business Development Partners and Ambassadors are similar, Business Development Partners work for Upwork full-time and are official spokespersons for the company. Ambassadors are part-time representatives of Upwork, and are in charge of a specific city only.
Business Development Partner Contact Info/Questions
Always reach out to a TL first. But, if needed for info/questions about Business Development Partner presence and events, please contact the proper person below:
- Ukraine: Katerina Bozhkova - katerinabozhkova@upwork.com
- General questions: Katrin Hippler - khippler@upwork.com
For upcoming Freelancer Events in Business Development Partner markets:
If a Top Rated or Rising Talent freelancer has not received an invitation to an upcoming event in their city/country, they have most likely opted out of receiving marketing emails from Upwork, or the invite was sent to selected freelancers only (due to limitations on event size or capacity).If they’d like to start receiving these again, please ask them to submit this form and we’ll add them back to the list! They can also unsubscribe at any time. Check the events overview page on the Upwork community for a complete list of upcoming events.
The Upwork Ambassador Program is all about sharing our expertise about online work and online hiring with our freelancer communities and with others. Through the local presence of Upwork representatives (so-called Ambassadors) in several cities across the world we conduct trainings for Upwork Top Rated and Rising Talent freelancers on how to build and grow their careers as online freelancers.
What is an Ambassador?
An Ambassador is a local Upwork representative who supports our community in their city of location. Ambassadors hold presentations at meetups and conferences, organize Upwork Top Rated social meetups, Upwork Freelance Forum conferences, Top Rated focus groups, Rising Talent trainings and workshops, onboard new freelancers and mentor them on Upwork.
What kind of events do Ambassadors host?
Ambassadors host training sessions, workshops and presentations, expert evenings, panel discussions, Upwork Freelance Forum conferences and Top Rated focus groups.
Is there an Ambassador in my city
Today we have Ambassadors in over 14 cities around the world - with additional locales in the works. Interested users should keep their eyes open for upcoming events in their city which we usually announce through email campaigns.
Check the Database of Active Ambassadors spreadsheet (second tab) for a complete list of active Ambassadors, their city location, and contact details. If there is an individual user request to be connected with a Ambassador in their city, you can forward this to the respective Ambassador.
Does Upwork host events in my city?
We host a variety of exciting educational and social events on a monthly basis in several cities across the world in which we have a Ambassador presence. Invites for these events are distributed via email campaigns. Here is our events landing page with a full overview of all scheduled events hosted by Upwork Ambassadors (link can be shared externally).
How can I become an Ambassador?
Ideal Ambassador candidates are self-motivated and hands-on individuals who have a strong passion for technology and entrepreneurship and are proficient networkers in their city’s tech and freelancer communities. They also love the idea of introducing targeted groups to Upwork through hosting presentations, trainings and mentoring them. Any current Ambassador openings will be promoted through email campaigns to our user database.
I haven’t been receiving event invites. How can I start receiving those?
There might be two reasons why you haven’t received event invites from Upwork:
- If you haven't been receiving any emails from Upwork related to new product feature announcements, helpful tips and resources or local event invites then you’ve likely unsubscribed from Upwork marketing emails at some point. If you’d like to start receiving these again, please submit this form and we’ll add you back to the list! You can also unsubscribe at any time.
- It’s also possible that we have not hosted any official Upwork events in your local area yet. In that case, if you have Top Rated status, you have the possibility to submit your interest and host an Upwork Huddle in your city. You can do so through this form. All requests will be evaluated on an individual basis and an Upwork representative will get in touch with you within one week after the submission.
Please always see a TL with questions or concerns before reaching out to any of the following contacts:
- *Ambassador Program related questions: Katrin Hippler - khippler@upwork.com
- *Ambassador Recruiting: Katrin Hippler - khippler@upwork.com
For information about Ambassador activities/events in the following countries, please contact:
- *Ukraine: Katerina Bozhkova - katerinabozhkova@upwork.com
- *All other countries: Tatiana Mazarchuk - tmazarchuk@cloud.upwork.com
- Or, visit the dash channel “International/Ambassador Events”
How do I get featured on Upwork social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Linked, Instagram, YouTube, etc.)?
