Freelancing has long been praised for its flexibility and the promise of global opportunities. Platforms like Upwork were designed to connect talent with clients in need — ideally, a win-win for both. But lately, many freelancers are finding themselves priced out of the very jobs they once had easy access to.
The image below says it all.
🖼️ Top bid: 1,401 Connects just to land first place on a job proposal.
2nd place: 1,400 Connects
3rd place: 1,001 Connects
4th place: 1,000 Connects
😩 A Costly Battle for Visibility
Let’s put this into perspective: Connects are Upwork’s internal currency used to send proposals. Each application typically costs a few Connects — but now, with Boosted Proposals, freelancers can “boost” their pitch by bidding more Connects for higher visibility.
The result? A Connects bidding war where talent and experience take a backseat to how much you’re willing — or can afford — to spend.
“Feels like we need to take a loan just to send a proposal.”
Many freelancers echo this exact feeling — the game is no longer just about who’s best, but who can afford the front row seat.
⚠️ Is the System Broken?
Upwork introduced boosting to allow freelancers to “stand out.” But instead of leveling the playing field, it’s becoming a pay-to-play ecosystem. New freelancers or those from low-income regions simply cannot compete with those willing to drop thousands of Connects on visibility.
🛠️ What Can Be Done?
1. Limit Boosting Per Job
Upwork could cap boosted bids or introduce a max Connect limit per proposal.
2. Prioritize Relevance Over Spend
Use profile-job fit, job success scores, and past performance — not just Connects — to sort proposals.
3. Educate Freelancers
Provide clearer guidance on smart bidding strategies, Connect budgeting, and when boosting is truly worth it.
🔚 Final Thoughts
Freelancers aren’t asking for shortcuts — just a fair chance to compete based on skill, reputation, and work ethic. When proposals cost over 1,000 Connects, the barrier to entry becomes dangerously high.
Let’s bring the focus back to what truly matters: great work, not just big bids.
💸 The Price of a Proposal: Upwork’s Bidding War Leaves Freelancers Stunned was originally published in Coinmonks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.