I think there is too much competition with other countries on those sites. I would pass.

__________________
Alicia
Virtual Admin Center

I myself was thinking about picking up some freelance work. I've been looking at Freelancer.com, something about it catches my eye. Elance doesn't grab me for some reason.

Anyway, my question is what type of scams are some of these guys running?? Do they get you to do the work and don't pay up???

__________________
Sharon

I've used both sites and you just have to be careful as some of those who post projects are quite crafty. To give you an example, when I first started out, I posted a bid on what was supposedly a couple of articles but what happened? I was scammed into writing LOTS of articles that were priced at only $2 or $5 a piece so instead of writing two good articles at a good rate, I ended up writing bitty articles until I reached the total price I bid.

Great for her, not so good for me. From then on, I have been tuned into this type of thing but not everyone is like that. I have also had very positive experiences as well (once I managed to get a foot in the door that is!). I managed to secure a retainer client even if it was only for 4 months in the end. At the moment I am also in the running for a serious client on a retainer basis also. We've sent emails back and forth but at the end of last week we had a Skype meet as well so if all goes well, I would have secured a new on-going client from Elance so you never know who is out there, just be careful of the not-so-professional people on there. Don't get scammed like I did!

__________________
Sabrina L. Williams
Your Property and Admin Needs Made Simple

If there was a site that required both the provider and the worker be from the US, that the employer is only allowed to charge minimum wage plus 35% (due to taxes) at a minimum per hour, that the employer must be verified through the US gvt databases, and that the money must be in escrow before the ad would go live (and would remain in escrow for three days after expiration of the ad), would you use it?

Hi Nadia! I was actually searching for this topic so I could answer your PM in hopes that you'd see it! Sorry, I don't have enough posts yet to answer you directly. I haven't read everyone else's comments yet,but here goes:

I personally have had a positive experience on Elance.com. I found my two long term clients there. I also found a copywriter there to help with my own site. So I've been on both sides! It's like using Craigslist to find a job or an apartment. I've done both and ended up making $60k a year and paying $550 in rent for a 4 bedroom house. Sounds crazy right???

The thing is, the real authentic posters that are there, don't realize that the site is full of scammers, they just want to get their project done. So, you have to wade through the bad apples to get to those that are serious. If you're intuitive (can spot a scam from a mile away) and persistent (willing to submit 10 proposals to potential scammers to win one really good client), then you win! Aside from me, one of my clients actually started off as a VA on Elance, it allowed her to grow her business to the success it is today.

Oh my, I'm so long winded! What I mean is: It's whatever you make of it!

Raven

__________________
Change Catalyst for Entrepreneurs
www.verandalane.com

Originally Posted by moiraesfate

If there was a site that required both the provider and the worker be from the US, that the employer is only allowed to charge minimum wage plus 35% (due to taxes) at a minimum per hour, that the employer must be verified through the US gvt databases, and that the money must be in escrow before the ad would go live (and would remain in escrow for three days after expiration of the ad), would you use it?

Moira,

Are you considering developing this idea into a business? I think its an excellent idea! I would certainly use it and there are plenty of business to secure accounts with in my area....hmmm.

I've just signed up with freelance.com...not freelancer.com. Can anyone tell me about their experience with freelance.com?

Moira,
That's an interesting idea, but I'd have concerns that clients would be losing some of the benefits/ease of using a contractor.

I think sites like Elance, have enough data compiled in their systems to impose a better minimum hourly bid and limit flat fees based on average awarded proposal rates/ feedback rating, etc.

__________________
Change Catalyst for Entrepreneurs
www.verandalane.com

When I first thought about having a home based business, I looked at the freelance sites and noticed that I didn't like the method of doing business. I don't like the fact that people can be asked to get paid $2 an hour for work that, if they were actually employed in the regular world, would cost $20 or more an hour. And I really think that Americans should hire American to support their own country (just as Canadians should hire Canadian, Japanese should hire Japanese, etc). Outsourcing is fine to a point but I think it has gone too far. I also think that these sites charge too much to use them (8.7% per Elance) may not seem like alot but it adds up and I think it may prevent alot of potential employers from using them.

With that in mind, I started to think of a new site that catered to Americans and for Americans.

But I don't know how interested potential employers would be in this. Or employees for that matter.

Raven, I'm not sure how it would be that they would lose the benefits and ease of using a contractor. Its supporting your own country and that should be encouraged. Doing what I suggest would minimize the chance of false job postings, and ensure a higher wage for the workers. The whole problem is that these sites don't impose a minimum hourly bid or limit the flat fees.

For example... posted just 20 minutes ago, there is someone looking for a shopify developer to perform tweaks for $10-$20 an hour for three hours. $5-$10 an hour after taxes and any other fees needed. Myself alone, I make $11 an hour working an hourly job and only lose maybe $4 in taxes plus no extra fees. That means I make more an hour than the person doing this would. While $5 an hour may be alot in many foreign countries, in the US, its the equivalent to robbery.

The idea is to offer more. To keep jobs inside the US, and to give people a wage they can at least live off of (albeit with difficulty). And yet charge the employers less to make them more likely to use the service.

Oh wow, does Elance charge that 8.7% to clients to use the site on top of the percentage that it takes from contractors?

The way I have it set up is that about 8% of what I'm paid goes to Elance. I think of it as an advertising fee, the same as I would pay for PPC Advertising, Banner Ads or that type of thing. Then I just bid only on jobs based in America and Canada. I love when I see a posting that has mostly off shore bidders, because I know that mine will stand out and the type of client that I'm looking for (and that can afford my rates) will choose me.

As with anything else, I think that as long as you approach it with a positive attitude and plenty of discretion, you can make it profitable to both yourself and the legitimate clients there.

I just this week landed a new client (wooohooo!) She's a makeup artist from L.A. starting her own small business. She has a the money to pay, a great service and respects my expertise. If it weren't for Elance, we would have never been connected. I'm so grateful that they make it easy to get my business started!

(Side note: I just checked - Elance's minimum flat fee bid is $20. For hourly jobs it's 70% of what the client has said they'd pay with an absolute minimum of $3 per hour. If you significantly underbid, your proposal gets kicked out. It's not great, but it looks like they're trying)

__________________
Change Catalyst for Entrepreneurs
www.verandalane.com

I find that there are a number of projects I don't bid on anyway because I do not know the US system even though I am qualified to do what I do so already you have a head start on anyone bidding from elsewhere. You need to make yourself stand out from those who bid ridiculously low fees and then don't deliver.

__________________
Sabrina L. Williams
Your Property and Admin Needs Made Simple