I'm finally leaving upwork for good. Venting out my frustration

[mawieshams]

I just feel like they are controlling everything. They want to avenge me after I accuse them of being a irresponsible Security team which is true. Because they accuse me of someone and everything and then apologize in the end for the damage.

Everything goes well with me here in upwork, I even saved my family from debts. I mean, I got a lot of proposals being viewed, client keeps responding to my proposal straight for 1 week. Until the issues about my upwork account happened, and now, after spending $20 for premium. Then I feel so isolated.

I applied on this one job describtion with 5 proposals only (No one wants to apply in this job description because the client is so abusive for giving a low fee), I tried to apply because I really find it weird that everytime I apply for job description, either the client deleting or withdrawing his job hiring or closing. and the funny thing is that, after I applied, the client never viewed my proposal nor give me an interview but it say's he interviewed 2 out of 5 proposal. I feel like the upwork team is controlling or manipulating everything to avenge on me, I can't understand? I even have good portfolios and profile fitted for the job description but the client never viewed my proposal nor respond. I even had a descent cover letter which I am using for decades that's why I kept getting a job done here in upwork.

It's funny because I never change my techniques. I kept receiving proposal respond day by day or proposal view before I didn't argued with the upwork security team on not giving me back account.

However, now, I feel like after I retrieve my account back, after the long messy argument with the upwork security team, then this happened. They are controlling my upwork team to look invisible in every proposal. This is really possible, because how come I kept getting proposal views and responds for one week before, but now? Even a single proposal was never viewed nor responded? Even those job description with 5 proposal only? Seriously?

Therefore, I finally want to leave this site for good. It's just wasting my time and money for the premium.

All I need now is to waste my remaining connects for any job description and go! I don't really feel comfortable. I feel like there's an eye on the staff hoping me to be gone for good that he or she is manipulation or controlling every proposal I give from every job description.

[yofazza]

You joined two months ago, flooded with views, and got 6 jobs.

And now, the newbie advantage  has ended. Welcome to Upwork! 😁

And no, they are not targeting you or something like that. Just stop spending money here and observe, I don't think you need to get cranky and leave.

[spectralua]

6 jobs within 2 months is great result! I got less.

But many newbies just gone with no jobs at all after was milked for little money already own. This is a problem.

Shamimah, be sure than noone from Upwork didn't controlling your proposal. Them even have not enough peoples for that.

[yofazza]

Yes I see not all newbies has 'the advantage'.

But it's a fact that there are quite a few of them has unbelievably high view ratio (that by statistics will turn into more hires), if compared to most of us who have been here longer (and have tried every possible way to increase the view ratio).

[spectralua]

It is optimal behavior. (I didnt said honest or fair). I will waste money anyway so no sense to promote me. But newbie must win couple of times to keep warm and will play until waste all he(she) have. 😺

[yofazza]

Someone said before, "People who earn, stay. People who stay, spend."

I'm trying hard to stay, without the spend 😁

[spectralua]

You already spending. Let me show you: 2026 posts, an 30 min for each (incl. reading and understanding topic) = $40520 within your rate. You spent $40K to keep community alive, support some users and gave to GPT-Support-Bot reason to forward any user to forum instead of support his by Upwork team.

[yofazza]

😂

Well, to be honest, I'm now kind of restraining myself from answering questions. I'm fully aware of how Upwork uses "community" to help with their financials. They're not the only company who does that, where I believe, the company needs to work on the loyalty of their users, at least by providing satisfactory service, to "persuade" them to become free support persons in community forums. Upwork has been lacking in that lately, so I believe I'll mostly just trolling here lately.

And I don't measure the time spent trolling 😂

[2297e2bc]

Well I hate seeing people go, but it does decrease the surplus poulation (to quote Scrooge!)

[the-right-writer]

You've been here two months, had amazing success, but you think you should have more? Do you have any idea how hard highly-skilled freelancers often struggle? For months, with dozens of proposals.

