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2489c885
Community Member

Where did the freelancers go?

On my recent job post, I've seen only a handful of inquiries. Only one freelancer had better than a 67% satisfaction rating. This used to be the place to find good freelancers. Now it seems like a ghost town. Are they using a different platform now?

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AveryO
Community Manager
Community Manager

Hi Aaron, 

 

To add to what has already been shared, clients have told us they often receive so many proposals that they are overwhelmed by reviewing them all. By charging freelancers $0.15 for each Connect, we are seeing them be more selective when submitting proposals and stick to jobs that they really want and that are within their expertise. As a result, we expect you should see proposals from freelancers who are better suited, skill-wise, for your project and more engaged. That said, we do automatically review and at times lower the number of Connects needed when we see a job post isn’t receiving proposals to encourage more freelancers to submit a proposal.


~ Avery
Upwork

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30 REPLIES 30
sergio-soria
Community Member

Sending a proposal involves using something called "connects" which are not for free anymore. Connects are basically like "casino tokens." Now freelancers need to "invest" money to buy those and apply, therefore they are more careful when it's time to spend them. If a job offer is unclear, poorly written, vague, etc. it will probably not receive many proposals. Of course there are other variables such as very low budget, poor rating, if the poster has a pattern of not hiring, etc.

 

Good freelancers are still around 🙂

gilbert-phyllis
Community Member

We have to spend money (not much, but a little) to submit proposals now. It has made many FLs a lot more selective about responding to job posts. In the past, if a project sounded like it might be a good fit for me, I would send a proposal to try and learn enough about it to really quote. It didn't cost me anything but a little time. Now, it costs me actual money. If you aren't getting qualified responses, it could be that your job post doesn't contain enough specifics/clarity to attract the right attention.

maxi-des
Community Member

A recent case with me is -
The client published a project with a cost of $50
I submit a proposal, spending 6 or 4 connects
An 2 hours later I see the cost - only $ 25....
client changed the price...

Client has a high rating (5.00 of 32 reviews)
Sorry, but I think this is not fair. Can I get my connects back?

This is not the first time that I have noticed how a client has changed the cost some time after the publication of the project.
It reminds of manipulations.

Sorry for my English

AveryO
Community Manager
Community Manager

Hi Maksym, 

I checked your account and I'm not sure what proposal you are referring to. Please let me know if you are referring to the proposal sent on 12-August, or 11-August so that I can look into this for you. 


~ Avery
Upwork
maxi-des
Community Member

Hi Avery!

Sorry for the late reply and thank you for your attention.

Of course, you can check it - **edited for Community Guidelines**

AveryO
Community Manager
Community Manager

Hi Aaron, 

 

To add to what has already been shared, clients have told us they often receive so many proposals that they are overwhelmed by reviewing them all. By charging freelancers $0.15 for each Connect, we are seeing them be more selective when submitting proposals and stick to jobs that they really want and that are within their expertise. As a result, we expect you should see proposals from freelancers who are better suited, skill-wise, for your project and more engaged. That said, we do automatically review and at times lower the number of Connects needed when we see a job post isn’t receiving proposals to encourage more freelancers to submit a proposal.


~ Avery
Upwork
2489c885
Community Member

Thanks.

In this case, I have now posted the same job to a different freelancer site. I found, interviewed, and hired a qualified freelancer within a couple of hours. Maybe it was just luck, but Upwork used to be the place I had that experience.

 

I've always awarded each job to someone. I used to find that person on Upwork, but lately have had to look elsewhere. I mainly hire writers. I really don't need more than one qualified applicant and would be thrilled with three. I don't mind looking through twenty applicants for that one who knows a sentence starts with a capital letter, contains at least one noun and one verb, and ends with some form of punctuation. I don't mind waiting a day or two to find the right person. But when none of the three applicants can form a proper English sentence I need to look elsewhere.

 

I will remember to try upwork again in the future and hopefully will have a positive experience.


Aaron N wrote:

Thanks.

In this case, I have now posted the same job to a different freelancer site. I found, interviewed, and hired a qualified freelancer within a couple of hours. Maybe it was just luck, but Upwork used to be the place I had that experience.

 

I've always awarded each job to someone. I used to find that person on Upwork, but lately have had to look elsewhere. I mainly hire writers. I really don't need more than one qualified applicant and would be thrilled with three. I don't mind looking through twenty applicants for that one who knows a sentence starts with a capital letter, contains at least one noun and one verb, and ends with some form of punctuation. I don't mind waiting a day or two to find the right person. But when none of the three applicants can form a proper English sentence I need to look elsewhere.

 

I will remember to try upwork again in the future and hopefully will have a positive experience. 


Good luck, Aaron. To my mind, a good writer shouldn't only be someone "who knows a sentence starts with a capital letter, contains at least one noun and one verb, and ends with some form of punctuation." Usually, a good writer has many other qualities. I'm very surprised that Upwork is lacking  "writers" with a minimum of education. Does that indicate that the budget you offer could be the problem?

