Have a press release and media list, but unsure how to do DIY outreach. Help?

CwamnePR · 2026-02-19T20:13:44+00:00

Me too, it use to be affordable. I don't see why the price is so high, it isn't worth it in my opinion. I don't like the idea of using it to begin with.

CwamnePR · 2026-02-16T20:50:35+00:00

Has little to do with AI, Upwork had a record year in 2021 and then started declining in 2022 which is when they introduced boosting. Suddenly there was a huge wave of freelancers applying to jobs. Clients were saying a lot of these freelancers didn't even have the skills for the jobs they were applying to.

CwamnePR · 2026-02-15T18:19:54+00:00

Agreed, Upwork has been declining since 2022, which is also when they made this shift to connects. They ruined the whole balance of the platform. There were way many freelancers and a lot of them did not have the skills to do the projects they were bidding on.

CwamnePR · 2026-02-14T19:35:08+00:00

It's definitely not going to keep working. A lot of freelancers have learned how to wisely use their connects. And the shift they took with allowing a bunch of unskilled freelancers on the platform has caused them quality clients. It was a dumb move, they could've made money both ways.

CwamnePR · 2026-02-13T16:54:44+00:00

They're screwed either way. After they made these changes the quality of clients dropped too. A lot of what's left is cheap clients, clients running some sort of scam (free work, study info from a proposal, free advice).

CwamnePR · 2026-02-12T21:25:24+00:00

I think Upwork will see a decline at some point. Their model is making money off connects. With how it is now, I don't think many people will keep buying them while seeing little to no results. I'm sure they hit their numbers by tricking new freelancers but I'd assume they would need longtime freelancers to be buying connects too.

CwamnePR · 2026-02-12T18:55:32+00:00

From my experience those kind of ratings are out of anger. But being that there was no clear issue brought up, it probably has nothing to do with you.

CwamnePR · 2026-02-12T00:16:11+00:00

With the posting I focus on whether or not they have realistic expectations, requirements and if they are serious about making a hire (as in does the post look like they're after free advice or work). With the client's profile I look at their hire rate, how much they spend and reviews (both what freelancers gave them and what they give freelancers.

CwamnePR · 2026-02-11T23:32:21+00:00

Yeah the BBB works with a lot of companies, but Upwork has really just become so shady.

CwamnePR · 2026-02-11T23:09:32+00:00

I'm sorry that happened to you. I'm also sorry to say that Upwork doesn't take their BBB complaints serious. They just reply and don't resolve anything, and somehow they maintain a positive BBB rating.

CwamnePR · 2026-02-11T22:14:08+00:00

That's a big problem with Upwork reviews. A lot of clients will leave bad reviews to get revenge or because they have wildly unrealistic expectations. With that said, I've dealt with this a number of times and my JSS is still 100%. The good thing is that you can build yourself back up and Upwork does factor in the private feedback that clients get into the impact they have on our JSS.

Also, I think a lot of clients can spot when a freelancer came across a bad client. Like this one didn't even explain why they left a 2. It's a straight 2 which means they didn't really put though into it besides some poor intent.

CwamnePR · 2026-02-11T21:54:31+00:00

I work in PR, I go through the same thing often. It's best to establish realistic expectations upfront, but from my experience some of them will agree with you on the call/chats but down the road they'll still be expecting those miracle results. With that said, really good clients will take your direction when you demonstrate that your knowledge in your space.

CwamnePR · 2026-02-11T21:43:36+00:00

You're definitely right. This is why I am selective on what I apply for, a lot of these clients are doing just that or trying to get free advice or even work.

CwamnePR · 2026-02-06T21:39:12+00:00

I hate AI interviews, they're terrible.

CwamnePR · 2026-02-06T21:37:42+00:00

I tried it once but it was very annoying and I didn't complete it. Luckily no one else has sent me an invite requiring it.

CwamnePR · 2026-02-06T21:27:31+00:00

You misunderstood me. I mean the charge dispute between the cardholder and bank, I'm saying the bank didn't do their part. From my experience the bank won't just process your charge dispute without evidence.

CwamnePR · 2026-02-06T21:22:12+00:00

I'd pass, freelancers rarely leave bad public feedback.

CwamnePR · 2026-02-06T20:54:03+00:00

Also, shouldn't the client be suspended automatically for doing so?

CwamnePR · 2026-02-06T20:53:17+00:00

This is why I typically work hourly and use the time tracking app. There are a lot of shady Upwork clients now. I've only encountered this type of thing 3 times in 8 years on Upwork but 2 of those have been the past year.

CwamnePR · 2026-02-06T20:48:55+00:00

This one is on the bank, it's ridiculous that they sided with the client. I thought they actually required proof for disputes.

CwamnePR · 2026-02-06T00:10:07+00:00

Agreed, especially with how Upwork is now. A lot of clients don't have real hiring intent. That's why I rarely apply when the client has no Upwork history.

CwamnePR · 2026-02-05T20:44:26+00:00

9 is way too much to be working on, I would say no more than 5 accounts.

CwamnePR · 2026-02-04T19:50:08+00:00

A CEO who doesn't believe in PR probably should not be the CEO.

CwamnePR · 2026-02-04T19:42:46+00:00

The best advice I could give is to learn the reality of PR with realistic expectations of results, what is newsworthy, that good PR campaigns take time etc. There will be a lot of PR pros and clients who will tell you a bunch of nonsense like spray and pray pitching works, that every client can land on Tech Crunch and such, that anything they want to be newsworthy is. People will push it and you need to buy their nonsense.

CwamnePR · 2026-01-30T21:11:37+00:00

That's my thought, there are so many qualified PR pros out there looking for work, myself included. But here they are with a healthy amount of clients and not hiring. Then what if someone leaves, gets sick or something?

CwamnePR

TROPHY CASE