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Freelancer.com/PeoplePerHour.com tips on how to get more clients. Any idea?

by PPG19
8 replies
Lately i have been looking at freelancing platforms such as Freelancer.com and PeoplePerHour but haven't had a lot of success using them.

In little less than a month and 200 unique and custom proposals sent to employers andi have been awarded only 4 or 5 small projects of 100/200$ each.

To me seems like a drop in the ocean competing with 100/150+ proposals especially when someone has few positive reviews.

I would like to ask the forum and in particular the freelancers that work with this kind of platforms what is it that they did to get started and how they got more jobs awarded at the beginning, especially when having low positive reviews (0 to less than 10 reviews).

Also would like to ask if in the long run working on this platforms will be a profitable option because i see the majority of projects being awarded for way less money than i would charge outside of this platforms.


Any tips from experienced Freelacer.com users i can use to improve in getting some extra reviews and better jobs?

Ant tips would be highly appreciated.
Many thanks in advance for your responses.

Thank You!
#developers or designers #freelancercom
  • Profile picture of the author DIABL0
    I use freelancer sites when I need custom graphics, etc...

    Most of the time low bidder wins and I don't pay for the job until it is 100% complete. That way I remove the risk of having gone with one of the low bids.

    I have always done this and I get the exact same quality that I would have if I paid more.
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    • Profile picture of the author PPG19
      Originally Posted by DIABL0 View Post

      I use freelancer sites when I need custom graphics, etc...

      Most of the time low bidder wins and I don't pay for the job until it is 100% complete. That way I remove the risk of having gone with one of the low bids.

      I have always done this and I get the exact same quality that I would have if I paid more.
      Hello DIABLO, thank you for your response in the first place. I would actually disagree from a developer/designer standing point. This would be probably profitable for you as an employer (if you find somebody that is willing to do that, i am sure you can...) but for us (developers/designers) sorry to say this are one of the main reasons this is industry is going really bad at the moment.
      Low competition from 3rd world countries, people expecting to get super high quality jobs for the minimum amount possible and also willing to pay the developer only after the completion of all the work. I really don t think this is fair for us as developers...
      I have 10 years of experience i probably won't consider accepting this kind of terms...But thank you for your answer.
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  • Profile picture of the author DIABL0
    I'm just telling you the reality from my point of view as a buyer.

    I used Elance (now upwork) since the late 90's. So I have a lot of experience.

    You may not like the way I do business and not think it is fair. However, it has always worked for me and I have never had any problems getting high-quality work doing it that way.

    I can find someone with just as good of skills and they can and are willing to do the work for cheap because of their living conditions making it possible. They can charge much less and it is worthwhile to them.

    There are obviously projects that I wouldn't necessarily do the above. But for the industry you are in I have no problem.
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    • Profile picture of the author PPG19
      Originally Posted by DIABL0 View Post

      I'm just telling you the reality from my point of view as a buyer.

      I used Elance (now upwork) since the late 90's. So I have a lot of experience.

      You may not like the way I do business and not think it is fair. However, it has always worked for me and I have never had any problems getting high-quality work doing it that way.

      I can find someone with just as good of skills and they can and are willing to do the work for cheap because of their living conditions making it possible. They can charge much less and it is worthwhile to them.

      There are obviously projects that I wouldn't necessarily do the above. But for the industry you are in I have no problem.
      Yes exactly, this platforms work for buyers not professionals looking to grow and get better jobs/clients...
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  • Profile picture of the author savidge4
    Originally Posted by PPG19 View Post

    In little less than a month and 200 unique and custom proposals sent to employers (had to pay somebody to do it, don't have much time to do so) i have been awarded only 4 or 5 small projects of 100/200$ each.
    So a question.. if you don't want $100 to $200 jobs why are you wasting your time bidding them?

    Next question... Have you looked at the projects that you would be interested in, and gone in and looked at the profile for the winning bid? Reviews do play a part in the conversion here, but I might suggest your profile may not be helping you out.

    Next question.. if you think reviews are holding you back.. then why not target lower paying jobs to get your reviews up.... think of it as a stepping stone.. start with a series of $100 jobs, then a series of $500 jobs, and then work yourself up to your target budget.

    For my business, There was a time I was bidding on jobs to ensure there was work in the wings. To be honest I don't understand how you can hand off "getting business" to someone else.. unless they are a partner what ever. Its kinda YOUR job no?

    Maybe a review of whats going out with your name on it to potential clients.. a review of your profile, and look at what other successful freelancers in you market space are presenting.
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    Attract the business/clients to you.

    Set up a blog. Show off your work for free. Build your name. Connect with top freelancers in your niche to grow your network (gets you over the money-repelling fear of competition that hamstrings many freelancers).

    Help people for free on forums, social media, etc.

    Eventually, clients will seek you out based on the generosity you showed by helping folks for free.

    Freelance sites are OK but nothing like a well-stocked, valuable Wordpress blog to attract clients to you and to charge top blogger. Helps you be The Hunted, not The Hunter.

    Ryan
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  • Profile picture of the author PPG19
    Thank you for your suggestions guys but i am not looking at this platforms anymore...

    I got great advice here on the forum on why not to use them... and i agree 100% with the advice i was given.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    You need to know how to market and price your services accordingly. I would do freelancer and any other site you want, but the MAIN site should be your website. You can charge what you want, be totally apart from competition when talking 1-on-1 to your prospect, and you can boost your credibility with all the content and info you provide before someone decides to hire you.

    Some of this may be limited or restricted with alot of service related sites.
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