Elance Freelancer Guide March2013

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    A Freelancers Guide to Earning More on Elance.

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    1. Work Differently: Youre gonna love it ................................3

    2. YourProle:Shinel ikeadiamond ........................................ 5 1.WriteyourOverviewwiththeidealclientinmind ..... 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.UsetheElancesearchbartondjobs.....................10

    4. Respond to Job Invites you receive .......................... 11

    5.Miscellaneoustips,adviceandotherstruths............ 11

    4. YourProposal:Theperfectpitch ......................................... 12

    1.Stayinyourhappyzone,selectingjobscarefully.....12

    2.Screenclientsascarefullyastheyllscreenyou ...... 13

    3. Now write a killer Proposal .......................................14

    4.Setafairprice ..........................................................15

    5.ConsidersubmittingaProposalwithnoprice ..........15

    6.Dontjustsitthere,follow-up .................................... 16

    7.Dontjustsitthere,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. YoureHired:Godoanawesomejob .................................23

    1.Speakingofwhich,look-outforfollow-upjobs.......... 23

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    Section 1:

    Work Differently:Youre gonna love it

    Hello and welcome to Elance.

    Readytolandfantasticonlinefreelancejobs?Excitedaboutearninggreat

    moneyworkingwhenyouwant,onprojectsyoulove?Wethoughtso.Well,youvecometotherightplace:Elance.

    WhetheryourenewtoElanceorlookingtobrush-uponyourexpertise,this

    FreelancersGuideisagreatstartingpointforbeingmoresuccessful.

    YoulllearnhowtoperfectyourProleandProposals,howtondthebest

    jobs,howtos tayprotectedandevenhowtogetjobsdoneandgetmorework

    owingin.

    WeassumeyouvealreadyregisteredonElance.Ifnot,signupnow(itsfree).

    What exactly is Elance?

    ElanceiswherepeopleWorkDifferently.

    Wereanonlineworkplacewherebusinessesgotond,hireandcollaborate

    withskilledonlinefreelancerslikeyourself.Nottobrag,butElancehasover

    500,000businessesposting100,000+jobseachmonth.

    OnElanceyoullhavetheopportunitytoworkwithbusinessesinmorethan170

    countriesfromFortune500companiestosmallbusinessesandindividual

    entrepreneurs.

    CorrinaS.

    UnitedStates|ITProjectManager

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    Section 1: (continued)

    Work Differently:Youre gonna love it

    How Elance works.

    To work at Elance, all you need is an internet connection and talent.

    YouuseElancetondjobs(wehelpyou,makingiteveneasier),thenyou

    completejobsinasecureWorkroom.Wealsotakecareofallthepaperwork,

    pluscollectandpass-onyourmoney-due(soyouresuretogetpaid).

    Asafreelancer,workingonElancedoesnt havetocostyouapenny.Youhave

    achoiceofmembershipoptions,includingafreeplan.Wemakeourmoneyby

    addingasmall8.75%servicefeeaboveandbeyondyourprice.Forexample,

    whenyousubmita$500proposal,weaddourfeetoyourquoteandpassit

    on(yourclientwouldseeaquoteof$543.75).Whentheworkisdelivered,we

    deductour$43.75andpasstheremaining$500ontoyou.

    Ready to learn more?

    Takeafewminutestofamiliarizeyourselfwiththeguidelinesinthefollowing

    pages.Withyourtalentandthetipsprovided,youresuretoearnmoremoney

    andbeevenmoreawesomeonElance.

    Go for it!

    ArtemK.

    Ukraine|ITProgrammer

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    Section 2:

    Your Profle: Shine like a diamond

    Whenyoustandoutfromotherfreelancers,youimproveyourchancesof

    gettinghired.Thatswhymakingagreatrstimpressionisimportant.Cometo

    thinkofit,itscritical.Herearesometipsoncreatinganeye-catchingProle:

    1. Write your Overview with the ideal client in mind.

    Youcantbeallthingstoallpeople.Throwingtoowideofanetinyour

    Overviewsectionwilllandyounothing.

