Hello Sjoerd,
It's disheartening to encounter such situations, but there are steps you can take to address this and ensure a better experience in the future. Here’s some advice for both Upwork and fellow freelancers like yourself and I:
Advice to Upwork:
Dispute Resolution Enhancement:
- Improve the dispute resolution process to be more responsive and supportive. Offer mediation services to address disputes regarding milestone payments and feedback delays.
Client Communication Policies:
- Implement policies that encourage timely client communication. For instance, introduce automatic reminders for clients to provide feedback or release payments within a set timeframe.
Incentivize Fair Practices:
- Encourage clients to complete projects responsibly by offering incentives for those who adhere to good practices, such as timely feedback and payment releases.
Client Rating System:
- Enhance the client rating system to include specific metrics for communication responsiveness and adherence to agreed milestones. This will give freelancers more insight into a client’s reliability before accepting a job.
Advice to Fellow Freelancers:
Clarify Milestone Terms:
- When agreeing to fixed-price jobs with multiple milestones, ensure that the terms and expectations for each milestone are clearly defined. Include specific deadlines for feedback and payment releases.
Set Communication Expectations:
- Establish a communication plan with your client at the outset. Agree on how often you’ll check in and how quickly they’ll respond to your submissions. This can be part of your initial contract agreement.
Escalate Promptly:
- If a client becomes unresponsive, escalate the issue to Upwork support promptly. Don’t wait too long, as timely intervention can often resolve the issue before it becomes more problematic.
Documentation:
- Keep detailed records of all communications and submissions. This documentation will be invaluable if you need to escalate the issue or enter a dispute process.
Leave Constructive Reviews:
- When leaving reviews, be honest but constructive. Rather than leaving a very negative review out of frustration, provide specific feedback on the client’s communication and adherence to the contract. This helps other freelancers make informed decisions.
Example Review:
"Completed the initial milestones, but experienced significant delays in feedback and payment for subsequent milestones. Communication could be improved to ensure timely project progression. Would recommend clear agreements on communication and feedback timelines before starting the project."
Final Thoughts:
While frustrating, situations like these are part of the freelancing landscape. By taking proactive steps to protect yourself and providing constructive feedback, you can help improve the overall environment on Upwork. Additionally, sharing your experiences in the Upwork community can offer valuable insights to fellow freelancers and encourage platform improvements.
Sorry and happy working Mate!
