How To Add a Profile Introduction Video + Script Samples

Your Upwork profile is your first introduction to potential clients on the platform. But why get acquainted in writing when you can present yourself even better via video?

An introduction video on your profile can be a more personalized way to establish an immediate connection with potential clients. It acts as a preview of your unique characteristics and what it’ll be like to work with you.

Done right, an introduction video can help you stand out from other professionals on Upwork. If a client likes what they see and hear from you, your video may just be what scores you the project.

Obviously, the introduction video on your profile must be a video of you and no one else. The Upwork Terms of Service provide more details, but to summarize, you want to make sure you don’t mislead clients about who you are or the services you provide.

Adding a video to your profile is optional. But if you do, creating a high-quality video that highlights your expertise is key. If your video is off-topic or unprofessional, the video could hurt rather than help your chances of landing a project.

Follow these 10 steps to create a top-notch introduction video for your Upwork profile.

1. Plan what to say
2. Use a high-quality camera
3. Record with good lighting
4. Use a simple background
5. Frame your shot
6. Check sound
7. Start recording
8. Prepare your video
9. Upload your video
10. Add the video to your profile

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1. Plan what to say

A great intro video should keep your potential clients interested right from the get-go. You want your video to pack a punch without being overly long. So, plan what you’re going to say before you start recording.

A great script is essential to a great video. What you include will depend on your skillset and your line of work. In general, keep the following tips in mind.

• Introduce yourself to the client with a short persuasive statement
• Convey your objective and professional experience
• Highlight your strengths and most marketable skills
• Use strong action verbs to increase the impact of your words
• Write so you sound like yourself and let your personality shine through
• Add a touch of humor if possible and appropriate
• Include pauses, and maybe even cues to stop and smile at the camera
• Communicate these points in 30-60 seconds

Practice your script a few times before the camera starts rolling, so you speak easily and clearly without having to read notes.

Script template

Use the template below for help putting your script together. Organize the information in your script into a few different sections.

An introduction (5-10 seconds)

This section introduces you to your potential client and should address key points such as:

• Who are you?
• What services are you offering?
• How long have you been doing what you’re doing?

Objective (10-20 seconds)

This section should outline your main goals or objectives as a freelancer. Answer questions such as:

• What types of roles or projects are you looking for?
• What kind of clients are you looking to work with?

Career highlights (10-20 seconds)

This section should highlight your expertise and skills. Address points such as:

• What skills do you have that will help potential clients achieve their goals?
• What professional experiences showcase the breadth and depth of your expertise?

Conclusion (5-10 seconds)

Finally, end your video with a quick conclusion. This section should address one main question—what actions do you want the viewer to take after watching your video?

Check out the sample scripts below to get a better idea of what to say in your own profile introduction video.

2. Use a high-quality camera

If you want to make a good impression with your video, you’ll want to make sure your video is of great quality. Use a high-quality camera to shoot your profile intro.

• Use the best camera you have, but don’t go overboard—you definitely don’t need expensive equipment for this
• If you record with a smartphone, mount your phone on a tripod
• Natural light, or a ring light can help further enhance the quality of your shot
• Webcams are also an option but be aware that they can sometimes produce poor-quality results
• Make sure the camera is focused on your face and not the background

3. Use a simple background

A clean, plain background with limited clutter will help ensure the focus of the video is on you and not the things around you.

• Consider shooting in your home office to add a bit of personality to your video
• Place a lamp or another object such as a plant or table at your side to set the scene without adding clutter
• Alternatively, shoot against a solid-colored or neutral background—a blank wall works well
• Stand or sit a few feet away from your background to avoid shadows.
• Avoid having people, pets or any motion in the background
• Keep it real and don’t use Zoom backgrounds

4. Record with good lighting

Along with a great script, good lighting is one of the most important components of a stellar video.

Like the camera, you don’t need an expensive lighting setup to get quality results. You can probably use your existing lighting at home, combined with a basic knowledge of some common lighting techniques to get a professional-quality video.

Bad lighting can create an impression of poor quality. Here are some tips to help ensure good lighting for your video.

• Film indoors in a well-lit room with plenty of light in front of or alongside you
• Don’t film against a window; rather use it as natural side lighting
• If your location is too dark to film in, don’t run out and buy expensive lights. You can get the job done with inexpensive lighting options like a ring light or a China ball light to enhance production value
• Consider using the three-point lighting method for your setup
• Make sure you don’t have a strong light behind you
• If there’s lighting above you, make sure it doesn’t cast shadows on your face
• A tabletop lamp can help offset any shadows
• Position a lamp to the side of your face and do a test recording to see how it looks. Adjust the light as needed until it’s in the right place.