    Write your Overview to be read by one person and one person alone: Your

    idealclient.Whatwouldheorshewanttoknow?ExplainhowyourSKILLS

    allowyoutoSOLVEPROBLEMS(asmuchaswehateusingallcaps,thisis

    onetimetheyrecalledfor).

    Also,writeinafriendlyyetprofessional tone.Bewarmandyoullinstantlystand

    out.Andnotpyos(oops).

    Good:

    Standoutwithgreatdesign!

    Withover12yearsofproducingcorporatemarketingprojectsforsomeofthe

    mostinnovativecompaniesinworld,Imheretobringyourideasandvisionto

    life.Ivepersonallymanagedover150websitedesignsandhundredsofprint

    packagesthatincludemagazines,1-pagers,andothercollateralforeventsand

    otherspecialpromotions.

    Icanandwilldelivergreatresultswithaprocessthatstimely,collaborativeand

    atagreatvalueformyclients.

    Bad:

    Minimumhourlyrate$15.A10yearoldsoftwaredevelopmentcompany.

    DanielB.

    UnitedStates|Videographer/Animator

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    2. Include an engaging and professional photo.

    Clientsarepeopletoo.Theyloveputtingafacetoaname,andafriendlyphoto

    ofyousmilingissuretogetthemleaningyourway. Research shows thatfreelancers with an image are twice as likely to get the job. Yes, twice as likely.

    Good:

    Bad:

    Section 2: (continued)

    Your Profle: Shine like a diamond

    3. Take multiple Skills Tests.

    Showclientsyouknowyourstuff.MostprofessionalswillndrelevantSkills

    TestsonElance,assessingyourprociency.Testcompletionhelpsseparateyoufromothers. In fact, 76% of clients say they prefer hiring tested

    freelancers.TestsarefreeonElance,andifyousufferfromthetestjitters(as

    weallsometimesdo),dontworry.Youcanalwaysre-takethetestlater.

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    4. Use your Portfolio to showcase talents.

    Dontbeshy,show-off.Real-worldsamplesbringyourskillstolife.Again,ll

    yourPortfoliowithworkyouridealclientwouldwanttosee.Bespecicinyourdescriptions,explainingyourroleintheprojectandwhatwasaccomplished.

    Alsonameyoursamplecarefully,aspotential clientscanuseoursearchbarto

    ndPortfoliopiecesofinterest(suchas,ecommercemobileapp).

    Section 2: (continued)

    Your Profle: Shine like a diamond

    5. Join Elance Groups.

    Yourmembershipinpre-screenedprofessionalGroupsgoesalongwayto

    reassureaclientthatyouretop-notch.YoullndElanceGroupsinmanycategories,fromtechnicaleldstocreativecategories.Potentialclientsoften

    exclusivelyinviteGroupmemberstoajob.

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    6. Miscellaneous tips, advice and other truths.

    Hereareotherjuicytidbitsthatwehearoftenfromclients:

    InyourService Description section,explainhowyousolveproblems.

    Besolutionsorientedandgiveclientsagoodideaofhowyouthinkand

    approachjobs.

    PaycloseattentiontotheKeywordsyouenteronyourProle.Again,try

    nottobeallthingstoallpeople.Narrowthelistofwordsthatshowcaseyour

    talenttothosethatwillattractaveryspecicclient.

    Clientswanttoknowforsurewhotheyvehired.Completethe Identity

    Verifcation and verify yourCredentials. Trust is key to any working

    relationship.

    YourPortfolio will be public.Dontincludesensitivelesyouwouldntwant

    shared.Andmakesureyouhaveapprovaltousethoseles.

    No borrowing/pilfering.ItsOKtocheck-outotherProlesforinspiration,

    butdontplagiarize.DittoforPortfoliosamples.Withyourtalentand

    thestrategiesaddressedinthisguide,itsonlyamatteroftimeuntilthe

    awesomejobsstartrollingin.

