Freelance Sites - Virtual Assistant Forums

amdulaney · #1 (**permalink**) 06-06-2009

I was wondering what are the best freelance sites to use? I have been reading some threads about Guru & Elance and was curious on what has worked for the veteran VAs. I also wanted to know if there are other legitimate (and cheap) freelance sites out there.

Andrea Dulaney

e-IndyOffice · #2 (**permalink**) 06-06-2009

I have looked at Elance and odesk. Another VA told me the odesk site is just a bidding war and the lowest bidder usually get the job. She had bidded the job at $6.00 per hour since it was only typing and was outbid by another VA at $2.00 per hour. I'm not working for these type of wages - it is why I'm NOT in corporate America!!! I want to be paid for what value I bring.

JDunkin · #3 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009

Thank you - you just answered my question! I was seeing those insanely low wages and wondering how they're surviving working for that kind of money. It's certainly not worth bidding, if that kind of stuff is going on. Thanks!

LegalGal · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009

I have tried Elance before when I was doing translations. It was ridiculous cause you have to bid to get a job. I was doing translations for $2 per page when the average is $20.

Trish D · #5 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009

I've only really used Elance but not seriously enough to actually get any work off there though. But having looked at both Elance and Odesk I think the same would have to be said about them. I'm pretty sure the lowest bid usually wins, and we all know from experience cheap is not always better!

Moonlight Madness VA · #6 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009

If you're interested in Transcription, writing, or editing, try http://www.demandstudios.com . I currently earn $15.00 for writing and it's normally only an hours worth of work.

VYPA72 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-05-2010

When I first started out I signed up on Elance, Guru, Odesk and Freelancer. I have had work from all but the most successful was Elance. I have gained clients from all 4 sites and still to repeat projects for these clients.

However in recent times there really have been some very, very low priced bids which is insane. As it is they are all part of marketing as your profile is searchable on search engines.

collectorofmasks · #8 (**permalink**) 01-07-2010

Good points about the low wages. However, Althea has a good point about marketing too. I plan on trying these out as I get closer to my grand opening. But, I am no longer in corporate america because of the this type thing.

My job was outsourced overseas. They now pay someone a day what I made in an hour. It's ludicris.

Amy ~

kdbbiz · #9 (**permalink**) 01-20-2010

I grabbed some work from getafreelancer and odesk in the past. I too was tired of writing articles for $5 when i am used to $10 or $15. These sites are mostly good for countries who can live off $2 American an hour.

What disgusts me is the North American who want other Americans to work for that price.

Freelance sites are good if you are just learning the ropes and need to get some experience under your belt and maybe a few testimonials. In that case, I would recommend odesk for the best place i have worked.

Global Virtual Support · #10 (**permalink**) 01-20-2010

I haven't had much luck getting jobs on these freelance sites as I figured my rates aren't low enough. However I have a strong feeling that for $2 per hour, some of them actually do really good work based on reviews that they get. These sites are not really where you want to get work from if you want to earn a decent living wage and not work for practically free. I'd rather spend my time marketing and networking than writing bids for these jobs.

reneeshupe · #11 (**permalink**) 01-20-2010

There's a large market for off shore administrative services and those are usually the ones that are able to bid for a really low rate. I too looked at the Freelance sites, but have quickly learned it's not work my while, even for easy one off jobs as it's all about the dollar sign and not necessarily the work.

CustomVA · #12 (**permalink**) 03-30-2011

I recently submitted a bid for a VA position on oDesk, I was a little hesitant but figured what the heck, it sounded interesting. Yesterday I received a response from oDesk advising me that my bid was declined, oh well. But then I received a response from the job poster letting me know that they really liked my CV but that my hourly bid was to high, I bid it at $15 hr. As I looked at similar postings on oDesk it seems that the hourly rates being submitted are extremely low, somewhere like $3 hr. Who are these people looking to hire? I don't think oDesk is for me, and if the other Freelance sites are similar, I'm staying away from them as well. That's my rant for the day.

Thanks for listening,
Anita

Suave · #13 (**permalink**) 04-01-2011

well I've been doing some work for fiverr its ok but you have the 1 dollar that you have to pay for each job you do and then the transfer fees to and from paypal to your bank account and finally the fees you pay on you bank fees, fees ,fees It turns out when all it's set and done its like 2 dollars, plus you have to wait 15 days to withdraw the money really not worth it.
as for freelance no offense but its mostly Indian people out bidding you, just my experience
Regards
Suave