Hi Scotty,
I am starting my VA practice and anxiously bidding on these free sites for work. Since it's free I only get three bids (guru and elance) per month. I proposed three jobs last week for each site and got declined because the companies in India and Pakistan bid ridiculous low amounts.

My experience so far is that even the jobs that appear to be long-term client worthy are still looking for really cheap rates. So that is what they will get in this market.

I think I am going to keep bidding because they are free, but change my strategy to focus on marketing to local small businesses in my area and hoping that might lead to referrals. As a newbie, I am willing to try most any strategy at this point.