Going for bad clients, because they are paying dirt cheap fees, is a terrible business plan. Jobs platforms are not the way to work if you have immediate needs, like housing, food, medicine, etc.

No one, including Upwork, is controlling your proposals. You got lucky with your first jobs, and lucky you were not scammed.

With your profile needing work, you have been very fortunate you were not scammed and lost everything.

Upwork is not following you and killing your ability to find work. They care about money. They want you spending connects, applying for jobs, and make more money if you get one.

With your attitude, it might be best if you looked at other sources of income besides freelancing. No matter where you go, highly-skilled freelancers make more money, and the competition is high. No platform gives you jobs or guarantees you will ever get a job.

I hope you spend some time learning about freelancing and platforms. Perhaps you would be better at working in the physical world, and making calls and intros to businesses. Freelancing means you will apply to more jobs than you will receive. If you are giving up so soon here, will you give the profession what it needs anywhere else?

[tjmisny]

Now is a good time to leave then.

I don't think a Freelancer who has only been on the platform for 2 months has much of a right to complain... when one of the biggest problems the platform has is oversaturation of Freelancers who haven't been able to distinguish themselves.  

I certainly did not get 6 jobs in my first 2 months here, and that was in the halcyon days of 2021.  

Wishing you the best on your future endeavors! 

[mawieshams]

Right after I made this thread then someone viewed my proposal. See what I mean here, when the upwork is mad at you. They are trying to control who can view your proposal and who can't.

The thing that you guys are judging me like I am a lucky person. You don't understand my point here. How come for 1 week, a lot of client keeps viewing my proposal and accepting it. but right after I made a long argument for the upwork security, it never happened that my proposal was viewed. And see what happens? Right after I made this thread, they pretty made it obvious, because I suddenly got a proposal view? What is that thing call? ironic?

I tried to contact my client from France to hire me here in upwork. I will see if upwork is also blocking all my clients to contact me or hiring me. 

In regards to paying connects. You guys are rich, me? I can't sacrifice my money. I am here to earn money, not to waste it. Too many bills and medicines for the family. I purchase premium to test if it goes the same way, after upwork security ruined everything from me. I feel like they want me to suffer.

And please guys! Stop overthinking about newbies being the lucky one. It takes deeper techniques. 

1. You must know your niche. You must be expert to your niche, not just 75% but 100%.

2. As a newbie, I hate choosing jobs with 10 and up proposals. I choose late posted job offer, because if its something like 30 minutes job offer post, expect it to have more than 50 proposals after an hour and the connects is bye bye because the client will never viewed your proposal unless you bid. I hate bidding too, you have too many competition.

3. Make sure client is Payment verified and 1 to 9 hired. Check his history Job offer if he hired 1 for his previous job open, if he didn't hired 1, this client is just posting open job but didn't hire anyone or not taking it seriously..

4, Perfect Portfolio and Profile is a must. Including certificates of course. It's better to pay for those online course like coursera, rather than buying connects here in upwork. lolz

5. Cover Letter must be short if the job offer is informal, if formal then make it average and not long because most client are lazy reader, (first paragraph, say hi and stalk the clients name like {Hi clients name}. I know it's silly but come on, every client will be shocked if he sees your proposal calling out his real name. lolz, and you can find clients name in his testimonial hisptory. Second paragraph, you must ask the client about his job offer and tell him your plan to solve his problem. Focus on his request, never off topic. If it's formal then align every request, if informal then one line only; Third paragraph is to introduce your self and brag about your experience and your expertise, don't make it too long. Be humble and tell the truth how you helped several client about your skills. And last paragraph is call to action.) Don't forget to include your highlights.

