elance freelancer guide
Post on 19-Oct-2014
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DESCRIPTION
The Elance Freelancer Guide was created to help new freelancers get started on the site. Learn tips and tricks to get the most out of your Elance experience.TRANSCRIPT
A Freelancer’s Guide to Earning More on Elance.
1. Work Differently™: You’re gonna love it ................................ 3
2. YourProfile:Shinelikeadiamond ........................................ 5
1.WriteyourOverviewwiththe“ideal”clientinmind ..... 5
2.Includeanengagingandprofessionalphoto .............. 6
3.TakemultipleSkillsTests ............................................ 6
4.UseyourPortfoliotoshowcasetalents ...................... 7
5. Join Elance Groups .................................................... 7
6.Miscellaneoustips,adviceandotherstruths .............. 8
3. YourJobSearch:Findinggreatworkfast ............................. 9
1.CheckyourOpportunitiesdaily ................................... 9
2.UseWatchListstofollowpotentialclients ................ 10
3.UsetheElancesearchbartofindjobs ..................... 10
4. Respond to Job Invites you receive .......................... 11
5.Miscellaneoustips,adviceandotherstruths ............ 11
4. YourProposal:Theperfectpitch ......................................... 12
1.Stayinyourhappyzone,selectingjobscarefully ..... 12
2.Screenclientsascarefullyasthey’llscreenyou ...... 13
3. Now write a killer Proposal ....................................... 14
4.Setafairprice .......................................................... 15
5.ConsidersubmittingaProposalwithnoprice .......... 15
6.Don’tjustsitthere,follow-up .................................... 16
7.Don’tjustsitthere,sendmoreProposals ................. 16
8. Negotiating your price ............................................... 16
Table of contents
5. YourWorkroom:Wherejobsgettackled ............................. 17
6. YourReputation:Standoutfromtherest ............................ 19
1.Feedbackisimportant.No,critical ........................... 19
2.MakingsenseofMyStatsandLevel ........................ 20
3.ManagingyourFeedback,StatsandLevels ............ 21
7. YourReminder:Rulestokeepyousafe .............................. 22
8. You’reHired:Godoanawesomejob ................................. 23
1.Speakingofwhich,look-outforfollow-upjobs .......... 23
Section 1:Work Differently™: You’re gonna love it
Hello and welcome to Elance.
Readytolandfantasticonlinefreelancejobs?Excitedaboutearninggreatmoneyworkingwhenyouwant,onprojectsyoulove?Wethoughtso.Well,you’vecometotherightplace:Elance.
Whetheryou’renewtoElanceorlookingtobrush-uponyourexpertise,thisFreelancer’sGuideisagreatstartingpointforbeingmoresuccessful.
You’lllearnhowtoperfectyourProfileandProposals,howtofindthebestjobs,howtostayprotectedandevenhowtogetjobsdoneandgetmoreworkflowingin.
Weassumeyou’vealreadyregisteredonElance.Ifnot,signupnow(it’sfree).
What exactly is Elance?
ElanceiswherepeopleWorkDifferently™.
We’reanonlineworkplacewherebusinessesgotofind,hireandcollaboratewithskilledonlinefreelancerslikeyourself.Nottobrag,butElancehasover500,000businessesposting100,000+jobseachmonth.
OnElanceyou’llhavetheopportunitytoworkwithbusinessesinmorethan170countries–fromFortune500companiestosmallbusinessesandindividualentrepreneurs.
CorrinaS. UnitedStates|ITProjectManager
Elance:AFreelancer’sGuide|3
Section 1: (continued)
Work Differently™: You’re gonna love it
How Elance works.
To work at Elance, all you need is an internet connection and talent.
YouuseElancetofindjobs(wehelpyou,makingiteveneasier),thenyoucompletejobsinasecureWorkroom.Wealsotakecareofallthepaperwork,pluscollectandpass-onyourmoney-due(soyou’resuretogetpaid).
Asafreelancer,workingonElancedoesn’thavetocostyouapenny.Youhaveachoiceofmembershipoptions,includingafreeplan.Wemakeourmoneybyaddingasmall8.75%servicefeeaboveandbeyondyourprice.Forexample,whenyousubmita$500proposal,weaddourfeetoyourquoteandpassiton(yourclientwouldseeaquoteof$543.75).Whentheworkisdelivered,wedeductour$43.75andpasstheremaining$500ontoyou.
