How to get connects

[#1]

Hello,

I'm new on Upwork and I have some doubts ..

1) how do I get connects to submit proposals?

2) how is the payment done?

Thanks 😊

[#2 · Accepted solution]

Hi Adriana,

Being fairly new to this place myself, I had the same questions. 

As a "basic" member, you get 60 connects per month (I think), that you can use. 

It took a little while before my connects where available to use.

Payment is, as far as I understand, done via Upworks payment system and you can use either Paypal or a transfer method to get your earnings. 

You can read more here:

https://support.upwork.com/hc/en-us/sections/202260708-Payment-Method

Hope this helped. 

/Christian

[#3]

Hello am also a new member. My account was approved three days ago and i still don't have any connects. How long will i have to wait for my connects? Its getting really boring just looking at the juicy jobs that i can't submit proposals to.

[#4]

Hi Kevin,

Please select a membership plan either from Settings or by clicking the "0 Connects available" link on your Find Work page, and you'll receive the first allotment of Connects. Please also review the freelancer resources shared earlier on this thread before starting to submit proposals. 

[#5]

Vladimir -- What defines a "Connect?"

I got a hit on the first assignment I applied for, just finished it and am looking for more. When I clicked on one listing I was told I need more Connects. 

Please tell me what I am buying with the Plus plan. Does it entitle me to some number of notifications, or click throughs on offers, or applications, or a fixed number of monthly hirings? Or?

I'm interested in using your site, but I need to know what I am buying with a Premium program.

Thank you,

Roy Fuchs

**Edited for Community Guidelines**

[#6]

Hi Roy,

A connect is what you use to bid on jobs and send proposals. The free basic plan comes with 60 connects a month and the plus plan comes with 70 connects plus some other features which you can read about here.  I would recommend perusing this thread which has helpful tips and excellent resources for users just getting started on the platform. Please feel free to reach out if you have any other questions Roy.

[#7]

Hi Nina you said that normally we have to get 60 connects but I just signed up and I received just 20 why ! And how and where to get more ?

[#8]

Hi Ecaterina,

Thank you fo reaching out to us. This change started to take effect in May.  After their registration is accepted, a new freelancer receives 20 free Connects to help get them started. 

You can view FAQs about paid Connects and a video explaining the change from our Head of Product, here.

Thank you.

[#9]

I also signed up and got 20 free connects. Will I get 20 connects each month for free?

[#10]

---

Mehvish A wrote:

I also signed up and got 20 free connects. Will I get 20 connects each month for free?

---

No, you have to buy them when you run out.

[#11]

Okay, Thank you!

[#12]

What if we submit a proposal and we doesn;t get hit with the job, will our connect be lost?

[#13]

So you're saying that this site takes away from our rate of pay, and makes us have to pay just to apply for a freelance job?

[#14]

Hi Kenneth,

All freelancers were moved to paid connects back a year ago. To learn more about this check out our blog post Here. Thank you.

[#15]

that's a shame.

[#16]

Please I signed up 4 days ago and yet I have no single connect. Why

[#17]

Hi Chinonso, 

It looks like you created a client account instead of a freelancer account. Kindly refer to this article to know how you can create a freelancer account from your client account. Once your freelancer profile is set up, and your registration was accepted, your 20 complimentary connects will be credited to your account.

[#18]

how can i buy connects ? 

can i buy with my earning?

how can i get the promo code?

thks

[#19]

Hi Arwa,

This can vary based on your location, but all Upwork users will be able to purchase Connects with a credit card or prepaid card. If you aren’t able to use a credit card or prepaid card or you don’t have an Upwork balance, in many cases you’ll be able to use PayPal. Check the options available to you and learn more about the acceptable billing methods for paying memberships.

Our team doesn't have discount codes, or promos available at the moment. But periodically, offers are sent through email, at on-site Upwork events, and through different partnerships. If you would like to get the chance to participate in our marketing events, you may submit the following form and we'll add you to the list. You can always unsubscribe at any time.

Thank you.

[#20]

good day Sir, ive used up my 20 connects, and i just found an amazing job but no connects available, how can i apply then

[#21]

Hi David,

If you have used up all your free connects, you may purchase them from your account. This can vary based on your location, but all Upwork users will be able to purchase Connects with a credit card or prepaid card. If you aren’t able to use a credit card or prepaid card or you don’t have an Upwork balance, in many cases you’ll be able to use PayPal. To see the options available to you, click here. Thank you.

[#22]

When we are giving 20% of our earnings to these people, then why these peoples are charging money in form of connetcs? Whether you get a job or not, these people continue to cut your connects. I would never advise anyone to use upwork.

[#23]

upwork is one of the worst places for freelancers. They have neither a fast fast responsive website nor a mobile application.**Edited for community guidelines**they mean money only, not freelancers. When we give 20% of our earnings to these people, then why these peoples are charging money in form of connetcs? Whether you get a job or not, these people continue to cut your connects. I would never advise anyone to use upwork.

[#24]

Hi Krishan,

You are not required to use any Connects under the following:

• When a client invites you to bid.
• When a client sends you an offer.
• When you send a proposal within an Enterprise Talent Cloud.

Sometimes, a project may get cancelled or a job may be removed from Upwork without a hire. In the following cases, these Connects will be returned:

• If a project is canceled by the client without making a hire, the Connects used on that proposal will be returned to the freelancer or agency. This does not apply to expired job posts.
• If a job post has been removed by Upwork for a Terms of Service violation, the Connects used on that proposal will be returned to the freelancer or agency.

You can check this help article for more information. 

[#25]

Hi Joanne,

Thanks for your prompt reply but you know I've applied for 5 jobs and 3 of them are closed but I've not received any connects in return. And even now I can't apply for any job because I don't have the connects. Now please tell me what should I do?

Thanks