I just stumbled upon a website called ODesk. Apparently, people go on there and advertise that they are looking for virtual assistants (and other types of assistance) and service providers "bid" on the projects. I was flabbergasted to find that these "service providers" are bidding like a dollar or less PER HOUR. How the heck do you compete with that? That's ridiculous.

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Lisa K. Price
http://www.ivybizservices.com

You can't compete with that, but I think the people who go there (or offshore to the third world countries) aren't the clients you want anyway. There are a couple of other sites like that and while I think there's nothing wrong with joining them and submitting bids - I think you'll be doing yourself a disservice if you try to match the low prices being offered.

I'd suggest finding other ways to get clients (networking etc) who are happy to pay a reasonable price for professional service - rather than getting a client who ends up arguing every dollar.

You don't compete on price, it's as simple as that.

You sell great service and the clients will come.

Put those sorts of bidding sites to the back of your mind - there are plenty of people out there prepared to pay a fair price providing they get great service.

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Bridie's Typing Services - specialising in transcription services
The professional's choice

I agree with Bridie... You don't compete on price. People pay for perceived value. Know your worth and the clients will respect that!

I stumbled upon a site similar to that where there was a bidding process going on and was also very surprised to see how low the offers were. It was as if they wanted a whole lot of something, for nothing! That's no way to run a business!

I agree with everyone on this. I would hate to think that after all my hard work my services would only be worth 5 dollars or so.
Wendy

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http://www.anofcextension.com
Office support, Database Creation and Management, Internet Research

The prices on those sites are ridiculous! I can't believe people will actually work for those crazy rates! We are worth more than that!

I don't compete with that. I'm signed up with Elance and Odesk but feel like I'm just throwing my time away when I try to get work on them. On the other hand, I know VA's who've had great luck with them. I think it just takes time and patience.

I wouldn't depend on finding work through sites like that. Or at least finding work where you're getting paid what you deserve.

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L. Caroline Mills of LC Mills, Inc.
www.lcmillsinc.com

It is really hard to compete with THAT. I am not an experienced user of sites such as Elance or Odesk, but a couple of weeks ago I went on Elance and really thumbed through a few listings. I, like many people, was really curious about it. And to be honest, I really wanted to "spread my wings" and find clients who were not locally based (which is kind of what I have been doing).

But the problem with these sites is that, as you said, they make it really hard to compete. Most of the "hiring" people do not want to pay descent rates. And way too many of the people looking to work are willing to accept, well, way too little by our standards.

I did win a bid for a project, which I am totally loving. I have built the nicest relationship with this person. She is so professional, on top of things, understanding, respectful, and I could go on about her. The problem is that the rate I accepted nowhere near compares to the work I am putting into it. And it is really my own fault. I was -- and am not -- experienced enough at this type of thing AT ALL!

So ... after all is said and done, if I ever go for another Elance type thing (not sure I will), I will be very realistic with MY OWN expectations and my own earnings.

Now, it has not been all that bad. I do have a great connection now with a wonderful, hard-working lady such as myself. But "no can do" as far as working for these types of project-based rates. Oh dear, I rambled! ut:

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Patty

I've recently received advice from an experienced VA. She's been in the field for over 15 years and said that if you use these sites to suggest to the "employer" a project rate instead of an hourly rate.

You can let them assume they're receiving a discount by doing this but really you're getting your regular rate....or what you feel your services are worth.

Just some food for thought...

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L. Caroline Mills of LC Mills, Inc.
www.lcmillsinc.com