Ready to learn more?
Takeafewminutestofamiliarizeyourselfwiththeguidelinesinthefollowingpages.Withyourtalentandthetipsprovided,you’resuretoearnmoremoneyandbeevenmoreawesomeonElance.
Go for it!
ArtemK.Ukraine|ITProgrammer
Elance:AFreelancer’sGuide|4
Section 2:Your Profile: Shine like a diamond
Whenyoustandoutfromotherfreelancers,youimproveyourchancesofgettinghired.That’swhymakingagreatfirstimpressionisimportant.Cometothinkofit,it’scritical.Herearesometipsoncreatinganeye-catchingProfile:
1. Write your Overview with the “ideal” client in mind.
Youcan’tbeallthingstoallpeople.ThrowingtoowideofanetinyourOverviewsectionwilllandyounothing.
Write your Overview to be read by one person and one person alone: Your idealclient.Whatwouldheorshewanttoknow?ExplainhowyourSKILLSallowyoutoSOLVEPROBLEMS(asmuchaswehateusingallcaps,thisisonetimethey’recalledfor).
Also,writeinafriendlyyetprofessionaltone.Bewarmandyou’llinstantlystandout.Andnotpyos(oops).
Good:
Standoutwithgreatdesign!
Withover12yearsofproducingcorporatemarketingprojectsforsomeofthemostinnovativecompaniesinworld,I’mheretobringyourideasandvisiontolife.I’vepersonallymanagedover150websitedesignsandhundredsofprintpackagesthatincludemagazines,1-pagers,andothercollateralforeventsandotherspecialpromotions.
Icanandwilldelivergreatresultswithaprocessthat’stimely,collaborativeandatagreatvalueformyclients.
Bad:
Minimumhourlyrate$15.A10yearoldsoftwaredevelopmentcompany.
DanielB. UnitedStates|Videographer/Animator
Elance:AFreelancer’sGuide|5
2. Include an engaging and professional photo.
Clientsarepeopletoo.Theyloveputtingafacetoaname,andafriendlyphotoofyousmilingissuretogetthemleaningyourway.Research shows that freelancers with an image are twice as likely to get the job. Yes, twice as likely.
Good:
Bad:
Section 2: (continued)
Your Profile: Shine like a diamond
3. Take multiple Skills Tests.
Showclientsyouknowyourstuff.MostprofessionalswillfindrelevantSkillsTestsonElance,assessingyourproficiency.Testcompletionhelpsseparateyoufromothers.In fact, 76% of clients say they prefer hiring tested freelancers.TestsarefreeonElance,andifyousufferfromthetestjitters(asweallsometimesdo),don’tworry.Youcanalwaysre-takethetestlater.
Elance:AFreelancer’sGuide|6
4. Use your Portfolio to showcase talents.
Don’tbeshy,show-off.Real-worldsamplesbringyourskillstolife.Again,fillyourPortfoliowithworkyouridealclientwouldwanttosee.Bespecificinyourdescriptions,explainingyourroleintheprojectandwhatwasaccomplished.Alsonameyoursamplecarefully,aspotentialclientscanuseoursearchbartofindPortfoliopiecesofinterest(suchas,“ecommercemobileapp”).
Section 2: (continued)
Your Profile: Shine like a diamond
5. Join Elance Groups.
Yourmembershipinpre-screenedprofessionalGroupsgoesalongwaytoreassureaclientthatyou’retop-notch.You’llfindElanceGroupsinmanycategories,fromtechnicalfieldstocreativecategories.PotentialclientsoftenexclusivelyinviteGroupmemberstoajob.
Elance:AFreelancer’sGuide|7
6. Miscellaneous tips, advice and other truths.
Hereareotherjuicytidbitsthatwehearoftenfromclients:
▪InyourService Description section,explainhowyousolveproblems.Besolutionsorientedandgiveclientsagoodideaofhowyouthinkandapproachjobs.
