16 connects to apply for a job - has the connects required to apply gone up?

[#1]

I was just applying to jobs on Upwork, and noticed a job post required 16 connects to apply!

I though it was 2-8 for a job

[#2]

Okay let's calculate the value & match it with the required connects...

a hardly $40 to $50 job which now requires 12 connects minimum.
0.15 per connect x 12 connects then + 10% upwork commission + Taxes & + transactional costs to get your money in your hand / bank =  WOW i saved a million!

[#3]

So, you have come to the accurate conclusion that it makes no business sense for you to bid on that job. That's a step in the right direction, for you and for the platform. 

[#4]

Once again, you miss the point entirely. In some cases, clearly not the case of legal ghost-writers, those small jobs are the only choice. Not everyone has the luxury of picking only jobs that generate thousands of dollars. Try understanding that not everyone on this platform is working in your western focussed, decadent niche, some just need small jobs to keep the food on the table.

[#5]

Wow Paul, that was a litle bit harsh: "western focussed, decadent niche" ...Regardless the fees one may charge within his/hers line of work we're all on the same boat... And please keep in mind that it's this ""western focussed, decadent niche" that allowed for online work platforms like this to appear...

Just saying, althought i understand what you mean...

[#6]

My point in this particular case is that this individual has posted regularly implying that anyone who isn't able to secure jobs worth thousands of dollars, at a very high hourly rate comparatively, and only needs to submit proposals a couple of times a month, as they can, has no place on this platform. i.e. the platform is working well for them, so who cares how it affects anyone else? 

The Elance platform, as I recall it, was well balanced with a good selection of lower-value projects and higher-value projects. Many have built their business on this balance, UpWork has stripped that balance, and this individual feels that this is fine as long as it suits their narrative, with no sign of any empathy for those who have had their livelihoods ripped away through greed.

For reference, I don't pick up low-paying jobs on here, so I'm not complaining from a position of direct impact, I'm complaining that the behaviour of UpWork and those who support it directly affect many on this platform who do rely on it, and have relied on it, and it's wholly unfair.

[#7]

Ok, got it and agree with you. Glad that you clarified.

And by the way, i also miss Elance. Only subscribed on the last year (2015) but it felt like a far more freelancer focussed platform.

[#8]

You omitted the bidding system in that calculation.  UpWork says 12 connects then some idiots bid for the top 4 places and use 40 connects or more to get to number one.  Now work the cost/benefit!!!

[#9]

man...really? If this is their plan, just make the website a premium members only

[#10]

This is just wrong. If you follow this website policy since they send only 10 free connects per month, you will see how they are taking money from freelancers. Now this 12-16 connects its the apex of their greed. We are paying to TRY to get jobs here

[#11 · Accepted solution]

Hi all,

We’ve increased the amount of Connects needed to apply to certain jobs to better match the value of a job with the cost to submit a proposal.

Freelancing is your business, and like any business owner, you have to make investments to sell your products or services. We understand that spending Connects for a chance at being hired is an investment, but you have the opportunity to grow with every new engagement.

We appreciate your feedback and will share it with our team.

[#12]

I understand that freelancing become a business nowdays, & every business required invesments. But a $50 Job asking for 12 connects & $100 job asking for 16 connects. 

Were the boositng feature was not enough and the tax we pay on every completed job? To be honest there only be few amount of % freelancers who have 1 time client but 90+% freelancers bid and grab client. 

Please reconsider this changes and revert it back to 4-6-8 connects instead of 8-12-16.

[#13]

Hello Andrea, this increase seems really disproportionate to me. I believe that as freelancers, we all make investments in our careers: equipment, software, subscriptions, training... I think it would have been more reasonable to increase it by 20%, but doubling the cost overnight seems excessive to me.

[#14]

Dear Upwork Team,

I hope this message finds you well. I would like to bring up a matter of concern regarding the current structure of freelancer fees and earnings on the platform. Upon careful evaluation, it has come to my attention that the current fee structure may not be favorable for freelancers who invest their time, effort, and expertise into delivering high-quality work for clients.

Let's take a closer look at the numbers to illustrate this point:

1. Initial investment: Each freelancer invests approximately 16 of their contacts, which equates to $2.40, for a job valued at just $5. This means that freelancers are committing a significant portion of their resources upfront.

2. Upwork fee deduction: After successfully landing the job, freelancers are subject to a 10% fee deduction from the payment. In this case, the fee amounts to $0.50.

3. Net earnings: Unfortunately, after the fee deduction, the remaining amount is only $2.10. This implies that despite their competence and hard work, freelancers receive a relatively modest sum for their dedication and the intellectual effort they invest in their work.

Given these calculations, it is worth considering the impact of these numbers on the motivation and satisfaction of freelancers. While Upwork provides an excellent platform for connecting freelancers with clients, it is crucial to ensure that the fee structure aligns with the value and expertise that freelancers bring to the table.

I kindly request that you take a moment to reflect on these figures and consider the potential impact on the freelancers who contribute their skills to Upwork. By re-evaluating the fee structure, we can create a more equitable environment that acknowledges and rewards the hard work and commitment of freelancers.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I believe that through open dialogue and collaboration, we can work towards a solution that benefits both freelancers and the platform as a whole.

Sincerely,
Zain ul Abdeen

https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~011a6533fa8906bee9

[#15]

Why has there been no official announcement before implementing the change? Not professional at all

[#16]

I think it is a big mistake. You already lost a huge amount of good freelancers with your "boost connect" system. What will be now?

[#17]

In fact, they will also lose clients because low-budget requests are unlikely to attract the interest of efficient freelancers, resulting in fewer proposals being made for such projects.

[#18]

boost connect was the trial, and now upwork know that freelancer (Actually Companies) can pay a lot more to bid. so they applied it in general.

The older policies were fair enough for both parties.

[#19]

opps **bleep**!!!!

[#20]

An investment is something that will enhance our businesses. How does this help us in any way? There's no greater chance of having our bids even seen, let alone getting an offer for the job.  If it's not helping freelancers get work it's not an investment. It's just a cash grab.

[#21]

Are they misusing the term "investing," or are they simply lacking knowledge? When I say that I am investing, it implies that I expect my investment to either grow or at least remain stable. How is it possible that these connections, submitted for each request, carry such a high risk of not yielding returns and instead result in losses? It feels like playing poker on a roulette wheel.

[#22]

Why do you send proposals on jobs you feel you have a very low chance of being hired on?

[#23]

Hi, Andrea!
I have few major concerns with this update. Firstly, the update was unannouced (Which is very  unprofessional from the marketplace like you.) Then,  You mentioned the connects are increased depending on the size of the project. (which is not true at all.)
I have seen projects which have $80 or $120 budget with requirement of 16 connects to bid on. Can you explain me this? 

Thanks 

[#24]

I have seen projects which have $10 budget with requirement of 8 connects to bid on! This is crazy!

[#25]

Why was there no official announcement for this, Andrea???

[#26]

Isn't to charge indirectly, after the merger of Odesk and Elance you guys are doing similar things continuously without taking your most valuable assets in confidence, don't worry if its your business model, there will be alternate. Sooner or later you will realise that your management put many wrong decision which ultimately degrading your brand value.