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Breaking into Elance?

by joel1031
17 replies
Anyone got some tips on doing this? Already applied for a few jobs I think I could personally do but was turned down because I'm not "qualified enough." Most of the other jobs have 10+ proposals from people with tons of feedback and completed jobs. How am I supposed to get a shot, or better yet convince someone to give me that shot?

Searched for a topic similar to this but couldn't find one, so your responses are greatly appreciated.
#breaking #elance
  • Profile picture of the author Ted_B
    Hey Joel,
    You're right, it's a tough place to gain traction. So many people are willing to write articles for a very low rate that it's hard to compete.
    What seemed to work for me was putting my absolute best work in my portfolio and then looking at the average bid and staying a but under it.
    After you get those first few jobs and some positive feedback it gets a little easier. I got lucky and have a few steady clients now, but elance alone still doesn't keep me busy enough.
    Keep trying, I think I bid on at least 10 jobs before I landed one. Don't give up, I know you have confidence in your skills or you wouldn't be there.
    Hope this helps.
    Ted
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  • Profile picture of the author mattbaehr
    Joel -

    Be sure to tell folks you are in the US. When I broke onto Elance last year, my first gig was from someone who didn't care that he had to pay a little more, he just wanted to be sure he dealt with someone from the US.

    Might be worth a shot. Nothing against non-US folks...you just find some people are just weary of non-Americans.
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    • Profile picture of the author Lea Karana
      I agree about telling them or make it known that you are from the U.S. Most high payers don't want to deal with articles that are full of errors. I'm sure there are good writers outside the US but its very rare to find the good ones.
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  • Profile picture of the author Audrey Harvey
    I keep myself pretty busy on Elance. Sell yourself - tell the client exactly why you're the right person for the job. Work out your unique selling position and promote that heavily.

    Can highly recommend Nick Brighton's WSO on getting started with Elance, it's a very good read. (no aff. link)

    http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...ws-inside.html
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  • Profile picture of the author joel1031
    Thanks for the link to the WSO, I'll have to check it out.

    I've definitely identified myself as someone born and raised in the US. Unfortunately, the only real stuff I've written online has been for TextBroker, and they don't allow you to access your texts (that I can find) after you've submitted it. -_-

    Thanks for the kind words everyone, don't plan on giving up, it's just a little frustrating I haven't gotten a chance to prove myself yet.
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    • Profile picture of the author Lea Karana
      Originally Posted by joel1031 View Post

      Thanks for the link to the WSO, I'll have to check it out.

      I've definitely identified myself as someone born and raised in the US. Unfortunately, the only real stuff I've written online has been for TextBroker, and they don't allow you to access your texts (that I can find) after you've submitted it. -_-

      Thanks for the kind words everyone, don't plan on giving up, it's just a little frustrating I haven't gotten a chance to prove myself yet.
      Did you save a copy of those articles that you posted for textbroker? here is what you should do, always have a copy of all the articles you write for clients saved in a file.
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  • Profile picture of the author David Hooper
    Have been using Elance since 2003 and hired hundreds of people there. More or less, we have a policy NOT to hire brand new people with no feedback. With that said, I'm more likely to take the chance if they do something like send me a free mockup of a graphic or a sample article without asking. It shows the person is serious about doing work for me, so that gets my attention.

    Beyond that, I'd look at doing smaller jobs and give them a great rate, letting them also know that the reason you're working for so little is because you want to build feedback. Once you have that, you'll be able to get jobs more easily. Also, let people know you're willing to start work with money in escrow rather than an upfront deposit. That lessens the buyer's risk, which is always a concern with new providers.

    Hope this helps!
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  • Profile picture of the author joel1031
    Yeah Lea, I'm going to start doing that, good advice. I'm currently rated a 3 (and the only good volume articles seem to require 4 :/) but I just started so hopefully I'll get rated higher soon.

    Yes David, it certainly has.
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  • Profile picture of the author joel1031
    Anyone else have some tips? I've signed up at oDesk as well but it appears to be virtually the same thing.

    It just feels like I don't have any feedback, so I can't get the jobs that pay any sort of acceptable fee. I'm simply not willing to do ones that say crazy stuff like "10 500-word SEO-optimized articles, paying $30" because I think 22 years of experience with the English language commands at least a little better pay than that.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      Position yourself in your bid.

      Include a writing sample with every bid you submit. This can be a simple notepad with a few sample paragraphs from articles you've written.

      Point out that you are new on elance - but not new to writing. List your experience and highlight you are focused on building your elance rating and thus will do your first few projects for $10 (or whatever price you choose) which is $$ below your standard fee.

      Don't submit a bid and wait to see what happens. Put in 10-20 bids a day and things will start to happen.

      Navigate the sites so you know how to "judge" the buyers - you don't want to work for someone who routinely gives less than perfect ratings to everyone. Forget the people looking for cheap and look at what the buyer has done in the past.

      You can't sit back and wait to people to recognize you - you have to attack the problem of being new up front and give people a reason to hire you.

      Go for it.

      kay
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      • Profile picture of the author Johnny12345
        Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

        You can't sit back and wait to people to recognize you - you have to attack the problem of being new up front and give people a reason to hire you. Go for it.

        Yes. Exactly. Great advice, Kay.

        John
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  • Profile picture of the author joel1031
    Thanks

    Do you recommend subscribing so you get more Contacts/month?

    I'm assuming they reset every month so I'm looking hard to put in a few more bids before the 31st.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    If you are actually talented and qualified, put your portfolio of projects up. If you don't have one, you're dead in the water. On Elance you will be competing with some top talent in most categories. If you can compete on that level, lowball your first couple of projects to get feedback. Create some projects for people for free to get a portfolio if you don't have one. It's a tough, competitive game on Elance.
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    • Profile picture of the author straightupchat
      Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

      If you are actually talented and qualified, put your portfolio of projects up. If you don't have one, you're dead in the water. On Elance you will be competing with some top talent in most categories. If you can compete on that level, lowball your first couple of projects to get feedback. Create some projects for people for free to get a portfolio if you don't have one. It's a tough, competitive game on Elance.
      We hire many freelance writers on odesk, and very few are newbies. The newbies we do hire have certain characteristics:
      *portfolio,
      *thorough and flawless CV,
      *competitive price,
      *acknowledgement of their lack of odesk experience,
      *careful review and precise response to ad details

      These characteristics demonstrate the applicant's attention to detail and understanding of business.
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  • Profile picture of the author phantom47c
    When I first started trying to earn some money as a freelancer, I was super afraid that no one will accept me, not when i was competing against others that were shoving over 1000 reviews in my face. The third time I placed a bid, I got hired. I was surprised how easy it was, and I was the only non-American hired then. Even now I get feedback from employers telling me that my articles are better than the ones written by natives. Don't give up. Keep trying. You'll get there
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  • Profile picture of the author Teacherman
    I would personally suggest NOT going to elance or another site. You will be constantly underbid buy people pedaling crap. Instead setup your own site or service and try to market yourself with some portfolio work.
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  • Profile picture of the author flippianstar11
    Banned
    Buddy!
    I did freelancing for three years during my undergraduate studies.Received best rating and money.Nowq I have moved to business.
    PM me so I could help you advice you and provide you with some proposal material.
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