In this lesson, we'll learn how to increase your proposal visibility and ensure your meticulously crafted proposals reach the right clients. We'll discuss the importance of Upwork Connects and explore strategies to get and leverage them effectively.
Freelancers receive free Connects monthly. The number of Connects you receive depends on your membership plan. If you have a Freelancer basic account, you will receive 10 monthly Free Connects Freelancer Plus accounts. Receive a total of 100 Connects Monthly. You will receive your Connects on the first day of your billing cycle to see when your billing occurs. Click on your avatar and then click settings. Select Membership and Connects. In this section you can review your current plan billing cycle, and Connects balance.
Imagine you've written a fantastic proposal, but the client never sees it. That's where Upwork Connects come in. Connects are Upwork's virtual currency used to submit proposals for most jobs. They act as gatekeepers, ensuring freelancers with relevant skills and serious interest have the opportunity to compete for projects.
Understand Connects
- Connects required: Each job posting specifies the number of Connects required to submit a proposal. Higher-paying projects often require more Connects.
- Free Connects and Upwork plans: Upwork offers a limited number of free Connects each month, and our plans provide additional Connects and other benefits.
- Using Connects wisely: Don't waste Connects on proposals for projects you're not a perfect fit for. Carefully analyze project details and tailor your proposals to increase your chances of success.
Strategies to increase your Connects
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Free methods
- Complete your Upwork profile 100% to receive bonus Connects.
- Earn Connects through Upwork's occasional promotions and giveaways.
- Maintain a strong job success score and positive client feedback to potentially qualify for bonus Connects.
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Upwork plans
- If you anticipate needing more Connects, consider upgrading to an Upwork plan.
- Plans offer various benefits, such as increased Connects, proposal boosts, and profile visibility features.
Enhance proposal visibility with connects
Once you have Connects, here's how to use them strategically:
- Focus on quality over quantity: Don't submit generic proposals just to spend Connects. Invest your Connects in well-crafted proposals for projects for which you're highly qualified.
- Respond quickly: Be among the first qualified freelancers to submit a proposal. Early submissions can increase your visibility in client searches.
- Consider proposal boosts (optional): Upwork offers optional proposal boosts that can increase your proposal's visibility in search results for a fee. Use them strategically for high-value projects where you stand out as the ideal candidate.
Connects are valuable tools, but they are only one factor in proposal success. The quality of your proposal content and its alignment with client needs remain paramount.
Activity: analyze your Upwork profile
Take a moment to review your Upwork profile. Are there sections you can complete or update to earn bonus Connects? Consider your current workload and project goals. Would a paid Upwork plan with additional Connects benefit you at this stage in your freelance career? If you haven't started your profile yet, consider taking the Profile setup learning path to get started.
