Elance running 'Win a VA for '08' contest - Virtual Assistant Forums

Tess · #1 (**permalink**) 12-28-2007

I found this interesting, although a bit perplexing as the winner simply receives a cash value prize of $5,000 for a year's worth of freelance services via the job site (as opposed to an actual, established VA).

I don't know anyone who could maintain a virtual client at $5,000 for an entire year. That's an average of 41 cents per day (with three day weekends). YIKES!

I'd say the *best* prize on offer is a copy of Tim Ferris' book The Four Hour Workweek

#2 (**permalink**) 12-28-2007

That's funny. They're just giving us away on Elance. Seriously, although it'd be impossible to make $5,000 in VA services stretch for an entire year, it'd still cover quite a bit of work and if the person was smart about it, it would be a big help.

Rebecka Melson · #3 (**permalink**) 12-28-2007

Well, that is about the average pay rate for Elance, that's why I cancelled my subscription. LOL

Tess · #4 (**permalink**) 12-28-2007

LOL - isn't that the truth

It reminds me of those programs where you can 'sponsor a child for the price of a cup of coffee' but here it's 'sponsor a freelancer and work them to the bone'

I had really good luck with Get a Freelancer when I was first starting out...but stopped using it as soon as possible simply because I was taking a cut in pay. I did get some great experience out of it and at the time was happy for the work.

I never have used Elance...

Modern Marketing Support · #5 (**permalink**) 12-30-2007

I am truly speechless

kathiemt · #6 (**permalink**) 12-31-2007

Yes, I can't believe one of my fellow top listed bloggers has actually posted this on his blog today, without checking with me first. He's known me all year, we've had Skype sessions together and participated on business forums together. I actually emailed him direct and asked him how he would feel if they did the same for the Business Coach industry (he's a Business Coach). Still waiting for his response - I expect he'll be speechless and didn't see it that way.

By the way, if you do a search for 'Virtual Assistant' at elance the starting rate is $2 an hour - I expect it's USD. That would buy a lot of hours but I wonder how much would actually get done.

Tess · #7 (**permalink**) 12-31-2007

Not only that but the quality of the work has GOT to be questionable. How much can you really expect for $2 per hour??

One example:
I met a client through Get A Freelancer when I was first starting out, literally just months into my practice. I designed a logo for him and did some other small projects. I did decrease my rates a bit but I felt OK with that as it was a good experience for me all the way around and I enjoyed the work.

This client approached me later with further work and I requested my regular rate (which was still quite low, considering). He decided he didn't have the budget for my services and contracted someone from Elance for literally pennies on the dollar.

Long story short, he ended up coming back to me three months later to FIX the absolute mess that had been made of his project and was more than happy to pay the higher rate.

kathiemt · #8 (**permalink**) 12-31-2007

Originally Posted by Tess

Not only that but the quality of the work has GOT to be questionable. How much can you really expect for $2 per hour??

One example:
I met a client through Get A Freelancer when I was first starting out, literally just months into my practice. I designed a logo for him and did some other small projects. I did decrease my rates a bit but I felt OK with that as it was a good experience for me all the way around and I enjoyed the work.

This client approached me later with further work and I requested my regular rate (which was still quite low, considering). He decided he didn't have the budget for my services and contracted someone from Elance for literally pennies on the dollar.

Long story short, he ended up coming back to me three months later to FIX the absolute mess that had been made of his project and was more than happy to pay the higher rate.

Not an unusual story - I hear it lots of times. We should never undervalue what we're worth and whilst I agree that charging less for a service we're still learning or developing is a good thing to do, we should always charge our full rates for any other services. Unfortunately there are going to be a number of 'tyrekickers' out there who quibble about price and then when they get serious they decide they need the 'real' VAs after all!

VBP · #9 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008

Is there a way to contact Elance? I saw this a few days ago! What a disbelief!

Tess · #10 (**permalink**) 01-02-2008

Doreen, they do actually have a toll free number:
+1-877-435-2623 (+1-877-4-ELANCE) Monday - Friday, 7am - 5pm Pacific Time

Or there's a link to their contact form on the site (upper right corner)

If you do phone them, I'm so curious as to what gets said and what their response is...

Tess · #11 (**permalink**) 01-02-2008

Quick addition, there's also a blog post about it at their site you can leave a comment there as well.... http://www.elance.com/p/node/1390

eop63 · #12 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008

wow,,,,that's a bit depressing!!! At least the world of VA is getting some publicity.