5. Frame your shot

Now that you have your camera, lighting, and background ready, it’s time to frame the shot. Put some thought into the composition of your video for a truly professional-looking result.

• Shoot from the waist up and make sure your face and hand gestures are visible as you talk in the video.
• Consider using the rule of thirds and position yourself slightly off-center so your face appears where the lines intersect
• If the rule of thirds doesn’t work for you, make like Wes Anderson and frame your shot more symmetrically
• Play around with the headroom between your head and the top of the frame, so the end result doesn’t look awkward

These rules aren’t gospel, so adjust your frame until you’re happy with how things look.

6. Check sound

Another important element of a great video is good sound quality. The mic on your phone will get the job done, but it may also reduce the quality of your video in the process.

Follow these tips for better audio quality in your intro video.

• Shoot in a quiet location with minimal background noise
• Purchase an inexpensive but effective phone or webcam mic
• For best results, you could invest in a mic like a Yeti but don’t buy expensive equipment unless you plan to use it again for other projects
• Capture clear audio by placing the mic as close to you as possible

7. Start recording

With your setup ready to go, it’s time to start recording. Most of us are nervous in front of a camera, so here are a few tips to help you “perform” better and nail it!

• Choose an outfit you would wear for a face-to-face meeting with a client
• Wear colors that complement your background or setting
• Be yourself so clients can get a sense of who you are
• Stand or sit up straight, keeping your shoulders back and muscles relaxed
• Don’t cross your arms
• Imagine you’re maintaining eye contact by speaking directly to the camera
• Slow down and enunciate your words so you can be heard loud and clear
• Have fun and smile
• Record the first few seconds then review and adjust until you’re happy with how things look
• Shoot a few takes to make sure you have enough footage for the final product

8. Prepare your video

Once you’re done shooting, review your content and select the best take. Follow the guidelines below to cut, assemble, and edit your footage to create your intro video.

• Compile your footage using video editing software:

• Many computers come preloaded with editing software like iMovie or Windows Movie Maker
• Canva also offers a video editing feature
• You can also download apps on your phone or tablet. Investigate InShot, Quik, Adobe Premiere Rush, and more
• If you’re more skilled with video editing, you may want to use a tool like Adobe Premiere Pro

• Add in other visuals if relevant, such as:

• Images of your work in action
• Screenshots of client testimonials
• Video snippets of your work
• Text slides

• Keep your editing simple, as overdoing the transitions and special features may be more distracting than engaging
• Make the video short and quick-moving to keep your audience engaged
• If you’re unsure about how to put your footage together, hire a video editor on Upwork to create the intro video for you
• Review your final cut to make sure:

• It’s easy to understand
• The sound is audible
• Your message is clear

• For a final check, ask a friend or family member to review your video as well

Upwork introduction video requirements

To add your intro video to your profile, you must first add it to YouTube. More instructions on this below but it’s important you keep certain format and dimension guidelines in mind.

• The standard aspect ratio for YouTube on a computer is 16:9
• For the default 16:9 aspect ratio, the recommended resolutions are:

• 7680p (8K): 7680x4320
• 2160p (4K): 3840x2160
• 1440p: 2560x1440
• 1080p: 1920x1080 (for best results, use this size as a minimum)
• 720p: 1280x720
• 480p: 854x480
• 360p: 640x360
• 240p: 426x240

• YouTube may add default white padding to your video for optimal viewing

• Supported YouTube file formats

• .MOV
• .MPEG-1
• .MPEG-2
• .MPEG4
• .MP4
• .MPG
• .AVI
• .WMV
• .MPEGPS
• .FLV
• 3GPP
• WebM
• DNxHR
• ProRes
• CineForm
• HEVC (h265)

For more, check out YouTube’s recommended upload encoding settings.

In addition to the YouTube guidelines, your profile video must also follow these two Upwork requirements:

• Disable monetization via YouTube (no ads on your video)
• Adhere to all other Upwork Terms of Service

9. Upload your video

Once your video is finalized, it’s time to share it with the world. You will need to upload it to YouTube.

• Sign in to YouTube Studio
• In the top-right corner, click CREATE  and then Upload videos
• Select the file you’d like to upload from your computer
• Add important details to your video such as:

• Title
• Description
• Thumbnail
• Audience
• Age restrictions if any

For more detailed information, check out YouTube’s guide to uploading your videos.

10. Add the video to your profile

The final step is to add your introduction video to your profile for your clients to see. To add a video to your profile:

• Go to Find Work › Profile
• On the left side of your profile, click on the + next to Video introduction
• Paste your YouTube video link into the box
• Select “Me talking about my skills and experience” for the type of video

Video introduction sample scripts

Not quite sure what to say in your introduction video?

