Connects hub

Helping freelancers manage their virtual tokens and build their reputation

Problem

Freelancers on Upwork use Connects, virtual tokens, to apply for jobs and ad product to promote themselves to clients. Buying Connects, checking their history, and earning free Connects happened on three separate pages, making for a frustrating experience. New freelancers also lacked education around Connects, making it hard to know where to start. Without a central place to manage their Connects, many freelancers applied to fewer jobs and missed opportunities to earn more Connects and build their reputation.

My work

Ran a competitive analysis of marketplaces that encourage users to spend more and teach them best practices.
Partnered with my product manager on three freelancer personas that informed a dynamic dashboard; displaying spend, ways to earn, and educational content - all ordered differently depending on the freelancer viewing the page
Designed new chart components comparing profile views, invites and applications against Connects spent. I partnered with design systems on the animations and with engineering on implementation.

Results

Launched in summer 2026
Test results and impact weren’t available before I left Upwork

Connects hub dashboard with ways to earn, engagement chart, history and learning content