Agency Overview
Felipe N. Araujo’s agency called nocobi specializes in building automation workflows, internal tools, and BI dashboards using platforms like Power Apps, Power BI, Bubble.io, Zapier, and Make.com. With a client base spanning over 20 countries, the agency focuses primarily on U.S.-based clients due to the favorable time zone alignment.
The Situation Before GigRadar
Felipe began his journey on Upwork in 2020 after initially registering back in 2015. Triggered by the COVID-19 lockdowns, he turned to freelancing as a way to build his own business and work independently.
Before GigRadar, nocobi's lead generation was a mix of manual effort and inconsistent inbound invites. While the agency was able to bring in clients and gradually scale, Felipe described his process as "messy." Every day involved manually scanning job feeds, evaluating opportunities, and sending out proposals individually.
Everything was really messy… I would just go there every day, maybe see one or two projects, and send manually.
Although Felipe had experimented with earlier tools like Leapfrog and used RSS feeds for job alerts, none provided true automation. The burden of proposal writing and time management limited his ability to scale further.
The Turning Point: Discovering GigRadar
Initially, Felipe joined the GigRadar community to explore what others were saying about Upwork growth strategies. Having tried tools in the past, he was cautious—especially around automation compliance with Upwork's rules and the USD-based pricing.
One concern that I had was regarding how Upwork would accept it, to be honest… The other was pricing, which from a Brazilian perspective felt like a stretch.
Despite these concerns, what finally convinced him to subscribe was GigRadar’s promise of automated proposal sending—a major timesaver and process optimizer.
Once I saw that you actually do send the proposal—that was the tipping point for me.
The Impact: From Manual Chaos to Scalable Growth
After implementing GigRadar, Felipe experienced a sharp rise in proposal activity and client engagement. Initially, the learning curve around scanner setup led to some mismatched leads, but that was quickly resolved.
More importantly, the increased volume of qualified leads pushed Felipe to hire a dedicated team member to manage sales follow-ups, calls, and client communication.
I know the numbers could be even better if I had time to reply faster. That’s why I hired someone just for this.
This shift not only streamlined operations but also enabled the agency to maintain its quality of service while increasing its capacity to handle new projects.
Measurable Results
- Clients Landed: 5 new clients through GigRadar proposals in the first three months with GigRadar (excluding inbound invites)
- Revenue Generated: ~$15,000 directly attributed to GigRadar in the first three months with GigRadar
- Team Growth: New hire added specifically for lead management and follow-ups
- Upwork Activity: Increased proposal volume and improved closing rate
Although Felipe couldn't pinpoint an exact ROI payback period, he noted that each closed project made the investment worthwhile. He also acknowledged a rise in Upwork Connect spending due to higher proposal activity—but framed it as a necessary cost for growth.
Favorite GigRadar Features
Felipe highlighted automated proposal submission and the built-in cover letter generation as the most impactful features.
I like the filters, I like everything else, but if I have to choose the most helpful one, it’s that GigRadar sends the proposal for me. I don’t need to actually write it.
Although he hadn’t yet used GigRadar’s Laziza AI, he found the existing tools robust enough to produce results.
Advice to Other Upwork Agencies
Felipe believes GigRadar is an essential tool for agencies looking to grow professionally on Upwork. He contrasts it with the alternative of building an in-house SDR team.
If you want to take your agency seriously, GigRadar is a great way to do it… It’s way easier to take that off your head—GigRadar sends proposals, and your team can just work on replying and closing.
He also recommends:
- Keeping your Upwork profile complete and up to date
- Utilizing all available profile features (video intro, consultations, portfolios)
- Starting with lower prices to build reviews, then increasing rates gradually
Final Thoughts
Thanks to GigRadar, nocobi transformed from a growing yet overextended agency into a streamlined, scalable operation. By automating lead generation and focusing on qualified opportunities, Felipe was able to grow revenue, expand his team, and reclaim valuable time.
For any Upwork agency owner seeking growth, GigRadar offers the systems, automation, and reliability needed to scale smartly.
