Firstly, it's important to remember that there is no guarantee of success when freelancing on Upwork. Many experienced developers have found great success through Upwork and can attest that it is an effective way for them to earn income. If your skills align with clients' requirements and you are willing to put in the hard work, then the chances are that you will find work. Secondly, it's worth mentioning that Upwork is not the only online platform for finding web development opportunities. There are numerous other platforms and websites where freelancers can post their projects in search of clients. It may take some time to build up a following on these platforms.  Still, with perseverance, you should be able to generate a good portfolio of work that would put you front and center when potential employers browse through listings.