Also, the reason why client don't accept freelance that easily. After observing the Client section. Most Client are scared to be tricked. There are a lot of freelancers who loves fooling client like they can do what the client needs. But in the end, they end up as a liar. Just like that one client I have here in upwork. He complains to me how he was so pissed that some freelancer failed so hard and lied that they can do the work but failed to confirmed it, he even thanked me that I existed. Ofcourse I am a Photo Editing Specialist, after looking at the photo edited from different freelancer, 2 of them, I laughed. I told my client the other one was even made by a robot or AI, that's why the image is so distorted to the point that I need to fix it. And in that case, the client wasted a lot of bids, don't know if they also have bids, but they usually need to use it for the right freelancer because if they can't, they also lose bid. Not only us freelancers have this kind of bids risk, including this client. And a one client again told me he hates when he hired someone who is not good in English. That's why client here in upwork prefer to choose freelancers who are good to understand. Some can do the job but find it hard to follow the instruction because of English. That's why client are afraid to choose people.

I believe I am not that good in English or my grammar diction is terrible. But atleast I can understand and communicate. But some freelancer as just skillful but hard to understand English I guess. Don't blame the clients if they have the trust issue.

Please don't hate me. I just hate how someone is stabbing me in the back like what is happening to me now.

[the-right-writer]

No one hates you. We are trying to get you to understand Upwork is not controlling your ability to work. They are not blocking you. Upwork doesn't care enough to mess with you. They are a business, and unless you have more than feelings, there is no evidence they are manipulating your searches, interviews, proposals, or jobs.

No one is stabbing you in the back, You are putting yourself at a high priority for Upwork, and it does not happen. No one is tracking you and making your life miserable here.

[mawieshams]

I already bought premium. So if they are into business, why everything is popping up after I posted this thread like message, invitation proposal and lastly was the proposal views. lelz. I don't find that coincidents.

Unless someone don't speak, nothing happens. But after someone speak, the notification suddenly become busy. See my point here. I don't want you to believe, but I am just sharing you what's weird happening now, with my upwork. 

Anyway, thanks to all your comments. Very much appreciated ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

[axentrix]

Taken from a client's feedback: "Client tried to charge me $800. And I paid less than $20 to get this job done. Thank you so much." ...  

No comment.

[mawieshams]

The client job request is very very easy. It takes about 15 to 30 minutes for me to do it and its been there for 2 days. It's a very quick and simple editing. that's why I take it. money is important to me. if you find 20$ cheap, then something is wrong with you. I even have to borrow money from my sisters in Europe just for me to purchase upwork premium. Lolz.

I understand your rates since you are a web designer. Ofcourse it's normal for you to rate that high. But wow, you look at me as if I am so low for taking a very quick and simple job that no one bites and even offered over priced service is a low blow? 😪

I never ever regret on welcoming this client. After that work, too many works was given the other day that helped me from financial needs and for my family necessities. So stop degrading and under estimating this kind of client. 

He thanked me unlimited, and that's one of the most special thing that can't be paid by money. He is father figure to his child or norturing. Don't get me wrong, I hate freelancer who are abusive when it comes to price tag. I even reported that one Job offer who wants to pay $5 for a one short tiktok video. I know my limit so stop judging me.

Now I know why clients are very careful for choosing a freelance. The reason are freelancers like you. 800$ is a cost for my complete branding style guide project service. It's very uncomparable to this kind of project that you will only move your mouse in a minute then its done.

Loving your client and get attached to them is one of the special bond why they keep coming back to you. The loyalty is unbreakable. This is why I take care of my client so much and respect them like a friend. I also know my limits. Because in the times of crisis, there are the one who pull your hand up from that big dim hole. This client never hesitate to kept coming back. And when upwork security messed up with my account and locked it. This client even find me in my facebook account and leave a message. That's how important I am, and still pays me for my work, so stop underestimating this kind of client. Instead, appreciate them and you will grow with them. The job offer is surprised give for his child. Is that bad to help him? It's a blessing because you make a bond of a father and son stronger.

Honestly, I have been in a platform which rates lower than $20. That's why upwork is like a gem I found in a desert. But then, I need to leave it again because the treatment here is just unbelievable and bias. lolz

[spectralua]

I understand her and agree. You're dumping. And this leads to the inevitable - you run out of money and you leave. It doesn’t matter that she’s a designer; there are similar dumping designers in her field. But you ruined the job not only for yourself but also for everyone else by making it clear to the client that he can get a job almost for free here. But don’t worry, there are still many freelancers around you doing the same thing, dropping prices to zero. It's your right and your choice.

