Who is spending 25 Connects in these bidding wars??

[#1]

I've seen 25 Connects used in jobs that pay under $50? Who is using Connects this way in these bidding wars? I'd seems like I'm seeing it a lot...I'd hate to think UpWork has internal accounts driving up bid counts to make money...

What is going on with this system? I refuse to send more Connects for these gigs as to not encourage this. Hopefully this is short-lived...

[#2]

Tom you have a good mindset: always good to be positive. For me this issue is new so I didn't know people have been posting about it. I don't spend much time on these forums. Your profile looks great and you've had some success on upwork with over a million in earnings. Did you really not make much money this year?  I haven't made much either when it comes down to it working 80 hours a week to be the sales person, designer, and business developer. I hope you can make more money in 2023. For me I am expanding my focus on sales outside of upwork to eventually stop using this platform for leads.

[#3]

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Chris M wrote:

Tom you have a good mindset: always good to be positive. For me this issue is new so I didn't know people have been posting about it. I don't spend much time on these forums. Your profile looks great and you've had some success on upwork with over a million in earnings. Did you really not make much money this year?  I haven't made much either when it comes down to it working 80 hours a week to be the sales person, designer, and business developer. I hope you can make more money in 2023. For me I am expanding my focus on sales outside of upwork to eventually stop using this platform for leads.

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You are too kind sir. Thank you. Yes, this year has been lousy. With the upcoming tax code changes it's going to be a challenge to be profitable after all the operational costs. I remember last year was a great year and sure I was working 80 to 100 hours a week but I like working, and sounds like you do as well, so kudos to you sir. Many people on forums share your exact observation.

I don't spend much time on forums unless things are slow. But the bright side is I'm able to learn more about investments this year with more downtime. Your profile looks great - of course you already knew that. I'm happy for you and wish nothing but the best for you as a fellow freelancer.

[#4]

Very well said .

[#5]

I don´t know who does it. Well, everybody spends their connects in the way they think it is wise. If this peson thinks spending 25 connects in a $50 job is worthy, thats up to him. I wouldn´t do it.

Anyway, I think boosted proposals is a feature that must be eliminated.

[#6]

Oddly that bid window appeared right when they stopped giving us 10 connects for responding to interviews.

[#7]

25? I'm seeing a lot of bids at 80 or 100 connects for a job, and the number 2 and number 3 spots aren't much better. I can't afford to pay Upworks fees, my own taxes AND spend that kind of money on connects at a shot at getting noticed. It's just crazy because I've worked so hard to develop my skills and become a good freelancer, and then this bidding war comes along. 

[#8]

There are agencies being paid hundreds of dollars to __BID ON UPWORK CONTRACTS__.

For example:
> "Fantastic experience working with the team. The guys sent 54 proposals and I got 5 interviews. This is an awesome result for my niche. Will get more work done with them!"

$81.00

Fixed Price

> "I ordered a bidding service at the beginning of May. Within a month, these guys sent out 200 proposals. I received 29 interviews and already found several interesting projects. And I only spent $150. I am definitely going to hire them again! Amazing team, a job well done!"

$212.00

Fixed Price

See one such agency at: https://www.upwork.com/ag/proposalsforupwork/

I have been receiving quite a bit of spam applications and looking into who's spamming me.

[#9]

As I said in another topic: bidding and searching for a job turned to be a real work. These new  agencies are well smart for earning money from this new "job categorie".