I have hired over 90 freelancers on Upwork in many different categories.

 

The one category I have had difficulty finding freelancers for is writing.  I have had great success finding freelancers in other areas. Finding writers has been a real challenge. And sometimes I did not have people apply who could do the job, even when posting jobs for hourly contracts that would pay people whatever their hourly rate is.


Preston H wrote:

I have hired over 90 freelancers on Upwork in many different categories.

 

The one category I have had difficulty finding freelancers for is writing.  I have had great success finding freelancers in other areas. Finding writers has been a real challenge. And sometimes I did not have people apply who could do the job, even when posting jobs for hourly contracts that would pay people whatever their hourly rate is.



Preston,to me, this sounds very strange. Maybe the problem was the topic you wanted people to write about?

That's strange.  I'm a writer and I'm struggling to get good clients. 

kbadeau
Community Member

It might be different for writing, but for graphic design a lot of clients seem to like to browse freelancers portfolios and send invitations to people whose style suits them. If you have the patience to browse the top-rated writers, you might find some gems in there.

 

I'm also curious—if you have hired a few qualified writers here before—why wouldn't you just re-hire them?

re: "I'm also curious—if you have hired a few qualified writers here before—why wouldn't you just re-hire them?"

 

I have sometimes had success hiring writers. But I have posted jobs for different types of writing, so I can't necessarily hire the same writers to do every task.

 

I don't think Upwork is a "bad place" to find writers.

 

But in my personal experience, I have had much better success when hiring visual artists and freelancers with technical computer-related skills.


Preston H wrote:

re: "I'm also curious—if you have hired a few qualified writers here before—why wouldn't you just re-hire them?"

 

I have sometimes had success hiring writers. But I have posted jobs for different types of writing, so I can't necessarily hire the same writers to do every task.

 

I don't think Upwork is a "bad place" to find writers.

 

But in my personal experience, I have had much better success when hiring visual artists and freelancers with technical computer-related skills.


Well, he did say his requirement was someone who uses capitals and punctuation, so I guess I thought his standards were a little lower lol.

@Kelly Lol + a good few! 

AN,

 

From a Top Rated FL's perspective, thank you so much for your contribution. Unfortunately, I very seriously doubt if UW is listening to your message.

Re: Where did the freelancers go?

I can tell you that--working exclusively in the writing niche--I very rarely, if ever, bother to bid on jobs anymore due directly to the instability on both sides (clients/FL's) that UW has created with its most recent changes.

Even though I strictly filter my job postings, I can see that I'm almost certainly not the only Top Rated FL who does the same as I notice that the vast majority of postings now retain the "Less than 5" bids tag. It appears to me at least that in its desperate effort to keep the money tap flowing, UW has inadvertantly created a Client/FL- desert/divide.

 

The only consolation I can offer is that at least we're all stuck in the same tailspin.

Your decision to bail, therefore, seems very reasonable.

 

Best,

wb

 

eab4a0a8
Community Member

I am a employer and posted last week for a job with 3 more coming up in the next 2 weeks.. I put a job up and it was an open ended price as I had no idea what it would cost to complete.. I got 5 responses in a 6 day period. Usually I have a bigger choice with prospective applicants.. don't get me wrong.. the guy I am using is doing a great job so far.. but the pricing is way out of wack. I couldn't ask for anymore then 3 clients and I only received 2 extra from all of the freelancers on up work.. that is pretty pathetic. I now know why.. they are all leaving due to the costs.. you will be soon finding a lot of people who post jobs will also be leaving..if they havnt already due to the amount.. well lack of freelancers. I feel for the workers. . Looks yo me as instead of raising extra revenue for up work what is now happening is they are loosing so many jobs and freelancers up work will start to fade away..I'd give it another 12 months and up work will be no more unless the pricing structure changes.. why not do 10% freelancer 5 percent transaction fee added to job supplier.. No other charges.. work on the number of jobs for revenue not what is happening at the moment..

Maybe the days of dirt cheap freelancers are gone.

 

 

 

-----------
"Where darkness shines like dazzling light"   —William Ashbless


Darren F wrote:
I am a employer and posted last week for a job with 3 more coming up in the next 2 weeks.. I put a job up and it was an open ended price as I had no idea what it would cost to complete.. I got 5 responses in a 6 day period. Usually I have a bigger choice with prospective applicants.. don't get me wrong.. the guy I am using is doing a great job so far.. but the pricing is way out of wack. 

You found someone who is doing a great job but is too expensive, is that what you are saying?

petra_r
Community Member


Darren F wrote:
I am a employer  (The word is CLIENT. You are not an "employer!") and posted last week for a job with 3 more coming up in the next 2 weeks.. I put a job up and it was an open ended price as I had no idea what it would cost to complete.. I got 5 responses in a 6 day period. Usually I have a bigger choice with prospective applicants.. don't get me wrong.. the guy I am using is doing a great job so far.. but the pricing is way out of wack. I couldn't ask for anymore then 3 clients and I only received 2 extra from all of the freelancers on up work.. that is pretty pathetic. I now know why.. they are all leaving due to the costs..