▪PaycloseattentiontotheKeywordsyouenteronyourProfile.Again,trynottobeallthingstoallpeople.Narrowthelistofwordsthatshowcaseyourtalenttothosethatwillattractaveryspecificclient.
▪Clientswanttoknowforsurewhothey’vehired.Completethe Identity Verification and verify your Credentials. Trust is key to any working relationship.
▪YourPortfolio will be public.Don’tincludesensitivefilesyouwouldn’twantshared.Andmakesureyouhaveapprovaltousethosefiles.
▪No borrowing/pilfering.It’sOKtocheck-outotherProfilesforinspiration,butdon’tplagiarize.DittoforPortfoliosamples.Withyourtalentandthestrategiesaddressedinthisguide,it’sonlyamatteroftimeuntiltheawesomejobsstartrollingin.
▪MakesureyourProfile is 100% complete.Clientsconstantlysearchforfreelancers(read:you),andtheinformationfoundinyourProfileiswhatsteerstheminyourdirection.OntherightsideofyourMyElancepage,you’llseeatrackerthatmarksYourProfileCompleteness.Aimfor100%togiveyourselfthebestchanceofattractingclients.
Section 2: (continued)
Your Profile: Shine like a diamond
Next: Your Job Search
Yoko M. Japan|GraphicDesigner
Elance:AFreelancer’sGuide|8
Thefuturelooksbright!NowthatyourProfileissimplydazzling,you’rereadytoexplorethe100,000+jobspostedonElanceeachmonth.Youhavemanyoptionsforgettinghired,butherearesomequickthoughtstohead:
1. Check your Opportunities daily.
ThegreatthingaboutElanceis,youdon’thavetodoanythingtofindjobs.Youcanbemoreproactive(andwewhole-heartedlyencourageyoutobe–seebelow),butwewilldoafairamountoftheworkforyou.ThisincludesyourpersonalizedOpportunitiesfeature.Here’saquicksynopsis:
▪GetemailupdateswithjobOpportunities.Weuseournumber-crunchingübercomputersandwell-seasonedjobmatchingexpertisetopinpointjobsthatmatchyourskillsandinterests.Wethenemailyourecommendations.Howeasyisthat?
Section 3:Your Job Search: Finding great work fast
▪ViewOpportunitiesfromMyElance.MyElanceisyourhomepageonElance,whereyou’llkeepaneyeonallprojectsandpossibilities.Toseemorerecommendationswefoundforyou,simplyclickontheOpportunitiestab.Voila!Jobsgalore.
Elance:AFreelancer’sGuide|9
2. Use Watch Lists to follow potential clients.
Onceyougetuptospeed,you’llfindlotsofcompaniesthataredoingtheworkyoulovedoing.Soundslikeamatchmadeinheaven?SimplyputthecompanyonyourWatchListandyou’llknowwhentheypostjobs.You’llbeamongthefirsttocatchtheireye!
Section 3: (continued)
Your Job Search: Finding great work fast
3. Use the Elance search bar to find jobs.
TousetheSearchbaronElance(besureyoutoggleto“jobs”),simplytypeintheprojectyou’relookingforortheskillsyouhaveandwe’llgiveyoualistofgreatjobopportunities.Browsetheselectionforprojectsyou’reperfectlysuitedfor.Keepcheckingbacktoo,asnewjobsarepostedallthetime.
KeepinmindyoucanalsoNarrow Results whensearching.Simplytypeinageneralskill,suchas“writer”andyou’lllandonourSearchresultspage.Ontheleftcolumn,you’llseeoptionsformore-specificjobcategoriesforwriting,aswellasoptionsforJobType,Budget,HourlyRate,Featuredjobsandmore.Thiscanbearealtimesaver,ifyou’refocusingonspecificprojects(whichyoushouldbe).
Elance:AFreelancer’sGuide|10
4. Respond to Job Invites you receive.
Withyoureye-catchingProfileandstrongskillset,you’resuretogetpersonallyinvitedtojobsaswell.EspeciallyifyoujoinElanceGroupsandfollowtheothersuggestionsfromtheprevioussection,YourProfile.Besuretorespondquicklytoinvites,lettingthemknowifyou’reinterested(ornot).
