Hi Upwork Support Team,
I'm writing to highlight some areas where Upwork can be improved for freelancers like myself.
Here are three specific issues I'd like to bring to your attention:
1. Fluctuating Connect Requirements:
When a job is posted, the initial connect requirement is high but it drops later. However, I've noticed, this requirement decreases within a short period, even before clients review proposals. This inconsistency can be discouraging, as it leads to wasted connects.
Example: I recently submitted a proposal for a job that required 12 connects. Only one hour later, the requirement dropped to 10 connects. Unfortunately, the client hasn't reviewed any proposals yet.
Suggestion: Consider a system where connect requirements remain stable after a job is posted, allowing freelancers to make informed decisions about proposal submissions.
2. Unseen Proposals and Wasted Connects:
Freelancers invest time and effort in crafting compelling proposals to increase visibility and secure projects. However, there's a concern that some proposals get buried and never seen by clients who might be a good fit.
Scenario: In some cases, clients might simply hire the top proposal without reviewing others, leading to wasted connects for freelancers lower down the list.
Suggestion: To incentivize quality proposals and fairer opportunities, I propose a system where freelancers receive a partial refund (perhaps 50%) of connects used for proposals that weren't viewed by the client.
3. Limited Monthly Connects:
The current monthly connect limit of 10 can be restrictive, especially when high-quality jobs often require more than 20 connects. This makes it challenging for freelancers to actively compete for the best opportunities.
Suggestion: To facilitate access to valuable projects, consider a slight increase in the monthly connect allowance. A bump to 16 or even 20 connects would provide more flexibility to entry level freelancers to pursue promising opportunities.
Thank you for considering these suggestions. I believe these changes would significantly improve the Upwork experience for freelancers and contribute to a more balanced and successful platform for everyone.
Sincerely,
Yaseen
