Finding work with online services: does anyone have experiences to share?

Wondering if it is worth trying and what to expect of it

[Storyteller]

I'm currently in the job market and has been looking at (without joning) the well-known Elance service.

I would much appreciate sharing first-hand experiences you had as service providers.

I'm from Russia, so "ridiculously low wages" aren't that much of an issue from me (sorry ;) But I'm very concerned of being paid accurately and project scope not pushed far beyond agreement.

[edited by: Travoli at 11:47 pm (utc) on May 3, 2003]

[remoteoffice]

You can make great money on Elance, just be careful to set up your profile very well!
Being paid low wages is a drawback. And Clients can try to extend over the scope of your contract. You simply have to also be careful to word your agreements accordingly.
There used to be a place to network they took it away, but that is where the real money was made their. Getting to know other providers and getting referrals.
I did some freelanceing data entry from Elance when I first started my business, and I still have clients from those days!
Another tip, is bill your client often, this way if you get stuck it wont be for the entire project, and check the buyers feedback, make sure it is good!

Also when I first signed on I thought maybe people didnt stay around because the work wasnt there, but the case actually was that they got busy and didnt renew contracts with Elance.
I know for us personally that was the case!
You being is Russia is a definate benifit to you!
Good Luck@

Beth

[edited by: Travoli at 11:48 pm (utc) on May 3, 2003]
[edit reason] no promotional signatures please [/edit]

[SEO practioner]

Remote office:

I'm curious:
Why do you say that being in Russia would be a benefit to anybody?

[remoteoffice]

Because on Elance the clients tend to not want to pay going rates. They go there for low priced labor. Since he hinted that he can accept lower wages, I told him it is a good fot for him!

Beth

[edited by: Travoli at 11:49 pm (utc) on May 3, 2003]

[Alphawolf]

I'm curious:
Why do you say that being in Russia would be a benefit to anybody?

Like Beth stated- folks in other countries can use the exchange rates to their advantage.

Example- I hope to move back to Thailand soon. In Thailand (Northern) rent for a house is $150/mo as opposed to $1500/mo for a 2 bedroom apartment in the burbs of New York.

When I do get back there I'd be able to lower my rates to super low (by US standards) rates.

AW

[Storyteller]

Thank you very much, remote office. I think I'll give Elance a try.

By the way, from your experience, how many bids did it usually take to get work from there? I've read about as much as 60, but that was in writing/editing department...

[remoteoffice]

It does depend on what you are doing. We do admin support so for us the competition wasnt as fearce as all of the other providers were.
For us 1 out of 10, but when you read some of the bids it is easy to see why!

Good Luck!
Beth