Upwork Messages: Essential Tools To Collaborate Effectively

In any effort that involves collaborating with other professionals, communicating well and keeping track of critical information can be the difference between delays and frustration or a successful project that stays on target.

With Upwork Messages, independent professionals and clients get access to a suite of tools designed to help keep everyone involved safe and in sync at every stage of a working relationship.

Available to all Upwork users, Messages was initially created to make the exchange of project information more efficient. It’s since expanded into a multimedia toolkit and focal point for project information that can help eliminate confusion and become an essential part of your workflow. In Upwork Messages, you can:

• Communicate and share ideas in real time or asynchronously using built-in features
• Coordinate calendars and schedule live meetings
• Use notifications to alert you to new activity and stay on top of current projects
• Organize links, documents, and the most important messages shared amongst collaborators
• Track and confirm project details from one common space

In this post, we’ll highlight how Messages can support project-related communication and allow you to focus your energy where it matters most: getting and keeping important work moving forward.

Ready from the moment you connect

A new thread in Messages, what we call a message room, is created as soon as a connection is made on Upwork—such as an initial inquiry about a service on Project Catalog™ a proposal submitted for a job post, or a direct message sent via a profile.

As you chat and exchange information, Messages automatically saves messages and related documentation—but that’s just a start. Let’s look at other features you can use to help your projects run more smoothly.

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Access Messages through your Upwork account on the web or by using the desktop or mobile apps. While the Upwork apps are built around Messages, when using Upwork online you’ll find a link to Messages in the navigation at the top of the page.

Within each message room, you’ll find a collection of tools you can use for real-time conversations or asynchronous communication that can be read or watched later, something that’s particularly helpful when you’re working across different time zones.

Voice and video calls

Use Zoom to make voice or video calls anytime, directly from Messages.

Quick access to project details

Messages links directly to the contract workroom, an organized hub of information about your project, which may include outstanding tasks, invoice and payment records, and the terms and conditions of the contract.

Streamlined meeting and interview scheduling

Avoid all the back-and-forth and use the built-in meeting scheduling tool, which enables you to share your availability with project collaborators and automatically update your calendar if details change.

Video and screen recordings

Use Loom to enhance your communication. Record and share video messages in your messages room to make your conversations more productive and help strengthen your working relationships. (Currently available for Chrome and Edge browsers.)

Easy screenshots

Messages has a built-in tool that lets you capture and annotate screenshots so you can drop images into a message thread without flipping between software. (Desktop app only—download the latest version.)

Messages also includes the ability to:

• Share links and files
• Add attachments via Dropbox (web only)
• Search your messages

• See a list of collaborators—and contact them individually
• Quickly scan files and links that have been shared
• Add your own private notes for quick reference
• Set an out-of-office responder when you’re unavailable
• Enable notifications

Utilizing Upwork Messages in your work process helps all the collaborators stay informed, track progress, and find critical project assets. You have the tools you need to collaborate effectively from the start.

Extra protection for new working relationships

Exchanging contact information before a contract is in place is against Upwork’s Terms of Service, but communicating within Messages also helps keep you safe by reducing your risk of exposure to fraud, scams, and other harmful behaviors. This is particularly true for new connections when you’re still establishing rapport and don’t have the protections offered by a formal contract.

Upwork’s extensive trust and safety program constantly evolves to identify and meet new threats head-on. Our team leverages machine learning and human expertise to make the most accurate decisions possible when potentially fraudulent activities come to our attention.

When you keep communication on Upwork Messages, we can better track, verify, and help address issues that may come up—including dispute resolution if a project doesn’t go as expected. Your history in Messages is a trusted source in disputes and, as explained in our Terms of Service, can be used as supporting documentation if you enter into arbitration.

Messages also benefits from security controls built into the Upwork infrastructure, including:

• Data encryption using Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS)
• Malware and spam protections, such as scanning attachments in Messages before you download them
• Meeting stringent privacy and security industry certifications

Moving communication off Upwork means you no longer benefit from those protections. It’s also important to note that moving payments off Upwork is considered circumvention and continues to be against the Terms of Service.

Ready to get started?

When you’re ready to kick off your next project, Upwork Messages will be there to help keep you connected, organized, and secure. From day one, you’ll have the communication tools to keep work on track to success. Log in to your Upwork account today to find out how Messages can help make your collaborations stronger!