Best freelance sites for providers?

by Dana_W
18 replies
I have a friend who's been laid off who is looking for work as a VA, executive assistant, etc. I suggested to her that she try elance.com, which I have used to hire people - but they apparently make their service providers BID for every job they apply for! So the provider may not get the job AND they paid for the privilege of applying.

Is there a better site for freelance providers out there?
#freelance #providers #sites
  • Profile picture of the author SullyUI
    I recommend using those sites as a last resort. Even if your friend didn't have to pay, she would be competing vs. thousands of outsourced writers who will do the work for peanuts.

    I think the best thing to do is create a small site, blog, or weebly site, with quality samples, her resume, a high quality picture(s), and prices, and then apply for writing jobs, contribute to marketing forums with a sig link, PM experienced marketers (be careful not to spam), asking for work. Get creative but stay away from freelancing websites, they are a trap.

    If all that fails, then use those sites, but even if you do use those sites you have to really stress experience, being a native English speaker, and all the things that separate you from the thousands of other writers.

    I forgot to mention, you said she's looking for VA jobs, well also put the different unique skills she has and what she can do for the person's business (customer service, phones, writing e-mails, etc.)
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[808685].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dana_W
    She's been trying Craigslist with hardly any results, unfortunately. She used to be an executive assistant, so she certainly has the skills. I HATE seeing people who are desperate for work, any work at all - who can't find a job. I mean, she looked into getting certified as a Certified Nurse's Aide dumping bedpans for $8 an hour and THAT market is flooded right now - nobody locally is hiring.

    I agree about the freelance sites - I know there is a ton of competition from cheap labour - although I personally skip hiring the super cheap labor and pay more for well-qualified, talented people, and I think that there are still people out there who will do the same.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[808898].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author SullyUI
      Originally Posted by Dana_W View Post

      ...Certified Nurse's Aide dumping bedpans for $8 an hour and THAT market is flooded right now - nobody locally is hiring.
      That's surprising. Which part of the country is it?
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[808902].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dana_W
    Orlando. A year ago, even, it wasn't this bad. I mean I personally am doing fine - my business is actually doing better every month - but I can't train her how to replicate this. I was a newsapaper reporter for 17 years and now I write SEO press releases, and I know how to do social media marketing; so I seem to have skills that are still in demand. But in our area, teachers, lawyers, even doctors, are being laid off or seeing their businesses dry up. Stores are folding. Economy is awful in central Florida.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[808919].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author SullyUI
      Originally Posted by Dana_W View Post

      Orlando. A year ago, even, it wasn't this bad. I mean I personally am doing fine - my business is actually doing better every month - but I can't train her how to replicate this. I was a newsapaper reporter for 17 years and now I write SEO press releases, and I know how to do social media marketing; so I seem to have skills that are still in demand. But in our area, teachers, lawyers, even doctors, are being laid off or seeing their businesses dry up. Stores are folding. Economy is awful in central Florida.
      That's really interesting. I was just down there last winter and there seemed to be good business in the area I was at, but I was in a tourist resort so it was probably doing better than other areas, and it's probably changed since then too.

      But, here's something I've found tough to deal with as well - the fact that people around you have not been trained or trained themselves for this type of recession. You're safe because you took the initiative to develop marketing, writing, and unique business skills that will make you always viable and in demand even in times of recession.

      In general, if you succeed at internet marketing you develop skills that will separate you from everyone else who never did more than what their jobs required them to do, and you will know how to create products and services that will provide an income indefinitely.

