Odesk Users

In my personal experience, the prices most people want you to work for on Odesk simply aren't sustainable.

There are a *few* jobs that pay decently, but these are rare (Like 1/100 rare). The vast majority of the article writing market (which is the only thing I do VERY well) is over saturated with people who are looking for writers with "perfect English", and who can produce proper SEO'd and original content who'll write for $5, sometimes $3 an article.

For that kind of pay, I wouldn't be willing to piss with a full bladder.

I had a few decent paying jobs, and contrary to some people, none of my clients tried to rip me off.

But writing 10 700 word articles on teeth for $55 was threatening to drive me crazy.

And contrary to popular belief, the people who pay low won't suddenly increase their rates after they see your "awesome work", because they simply don't have the money.

For people who want to make quick and relatively easy money, it's great, so of course it does have its purposes. And for those looking for others to work, then you CAN find premium workers at basement bargain prices, albeit you will have to weed through quite a few foreign language writers who probably don't know the meaning for grammar.

I am odesk user and running agency since 2010 and worked 50,000 hours so for.

I have a bad experience so for with them. And i would't recommend oDesk to you.

Recently they changed there policy and they will shut your account down if you have a lot of money in your account and they don't disclose the reason !

My cousin account has been suspended since 2 months and his $5000 are hanging out there. ODesk are't responding. Even he contacted oDesk CEO did't contacted him.

That is a poor costumer support.. Probably, they will scam you steal your money and shot your account at any time.

So if you work hard and work long hours through the night and build your profile. they will come and FIRE every thing in one day !

But oDesk is better for outsourcing

So i'll suggest you to work on your own products create your website. Offer services to your clients and you will earn more money.

Thanks

Odesk seems to be the downgraded version of Freelancer to me. People put jobs on Odesk who want something done on the cheap and aren't really worried about quality. That's what I feel from using them anyway. You get what you pay for

I have used Odesk to outsource ideas, muses, etc.. I just put up i want something researched.. Someone to do tasks that I don't have hours myself to do.

Most of those that have worked for me have been in Bangladesh or Pakistan. I don't set a price for these tasks and get people to tell me what they will work for. Most of the time I don't go with the lowest bid.. I went a little more with a guy just starting on Odesk to get "credit" and he did a fine job and even went back a few times to handle a few tweaks. The graphics came out great and I was happy! I think he charges more now, but did say he would charge less if I ever needed more as I was his first customer.

I absolutely love Odesk and use it for all of my outsourcing.

Just like with any outsourcing, you still need to go through a bunch a applicants to find that right person

Shawn

In my opinion from using odesk, it seems to be the non-usa outsourcing site mostly. When I did post on jobs there I would notice that at least 90% of applicants weren't from the US. Which is fine, just stating a point that I noticed! Freelancer.com / elance typically have a more mixed pool of applicants in my experiences.

I do like oDesk, but I gotta agree with some of the other comments.. I've had friends that have had their account banned with money in their account. I've never personally had an issue with being paid, but I've also not used odesk very much so..

If I had to choose just one freelancing / outsourcing site, it wouldn't be odesk. But it is pretty good in it's own way.