“Connects”  are virtual tokens which are used by service providers to submit proposals on open jobs. The number of Connects required per proposal varies according to the type of job posting and the budget of the job. For example, a job posting with a budget of $10k will require more Connects than one with a budget of $500.

Each Elance membership plan comes with a monthly allocation of Connects ranging from 10 per month for free memberships to 60 per month for a Large Business plan.

One of the most important reasons Elance uses the Connects system is to ensure that clients receive relevant proposals from providers who take the time and effort to deliver a thoughtfully prepared proposal. By limiting the number of proposals that a provider can make, this system acts to limit “spammy” proposals.

Some important things to remember about Connects: Connects will rollover as part of our Professional, Small Business, and Large Business memberships. The maximum number of Connects that you can carry over to the next month is limited to the number of Connects that are given to you in your monthly membership. Repeat jobs do not require Connects. Additionally, if you’re invited to a private job posting, it will not require Connects to submit a proposal.

Connects are returned to the provider for jobs delisted by Elance or canceled by the client. You can increase your level of activity by adding Connects or upgrading your plan at any time.

Learn how to add Connects and how rollover works.

Starting January 14, 2010, jobs with budgets greater than $1,000 require between two and four more Connects.