Section 3: (continued)
Your Job Search: Finding great work fast
5. Miscellaneous tips, advice and other truths.
Thingstoconsiderwhenyou’refindingjobsonElance:
▪Usemultiple forms of communicationwhenconferringwithpotentialclients.YourprojectWorkroomhasitsownprivatemessageboard,allowingforemailcommunication.However,sometimesitmakessensetopickupthephoneorSkype.Justbesuretowaituntiltheclientrespondstoyourproposal–notdoingsoandprovidingyourcontactinformationupfrontviolatesElancepolicy.Andbesureyouandyourclientalwaysdocument anydecisionsintheproject’sWorkroom.
▪Whensearchingforjobs,keepinmindwhetheryoupreferHourly jobs or Fixed Price jobs.Eachhasitsadvantages,sodecidewhatworks best for you.
Hourly jobs arebasedonasimpleprinciple:Anhourpaidforanhourworked.Theoptionisparticularlypopularwhentheprojecthasagoodchanceofflexibility,suchasthescopemaychangemid-stream.FreelancersoftenchooseHourlyworkbecauseoffeatureslikeWorkView™andTracker–whereyourtimeisautomaticallytrackedandscreenshotssubmittedtoyourclients.Whenworkisapproved,timesheetsareautomaticallypaid.
Fixed Priced jobs aregenerallypostedwhentheclienthasagoodgraspofwhattheprojectentails,andtherearen’talotofdetailslefttotheimagination.OnebenefitistheElanceEscrowfeature,wheretheclientfundsyourjobbeforeworkbegins.Whencertainpre-determinedmilestonesaremetandtheclientapprovesthework,paymentsareautomaticallyreleased to you.
Next: Your ProposalDennis H.
Germany|WebDeveloper
Elance:AFreelancer’sGuide|11
Welldone.NowthatyourProfileisapower-packedmagnetpointedsquarelyatgreatbusinesses(ifnot,seeTheProfilesection),yournextstepispinpointingwhichbusinessesaretrulygreat(read:greatforyou).Andthencraftingaproposaltheycan’trefuse.Hereissomesageadvice:
Section 4:Your Proposal: The perfect pitch
1. Stay in your happy zone, selecting jobs carefully.
JustasyourProfileOverviewcan’tpositionyouasallthingstoallpeople,norshouldyourjobselectionprocessspanwidelyacrossyourfield.It’sbesttofocus,focus,focusonjobsbestsuitedforyou.Thingstoconsider:
▪Find jobs that match your skill and interests.Lifeistooshorttoworkonprojectsthatneitherinterestyounorputyourbesttalenttowork.
▪ Find jobs with a hearty description. Iftheclient’sjobdescriptionisvagueandfeeble,chancesarethejobwillbeequallywoeful.Keepsearchingforbetter opportunities.
▪Find jobs with the right budget. Onegoodjobyoucansinkyourteethintoisbetterthanfoursmallonesthattaketimeandenergyrampingupfor.However,ifyou’rebrandnewtoElanceoryourcategoryyoumayneedtostartsmallandgrowyourwaytosuccess.
▪Find jobs that fit your availability. Whenyou’rebookedsolidandgoingona2-weektriptotheislands,passonmonsterprojects.Therewillbemorebigprojectswhenyourstresslevelisbacktonormal.
Ivy F. China|Translator
Elance:AFreelancer’sGuide|12
2. Screen clients as carefully as they’ll screen you.
WithsomanyopportunitiesonElance,beselectiveinthebusinessesyouchoosetoworkwith.Ifit’snottherightmatch,you’lljustspinyourwheelsandwastepreciousenergybetterusedforotherclients.Afewthoughts:
▪Find businesses who truly want you. Browsethejobpostingtomakesureyou’rewhatthey’relookingfor.CheckfortheExperienceandSkillstheydesire,aswellasanyGeographicPreferences.Don’tfit?Moveon.
▪Find businesses with Verified Payment.Althoughit’snotessential,itmakessensetofirstseekclientswhohaveapaymentprocessinplace.LookfortheVerifiedPaymentsymbolintheirjobpost–adollarsignamongthegreenicons.
Section 4: (continued)
Your Proposal: The perfect pitch
▪Find businesses with an established Job History. AlthoughgreatnewbusinessescometoElancedaily,thereispeace-of-mindinfindingclientswithasolidtrackrecord.
