Bids are so frustrating!!!

[f4a96e50]

Upwork should seriously start addressing this issue. I have been using the platform for more than a year, and I found it easier to find a job at the start of my freelancer carreer when bids where non-existent. The whole bidding thing is making it so expensive to find a gig. I am even considering to quit upwork altogether because of this frustration. The worst part is that I buy connects and give a lot of connects for job proposals, but all of the job proposals I've sent haven't hired anyone for weeks. We waste our connects on clients that just ghost us. They don't even hire anyone and we give money to get that job!!!! I believe the frustration has been growing in the community. I think upwork should either cancel the bidding or give back our connects if we don't get hired or if the client doesn't hire anyone for more than two weeks. I am a top rated freelancer and the whole bidding is making it hard for me to find a job, I can't imagine what it's like for newcomers. Can upwork finally start hearing freelancer's voices??? 

[daee0192]

I joined upwork when bids were already a thing but I dont think they ever helped me to get a good contract, all the jobs i got were from people i have already worked with and or i got them with no bids because i was the first one to apply

[bd659f07]

 I am just seeing this site will no longer exist in the near future. Because they are earning and cheating with us. Why does Upwork allow posting without payment verification and loading money in the Escort?

[03305f39]

I am new to upwork but it's frustrating to apply and bid for a job and in the end get ghosted.

I haven't even had one person message me to ask about anything..

[the-right-writer]

You need to use the Academy to create a complete and professional profile. Likely, you also need to learn about how to write proposals.

[bd659f07]

I earned 50$ but already spent it by buying Connects.  I am just seeing this site will no longer exist in the near future. Because they are earning and cheating with us. Why does upwork allow without payment verification and loading money in the Escort?

[the-right-writer]

If you spent $50.00 on connects and haven't been hired, you need to look at why. Have you learned how to use the platform, the Terms of Service, etc.?

This site is changing, many believe for the worse, but it's not going to cease existence next week. They have been bleeding money for years.

Yes, they are earning; they are a business. That's why people go into business. How are they cheating you? Because you don't have work? Welcome to freelancing - nothing is given to you.

It is your responsibility to make sure the contract is established correctly, and milestones funded or absolutely correct usage and monitoring of the tracker.

[dartscomps]

That sounds easy, but when you have a platform with way too many good freelancers fighting for few jobs,  skill and knowledge on profile creation won't go far for the most part. Most people are bound to fail from the start because the resources (client projects) aren't just enough! Trying to dismiss people's frustration on the basis of wether they have a poor profile or something is pure ignorance or running away from the fact.  If a platform has 20 freelancers and 100 jobs, do you think the clients will be judging largely on superficial things like how beautiful and complete a freelancers profile is, instead of interviewing them and seeing the deep/necessary qualities and skills that they have? The problem is lack of enough opportunities on these platforms. When that is not cured, solutions are superficial and will only work for a few people.  Most freelancers will still be stranded! So, lets always start conversations by letting people know the opportunities are limited, and most people will do badly unless we share the opportunities equally, by doing so, EVERYONE will do badly and be miserable. I'm a five star freelancer on Fiverr and all my clients have a lot of praise for my talent but then i get very few jobs per month, and that's for the most part because the freelance market is oversaturated with freelancers while the jobs are relatively extremely low. 

[bd659f07]

Me too. I earned 50$ but already spent it by buying Connects which was very hard work. Later felt, a job posting coming and an unreal title.  I am just seeing this site will no longer exist in the near future. Because they are earning and cheating with us. Why does Upwork allow posting without payment verification and loading money in the Escort?

[nathanramos]

I too am wondering about how many ghosted job applications I am seeing. Are the clients bombarded with bot applications? Who is spending all these connects for low-paying jobs and how is it worth it to them? I guess follow the money, bids make it so UpWork can make money on connects without having to actually get a freelancer a job and collect commission.

[tlsanders]

Which is necessary if they want to stay in business, because there are many millions of "freelancers" who never land a single job and so never pay a project fee, but who very actively use and drain Upwork's resources. 

[bd659f07]

I earned 50$ but already spent it by buying Connects. I have felt many of the job postings done by Upwork. It is one kind of cheating with freelancers. It is better to use another platform like Fiverr. I am just seeing this site will no longer exist in the near future. Because they are earning and cheating with us. Why does upwork allow without payement verification and loading money in the Escort?

[the-right-writer]

It is not Upwork's "job" to get freelancers a job.

[bd659f07]

I earned 60$ but already spent it by buying Connects. I have felt many of the job postings done by Upwork. It is one kind of cheating with freelancers. It is better to use another platform like Fiverr. I am just seeing this site will no longer exist in the near future. Because they are earning and cheating with us.

[berg_shari]

I've been with Upwork since they were Elance/Odesk. Things have definitely changed here, and not for the better. I've stopped looking for active work here at all. It's gotten too expensive and the quality  of the jobs here also has declined. 