    MakesureyourProfle is 100% complete.Clientsconstantlysearchfor

    freelancers(read:you),andtheinformationfoundinyourProleiswhat

    steerstheminyourdirection.OntherightsideofyourMyElancepage,youll

    seeatrackerthatmarksYourProleCompleteness.Aimfor100%togive

    yourselfthebestchanceofattractingclients.

    Section 2: (continued)

    Your Profle: Shine like a diamond

    Next: Your Job Search

    Yoko M.

    Japan|GraphicDesigner

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    Thefuturelooksbright!NowthatyourProleissimplydazzling,youreready

    toexplorethe100,000+jobspostedonElanceeachmonth.Youhavemany

    optionsforgettinghired,butherearesomequickthoughtstohead:

    1. Check your Opportunities daily.

    ThegreatthingaboutElanceis,youdonthavetodoanythingtondjobs.You

    canbemoreproactive(andwewhole-heartedlyencourageyoutobesee

    below),butwewilldoafairamountoftheworkforyou.Thisincludesyour

    personalizedOpportunitiesfeature.Heresaquicksynopsis:

    GetemailupdateswithjobOpportunities.Weuseournumber-crunchingber

    computersandwell-seasonedjobmatchingexpertisetopinpointjobsthat

    matchyourskillsandinterests.Wethenemailyourecommendations.How

    easyisthat?

    Section 3:

    Your Job Search: Finding great work fast

    ViewOpportunitiesfromMyElance.MyElanceisyourhomepageonElance,

    whereyoullkeepaneyeonallprojectsandpossibilities.Toseemore

    recommendationswefoundforyou,simplyclickontheOpportunitiestab.

    Voila!Jobsgalore.

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    2. Use Watch Lists to follow potential clients.

    Onceyougetuptospeed,youllndlotsofcompaniesthataredoingthework

    youlovedoing.Soundslikeamatchmadeinheaven?SimplyputthecompanyonyourWatchListandyoullknowwhentheypostjobs.Youllbeamongthe

    rsttocatchtheireye!

    Section 3: (continued)

    Your Job Search: Finding great work fast

    3. Use the Elance search bar to fnd jobs.

    TousetheSearchbaronElance(besureyoutoggletojobs),simplytypein

    theprojectyourelookingforortheskillsyouhaveandwellgiveyoualistofgreatjobopportunities.Browsetheselectionforprojectsyoureperfectlysuited

    for.Keepcheckingbacktoo,asnewjobsarepostedallthetime.

    KeepinmindyoucanalsoNarrow Results whensearching.Simplytypeina

    generalskill,suchaswriterandyoulllandonourSearchresultspage.On

    theleftcolumn,youllseeoptionsformore-specicjobcategoriesforwriting,

    aswellasoptionsforJobType,Budget,HourlyRate,Featuredjobsandmore.

    Thiscanbearealtimesaver,ifyourefocusingonspecicprojects(whichyou

    shouldbe).

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    4. Respond to Job Invites you receive.

    Withyoureye-catchingProleandstrongskillset,youresuretogetpersonally

    invitedtojobsaswell.EspeciallyifyoujoinElanceGroupsandfollowtheother

    suggestionsfromtheprevioussection,YourProle.Besuretorespondquickly

    toinvites,lettingthemknowifyoureinterested(ornot).

    Section 3: (continued)

    Your Job Search: Finding great work fast

    5. Miscellaneous tips, advice and other truths.

    ThingstoconsiderwhenyourendingjobsonElance:

    Usemultiple forms of communicationwhenconferringwithpotential

    clients.YourprojectWorkroomhasitsownprivatemessageboard,allowing

    foremailcommunication.However,sometimesitmakessensetopickup

    thephoneorSkype.Justbesuretowaituntiltheclientrespondstoyour

    proposalnotdoingsoandprovidingyourcontactinformationupfront

    violatesElancepolicy.Andbesureyouandyourclientalwaysdocument

    anydecisionsintheprojectsWorkroom.