▪Find businesses with a high Award Ratio. TheAwardRatioisafairindicatorofhowseriousthecompanyisinhiringyou.Yourtimeisvaluable,souseitwisely.
▪Find businesses giving regular Feedback. Yourstatus(seeYourReputationsection)isbasedgreatlyontheFeedbackclientsleave.Lookforpartnerswhoarequicktospreadthewordaboutyourskills.
Elance:AFreelancer’sGuide|13
3. Now write a killer Proposal.
Aftervettingclientsandfindingajobthatlookssensational,it’stimetopounce.Actquicklyandsetthosewheelsofgettinghiredinmotion.NaturallyagreatProposalisparamounttogettingnoticedandsealingthedeal.There’salottocover,solet’sjumprightin:
▪Customize (yes, customize) your Proposal.Clientscanspot“cut-and-paste”Proposalsfromamileaway(1.6kilometers),givingyoutheaxeinstantly.Cookie-cutterresponsesstandoutlikeasorethumbandearnyouaquickthumbsdown.Askquestionstoo.Aswellasshowinginterest,it’sgoodtobeginatwo-waydialogbetweenyouandtheclient.
▪Write in a suitable tone. MuchlikeyourProfileOverview,yourProposalshouldbepersonableyetprofessional.Saveyour16-letterwordsforScrabble,insteadexplainingyourselfinawarmandfriendlymanner.Makeafriendandyou’llgetthejob.
▪Be succinct. Beagoodeditor.Brevityisvital,asclientsmaybebrowsingseveralproposalsinashortamountoftime.Andplease,notypos.Spellcheckerisyourfriend.
▪Show you’re a good listener.Besuretodemonstratethatyou’vereadthejobposting.Askgoodquestions,andshowinterestandenthusiasm.
▪Highlight the value you bring. Don’trelyonlyonyourProfile.Bespecificaboutbenefitsyoubringtothisparticularjob.Spotlightrelevantexperiencesyou’vehad,howyoutackledsimilarjobsandwhatuniqueapproachesandskillsyoubringtothetable.
Section 4: (continued)
Your Proposal: The perfect pitch
▪Ask for the job. ThinkofyourProposalasaninterview.Whatwouldyousaytomakesureyougetcalledback?Showyourenthusiasmandletthepersonknowyouwanttostarttheprojectsoon.Oh,thankthemfortheirtimetoo.
▪Showcase relevant samples. YourElancePortfolioshouldbefullofawe-inspiringpiecesdemonstratingyourtalents,butwhynotpullsomeofthemorerelevantexamplesandincludethemdirectlyinyourproposal?Thisgivesclientsyourbest,mostrelevantworkwithouthavingtosearchforit.
FirmoS. Indonesia|Translator
Elance:AFreelancer’sGuide|14
4. Set a fair price.
Clientsareinevitablygoingtogetlow-pricedProposalsfromthedesperateanduninspired,aswellasoutrageouslyhigh-pricedProposalsfromothers.Don’tworryaboutthem.Ifyou’veprovenyourworth(seeabove)you’llgetyourfairprice.Now,whatexactlyisafairprice?Here’sastartingpointtodeterminethat:
▪Factor in your time and effort.Carefullyguesstimateallthat’sinvolved.Makesuretotakeintoaccounttheproject’scomplexity,time-frame(any16-hourdaysneeded?)andtotaleffortrequired.
▪Research your market.Doyourduediligence,decidingwhoyou’recompetingagainst.Getanideaforindustrypayaverages,startingwithElance’s very own Trends pageswhereweshowyouallthetopskillsbeinghiredonElance,alongwithaveragepayrates.Factorinifyou’reofferingapremiumskillthat’sdifficulttofind.
▪See things from your client’s perspective. Areyoujustbreakingintothemarket,ornewtoElanceandyettobuild-upyourstanding(seeYourReputationsection)?Orjusttheopposite,areyouaprovenexpertwithgreatfeedbackandratings?Itmatters.Andrealistically,sodoesyourpotentialclient’spastbudgets.Looktoseewhatthey’vespentforsimilarprojects.
