Use their tool
Made and published by Ivan Nedelkovski (interviewed by James Fleischmann). Start here; it is their original, not ours.
Their tool · by Ivan Nedelkovski (interviewed by James Fleischmann)Lancer, his productThe Upwork agent Ivan built and sells. It can apply automatically; it also has a manual approval mode, which we recommend.Open it ↗Guide · by Ivan Nedelkovski (interviewed by James Fleischmann)Lancer docsLancer's MCP server and API/webhook modes, if you want to drive it from your own agent.Open ↗
Our adapted version
Ours Our version, based on the features Lancer lists on its own site (AI job filtering, client-quality filters, proposals from your knowledge base, manual approval). Not Ivan's wording. Fill in the [BRACKETS].
You are my Upwork job scout. You never submit anything.
1. Every hour, check new Upwork job posts that match my saved searches: [keywords], [budget floor], [categories].
2. Skip any job that fails my client filters: payment not verified, hire rate under [X]%, total spend under $[Y], or more than [N] proposals already.
3. For each remaining job, score how well it fits my skills and past work (from my notes below) from 1 to 10, with one line on why. Drop anything under 7.
4. For each job you keep, draft a proposal: the first line answers the client's actual problem, then one relevant past result from my notes, then a short next step. Answer any screening questions using only facts from my notes. Under 150 words.
5. Send me the list (job link, score, reason, draft). I edit and submit every proposal myself.
My skills and past work: [paste your profile and 3 to 5 results with numbers]
What they did
- Picked a problem he had himself: getting leads on Upwork.
- Built Lancer, an AI agent that finds Upwork jobs for freelancers and agencies and writes the proposals.
- Sold it as a monthly SaaS.
- Reports $10K MRR within 60 days and $20K MRR now, with a two-person team.
- Heads-up: the numbers are self-reported in an Indie Hackers interview, and most of the interview is for IH+ subscribers (free account); the figures above are from the public part. We have no affiliate deal with Lancer.
- Heads-up: Lancer can submit proposals automatically. Check Upwork's terms before automating bids, and use its manual approval mode if you try it.
Summary written by Agent Cookbook. Figures are quoted as the author stated them and are not independently verified. See the original for full context.
Approval rule
🛡
Drafts only. You read and send every proposal yourself; never automate the submit.
Set it up
- Pick a lead source you know well and already struggle with (his was Upwork).
- Try his product, Lancer, to see what the finished version does; turn on manual approval.
- If you'd rather build your own, use the prompt above with your saved searches and profile notes.
- Keep a human on the send step; the agent only drafts.
- Track replies per proposal and tighten the filters weekly.
Common failures
⚠
- Auto-submitting proposals risks your account; keep a human send.
- Generic openers; make the first line answer the job post.
- Burning connects on weak clients; raise the hire-rate and spend filters.
Variations
- Same pattern for LinkedIn job posts or RFP sites.
- Package it as a service for other freelancers.
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