    Whensearchingforjobs,keepinmindwhetheryoupreferHourly jobs

    orFixed Price jobs.Eachhasitsadvantages,sodecidewhatworks

    best for you.

    Hourly jobs arebasedonasimpleprinciple:Anhourpaidforanhour

    worked.Theoptionisparticularlypopularwhentheprojecthasagood

    chanceofexibility,suchasthescopemaychangemid-stream.Freelancers

    oftenchooseHourlyworkbecauseoffeatureslikeWorkViewandTracker

    whereyourtimeisautomatical lytrackedandscreenshotssubmittedtoyour

    clients.Whenworkisapproved,timesheetsareautomaticallypaid.

    Fixed Priced jobs aregenerallypostedwhentheclienthasagoodgrasp

    ofwhattheprojectentails,andtherearentalotofdetailslefttothe

    imagination.OnebenetistheElanceEscrowfeature,wheretheclient

    fundsyourjobbeforeworkbegins.Whencertainpre-determinedmilestones

    aremetandtheclientapprovesthework,paymentsareautomatically

    released to you.

    Next:Your Proposal

    Dennis H.

    Germany|WebDeveloper

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    Welldone.NowthatyourProleisapower-packedmagnetpointedsquarelyat

    greatbusinesses(ifnot,seeTheProlesection),yournextstepispinpointing

    whichbusinessesaretrulygreat(read:greatforyou).Andthencraftinga

    proposaltheycantrefuse.Hereissomesageadvice:

    Section 4:

    Your Proposal: The perfect pitch

    1. Stay in your happy zone, selecting jobs carefully.

    JustasyourProleOverviewcantpositionyouasallthingstoallpeople,nor

    shouldyourjobselectionprocessspanwidelyacrossyoureld.Itsbesttofocus,focus,focusonjobsbestsuitedforyou.Thingstoconsider:

    Find jobs that match your skill and interests.Lifeistooshorttoworkon

    projectsthatneitherinterestyounorputyourbesttalenttowork.

    Find jobs with a hearty description. Iftheclientsjobdescriptionisvague

    andfeeble,chancesarethejobwillbeequallywoeful.Keepsearchingfor

    better opportunities.

    Find jobs with the right budget.Onegoodjobyoucansinkyourteeth

    intoisbetterthanfoursmallonesthattaketimeandenergyrampingupfor.However,ifyourebrandnewtoElanceoryourcategoryyoumayneedto

    startsmallandgrowyourwaytosuccess.

    Find jobs that ft your availability.Whenyourebookedsolidandgoingon

    a2-weektriptotheislands,passonmonsterprojects.Therewillbemorebig

    projectswhenyourstresslevelisbacktonormal.

    Ivy F.

    China|Translator

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    2. Screen clients as carefully as theyll screen you.

    WithsomanyopportunitiesonElance,beselectiveinthebusinessesyou

    choosetoworkwith.Ifitsnottherightmatch,youlljustspinyourwheelsandwastepreciousenergybetterusedforotherclients.Afewthoughts:

    Find businesses who truly want you.Browsethejobpostingtomakesure

    yourewhattheyrelookingfor.CheckfortheExperienceandSkillsthey

    desire,aswellasanyGeographicPreferences.Dontt?Moveon.

    Find businesses with Verifed Payment.Althoughitsnotessential,itmakes

    sensetorstseekclientswhohaveapaymentprocessinplace.Lookforthe

    VeriedPaymentsymbolintheirjobpostadollarsignamongthegreenicons.

    Section 4: (continued)

    Your Proposal: The perfect pitch

    Find businesses with an established Job History.Althoughgreatnew

    businessescometoElancedaily,thereispeace-of-mindinndingclients

    withasolidtrackrecord.

    Find businesses with a high Award Ratio.TheAwardRatioisafairindicator

    ofhowseriousthecompanyisinhiringyou.Yourtimeisvaluable,souseit

    wisely.

