Being an independent contractor is a rewarding way to make a living, but building up the experience and credentials necessary to get started can be a daunting task. How does an aspiring freelancer find jobs, build clientele and earn an income? The answer for some is to use the services of a freelance job bidding website.
What Are Freelance Job Bidding Websites?
A freelance job bidding website, in the simplest terms, is a medium that brings together service providers (a.k.a. freelancers) and those looking to hire someone on a contractual basis. Some popular freelance bidding websites include: Elance.com, Guru.com, Rentacoder.com and ifreelance.com.
How Do They Work?
Each of these sites differs in fees, number of bids allowed per billing cycle and quality of jobs being offered, but there are many similarities as well. A service provider generally creates a profile that showcases their work, lists their experience and education, and allows the individual to flaunt their skills. Creating a good profile can often mean the difference between being awarded a project and being passed over. Think of your profile as your expanded resume, it is the strongest way to market yourself and promote your services on a bidding site.
After creating a solid profile, you can begin searching the project listings. They can be arranged by category (writing, administrative, sales, web & programming, etc.), project budget, or time left for bidding. It is important that you take some time to familiarize yourself with the bidding structure before placing any bids.
How Does the Bidding Work?
The structure among the different sites generally consists of placing a bid amount, quoting a turn around time for completion of the project and an area for you to personally introduce yourself to the buyer and explain why he/she should choose you for the job. Be sure to take some time to plan out your bid. For example, make sure you give yourself enough time to complete the job, should you win it.
After you’ve placed your bid, the buyer will receive it and deliberate among all the potential candidates. If the buyer selects you, follow the bidding sites rules for work completion for example, some sites require that you submit the finished job via their private message board so that it can be traced in case there is a conflict.
How Does Payment Work?
Typically, many job bidding sites utilize either an escrow payment system or Paypal to ensure that providers are paid. However, there are some occasions when a freelancer will have a dispute over payment with the buyer, and the bidding site offers to mediate between the two.
Job bidding sites can be a great tool for a new freelancer trying to break into the business and get their feet wet. They can be a great way to build clips, get references and earn money.
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