[mawieshams]

So you will do the same thing by asking and taking advantage of a poor client by offering him a very over priced service for a very simple video and photo editing? I have been 15 years in this industry of being a graphic designer and video editor. Now, I am entering the world of branding manager and been with different client from all around the world. But I never take advantage of anyone, as I said, $800 is too much. I find it a scam to abuse a one client just because he wants his son to be happy.

If what I did is ruining the job of anyone just because I am kind hearted and hated my fellow freelancer taking a client for granted. Then okay, you have your opinion there. 

Also, I am preparing to leave, not because I run out of money. I leave because I find upwork suspicious. They locked my profile before because they claim that I am an impostor that I lost connection with my client. Until they apologize and return back my upwork account but its too late that all my clients were gone. And now that I am starting all over, I notice that I don't get proposal views for 1 week of trying which is weird because I kept getting proposal views before and those no proposal views are less. That's why I made this thread, and look what happened. My proposal suddenly got views and upwork congratulate me and even received invitation. That's what I am pointing out. Upwork is controlling every freelancers proposals. If they hate you, they powertrip 😉 that's why I said I am happy to live rather than being controlled because of someone avenging on me. lolz 

[spectralua]

I would offer him my current rate. But if the client was happy and gave a bonus then I would not refuse.

In your case the client was simply used you. Correct option: the client was ready on 800, you took 20. The client is happy and paid you 400 on his personal initiative. In this case, I will say that you really made him happy and this is not just a beautiful lie. Kind hearted is great for volunteering but not for freelance bussiness.

[mawieshams]

His offer is $10 per hour. But since I can't accept hourly method because I have two kids. I don't have fixed time. My eldest son is five which is a delayed speech and suspected to have an adhd, and the youngest is 2 years old who is still breast feeding to me. I told him I can't accept per hour but a fixed price. And since I can do the work for 30 minutes maximum. I deal with $20, after hearing his story as a father figure which is very touching. Lolz

400 is still too much. Maybe $100 is good rates for newbies since they will work on it for an hour or days.  I don't think he use me. He is good guy ^_^, and a coach for a hockey team which is interesting too. Because as a Filipino who is raised in saudi, I always wonder how hockey game is done in america. hehehe 

[tjmisny]

I have to disagree with the notion of loyalty of clients.  Usually that loyalty is circumstantial - if you assert yourself, ask for more money when your production costs increase, etc., clients are happy to find someone cheaper who will work for the original budget.  

[mawieshams]

Ofcourse, always know your boundaries. ^_^

[b55b290a]

I am also a newcomer, and based on my experience, I really cannot determine whether your accusations are true or not

However, the tips you shared for applying for a job have greatly inspired me. I can see that you have done a lot of preparation and research, and you are a very serious person in your work, which is truly admirable

I myself have no way of understanding some of WU's policies, such as recently discovering that many other job competitors are competing for Boost bid, almost every one of them. I saw a brand new employer today, who had no employment record and wrote a very perfunctory sentence about what position they wanted to hire, with almost no relevant description. Then the boost bid is around 30 connections, with the highest being 35. I have been tracking this job on purpose, and after a day has passed, the employer has not even read the application letter... - Is this really crazy? Let me keep thinking, is it necessary to participate in this spending game if you want to get a job opportunity.

To a large extent, I came to the forum to see if there were any relevant discussions because I couldn't understand these issues. It can be said that the forum has brought me a great shock. And your sharing, there are some points that I have gained a lot from. So, what I want to say is, thank you very much. I wish you luck whether you are still working on WU or not

If I were you, I would still continue on WU. Because in my experience, platforms often do not target individuals. It sometimes puts individuals in a difficult situation, but generally there is no intentional platform targeting individuals (retaliation). So, I am willing to believe that after the misunderstanding is resolved, your clients have all left and these losses cannot be recovered. But you can start over again, after all, you have so many skills and experience. If you leave these great preparations, it will be a waste, which is too regrettable~!