    Find businesses giving regular Feedback.Yourstatus(seeYour

    Reputationsection)isbasedgreatlyontheFeedbackclientsleave.Lookfor

    partnerswhoarequicktospreadthewordaboutyourskills.

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    3. Now write a killer Proposal.

    Aftervettingclientsandndingajobthat lookssensational, itstimetopounce.

    Actquicklyandsetthosewheelsofgettinghiredinmotion.Naturallyagreat

    Proposalisparamounttogettingnoticedandsealingthedeal.Theresalotto

    cover,soletsjumprightin:

    Customize (yes, customize) your Proposal.Clientscanspotcut-and-

    pasteProposalsfromamileaway(1.6kilometers),givingyoutheaxe

    instantly.Cookie-cutterresponsesstandoutlikeasorethumbandearnyoua

    quickthumbsdown.Askquestionstoo.Aswellasshowinginterest,itsgood

    tobeginatwo-waydialogbetweenyouandtheclient.

    Write in a suitable tone.MuchlikeyourProleOverview,yourProposal

    shouldbepersonableyetprofessional.Saveyour16-letterwordsforScrabble,insteadexplainingyourselfinawarmandfriendlymanner.Makea

    friendandyoullgetthejob.

    Be succinct. Beagoodeditor.Brevityisvital,asclientsmaybebrowsing

    severalproposalsinashortamountoftime.Andplease,notypos.

    Spellcheckerisyourfriend.

    Show youre a good listener.Besuretodemonstratethatyouvereadthe

    jobposting.Askgoodquest ions,andshowinterestandenthusiasm.

    Highlight the value you bring.DontrelyonlyonyourProle.Bespecic

    aboutbenetsyoubringtothisparticularjob.Spotlightrelevantexperiences

    youvehad,howyoutackledsimilarjobsandwhatuniqueapproachesand

    skillsyoubringtothetable.

    Section 4: (continued)

    Your Proposal: The perfect pitch

    Ask for the job. ThinkofyourProposalasaninterview.Whatwouldyousaytomakesureyougetcalledback?Showyourenthusiasmandlettheperson

    knowyouwanttostarttheprojectsoon.Oh,thankthemfortheirtimetoo.

    Showcase relevant samples. YourElancePortfolioshouldbefullofawe-

    inspiringpiecesdemonstratingyourtalents,butwhynotpullsomeofthe

    morerelevantexamplesandincludethemdirectlyinyourproposal?This

    givesclientsyourbest,mostrelevantworkwithouthavingtosearchforit.

    FirmoS.

    Indonesia|Translator

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    4. Set a fair price.

    Clientsareinevitablygoingtogetlow-pricedProposalsfromthedesperateand

    uninspired,aswellasoutrageouslyhigh-pricedProposalsfromothers.Dontworry

    aboutthem.Ifyouveprovenyourworth(seeabove)youllgetyourfairprice.Now,

    whatexactlyisafairprice?Heresastartingpointtodeterminethat:

    Factor in your time and effort.Carefullyguesstimateallthatsinvolved.

    Makesuretotakeintoaccounttheprojectscomplexity,time-frame(any16-

    hourdaysneeded?)andtotaleffortrequired.

    Research your market.Doyourduediligence,decidingwhoyoure

    competingagainst.Getanideaforindustrypayaverages,startingwith

    Elances very own Trends pageswhereweshowyouallthetopskillsbeing

    hiredonElance,alongwithaveragepayrates.Factorinifyoureofferingapremiumskillthatsdifculttond.

    See things from your clients perspective.Areyoujustbreakinginto

    themarket,ornewtoElanceandyettobuild-upyourstanding(seeYour

    Reputationsection)?Orjusttheopposite,areyouaprovenexpertwithgreat

    feedbackandratings?Itmatters.Andrealistically,sodoesyourpotential

    clientspastbudgets.Looktoseewhattheyvespentforsimilarprojects.

    Decide what youre worth. Estimateinallhonestywhatisafairpriceforthe

    jobathand.Dontsellyoursel fshort,reac tingtolow-ballpricing. Iftheclient

    wantsqualityworkinatimelymanner,theyllpayyouwhatyoudeserve.