      Sadly, the people that are being hit the hardest are the ones being laid off from jobs they have sometimes worked decades in without thinking there could be a recession of this magnitude And they don't have a backup plan or a side business to rely on.
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[808934].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author writergirlk
    Most of them have you bid. I hear good things about oDesk. I have a lot of luck with Rentacoder. I am going to PM you one of my squidoo lenses where I shared my most successful bid. Tell your friend to use that basic format and it will improve her chances. I am now at the point where I am awarded 1 in every 5 jobs or so that I bid for, which is nice. With the bidding it does get easier. BUT I wrote 2-5 bids a day for a solid month before I landed my first job. It paid me $20 for a batch of 16 articles which is terrible but I wanted the 10 rating. I got the rating I wanted and can now command higher rates.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[809051].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author dvduval
    I've always liked rentacoder as well, and you can often tell which buyers are serious and likely to choose someone.
    Signature
    It is okay to contact me! I have been developing software since 1999, creating many popular products like phpLD.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[809085].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author dndoseller
    I would definitely not use those freelancer sites. She would be competing with people from India who work for $3 an hour - I know, I have hired them!

    I would suggest local craigslist or even participate here and put her services in her sig.
    Signature
    DanoSongs.com - Royalty Free Music for Marketing Videos

    No sign up required to try my music in your video.

    Just click to listen and download. No cost to try, only pay when you publish.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[809157].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dave777
    Here's one of the best outsourcing directories besides the warrior forum...
    Huge List of 147 Freelance Job Boards / SitesAll Freelance Blog : Tips and Advice for Freelancers & Self Employed

    Dave
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[809598].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author johnmags
    Check this hub for 12 freelance sites your friend can apply.

    Top 5 Freelance Sites to Outsource your Tasks or Services

    I hope this helps.
    Signature
    Are you looking for a Professional Content Writer
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[809801].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dana_W
    You guys are great! I really appreciate it. This woman has to support her two kids and pay her mortgage so I hope she figures out something!

    The problem is - although she ran an successful ebay store about seven or eight years ago - she's not really that web savvy. She's going to work on setting up the ebay store again, but realistically she needs about $4 grand a month to cover all her bills and it's hard to get up to speed quickly, and also, in this economy I'm not sure if an ebay store will do as well.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[810225].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Kathy Goughenour
      Dana,
      I worked as a virtual assistant for almost 7 years. In that time, I increased my rate from $25 to $75 per hour and increased my annual income from $25,000 to $100,000.

      It's not a fast process to get to the point where you're making the higher dollar amounts. There's no magic carpet to get you there, but it is absolutely doable if you work the process.


      I want to share with you some tips that might help your friend:
      1. I absolutely agree with the people who have already posted here stating that it doesn't work to try to compete with all the other virtual assistants out there head to head on the freelance sites.
      2. To set herself apart, the first thing your friend should do is figure out the niche she wants to work in. I made the mistake when I first started of trying to be everything to everyone, and as we all know, it doesn't work.
      3. After she determines her niche, the next step is to get a website set up. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, but it's important to have in order to be considered legitimate. The very first thing potential clients ask for is your URL. She should talk directly to her niche market, detail the skills and benefits she brings to them and definitely include her prices.
      4. The next step is to start networking with her niche using all the new and old methods of networking available.
      I hope this is helpful!

      Kathy Goughenour
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[810978].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author debra
        Originally Posted by Kathy Goughenour View Post

        Dana,
        I worked as a virtual assistant for almost 7 years. In that time, I increased my rate from $25 to $75 per hour and increased my annual income from $25,000 to $100,000.

        It's not a fast process to get to the point where you're making the higher dollar amounts. There's no magic carpet to get you there, but it is absolutely doable if you work the process.



        I want to share with you some tips that might help your friend:
        1. I absolutely agree with the people who have already posted here stating that it doesn't work to try to compete with all the other virtual assistants out there head to head on the freelance sites.
        2. To set herself apart, the first thing your friend should do is figure out the niche she wants to work in. I made the mistake when I first started of trying to be everything to everyone, and as we all know, it doesn't work.
        3. After she determines her niche, the next step is to get a website set up. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, but it's important to have in order to be considered legitimate. The very first thing potential clients ask for is your URL. She should talk directly to her niche market, detail the skills and benefits she brings to them and definitely include her prices.
        4. The next step is to start networking with her niche using all the new and old methods of networking available.
        I hope this is helpful!

