How To Get More Connects on Upwork

Connects are Upwork’s virtual tokens. As an independent professional on Upwork, you’ll need them to submit proposals and kickstart your freelancing business on the platform.

So where do you get these Connects? All freelancers on the work marketplace receive 10 free Connects each month. But 10 Connects will only get you so far. Each proposal you submit will require Connects. While the number of Connects you need to use varies per job, you’ll need enough to make sure you can apply to all the projects that interest you. Invest in more Connects to make sure you don’t get left behind.

How can you get more Connects on Upwork? We’re glad you asked.

In this article:

• Understanding Connects
• How to get more Connects
• Getting Connects as an agency
• Tips on using Connects

Understanding Connects

Think of Upwork Connects like valuable tokens you can spend on the platform. Simply put, more Connects = more work opportunities for you. Freelancers can use Connects on Upwork to submit proposals, boost proposals to the top, and signal their availability to clients through their Availability Badge.

Freelancers new to Upwork may be asked to purchase Connects or subscribe to our Freelancer Plus plan if you want to submit proposals. Once you choose one, we’ll give you a one-time bonus of 50 Connects to help get you started on Upwork. Plus, Freelancer Basic accounts receive 10 free Connects each month (at the start of their billing cycle). Learn more about how to acquire free Connects.

But often, freelancers want more Connects so they can grow their business. Upgrading to the Freelancer Plus membership will get you an additional 90 Connects each month with the Plus plan. This means you would receive a total of 100 Connects each month.

Want more Connects but not ready for commitment yet? If you’re on the Freelancer Basic plan, you can also buy Connects for $0.15 (USD) plus tax in bundles (for example, 10 Connects for $1.50 or 80 Connects for $12) or you can select a custom amount.

By the way, if you’re an agency interested in purchasing Connects, you will need to upgrade to the Agency Plus membership to get started. More on this below.

How to get more Connects

The more Connects you have, the more clients you can reach out to for your growing freelance business. Once you’ve exhausted your allotment of free Connects, it’s easy to purchase a bundle (or a custom amount of your preference) so you can continue reaching out to clients on the platforms.

1. Log into your Upwork account

Go to upwork.com and click on “Log in” on the top right corner of the screen. On the next screen, enter your email address or your preferred way to log in to Upwork.

2. Open the Connects menu

Once logged in, go to the Find Work page and find the Connects drop-down menu on the right side of the screen.

3. Purchase Connects

Click on ‘Buy connects’ to get started.

On the following page, you can select the bundle you’d like to purchase or nominate a custom amount. Click on the green “Buy Connects” button once you’ve made your choice.

On the following page, select your billing method, enter the relevant details and click on the green “Buy Connects” button.

‍

Getting Connects as an agency

If you’re an agency interested in purchasing additional Connects, the process is slightly different at first.

1. Upgrade to Agency Plus

Before you can purchase Connects, you must first upgrade to an Agency Plus membership.

• Go to Settings › Memberships & Connects
• Click the View or Edit Membership Plan
• Click the Upgrade button on the Plus plan

2. Purchase Connects

Once you’ve upgraded your membership, you will be able to buy your Connects bundle. This process is the same for freelancers and agencies alike so simply follow Step 3 as described above.

Tips on using Connects

Connects unlock a world of work opportunities for you at Upwork. From connecting with clients to making the most of Upwork features like the Availability Badge—they’re valuable currency!

It doesn’t matter how you acquired them, you want to make sure you’re maximizing your Upwork Connects.

Make the most of free Connects

There are plenty of ways to get free Connects, such as the reward for earning the Rising Talent badge, so make the most of them. Use every opportunity available to add free Connects to your kitty, as they all add up and give you more opportunities on the platform.

Create a great profile

Simply purchasing Connects won’t land you an interview. You need the full package—a great profile and thoughtful proposals.

When you submit a proposal, clients will also receive your profile. A good quality profile that “sells” your skills and expertise to clients is essential if you want them to pay attention. If your profile doesn’t tell them how you can help them, your proposal will be ignored. This is a waste of your valuable Connects!  

Besides, a complete and good quality profile has the potential to attract clients to you without your having to reach out to them. If they like what they see, they may invite you to submit a proposal, which means you won’t need any Connects at all!

Write impactful proposals

Want to win more jobs on Upwork? Focus on writing thoughtful and tailored proposals that make clients pay attention to you. If you can make a client feel like you’re the right (and only!) person for the job because of your customized proposal, you’ve definitely made the most of the Connects you needed to submit a proposal for that job!

Only apply to jobs that are a good fit

An obvious point, but a reminder doesn’t hurt, right? Always review the job post and requirements to make sure it matches your skills and availability. Plus, check the client’s hiring history and other activity on the job to make sure you stand a solid chance before you spend your Connects.

Hot tip: Check out expert-vetted independent professional, Ross J.’s insights on How I Use Upwork Connects To Find Valuable Clients.

Find work on Upwork

Upwork Connects are an investment—in yourself and in your freelancing business. The more Connects you have, the more clients you can reach out to for your growing freelance business.

Connects help you win more work, increase your earning power, and build longer-lasting relationships with clients on the platform. If you’re serious about freelancing, it’s time to get serious with Upwork.

‍Upgrade to a Freelancer Plus plan or purchase a Connects bundle and kickstart your journey to freelancing success today.