[tlsanders]

Upwork wasn't Elance/Odesk. Upwork is a company that was formed because neither Elance nor Odesk was working.

[berg_shari]

I hate to break it to you, but Upwork was previously Elance/Odesk. From their own comms department, the announcement about their rebranding to Upwork: https://www.upwork.com/press/releases/elance-odesk-relaunches-as-upwork-debuts-new-freelance-talent-...

[tlsanders]

Sorry you failed to understand my point. Elance and Odesk merged and made changes because each was failing.

[the-right-writer]

Many freelancers do not understand or use vetting for clients and jobs. Everyone has to assume every person they meet here is a scammer until proven to be legitimate.

Bidding doesn't need to be expensive. Selective applications and boosting only when you know you are one of the top applicants will save a lot of connects.

Freelancing comes with no guarantee of work, here or anywhere. Too many freelancers want employment, but on their terms. If you don't want to be responsible for everything you do as a self-employed business person, then find an employer to pay everything for you and make sure you do the job correctly.

Why should anyone get connects back when not hired? No one does this in freelancing, no one. No one has ever offered to pay for my expenses if I was not hired. It does not happen.

And why does everyone want Upwork to close the job? Why do you want to deny freelancers the chance to make money? I have been hired weeks after a client posted a job because they couldn't find anyone who had the qualifications for the job.

If your return on your investment is poor, then you need to change your business strategy.

we give money to get that job!!!!

No, you do not. When you are a freelancer, you bid for the opportunity to get the job. There are no guarantees in freelancing. You do not bid to get the job. I'm constantly amazed that people think freelancing means being given jobs. If you don't want to be a professional in self-employment, you will need to find an employer.

[jayme_tooze]

Pretty sure this account is and undercover Upwork employee lol. Constantly in every forum thread of designers talking about their frustrations and always chimming in with a rude tone on how its our fault and not Upwork. Based on your profile you could use some help too... find a better use of your time troll!

[bd659f07]

I did so but my earnings (50$) have been spent to buy Connects. I usually bid on which I feel I am perfect for the job. It looks like this is one kind of cheating with freelancers. It is better to use another platform like Fiverr. I am just seeing this site will no longer exist in the near future. Because they are earning and cheating with us. Why does upwork allow without payement verification and loading money in the Escort?

[atreglia]

Absolutely.  Freelancers should get their connects returned when a client abandons their job post, and I have to raise an eyebrow to those who grab their broomsticks to argue otherwise.

[the-right-writer]

I keep asking this question and no one replies.

Who pays for your expenses? Your 'net? Your editing programs? Connects are a tiny business expense.

In the real world, including other platforms, there is always a fee for access. I want to know who you think should pay for my expenses when I contact a potential client? I have to get prepared, print my CV and a specific portfolio tailored to the business, gas to get there... who exactly pays for this? I want to know, because I will start billing.

You can call me a witch if you like, I am quite used to deflection from those who cannot formulate a response.

Connects are part of being self-employed. It must be wonderful to have someone else pay your way, but the rest of us have to pay for everything.

Freelancing means being responsible for every thing in the business. It ain't called SELF employment for nuthin'.

[atreglia]

---

Jeanne H wrote:

I keep asking this question and no one replies.

[the-right-writer]

OK, you can copy and paste.

Wow, I didn't realize I asked such difficult questions!!!

Well, whoever pays for your expenses, since you apparently don't pay for them, can just buy you some connects.

[jayme_tooze]

Pretty sure this account is and undercover Upwork employee lol. Constantly in every forum thread of designers talking about their frustrations and always chimming in with a rude tone on how its our fault and not Upwork. Based on your profile you could use some help too... find a better use of your time troll!

[the-right-writer]

🤣🤣🤣

[2779bde0]

You still haven't answered the question.

Who is going to pay the bills that need to be paid? What do you think your contribution to the process should be? Loading freelancers up with even more connects encourages them to write even more garbage proposals, further undermining those who have the skills and want to truly advance themselves.

This type of "it's all about me" mentality is driving away clients. Please come to the table with more than your hand out asking for special treatment.

[atreglia]

Martin, your questions and the hysteria above you do not warrant any answers as you both have all the answers you'll ever need.  Nobody ever learns anything with their mouth flapping.

[tlsanders]

I'm so glad you've finally realized that. Does that mean you'll be studying how business works, reading Upwork's quarterly reports, interviewing numerous people who post jobs on Upwork to learn about the onslaught of garbage proposals that deter them from hiring here, learn something about the high percentage of freelancers who never pay a dime in fees and would be freeloading on the platform if it weren't for connects, and generally take a moment to consider how the real world works? 

That will be a tremendous relief after a year or more of repetitve "but I want!!!!!!!!" posts.

