I just got this on my email:
----------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------
It's what the Upwork community has been anticipating. This new price scheme was announced months ago, and now it's gonna be in full effect.
I'm currently registered under the Freelancer Plus plan, so the message may appear slightly different from those under the Basic plan. But the effect is the same: NO MORE FREE CONNECTS!
I've already read about a lot of negative comments in forums and Facebook groups concerning this, but what's the real score and what's the real effect on us freelancers?
Here's are some observations from me:
- For newcomers, this is really gonna be a pain in the a**. They're starting to learn and to earn, having come across a popular platform where freelancers with skills can find jobs and pose bids for free, so how are they supposed to cope with this new scheme? Gone are the days when you can earn on Upwork stating with $0...
- For those who are already members for months to a few years, and yet are still struggling to get a client or are earning just a few bucks: This is also gonna be a big setback, because their little earnings might be gone sooner once they pay to bid and don't get hired.
- For seasoned members, the "veterans": I think this wouldn't have a big effect to them, except for the fact that it's gonna be an additional cost for them to reckon with.
... and here's my take for those observations:
- for newcomers and existing members with low earning: If you haven't earn anything or just starting, you have 2 options depending on how serious you are on working in Upwork: 1) Set a Billing Method wherein you can purchase connects tru Debit/Credit card or Paypal; 2) If you think this is something you don't want to risk, there are many other platforms to try, most of which are still free.
- for season members: not much of an issue, you can just add the cost your hourly rate or add to an existing rate. Many clients don't mind paying more for quality work, plus they rather pay more to work with someone whose already familiar with their system.
This new pricing scheme will definitely impact many members/workers on Upwork. Expect a number to depart and be gone to look for other platforms. But I guess that's what Upwork eventually want to achieve: which is to maintain a platform where only workers with real skills will bid and work with clients. I don't see any negative impact on clients at the moment, it may actually benefit them more because there would be less bids placed, and therefore more convenient to choose. One probable effect that I can see is that clients won't be posting low cost projects because given the high cost of connects, workers won't be bidding on it.
At any rate, it's a wait and see situation for every freelancer working on Upwork...
----------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------
It's what the Upwork community has been anticipating. This new price scheme was announced months ago, and now it's gonna be in full effect.
I'm currently registered under the Freelancer Plus plan, so the message may appear slightly different from those under the Basic plan. But the effect is the same: NO MORE FREE CONNECTS!
I've already read about a lot of negative comments in forums and Facebook groups concerning this, but what's the real score and what's the real effect on us freelancers?
Here's are some observations from me:
- For newcomers, this is really gonna be a pain in the a**. They're starting to learn and to earn, having come across a popular platform where freelancers with skills can find jobs and pose bids for free, so how are they supposed to cope with this new scheme? Gone are the days when you can earn on Upwork stating with $0...
- For those who are already members for months to a few years, and yet are still struggling to get a client or are earning just a few bucks: This is also gonna be a big setback, because their little earnings might be gone sooner once they pay to bid and don't get hired.
- For seasoned members, the "veterans": I think this wouldn't have a big effect to them, except for the fact that it's gonna be an additional cost for them to reckon with.
... and here's my take for those observations:
- for newcomers and existing members with low earning: If you haven't earn anything or just starting, you have 2 options depending on how serious you are on working in Upwork: 1) Set a Billing Method wherein you can purchase connects tru Debit/Credit card or Paypal; 2) If you think this is something you don't want to risk, there are many other platforms to try, most of which are still free.
- for season members: not much of an issue, you can just add the cost your hourly rate or add to an existing rate. Many clients don't mind paying more for quality work, plus they rather pay more to work with someone whose already familiar with their system.
This new pricing scheme will definitely impact many members/workers on Upwork. Expect a number to depart and be gone to look for other platforms. But I guess that's what Upwork eventually want to achieve: which is to maintain a platform where only workers with real skills will bid and work with clients. I don't see any negative impact on clients at the moment, it may actually benefit them more because there would be less bids placed, and therefore more convenient to choose. One probable effect that I can see is that clients won't be posting low cost projects because given the high cost of connects, workers won't be bidding on it.
At any rate, it's a wait and see situation for every freelancer working on Upwork...
Comments
Post a Comment