    Section 4: (continued)

    Your Proposal: The perfect pitch

    5. Consider submitting a Proposal with no price.

    Ifyourenotsureoftherequirements,dontmakeawildguess.Itcancomeback

    tohauntyou.Instead,onyourProposalchecktheWillsubmitamountlaterbox.

    InyourProposalbesuretoaskspecicquestionstogetfurtherclarication,and

    reassuretheclientthatyoullnalizeapricebasedonthatinformation.

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    6. Dont just sit there, follow-up.

    OnceyourProposalissubmitted,keepyoureyeontheball.CheckyourMy

    JobspageorWatchListdailyforstatusupdatesonyourpotentialproject.The

    clientmaybeaskingforadditionalinformation.Ifyouchangeyourmindorearn

    anotherjobandcanttthisprojectintoyourschedule,bepoliteandwithdraw

    yourbid.Youmaywellcomeacrossthisclientagain,andtheyllrememberyour

    courteousness.

    7. Dont just sit there, send more Proposals.

    Althoughyouwant tobeselective inthejobsyousetyoursightson,youalso

    wanttomakesureyoucoverallofyourbases.YourrstProposalisjustthe

    beginning.OncethatProposalissubmitted,starttheprocessoverandnd

    anotherjobthatsperfect.Andanother.Andanother.Asyoubuildyouronlinework reputation at Elance youll want to give yourself lots of opportunities.

    Section 4: (continued)

    Your Proposal: The perfect pitch

    8. Negotiating your price.

    Oftenapotentialclientwilllikewhattheysee,butnotseeeye-to-eyeon

    pricing.Thismaybeastraight-upcostissue,orthescopeoftheprojectmay

    havechanged.Eitherway,keepthesethoughtsinmind:

    Always remain professional.Noneedtotakethingspersonally.Yourea

    professionalandyouknowwhatyoureworth.Simplyexplainwhyyoufeel

    youre asking a fair price.

    Be willing to withdraw your offer. Ifthereisabsolutelynowiggleroom,

    walkawayandthanktheclientfortheirtime.Simplywithdrawyourofferand

    moveon.

    If the price changes, update terms and milestones.Whenuctuationshappen,updateallrelateditemsintheproject.Beespeciallysensitiveto

    shiftingenddatesandscope.

    Do not work without job funding.Whiletheearlybirdgetstheworm,in

    someinstanceshe/shegetsburned.Dontbetheonewhogivesawayfree

    work.Waituntilfundingissecuredbeforeyouloghours.

    Next:Your Workroom

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    Congratulations!YourProposalwasacceptedandyourenowreadytocreate

    somemagic.Witheveryprojectyoullautomaticallybeassignedasecure

    ElanceWorkroomwhereyouandyourclientcancollaborate.Thisisalsowhere

    youlltrackprogressandensureyougetpaid(yeah!).Whiletherearemany

    servicesandfeatures,herearesomehighlightsofyoursharedWorkroom:

    Communicate and collaborate.Youllndtoolsforstayingintouch(from

    emailtovideoconferencing),aswellassolutionsforsharinglesand

    tracking work.

    Section 5:

    Your Workroom: Where jobs get tackled

    Manage projects.UseyourWorkroomtokeepprojectsmovingsmoothly.

    Youcansetandupdateterms,sharestatusreportsandhaveyour

    timesheetssubmittedautomaticallyifyoureworkingonanhourlyjob.

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    Get paid quickly.Allthetoolsforgettingpaidareincludedinyour

    Workroom.Whenobjectivesaresuccessfullymet,yourmoneywillbe

    released and sent to you.

    Section 5: (continued)

    Your Workroom: Where jobs get tackled

    Eliminate paperwork and busy work.Elancehasstreamlinedthe

    processofgettingworkdone,includingtakingmanyofthebureaucratic

    stepsoutoftheprocess.Thingshappenautomatically,intuitivelyand

    greenly.MotherNaturewillthankyou.

