Why aren't connects refunded for dead projects?

[innovatery]

I'm curious why the system is not designed to refund freelancers for unresponsive clients - when I bid on a proposal and no one responds for weeks, months, years, I kind of feel like I should get those connects back - as that's not really my fault.

Unresponsive clients/job posters should have their jobs auto-cancelled after a time period of inactivity and freelancers who bid on it should be reimbursed in the process. I don't think I'm the only one who hates having 40 proposals "floating" out there to potentially dead projects. I need to know if those are people who ACTUALLY use UpWork... know what I mean?

I like the connects system but it seems flawed in the fact that it's basically a one-time use token (when it really should only be consumed on active projects, whether you win or not). 

It makes it hard to freelance full-time - which is my goal. I'm fine with a connect being "used" if I'm declined... that makes sense. But when they just "float" out there with no response, no feedback, nothing for a long period of time - the system breaks down in my mind.

Does anyone agree with this? 🙂

[versailles]

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@Colton J wrote:

Does anyone agree with this? 🙂

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 Of course. Newbies and desperados. Everyone else understands the need of drastically limiting connects 🙂

[innovatery]

Was that a passive aggressive note that I'm a reckless newb? 🙂

[versailles]

Let's say that your're a newbie 🙂

Search for "refund connects" and read what was already been written about the subject.

[bobafett999]

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@Colton J wrote:

 I like the connects system but it seems flawed in the fact that it's basically a one-time use token (when it really should only be consumed on active projects, whether you win or not). 

It makes it hard to freelance full-time - which is my goal. I'm fine with a connect being "used" if I'm declined... that makes sense. But when they just "float" out there with no response, no feedback, nothing for a long period of time - the system breaks down in my mind.

Does anyone agree with this? 🙂

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 I do.  And I am not a desparado...It wouldn't help me much as I never use the alloted free connects.  The number of free connects Upwrok gives is pretty generous.  At some of the other freelancing sites you have to pay to bid or the number of free bids is very little.

If your goal is to do freelancing full time then unless you are **bleep** good you won't make it.

[innovatery]

I think the problem is the cost of living is so far reduced for other countries (I'm in the U.S.) it makes it very difficult to compete on a per bid basis - regardless of reviews/proposal writing style. 

As for the quality of my work - I think my reviews speak volumes. I've only been at this a few weeks but perhaps UpWork isn't the way for people wanting to make a living.

[bobafett999]

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@Colton J wrote:

I think the problem is the cost of living is so far reduced for other countries (I'm in the U.S.) it makes it very difficult to compete on a per bid basis - regardless of reviews/proposal writing style. 

As for the quality of my work - I think my reviews speak volumes. I've only been at this a few weeks but perhaps UpWork isn't the way for people wanting to make a living.

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 Yes I saw your profile and it is good.  In addition to you competing from Web designers from India or Bangladesh or Pakistan is that bulk of those jobs are posted by "farmers".  They get their "contracts" , come to Upwork,  get someone to do it for as low as $50 and pocket the difference (this is my favorite one.  Some farmers want you to take a 'paid test' for 5-6 hours at $2/hr).  Basically, . as long as their client is OK with the work they don't care.  And they ain't going to pay your rate - it is money out of their pocket!

"...but perhaps UpWork isn't the way for people wanting to make a living."  I wouldn't say that.  There are quite a few may be in 1,000s out of millions of registered freelancers who DO make very nice income from Upwork.  However, if you are just starting out - Don't quit your day job.

[innovatery]

Thanks for the advice 🙂

[petra_r · Accepted solution]

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@Colton J wrote:

I think the problem is the cost of living is so far reduced for other countries (I'm in the U.S.) it makes it very difficult to compete on a per bid basis - regardless of reviews/proposal writing style. 

As for the quality of my work - I think my reviews speak volumes. I've only been at this a few weeks but perhaps UpWork isn't the way for people wanting to make a living.

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 The trick is to ease you into it and doing it slowly and with a safety blanket of a regular income.

Then aim for bigger, longer term projects. It takes little more effort to land a contract worth several thousands than it does to win a contract worth several hundreds or $ 27.94.

Generate more profit per bid. Keep your clients coming back for more. Be choosy who you work with. Make them like you, make them want to work with you again and tell their friends about it. All the general stuff that goes with running your own business.

Many people make a full time living here, hardly use any Connects and turn work away all the time. It takes time, balls, and sheer hard work to get there, but it *IS* possible if you have the skills (and I don't just mean the skills you sell, I mean also people-skills, marketing skills, sales skills, project management skills and "luck-skills!")

[innovatery]

Agree with everything you said - and it's funny almost every client I've worked with has reached out to me already about future projects 😜

[petra_r]

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@Colton J wrote:

Agree with everything you said - and it's funny almost every client I've worked with has reached out to me already about future projects 😜

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 There you go! You seem to have what it takes. I like your profile, your feedback so far is superb... Keep at it!

[tlsanders]

It seems like you don't really understand the purpose of connects, or you'd realize that "fault" is entirely irrelevant. Connects exist for one reason: to keep freelancers from bidding on too many jobs. 60, arguably, is quite a lot, and a lot of us think that number should probably be lower. Returning them lightly completely defeats the purpose of having them, since it jacks up the number of jobs you can bid on.

While some clients abandon jobs, the way the vast majority "decline" you is to hire someone else and never respond to you.

[innovatery]

I understand the purpose of connects... which is why I said perhaps this doesn't make sense for someone who's able to complete 4-5 jobs per day, handily.

[versailles]

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@Colton J wrote:

I understand the purpose of connects... which is why I said perhaps this doesn't make sense for someone who's able to complete 4-5 jobs per day, handily.

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 Are you winnong 4-5 jobs daily?