How To Contact With Customers Without Violation Of Terms And Service

[a25dfc47]

So, here I am reading Upworks terms of service. I understand how they feel about people contacting customers outside their platform. But do they offer some kind of in-platform phone call service or video meeting software?

Customers have lots of questions, and creating credibility goes along way when you have direct contact with them.

[pudingstudio]

There is built in Zoom feature, located under phone icon in messages.

[yeseniambb]

Hi Jonathan,

While they recommend to keep communication on Upwork, it's allowed to also use other means to communicate with clients after you get hired. All payments need to be made on Upwork, however.

[prestonhunter]

re: "it's allowed to also use other means to communicate with clients"

Yesenia is correct.

ALL methods of communication are allowed to communicate with clients.

But ONLY Upwork Messages is allowed to communicate with prospective clients (or "prospective customers").

So until you actually have an Upwork contract in place, you may ONLY use Upwork Messages, including its built-in Zoom tool.

[martina_plaschka]

It is NOT a recommendation BEFORE hire. It is an offense people can get banned for.

AFTER hire there are no restrictions for communication. 

[nicole_v_]

UpWork's messaging center has zoom calls and video chats built-in, so it eliminates the need for communication elsewhere. 

Keep in mind the TOS:

"To help our users connect as safely as possible, we require that you do not request or share any contact information and keep all direct communications on Upwork until you start a contract. This means you cannot share your contact information in your profiles, proposals, job postings, invites, or other pre-hire contacts.

All introductions, interviews, and project scoping communications must use Upwork's collaboration tools."