▪Decide what you’re worth. Estimateinallhonestywhatisafairpriceforthejobathand.Don’tsellyourselfshort,reactingtolow-ballpricing.Iftheclientwantsqualityworkinatimelymanner,they’llpayyouwhatyoudeserve.
Section 4: (continued)
Your Proposal: The perfect pitch
5. Consider submitting a Proposal with no price.
Ifyou’renotsureoftherequirements,don’tmakeawildguess.Itcancomebacktohauntyou.Instead,onyourProposalcheckthe“Willsubmitamountlater”box.InyourProposalbesuretoaskspecificquestionstogetfurtherclarification,andreassuretheclientthatyou’llfinalizeapricebasedonthatinformation.
Elance:AFreelancer’sGuide|15
6. Don’t just sit there, follow-up.
OnceyourProposalissubmitted,keepyoureyeontheball.CheckyourMyJobspageorWatchListdailyforstatusupdatesonyourpotentialproject.Theclientmaybeaskingforadditionalinformation.Ifyouchangeyourmindorearnanotherjobandcan’tfitthisprojectintoyourschedule,bepoliteandwithdrawyourbid.Youmaywellcomeacrossthisclientagain,andthey’llrememberyourcourteousness.
7. Don’t just sit there, send more Proposals.
Althoughyouwanttobeselectiveinthejobsyousetyoursightson,youalsowanttomakesureyoucoverallofyourbases.YourfirstProposalisjustthebeginning.OncethatProposalissubmitted,starttheprocessoverandfindanotherjobthat’sperfect.Andanother.Andanother.Asyoubuildyouronlinework reputation at Elance you’ll want to give yourself lots of opportunities.
Section 4: (continued)
Your Proposal: The perfect pitch
8. Negotiating your price.
Oftenapotentialclientwilllikewhattheysee,butnotseeeye-to-eyeonpricing.Thismaybeastraight-upcostissue,orthescopeoftheprojectmayhavechanged.Eitherway,keepthesethoughtsinmind:
▪ Always remain professional.Noneedtotakethingspersonally.You’reaprofessionalandyouknowwhatyou’reworth.Simplyexplainwhyyoufeelyou’re asking a fair price.
▪Be willing to withdraw your offer. Ifthereisabsolutelynowiggleroom,walkawayandthanktheclientfortheirtime.Simplywithdrawyourofferandmoveon.
▪If the price changes, update terms and milestones. Whenfluctuationshappen,updateallrelateditemsintheproject.Beespeciallysensitivetoshiftingenddatesandscope.
▪Do not work without job funding. Whiletheearlybirdgetstheworm,insomeinstanceshe/shegetsburned.Don’tbetheonewhogivesawayfreework.Waituntilfundingissecuredbeforeyouloghours.
Next: Your Workroom
Elance:AFreelancer’sGuide|16
Congratulations!YourProposalwasacceptedandyou’renowreadytocreatesomemagic.Witheveryprojectyou’llautomaticallybeassignedasecureElanceWorkroomwhereyouandyourclientcancollaborate.Thisisalsowhereyou’lltrackprogressandensureyougetpaid(yeah!).Whiletherearemanyservicesandfeatures,herearesomehighlightsofyoursharedWorkroom:
▪ Communicate and collaborate.You’llfindtoolsforstayingintouch(fromemailtovideoconferencing),aswellassolutionsforsharingfilesandtracking work.
Section 5:Your Workroom: Where jobs get tackled
▪Manage projects.UseyourWorkroomtokeepprojectsmovingsmoothly.Youcansetandupdateterms,sharestatusreportsandhaveyourtimesheetssubmittedautomaticallyifyou’reworkingonanhourlyjob.
Elance:AFreelancer’sGuide|17
▪Get paid quickly.AllthetoolsforgettingpaidareincludedinyourWorkroom.Whenobjectivesaresuccessfullymet,yourmoneywillbereleased and sent to you.
Section 5: (continued)
Your Workroom: Where jobs get tackled
▪ Eliminate paperwork and busy work.Elancehasstreamlinedtheprocessofgettingworkdone,includingtakingmanyofthebureaucraticstepsoutoftheprocess.Thingshappenautomatically,intuitivelyandgreenly.MotherNaturewillthankyou.