I haven't been able to get a job myself recently, which is much worse than my previous experience on UW. I think there may be changes in the rules of the platform. For example, the Boost I mentioned earlier, because I have noticed before that it is not so crazy. Moreover, I am also transitioning to other niche. Because I don't have many job opportunities in the field where I am particularly specialized. I guess that's also why I haven't been able to get a job recently, because in my new positioning, I'm not as specialized as my original positioning

[mawieshams]

I have mentor who is already senior here in upwork. He earn a lot on upwork that I kept asking for the best way to be hired in upwork. He is planning to have an agency until the trauma happened (The one were upwork locked my out of my account and calling me an impostor). But that's life, I can't risk my money for bidding. I am waiting for my client to try sending me proposal here.

Anyway, as for the client you said, that never viewed your proposal. Withdraw it, theres a limitation of 7 days. Withdraw your proposal after a client never viewed or bother it for 6 days, because the connects will return to you. That's what I am doing, sometimes the connects returns, and sometimes not, If the proposal was not viewed by the client. So its up to you. Also make sure this client job offer has not hired 1 yet, and active 24 hours. Because if he already hired 1, then your connects is bye bye.

[yofazza]

Despite being so confident, you're wrong in so many things. Withdrawing proposals does not return connects (other things outside your control does).

Google is more useful than your mentor.

[mawieshams]

I am not sure if you're not good at reading comprehension. I said "sometimes the connects returns, and sometimes not," this is based on my experience. Which is tried and tested. 

and whats wrong if he withdraws his proposal after 6 days without being viewed by the clients. As if the client is still interested? 

Instead of dragging down the confidence I have. Why don't you share tips on every new freelancers here? You have 25 jobs, yet you prefer to lambast someone rather than correcting them and explaining why.  

[yofazza]

you prefer to lambast someone rather than correcting them and explaining why.  

My 25 jobs and 2k earnings is nothing compared to most other people here, but I've been on the internets long enough to know whom I should take seriously and whom I shouldn't 😁

But okay...

As stated in my response above, you don't need to get cranky and leave. As many people have said in this thread, you are not so important that one of the scarcy staff would stalk you to this 'community forum' and do something with your proposal views.

People have written here that they circumvent (take clients outside) a lot, where the post got deleted by the mods but the real freelancer account is safe. People have also broken this forum's rules so much that they got banned forever, but their actual freelancer account is still active. So, the forum and the actual marketplace aren't really "connected".

Upwork is doing something to game their users, where unlike some others, I understand why they're doing it. Just read this forum more, you'll easily find quite a few threads about what I'm saying. Then, make sure you're not part of those who got gamed.

As for proposal withdrawals, there's probably one thread about it every other week. Just do a search as advised above ✌️

[the-right-writer]

You know, there is a saying about when you point at others, there are more fingers pointing back at you. When you compare yourself to other freelancers who have been working, your stats don't hold up well. You might want to re-think your strategy to deflect.

Everything you claimed in your post was incorrect. You may have received your connects back if Upwork decided the job was a scam, and the freelancer is not part of the scam, or if the client closed the job. In the past, connects were returned for interviews, but those were, of course, abused and the policy cheated by greedy, unskilled freelancers.

I am correcting you and telling you why. You need to use the Academy and learn before you are scammed. You do not understand when connects are returned, and you seem to need advice. That's what the Academy is for. I hope you use it.

[the-right-writer]

Withdraw it, theres a limitation of 7 days.

Incorrect. You do not receive any connects back when you withdraw.

the connects returns, and sometimes not, If the proposal was not viewed by the client.

Incorrect. Again, you do not receive connects in return.

Also make sure this client job offer has not hired 1 yet, and active 24 hours. Because if he already hired 1, then your connects is bye bye.

Incorrect.

Before you give advice, you need to learn how to use the platform correctly.

Withdraw your proposal after a client never viewed or bother it for 6 days, because the connects will return to you.

Incorrect.

