Comments on: How To Find Success With Elance

By: James Schipper

James Schipper — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:24:23 +0000

Thanks for the tips. I haven’t taken a run at any of these bidding sites yet, but I do intend to do so. Having information like this ahead of time is far better than just stumbling through them blind.
James Schipper´s last blog ..Career Outsourcing: Replaced by the Lowest Bidder

By: Sharon Hurley Hall

Sharon Hurley Hall — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:42:07 +0000

With some systems it can take a while for ratings to show up, Blessie. I know it’s that way on Rentacoder.

By: Sharon Hurley Hall

Sharon Hurley Hall — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:38:59 +0000

Great tips, Kristi. Thanks for sharing. I’m sure these will help readers get even more from the Elance experience.

By: Blessie A.

Blessie A. — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:58:35 +0000

After waiting for a month, I’ve just had my first assignment with Elance (hooray for me!) and it seemed pleasand enough.

I can’t see the feedback the buyer left for me, though. The point is there on my page, but no comments, no numbers, no nothing.

I left a comment for the buyer too, but couldn’t seem to find it in her page either.

I don’t know if there’s a lag, or if really doesn’t show. Either way, it’s something in the system that could use improving.
Blessie A.´s last blog ..For mothers who like to write: royalties! (a.k.a. extra cash you don’t have to share with your husband)

By: Kristi Patrice Carter

Kristi Patrice Carter — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:38:07 +0000

This is really an informative article and I truly believe that if one were to follow Kerrie’s advice that they would be successful too. As for me, I have been using Elance, the leading marketplace for online talent, for over 10 years and it is still one of my favorite ways to get new clients. Not only is the monthly membership price economical but the quality of projects is quite high – that is, if you know how to work the system.

Here are some additional tips for your readers-

1. Only submit proposals on projects that you can do well and always put forth that extra effort to exceed expectations.

2. Scrutinize buyers carefully and only chose those buyers that have a proven reputation of paying freelancers.

3. Steer clear of projects from buyers with a history of not selecting a provider. Elance makes this easy with their red star system that clearly identifies those buyers that consistently don’t award posted projects.

4. Always require at least 50% down and the balance upon project completion.

5. Don’t lower your standards and know your worth.

Good luck!

By: Pothi

Pothi — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:22:50 +0000

Kerrie views are still correct (even after a year). It's all about how one sells himself/herself to get an assignment that pays well.

By: Lisa T.

Lisa T. — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 01:04:08 +0000

Great idea, Michelle.

I tried Guru for a while, but both G. and Elance have a lot of folks willing to work for peanuts, unfortunately.

Since I can’t eat my clips, I work my social network constantly. It’s hard to trust even the people I have personal contact with, much less the bizarros who are often online.

I’d advise you to read some of Sharon’s columns on social networking on the Web, too. Digg, Facebook and the others will drive traffic to your Web site.

Lisa T.’s last blog post..Where’s the humor?

By: Sharon

Sharon — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:27:04 +0000

Sounds like a wise move, Michelle.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:11:49 +0000

Hi, I tried the paid membership on elance for a while. I was awarded a bid for which I was supposed to be paid $50. After I delivered, the company didn’t pay me. I ended up owing elance a percentage of that $50 I was never paid. No matter how many emails I sent regarding this, my account was frozen until I paid the money. Now I have a free membership – until they prove to me that some problems have been taken care of, I don’t want to pay them.

By: Kennedy

Kennedy — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 07:50:07 +0000

thank you Kerrie, I do hope to land on a bid one day. I am one week old on Elance with the $9.95 membership plan. I am from Kenya and very good in web and graphic design. I have posted 16 proposals since I joined and havent landed any yet. A few have gone to providers for $50. I even wonder what the ‘heck’ the bid was for if the buyer wanted professional work. I haven’t posted my portfolio and as yet no one knows really what I am capable of. Without any ratings so far and having exhausted my 20 connects, I am not sure if I will land on any one the closed bids. Yes, I did try to select buyers who have shown activity in the past. Could you tell me how to change my game plan? I need to offer my talent in return for a living.thank you.