No, they are bidding on the job posts with a descriptive, meaningful, friendly description from clients with a decent budget, a high hire rate, a great history of rates paid and feedback given and received.

 

Spending money on poorly paid projects from clients with a history of paying peanuts is no longer worth it.

 

eab4a0a8
Community Member

No. I post the jobs.. I maybe your client.. you are not my client. I employ people to carry out work.
The jobs I post are always detailed and have spent 5000 to have work carried out to 200 per month for ongoing work.
I rarely let people work for me that are to cheap. I look for skills and if they can hold a conversation in English..
So I I think you a re wrong in putting me in a category of not being disruptive in the jobs I post
eab4a0a8
Community Member

I strongly disagree .. and by the look of it . It seems a lot of replies are almost all the same so I think the osts are filtered with only up work admin writing simular things.. all good .. I think this will be my last job on up work.. or I'll use people I have used before ..this will affect any other freelancers that want to submit for the jobs..I have worked out over the years I have so an in excess of 40k on up work. My gain your loss..


Darren F wrote:
I strongly disagree .. and by the look of it . It seems a lot of replies are almost all the same so I think the osts are filtered with only up work admin writing simular things.. all good .. I think this will be my last job on up work.. or I'll use people I have used before ..this will affect any other freelancers that want to submit for the jobs..I have worked out over the years I have so an in excess of 40k on up work. My gain your loss..

Yes, sure, anyone who disagrees with you is clearly fake. I've been using Upwork since 2012 and have spent over $300,000 on the platform but any proof I offer you're not going to believe anyway....


Darren F wrote:
 why not do 10% freelancer 5 percent transaction fee added to job supplier.. No other charges.. work on the number of jobs for revenue not what is happening at the moment..

Freelancer fees used to be 10% across the board and Upwork was bleeding money. Do you have any idea how many $25 jobs are posted? Even $10 jobs? 

 

If the freelancer or client takes up 10 minutes of staff time in the conduct of a $10 job at 10%, Upwork gets $1 and expends about $5 in resources. 

 

I think the 20% fee on the tiny one-off jobs was intended to avoid having to get rid of those jobs altogether. I wonder, though, if Upwork is second-guessing that decision, since it's hard to believe there's any profit to be had in $20 jobs even at 20%.

A couple of weeks I posted 3 jobs for translators for relatively obscure languages, and 2 of them had 20+ proposals within 2 days. The other one (for a *very* obscure language) only got around 10 proposals, but I was expecting to struggle with that one, and upgraded it to a featured job so that I could invite more freelancers.

 

In my experience from posting many, many jobs over the last few years, the number of proposals I receive for each job post has definitely gone down, but that's because all the junk/spam/obviously unqualified rubbish proposals have dropped off. The quality of the proposals I'm receiving is very good, and it's getting harder to choose a freelancer from the many who apply.

kochubei_valeria
Community Member

Hi All,

 

A few posts have been removed from this thread as they were off topic. Please, refer to Community Guidelines for more information.

~ Valeria
Upwork

Making money from an online freelance job opportunity platform is a problem that may well never be solved. Part of the problem is that it is looked upon as a technology issue, when that's not the case. The most successful platform of which I'm aware was ProSavvy, which was bought out by ework and went under when its parent went bankrupt. At every step there was human intervention.

 

From 1950 to 2000, the first half century of the commercial jet age, only one major airline made a profit: Southwest. Long after every other airline had gone to interactive voice technology, Southwest still used live humans to answer the phone. The tech-savvy airline executives looked at Southwest with disdain, at least until it was still flying after they had crashed

 

Two groups have solved the problem, but existing platform managers aren't interested. Replacing humans with automation has worked in many cases, but all the low-hanging fruit is gone. AI might make it work better at some point, but it won't work for the highest-value work. The two groups are high-value management consulting firms, and a handful of veterans of those companies who have become talent acquisition freelancers. I was one of those veterans and offered elance the opportunity to enter the market. I was told they knew what they were doing, and I was just an outsider with no knowledge or experience.

 

Trying to solve a problem created by a mindset by using the same mindset isn't going to work.

Bill, you may find Digital Darwinism by Tom Goodwin a good read. Its self published but you can his info on Linkedin.

Best line of the week:

 

Trying to solve a problem created by a mindset by using the same mindset isn't going to work.


Miriam H wrote:
Bill, you may find Digital Darwinism by Tom Goodwin a good read. Its self published but you can his info on Linkedin.

Started listening to this on Audible this evening (I walk several miles/day and listen to non-fiction books while I'm walking). Thanks for mentioning it.

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