Upwork Enterprise members and other eligible clients can reach out to a limited number of freelancers with whom you haven’t yet interacted on previous contracts with Direct Messages.
These messages provide a way to learn more about a freelancer’s availability, expertise, or rate details before sending a job invite. They’re also a way to discuss a project that may not have been posted yet.
Direct Message limits
You can contact up to five freelancers you haven’t messaged previously per day.
Direct messages are only between you and the freelancer, meaning you can’t add others to the conversation at this point (If you set up a contract later, you’ll be able to create a group messaging room)
Send a Direct Message
- Search for talent using the search bar. Find professionals with the experience or skills your project needs
- Choose the Message button. You can send a message directly from search or from the freelancer's profile
- Compose your message and choose Send. Freelancers often request details about how their skills can support your project, or why you think they’d be a good match
Note:
If you need to contact many freelancers about the same project, it’s faster to post a job and invite freelancers to submit proposals.
Contract proposals in Direct Messages
Freelancers can also propose a new contract for you via Direct Messages. You can learn more about how to review a contract proposal here.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it’s always their choice to respond. Direct message replies or non-replies do not affect their responsiveness ratings or Job Success Score.
Freelancers will see a client profile dropdown in the message’s sidebar that they can open to learn more about you.
You can send an offer by selecting Hire Now at the top of your conversation in Messages.
- Your star rating with a link to your reviews to see details
- Your total spent, average rate paid, total number of hires and jobs posted on Upwork
- Your city and country location and time zone
- Whether your billing method has been verified
- If you’re an Enterprise client
- How long you’ve been on Upwork