        Kathy Goughenour
        Actually, I just signed up for your webinar. Hoping you could shed some light on the real value of certain skill sets and point in the right direction.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[811106].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Kathy Goughenour
          Debra,
          Thanks for signing up for my teleseminar! I thought I'd go ahead and address your question about the real value of certain skill sets here.

          In general, skills that are basic administrative tasks (such as data entry, setting up travel, etc.) are going to pay the least.

          Skills that require more knowledge or are more technical pay more. Those skills include things such as managing shopping carts and enhancing websites.

          The highest paying virtual assistants combine two important elements. They provide services that require more knowledge or are more technical (which I mentioned above) AND the VAs provide consulting services to their clients. By that I mean they advise their clients how to achieve their goals and then actually do the work they recommend. I see high-paid virtual assistants as consultants who don't just tell people how to achieve their goals, but actually get the work done.

          Figuring out your best niche and services to provide that niche isn't easy. You don't want to guess at what would be best. You have to analyze yourself and the market to determine the best fit. That's the very first thing I teach in my training program.

          If you have additional questions, please ask!

          Kathy Goughenour
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[812847].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author debra
            Originally Posted by Kathy Goughenour View Post

            Debra,
            Thanks for signing up for my teleseminar! I thought I'd go ahead and address your question about the real value of certain skill sets here.

            In general, skills that are basic administrative tasks (such as data entry, setting up travel, etc.) are going to pay the least.

            Skills that require more knowledge or are more technical pay more. Those skills include things such as managing shopping carts and enhancing websites.

            The highest paying virtual assistants combine two important elements. They provide services that require more knowledge or are more technical (which I mentioned above) AND the VAs provide consulting services to their clients. By that I mean they advise their clients how to achieve their goals and then actually do the work they recommend. I see high-paid virtual assistants as consultants who don't just tell people how to achieve their goals, but actually get the work done.

            Figuring out your best niche and services to provide that niche isn't easy. You don't want to guess at what would be best. You have to analyze yourself and the market to determine the best fit. That's the very first thing I teach in my training program.

            If you have additional questions, please ask!

            Kathy Goughenour
            That's what I do. At first, it wasn't intential, it just worked into that. Basically because I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut.

            I usually end up building the sites from the core up, maximizing their market reach from a demographic stand point. I call them traffic modules and I use many very diversified schemes to reach the goals.

            Unfortunately, I've only been able to find the people that don't feel that these skills are worth any desirable dollar amount.

            Strongest points are my SEO and SEM.

            I like to do brand marketing. I did one recently that involved twitter backgrounds. Created the backgrounds, then it was used by a small group to close a deal. What did I get paid...nothing. I did get a pat on the back though and offered more work that includes much more intense tech knowlege. Which I'm excited to do...just wish I could feed myself from the effort.

            That's why I signed up for your information. Just trying to turn it around and get it on track.
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[812989].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author Kathy Goughenour
              Debra,
              Stop doing work for nothing or for very little. When someone asks for work to be done, put together a written proposal including the pricing. Include project pricing instead of hourly pricing if at all possible because that's what people prefer.

              Do not negotiate. Your price is what you put in the proposal.

              If you do that one simple step, you'll be amazed at the results. I get 50% of all clients I submit proposals to.

              Kathy Goughenour
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[814801].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dana_W
    Welcome to the Warrior Forum, Kathy! I appreciate the tips. I followed kind of a similar path with my writing - started out here hardly charging anything, decided to go into press release writing and SEO content - basically, found my niche - and now I am quite comfortable.

    It would be great to see her do something similar with being a VA.
    I'm going to send her the link to your teleseminar.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[811078].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Kathy Goughenour
      Dana,
      You're very welcome. Thank you for sending your friend the link to my free teleseminar!

      I love to talk about how to improve virtual assistant businesses, so I'm happy to answer any questions anyone has.

      Kathy Goughenour
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[812817].message }}

Trending Topics