    Next:Your Reputation

    Esteban T.

    Argentina|iOSDeveloper

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    Withallthingsbeingequal,clientswillobviouslyaccepttheProposalwiththe

    bestbalanceofqualityandvalue.Butasweknow,notallfreelancersareequal

    intalentnoraffordability.Thatswhereyouronlinereputationcomesintoplay.

    Elancegivesyouseveralopportunitiestodistanceyourselffromotherswho

    maybeinterestedinthesamejob.Heressomeinformationonhowtoput

    yourselfinthebestlight:

    Section 6:

    Your Reputation: Stand out from the rest

    1. Feedback is important. No, critical.

    Foreachjobyouwork,aclientcan(andshould)leaveFeedbackratingsto

    sharehowgreatitwasworkingwithyou.

    Justasclientscanleavecommentsonwhytheyenjoyedworkingwithyou,you

    canalsorespondwithyourownFeedbacktotheircomments.Itgoeswithout

    sayingthatanycommentsyouleaveshouldbeprofessionallywordedas

    otherclientswillbeabletoseethem.Sometimesweseefreelancersreacting

    poorlytoFeedbackreceived.Dontgetcaughtupinthenegativity.Ifyou

    disagreewiththeFeedbackleft,besuretoremainprofessionalandallowyour

    responsetoexplainthesituation.

    Ifyoufeelthataclientispressuringyoutochangethescopeoftheworkby

    withholdingpositiveFeedback(example:askingforextraworkyoudidnt agreeto),giveusacall.CoercionisaviolationofElancePolicyandyou

    deserve better.

    And remember, Feedback cannot be changed once its posted. This is

    important to remember when asking for Feedback, and when leaving

    Feedback for your clients.

    SarahR.

    PuertoRico|Writer

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    2. Making sense of My Stats and Level.

    TohelpdifferentiateyourselfbeyondaProleandprice,Elancehasseveral

    featuresfordeterminingyouronlinereputation.TheseincludeMyStatsand

    yourLevel.MyStatsincludesasnapshotofyourhistoryofworkonElance,

    whileLeveliscalculatedusingthenumbersfromMyStats.Letusexplain:

    My Stats is your online work history.Somekeynumbersweincludein

    MyStatsarethenumberofclientsyouhave(andrepeatclients),aswellas

    thenumberofjobs,milestonesandhoursyouveworkedonElance.Italso

    includesclientFeedbackfromrecommendationstoreviews.

    Note: Feedbackleftbyformerclientsisviewablebypotentialclients.Thats

    whyitsimportanttomakesureclientsleaveFeedbackaftereverysuccessful

    jobandyourespondprofessionallyto thatFeedback.GoodFeedbackalsoelevatesyourLevel.

    Section 6: (continued)

    Your Reputation: Stand out from the rest

    Your Level is determined by My Stats.Byfactoringinthedatawe

    accumulateinMyStats,wereabletoassignanumericalnumberthat

    assessesyourlevel.Whenyoufocusondoinggreatworkandbuildinga

    successfulonlinebusiness,yourLevelwillriseaccordingly.

    Note: YourLeveliscalculatedasaresultofanumberoffactors,fromyour

    servicedeliveryandclientrelationshipstomarketingperformance.YourLevel

    willdeterminewhereyouplaceinthedefaultsearchrankingsonElance.

    Key drivers of My Stats and Level.Manyfactorsplayintoyourultimate

    numbers,includingjobFeedback,earningsvolumeandgrowth,howyou

    growclientrelationships,whetheryoubidanappropriatepriceandevenyour

    Elancepolicycompliance.

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    3. Managing your Feedback, Stats and Levels.

    HerearesomequickpointersformaximizingyouronlinereputationatElance:

    Always request Feedback from clients.Weautomaticallypromptyour

    clientstoprovideFeedbackonceajobiscomplete,butwecantforcethem

    todoso.IfafewdaysgobyandtheresbeennoFeedbackentered,besure

    togentlynudgethemasareminder.Itmayeventakeasecondnudgeor

    more.Bepersistent,butnotrude.Remember,beforeacceptingajobyoucan

    checkapotentialclientstendencyforgivingFeedback.Keepthatinmind

    whensendingProposals.