Next: Your Reputation
Esteban T. Argentina|iOSDeveloper
Elance:AFreelancer’sGuide|18
Withallthingsbeingequal,clientswillobviouslyaccepttheProposalwiththebestbalanceofqualityandvalue.Butasweknow,notallfreelancersareequalintalentnoraffordability.That’swhereyouronlinereputationcomesintoplay.Elancegivesyouseveralopportunitiestodistanceyourselffromotherswhomaybeinterestedinthesamejob.Here’ssomeinformationonhowtoputyourselfinthebestlight:
Section 6:Your Reputation: Stand out from the rest
1. Feedback is important. No, critical.
Foreachjobyouwork,aclientcan(andshould)leaveFeedbackratingstosharehowgreatitwasworkingwithyou.
Justasclientscanleavecommentsonwhytheyenjoyedworkingwithyou,youcanalsorespondwithyourownFeedbacktotheircomments.Itgoeswithoutsayingthatanycommentsyouleaveshouldbeprofessionallyworded…asotherclientswillbeabletoseethem.SometimesweseefreelancersreactingpoorlytoFeedbackreceived.Don’tgetcaughtupinthenegativity.IfyoudisagreewiththeFeedbackleft,besuretoremainprofessionalandallowyourresponsetoexplainthesituation.
IfyoufeelthataclientispressuringyoutochangethescopeoftheworkbywithholdingpositiveFeedback(example:askingforextraworkyoudidn’t agreeto),giveusacall.CoercionisaviolationofElancePolicyandyoudeserve better.
And remember, Feedback cannot be changed once it’s posted. This is important to remember when asking for Feedback, and when leaving Feedback for your clients.
SarahR. PuertoRico|Writer
Elance:AFreelancer’sGuide|19
2. Making sense of My Stats and Level.
TohelpdifferentiateyourselfbeyondaProfileandprice,Elancehasseveralfeaturesfordeterminingyouronlinereputation.TheseincludeMyStatsandyourLevel.MyStatsincludesasnapshotofyourhistoryofworkonElance,whileLeveliscalculatedusingthenumbersfromMyStats.Letusexplain:
▪ My Stats is your online work history.SomekeynumbersweincludeinMyStatsarethenumberofclientsyouhave(andrepeatclients),aswellasthenumberofjobs,milestonesandhoursyou’veworkedonElance.ItalsoincludesclientFeedback–fromrecommendationstoreviews.
Note: Feedbackleftbyformerclientsisviewablebypotentialclients.That’swhyit’simportanttomakesureclientsleaveFeedbackaftereverysuccessfuljobandyourespondprofessionallytothatFeedback.GoodFeedbackalsoelevatesyourLevel.
Section 6: (continued)
Your Reputation: Stand out from the rest
▪Your Level is determined by My Stats.ByfactoringinthedataweaccumulateinMyStats,we’reabletoassignanumericalnumberthatassessesyourlevel.Whenyoufocusondoinggreatworkandbuildingasuccessfulonlinebusiness,yourLevelwillriseaccordingly.
Note: YourLeveliscalculatedasaresultofanumberoffactors,fromyourservicedeliveryandclientrelationshipstomarketingperformance.YourLevelwilldeterminewhereyouplaceinthedefaultsearchrankingsonElance.
▪ Key drivers of My Stats and Level. Manyfactorsplayintoyourultimatenumbers,includingjobFeedback,earningsvolumeandgrowth,howyougrowclientrelationships,whetheryoubidanappropriatepriceandevenyourElancepolicycompliance.
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3. Managing your Feedback, Stats and Levels.
HerearesomequickpointersformaximizingyouronlinereputationatElance:
▪Always request Feedback from clients. WeautomaticallypromptyourclientstoprovideFeedbackonceajobiscomplete,butwecan’tforcethemtodoso.Ifafewdaysgobyandthere’sbeennoFeedbackentered,besuretogentlynudgethemasareminder.Itmayeventakeasecondnudgeormore.Bepersistent,butnotrude.Remember,beforeacceptingajobyoucancheckapotentialclient’stendencyforgivingFeedback.KeepthatinmindwhensendingProposals.