[atreglia]

I'm so glad you've finally realized that. Does that mean you'll be studying how business works, reading Upwork's quarterly reports, interviewing numerous people who post jobs on Upwork to learn about the onslaught of garbage proposals that deter them from hiring here, learn something about the high percentage of freelancers who never pay a dime in fees and would be freeloading on the platform if it weren't for connects, and generally take a moment to consider how the real world works? 

It’s no secret garbage proposals are due the onslaught of unvetted freelancers.  We also know that it’s Upwork’s choice to monetize their failure to vet, and this has resulted in clients leaving.  If you feel the need to study that further, by all means have at it.  I can assure you the “real world” answers are not in the quarterly reports.

That will be a tremendous relief after a year or more of repetitve "but I want!!!!!!!!" posts.

Ooof.  Imagine that!  Now imagine flagrantly freeloading valuable resources to the tune of several years and 11,000 “look at ME!!!” posts, because now we’re talking!

[tlsanders]

Say what you like. One of us is successful and attempting to help other freelancers be successful, and the other is constantly wailing about how impossible everything is and attempting to trick newcomers into joining her kicking and screaming in the shallow, dirty waters of waiting for someone else to save your business.

The harm you intentionally do to other freelancers to ensure that you are not alone in your failure is despicable. 

[atreglia]

---

Tiffany S wrote:

Say what you like. One of us is successful and attempting to help other freelancers be successful, and the other is constantly wailing about how impossible everything is and attempting to trick newcomers into joining her kicking and screaming in the shallow, dirty waters of waiting for someone else to save your business.

The harm you intentionally do to other freelancers to ensure that you are not alone in your failure is despicable. 

---

Tiffany, if this is the part of you you’re willing to allow people to see, I can only imagine what I can’t see.  That said, I’m formally requesting you cease and desist your libelous assertions of me, and that you stop following me around like a depraved internet predator.

[tlsanders]

I'm very sorry about whatever mental illness it is that makes you feel singled out because I disagree with you in a forum, but it will not stop me from attempting to prevent new freelancers from falling into the trap of believing they are helpless victims whose only hope in life is for an impersonal corporation to rescue them. 

PS: I'm a lawyer, so throwing around incorrectly used legal terms doesn't intimidate me much.

[the-right-writer]

Tiffany, if this is the part of you you’re willing to allow people to see, I can only imagine what I can’t see.  That said, I’m formally requesting you cease and desist your libelous assertions of me, and that you stop following me around like a depraved internet predator.

You start off with deflection. Attacking someone personally, totally unrelated to the subject, is the sign of someone who can't defend their statements. They then engage in ridiculous personal attacks to try and engage the person in a back and forth attack match, to make sure they never have to be responsible, and the real issue is lost.

You post some very nasty messages, when no one is being nasty to you.

Yes, I know, questions you don't want to or can't answer seem "nasty" to you, but it's called adult conversation and debate. However, all you bring is personal attacks and lots and lots of deflection.

i’m formally requesting you cease and desist your libelous assertions of me, and that you stop following me around like a depraved internet predator.

Thanks for the laugh! It actually is pathetic, but your false outrage is very funny. You post on a public forum, you get what you get. You need to get a dictionary and look up "libelous." No one is following you around. You keep posting whining and bitterly complaining that you need to spend some money and that you should not have to do that 'cause you're just special, and you don't want anyone to say otherwise? You are not special here, none of us are. We all go by the same rules. If you don't want people to comment, then you don't post.

[jayme_tooze]

We're freeloading when Upwork takes 10% of our earnings on every job and BONUSES!!! Then promotes a 0% fee to bring our own clients but then you read the fine print and see they will take 3% of every transaction as well as charge your client. Maybe your experience is different with this platform given your not a designer but girl please!

[tlsanders]

Sorry you misunderstood. As I clearly said, the many millions of freelancers who NEVER LAND A JOB and so NEVER PAY A DIME IN PROJECT FEES would be freeloading if they weren't buying connects. Is that clearer?

This bit isn't my issue, but since your confusion obviously runs deep, the 3% is a card processing fee that goes to a variety of entities including the card processing platform and the card issuer. Did you think when Upwork said they wouldn't charge fees for bring your own clients, they meant they would also pay your card  processing fees for you?

[2779bde0]

Thank you for enlightening all of us mere commoners with your wisdom.

[tlsanders]

Go ahead...but it says a lot about you that you believe freelancers who flood clients with garbage proposals to the point that they flee the platform should be rewarded with a free chance to do it again. How do you benefit when prospective clients decide not to use Upwork? 

[atreglia]

I remain surprised at your eagerness to gloss over the fact that Upwork created this mess by not vetting freelancers.  So, essentially your answer to Upwork's failure to do even the slightest due diligence is to "reward" them with money so they can continue to profit off of abandoned job postings.  Nice.