You need to use the link to the Academy, and learn, especially before making posts in the forum. Where are the moderators when blatantly incorrect "information" is posted? It's great to want to give advice, but you must give the correct advice.

[mawieshams]

---

 wrote:

Withdraw it, theres a limitation of 7 days.

Incorrect. You do not receive any connects back when you withdraw.

the connects returns, and sometimes not, If the proposal was not viewed by the client.

Incorrect. Again, you do not receive connects in return.

Also make sure this client job offer has not hired 1 yet, and active 24 hours. Because if he already hired 1, then your connects is bye bye.

Incorrect.

Before you give advice, you need to learn how to use the platform correctly.

Withdraw your proposal after a client never viewed or bother it for 6 days, because the connects will return to you.

Incorrect.

You need to use the link to the Academy, and learn, especially before making posts in the forum. Where are the moderators when blatantly incorrect "information" is posted? It's great to want to give advice, but you must give the correct advice.

---

The 7 days limitation information is from google. I won't denied that, but I followed it and it works for me. What I advice here is based on my experience. And yes, I have received my connects back and I kept doing this kind of strategy since my day 1. After 6 days, I withdraw my proposal. Some connects gets back to me and some are not, because some JUST cancelled their open jobs, while some are reported (I reported them, sometimes. lolz)

Now, tell me what are the benefits if the freelancer doesn't withdraw his or her proposal after 6 days? Yes, I do research here in this forum. If there are advantage when you didn't withdraw it after 6 days, then I will respect your opinion for that. I hate talks, I want answers.

On hiring. I am sorry if I am not being too specific. But that's a common sense. If a one client is using "We," they are needing MANY hires, which are counted as a formal client. But when you say INFORMAL Client, like short form of job description. It needs only 1 to be hired, because this client has low source of income (just my opinion hahaha). Why the h*ll will they hire 2 freelancers at the same time? Either they have penny or they have none and just trolling around. You can't predict it.

Look, as a new comer. I am handing out an easy way of freelancing with no money to be wasted, I am not like you guys. I am poor. Now, if you wanna risk your connects to a one open job that already hired 1. Then it's up to you. If you want to risk your connects on an open job were the client never checked it within 24 hours, 48 hours and max of 72 hours. Then go ahead! I wouldn't care. I am just sharing my strategy here. And now you all are telling me why I am too lucky to have 10 jobs within 2 months? And when I give my why's and shared my secret recipes? Then you all mad at me? I am now confused lmao.

Look guys, I all respect you. You all are here in decades. And honestly, I am sorta entertained a little. Thanks for lifting me up and remove the discouragement I am facing. God bless you all for that and may we all succeed here in this platform in future.

We all are striving hard, I know that. The only thing here is that, you guys are lucky not to be in my position. Like how everything goes well smoothly until upwork trolled me and locked my account without my access and calling me an impostor until all my clients left. Those milks and pampers and especially money that supposed to be withdrawn on my upwork fall for borrowing money. But I am still thankful that I have withdrawn all my money and paid those kind people who borrowed me money.

Now, If you are triggered with how I advice tips with someone and find it false and accuse me of not reading the academy section even I really really do. Then Explain every bit of your tips and advice to this new freelancers, correct me in details, not just as "Go to academy." Since you're concern to this new freelancer. Give it 100%, not just 50%.

[spectralua]

If you withdraw proposals then your connects lost. If didn't then connects can be refunded with job deletion for violation or closing without hiring. So withdraw is bad idea.

Check your connects history: should be you got some bonuses but not refunds. Bonuses is possible.

[financemark]

Bye!

[AndreaG · Accepted solution]

Hi all,

We've closely followed this conversation and thank the participants for their valuable input. Since the arguments have been exhausted and the conversation is moving in an unproductive direction, we will be closing the thread.

I'd like to confirm that by design, Connects are not refunded if a proposal is withdrawn. Shamimah, could you please send me a private message with the Google search you're referring to and a specific case or cases where you received Connects back? I will be happy to look further into this. Thank you!