▪Respond professionally to Feedback. Whetherit’sgoodorbad,rememberthatit’ssomeone’sestimationandrespecttheiropinion.Plus,Feedbackcan’tbechangedonceithasbeenposted.Also,yourresponsewillbedisplayedonyourProfile.Doyoureallywantpotentialclientstoseeanastyremarkyou’vemadetoaclient?
▪Use the Elance platform.You’llcompletejobssuccessfully, getFeedbackandreceivepaymentthroughElance.
▪Build strong relationships. To best raise your online reputation, continue to addnewclientsandachieverepeatworkandstrongearningsfromthem.
▪ Dot your “i”s and cross your “t”s. Bediligentinthedetailsprovidedinthisguide.CreateastrongProfile,submitqualityProposalsforrelevantjobs,priceyourserviceswithincustomarybudgetrangesandensurethework isawardedandcompletedonElance.
Section 6: (continued)
Your Reputation: Stand out from the rest
Next: Your Reminder
DaynaB. Canada|Illustrator
Elance:AFreelancer’sGuide|21
YoursecurityisparamountatElance.NaturallywewantyoutotakeadvantageofallthegreatfeaturesandservicesweoffertohelpyouWorkDifferently™.Ourguidanceissimple:StayonElance,GetPaidonElance.
Usingthejob’sWorkroomandTerms&Milestonesareastodocumentcosts,deliverablesandotherdecisionsrelatedtoyourworkiscritical.Elanceisheretohelp,butwecanonlyrelyontheinformationprovidedintheWorkroom.UsingWorkView™andElanceEscrowaregreatwaystomanageyourpaymentsonElanceandwillgiveyouandyourclienttheconfidencetohittheground running.
Keeptheserulesinmindatalltimes:
▪Never take jobs off Elance. IfclientsaskyoutoworkoutsideoftheElanceplatform,awarningbellshouldgooffinyourhead.Somethingisnotright.Ifyouagree,it’sagainstElancerulesandyou’reindangerofgettingscammed.You will lose all protection Elance affords you. Period.
▪Refuse (and let Elance know) if clients:
-Askyouforfinancialaccounts
-Askyoutobuyanythingtocompletetheirjob
-AskyoutoworkonajobElancehasdisallowed
-ArenotofficiallylistedonElance
▪Never create custom samples. Again, don’t give out your work for free. Use yourPortfolio(andprolificpowersofpersuasion)tosellyourself.Ifyoumakesamplesbeforethejobisawardedthere’sagoodchanceyou’llneverhearfromthemagain.
Section 7:Your Reminder: Rules to keep you safe
Next: You’re Hired
Gillian W. Jamaica|Writer
Elance:AFreelancer’sGuide|22
Withyourincredibleskillsandtheknow-howgleanedfromthishandyFreelancer’sGuide,you’resuretobeanawesomesuccessonElance.
Remember,youronlinereputationisamajordriveringrowingyourbusiness.Sobesuretogotheextramile/kilometertodoagreatjob.Feedbackisanimportanttoolforattractingnewclients.Exceptionalworkwillalsohelpyougetasecondandthirdjobfromeachclienttoo.
Section 8:You’re Hired: Go do an awesome job
Speaking of which, be on the look-out for follow-up jobs.
Andaswementionedpreviously,long-termclientrelationshipsissomethingthatwillonlyhelpyoubemoresuccessfulonElance.Whenyou’refinishedwithaproject,don’tbeshyaboutsuggestingotherworkyoucando.Clientsaresometimessofocusedontheirto-dolistthattheydon’trealizeopportunitiesthatmaybeintheperipheral.Enlightenthem(inanon-pushyway).Inshort,becomeaninvaluablepartner.
Sogogetyourselfsomeonlinefreelancejobsanddoanawesomejob.We’reexcitedtohaveyouontheteam!
Ifyou’relookingforadditionalhelponearningmoremoneyatElance,checkouttheseresources:
Elance Help Center
ElanceOfficialBlog
Hiring Trends
TermsofService
ElanceWebinarSignUp
WaterCoolerMemberForum
Cheers,
TheElanceTeam
SamB. Australia|Writer
Elance:AFreelancer’sGuide|23