Hey mate - as someone who has been on Upwork before with a 95% Job Success Score and charging $77/hr as a copywriter, I can share a few tips that will potentially get you your first project:
By the way, it doesn't matter what you craft is. There a few essential things in any industry that you need to master when using Upwork.
Learn to write proposals - it's the most important thing. Most people talk about themselves - their certifications, skills, etc. This is the wrong approach. Instead you should talk about the client's project, how you can help him, and offer him some cool ideas. Check Danny Marguiles' blog - Freelance To Win. He's perhaps one of the most successful freelancers on Upwork. And he also has free blog posts on the topic - how to write great proposals
Create an outstanding profile overview - also, check's Danny's blog. It's a mistake that people talk entirely about themselves here. Of course, it's important to showcase your skills, but you should then talk about how exactly you can help your clients with those skills. And try to paint a picture in his head - how things are going to look when he works with you.
And finally, it all starts with small job projects. I remember I landed a $30 job - it turned into a $500 job. And then this client referred me to another client, who paid me $1200. So by applying for a $30 job, I made over $1700.
I hope this helps you out.
Cheers