[General freelancer/status unknown]
To be featured in the Upwork Spotlight, you must first be Top Rated. If you fit the Top Rated criteria and wish to volunteer for participation, you can fill out this Google form. Please note that due to high interest, only a small number of volunteers will be chosen to participate.
Spotlight Campaign
[For Top Rated only]
Thanks for your interest in the Upwork Spotlight. Please note that due to the high number of responses, only a small number of volunteers will be chosen to participate. If you wish to volunteer for participation, you can fill out this Google form.
I filled in the Spotlight form but I haven’t been chosen.
Thank you so much for taking the time to fill in the Upwork Spotlight form. Due to the high number of responses, not everyone can be chosen to participate. However, we appreciate you being an important part of our community.
I’m an Upwork freelancer. How do I get featured in an Upwork campaign? (for questions about any campaigns, such as ads, reports, press articles etc.)
If you are Top Rated, the best way to let us know you are open to being part of future Upwork campaigns is to fill out the Upwork Spotlight form here. We also occasionally email invites to Top Rated freelancers to be part of our campaigns. To ensure you get our marketing emails, please submit the following form. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Why this matters to our customers
- We know that coaching works! Last year when we offered 1:1 coaching we saw 42% of talent won a job when working with an Upwork coach (previously Success Partners) vs. 14% of talent that did not.
- People learn differently so we need to offer coaching in more than a 1:1 format.
Experience Today
Currently today Upwork Coaches (previously Success Partners) have invited targeted talent (this has changed based on demand) via email to sign up for 1:1 coaching which includes profile reviews, proposals reviews, bid analysis, strategy and a partner to answer any questions they have.
Future state
Cohort coaching led by an Upwork Coach! Inviting talent (right now targeted talent, future state hoping to offer to all talent seeking help) via email (Q1 email future state the goal is to have them sign up post on demand courses) to join a private group in the Community led by an Upwork Coach. The groups will serve as a place where Upwork Coaches can share advice & tips, answer questions, offer ask me anything sessions and live learning events.
Format
- Talent will be invited to join a coaching cohort & receive all information there vs. getting the option to work 1:1 with an Upwork Coach.
- Talent will need to join the Community prior to receiving an invite, this is an additional barrier to coaching that talent did not have previously.
- Last year the target talent was US based. This year we are expanding to Europe and the Americas region.
Target audience
New Talent
- Registered on Upwork in the last 14 days
- Have been active in the last 7 days
- Located in regions Americas & Europe
- Profile >75% completed
Phases of launch
- Phase 1: Start to send invites the week of 1/24, and roll out a 4 week program
- Phase 2: After 4 week program assess next steps & will update
Full of Cohort Coaching: Eventually have talent enter from on demand course completion after its soft launch and scale so we can reach more talent.
Key Messaging: Email invite messaging sent personal by Upwork Coaches
FAQs:
Who are the Upwork Coaches?
Upwork coaches previously known as Success Partners are Upwork team members that coach talent on how to be successful, get started and grow their business on Upwork.
What will I receive in the Upwork Coaching Cohort? You will receive the opportunity to receive information around how to create a profile that stands out, write a winning proposal, strategize on how to grow your business on Upwork, receive bid analysis, have access to live learning, the opportunity to join an “ask me anything” sessions with your Upwork coach and network with other new to Upwork freelancers.
Do I have to pay?
No this is completely complementary and there is zero payment needed. We do ask that you are engaged and really want to grow on Upwork.
How do I join?
Please follow the instructions in the email and join the Upwork Community and sign up via the sign up link in the email. Once you have taken these steps you will receive an invite to join the group via your Community messages.
How long will I be a part of the cohort?
Currently the program is 4 weeks long and we look forward to helping you grow on Upwork during these 4 weeks.