Comments on: Elance: Is a Bidding Site Worth It?

By: Lynn46

Lynn46 — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 18:50:15 +0000

Allison, I see your point about signing up for Elance with a free (limited use) account. So, I’ll go ahead and do it.

I am now reading some of your other blog posts, and I’ve learned some valuable information about freelance writing. Based on several other pieces of advice I’ve read recently, it should be well worth my time to start my own blog site. I’m considering using WordPress as the platform.

Thanks for your advice,
Lynn G.

By: Allison Boyer

Allison Boyer — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 02:23:34 +0000

Hi Lynn, Thanks for stopping by!

Before you discount it, try signing up for the free version of a writer’s profile. That way, you can at least check it out for yourself. I’m not very familiar with the rates for tech writers, so they may be higher than what I see for blog writers, ebook writers, etc. In any case, it can’t hurt, and I’d hate to see you make a decision without trying it out for yourself.

By: Lynn46

Lynn46 — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:59:30 +0000

Allison, I just did a Google search with keywords “elance pros and cons” and found your article here. I was very tempted to sign up with Elance, but decided I should do a Google search first. Elance was mentioned in the current e-newsletter of the Society for Technical Communication of which I have been a member for 17 years.

Thanks to your insight and that of the other commenters here, I have decided not to waste my time and money for dodgy results, at best. The most compelling “con” I saw (among several) was that I would be competing with low-bidding people outside the U.S. for projects. This would just not work for me–I live in a high cost-of-living area in Maryland near Washington, DC. I absolutely cannot work at an effective rate of $15 to $20/hour (USD). It’s not worth my time.

Lynn G, an experienced tech writer/editor

By: Allison Boyer

Allison Boyer — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:42:10 +0000

I didn’t think of that one, but you’re right! Whether the client chooses a writer or not, and whether you’re the one who gets picked or not, you still have to essentially pay for your bid, since it comes out of your monthly allowance.

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:49:44 +0000

Another con is that a a lot of project posters dont actually select a bidder at all but the bidders still have to pay to post their proposal.

By: The Anti 9-to-5 Guide » The startup cost no new freelancer should go without

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:00:33 +0000

[...] yes, some people swear by using freelance job hunting sites like Elance, oDesk, and Guru to land their first few gigs or to [...]

By: Cristiano Barros

Cristiano Barros — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:04:53 +0000

I have already suggested them to build an API, so that another programmers could develop third-party software to connect to elance and make this process a lot easier. But the answer was that an API wasn´t on their plans, at least not on top priority.

What do you think about that, Allison?

Nice article, BTW.

Cristiano Barros.

By: Allison Boyer

Allison Boyer — Fri, 08 May 2009 22:34:36 +0000

I’m sorry you had such a bad experience! I’ve had to deal with Elance staffers myself on two occasions, and both times they were extremely patient and helpful, so I can’t share your viewpoint on that. I’ve hear other people who’ve said things similar to you though, so maybe it just depends on the person that deals with your complaint. I definitely wouldn’t say that they always take the buyer’s side, in any case.

The rating thing is a huge con in my mind. I had one client give me a super unfair rating on Elance, and because I don’t get tons of work from there, it killed my average rating. I personally don’t think they should have a rating system like they do. People should be allowed to rate you and leave comments about your work, but clients should be to look at all your ratings, not just an average score.

By: Allison Boyer

Allison Boyer — Fri, 08 May 2009 22:25:17 +0000

I agree – it’s definitely a time investment because you don’t have every bid accepted. It can be hit or miss at times, which is frustrating.

By: Prefer-not-to-say

Prefer-not-to-say — Fri, 08 May 2009 13:13:12 +0000

I did well on elance – got my first job quickly, had more work than I could accept – at top prices. Then I asked a question about TOS so I wouldn’t break the terms and I got a snotty reply from an agent. The provider boards were screwed up – showing I’d been paid when I wasn’t, or that I hadn’t gotten paid when I had. Repeated requests to fix it were met with apathy and “Just ignore it.” Dude. That’s my tax shit there. But the cubicle monkeys that work for elance didn’t care. Then came client from hell – who threw off my whole schedule and caused me to work 100 hour weeks to finish assignments for other clients, which threw me into pneumonia which made me drop a big assignment resulting in a huge smackdown of my 100% rating to a 67% rating. And elance could give a rat’s ass. I’m making them tons of money – they’re treating me like dogcrap on the front porch. They take days to respond to YOUR requests, but shut your account down if you don’t respond within 12-24 hours to their emails.

You take your life and career in hand if you don’t absolutely, totally toe the elance line and happily accept shit pay. I had some great clients but there are more who have learned if they pitch a fit elance takes their side and craps on you. Do it to get started if you must – but move on to other venues if you’re serious about being a freelancer.