Think of your video introduction as a video resume. The script you write for the video should introduce you and sell why you’re the perfect fit for the client’s project.

Below you’ll find three sample scripts for reference. We recommend that you don’t copy these scripts verbatim; otherwise, you and every other freelancer on Upwork may have exactly the same intro video.

Use these scripts as inspiration to create and personalize your own.

Virtual assistant video intro script

Hi! My name is Pam Beesly.

I’ve been a virtual assistant for five years, and I’m excited to share how I can help clients like you simplify and streamline your business admin.

I work mainly with small to medium-sized business owners who have too much on their plate and need a little help to get organized and keep things running smoothly.

For most people, business tasks are boring. So people tend to put them off until it becomes overwhelming. Let me take that load and pressure off your shoulders.

I can help you organize your calendar, book travel and accommodations, keep your inbox organized and manage your contact list, respond to phone and email enquiries, and lots more. The list of my services is long, so if there’s something you have in mind, just ask me.

I’m super organized and love a challenge. Completing the tasks that others find boring is this admin nerd’s happy place.

Do you have a project I can help with? Send me a message and tell me more!

I’m excited to hear from you!

Customer service video intro script

Hello! My name is Kelly Kapoor, and I’m the customer service professional you’ve been looking for.

Seriously, without sounding arrogant, I’m confident about my skills and absolutely live and breathe great customer service for my clients. And I hope to do the same for you!

I’ve worked with several clients in the tech industry. In addition to the day-to-day responsibilities of answering the phone or responding to email queries, I’ve also helped my clients set up systems, streamline their customer service processes and standardize their response libraries.

Currently, I’m on the hunt for a long-term project with a new client, preferably in tech. I’ll bring onboard a ton of experience in the industry, a great attitude, and my best, happiest, “Good morning, you’re speaking to Kelly. How can I help you today?”

Check out my Upwork profile for more details about my experience.

Tell me about your customer service needs and I’ll see how I can help.

Thanks for watching. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

Salesperson video intro script

Hi there! My name is Dwight.

Over the past seven years, I’ve helped businesses just like yours not only achieve their sales targets but blow them out of the water.

My proudest accomplishment is helping a local paper supply company in Pennsylvania secure multimillion-dollar contracts with multiple clients within one year. For another local business, I’ve helped generate nearly $600,000 in revenue as a direct result of my sales efforts.

I have a strong background in sales—you can get all the details from my Upwork profile. I also keep up to date on the latest sales techniques and tactics through continuing education. I speak three languages, including English, German, and Spanish.

If you have a product or service that requires a skilled salesperson to promote it to your customers, I’m your guy.

Get in touch with me, and we can discuss how to optimize your sales strategy for much better results. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Web designer video intro script

Hello there! My name is Holly Flax, and I’m a web designer.

I’m looking for some new clients to work with, and I’m making this quick video so you can learn a little more about me and how I can help you.

I’ve been designing websites for businesses since 2013, and I’m always up for a challenge! My clients include local businesses with one pager sites as well as larger international businesses with complex websites.

I’m skilled in HTML, JavaScript and CSS frameworks, and a bunch of different design software. I would love to put my skills to work to create a beautiful and user-friendly website for you!

Here’s a quick look at some of my work.

{insert montage of web design samples}

You can check out more of my portfolio in my Upwork profile.

So if you like what you see, send me a message. I’d love to hear from you. Hopefully, we’ll be working together soon!  

Top video intro examples

Need some inspiration before you get started? Check out these introduction video examples from independent professionals on Upwork.

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Marketing & SEO Strategist Robert Paul K.’s introduction video.

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Development & IT professional, Nick J.’s profile video

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Accounting and bookkeeping consultant Lena G.’s profile introduction video

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Mobile and web developer Tochukwu I.’s video introduction

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Build your freelance business with Upwork

The introduction video is just one piece of the puzzle. Upwork provides independent professionals with a variety of tools and features to find clients and grow their business.

If you're new to Upwork and eager to get your freelancing business started, check out our article on how to get noticed and win jobs as a new freelancer. This guide will walk you through everything you need to do to score projects on Upwork. Plus, we discuss Upwork features that you should take advantage of.

As the world’s work marketplace, Upwork is a great place to launch your freelance business and learn the ropes. When you create a profile on Upwork, you plant your business in an environment that’s purpose-built to connect you with potential long-term clients.

Haven’t jumped on the Upwork bandwagon yet? It’s easy. Sign up for a freelancer account on Upwork and start building your freelancing business today.

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Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this article. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyze and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.