I am starting to see advices and testimonials on social media indicating that people don't need Upwork connects to get jobs. See ehn, if you want to be successful on Upwork, you absolutely must invest in buying Upwork Connects.
Back in the days when we used to apply to jobs on Upwork and each job requires 1- 6 connects (with no bid option then), you could somehow manage not to buy connects before you get a job - especially with the 60 - 80 connects that you get when you first join Upwork. Those were the good days, and even then buying connects were a no brainer.
Unfortunately, those days are long gone. Gradually, Upwork began to go to the full money grabbing scheme.
Today, you get zero (0) connects when you join, you get 10 connects monthly (just like before ni), you need an average of 17 - 21 connects to apply to jobs, and you also want to try bidding so you can be among the top 4 bidders which unfortunately gives those successful bidders incredible visibility.
How the heck are you supposed to get jobs without buying Upwork Connects.
Some of us with long term retainers didn't even notice, until it was late. For example , I didn't even notice the new craze as I didn't really apply to any job (or very sporadically and rarely) for a few years as I had a retainer.
But by the time I will find out what is going on. Omo, things have gotten crazy.
I pity Upwork beginners or those that are still struggling to get constant jobs.
That's also a very good reason for you to be targeting those long retainer jobs. Those jobs will ensure you don't have to buy Connects every now and then.