    Respond professionally to Feedback.Whetheritsgoodorbad,remember

    thatitssomeonesestimationandrespecttheiropinion.Plus,Feedbackcant

    bechangedonceithasbeenposted.Also,yourresponsewillbedisplayedonyourProle.Doyoureallywantpotentialclientstoseeanastyremark

    youvemadetoaclient?

    Use the Elance platform.Youllcompletejobssuccessfully,

    getFeedbackandreceivepaymentthroughElance.

    Build strong relationships.To best raise your online reputation, continue to

    addnewclientsandachieverepeatworkandstrongearningsfromthem.

    Dot your is and cross your ts.Bediligentinthedetailsprovidedin

    thisguide.CreateastrongProle,submitqualityProposalsforrelevantjobs,

    priceyourserviceswithincustomarybudgetrangesandensurethework

    isawardedandcompletedonElance.

    Section 6: (continued)

    Your Reputation: Stand out from the rest

    Next:Your Reminder

    DaynaB.

    Canada|Illustrator

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    YoursecurityisparamountatElance.Naturallywewantyoutotakeadvantage

    ofallthegreatfeaturesandservicesweoffertohelpyouWorkDifferently.

    Ourguidanceissimple:StayonElance,GetPaidonElance.

    UsingthejobsWorkroomandTerms&Milestonesareastodocumentcosts,

    deliverablesandotherdecisionsrelatedtoyourworkiscritical.Elanceishere

    tohelp,butwecanonlyrelyontheinformationprovidedintheWorkroom.

    UsingWorkViewandElanceEscrowaregreatwaystomanageyour

    paymentsonElanceandwillgiveyouandyourclientthecondencetohitthe

    ground running.

    Keeptheserulesinmindatalltimes:

    Never take jobs off Elance. IfclientsaskyoutoworkoutsideoftheElance

    platform,awarningbellshouldgooffinyourhead.Somethingisnotright.Ifyouagree,itsagainstElancerulesandyoureindangerofgettingscammed.

    You will lose all protection Elance affords you. Period.

    Refuse (and let Elance know) if clients:

    -Askyoufornancialaccounts

    -Askyoutobuyanythingtocompletetheirjob

    -AskyoutoworkonajobElancehasdisallowed

    -ArenotofciallylistedonElance

    Never create custom samples.Again, dont give out your work for free. Use

    yourPortfolio(andprolicpowersofpersuasion)tosellyourself.Ifyoumake

    samplesbeforethejobisawardedtheresagoodchanceyoullneverhear

    fromthemagain.

    Section 7:

    Your Reminder: Rules to keep you safe

    Next:Youre Hired

    Gillian W.

    Jamaica|Writer

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    Withyourincredibleskillsandtheknow-howgleanedfromthishandy

    FreelancersGuide,youresuretobeanawesomesuccessonElance.

    Remember,youronlinereputationisamajordriveringrowingyourbusiness.

    Sobesuretogotheextramile/kilometertodoagreatjob.Feedbackisan

    importanttoolforattractingnewclients.Exceptionalworkwillalsohelpyouget

    asecondandthirdjobfromeachclienttoo.

    Section 8:

    Youre Hired: Go do an awesome job

    Speaking of which, be on the look-out for follow-up jobs.

    Andaswementionedpreviously,long-termclientrelationshipsissomething

    thatwillonlyhelpyoubemoresuccessfulonElance.Whenyourenishedwith

    aproject,dontbeshyaboutsuggestingotherworkyoucando.Clientsare

    sometimessofocusedontheirto-dolistthattheydontrealizeopportunities

    thatmaybeintheperipheral.Enlightenthem(inanon-pushyway).Inshort,

    becomeaninvaluablepartner.

    Sogogetyourselfsomeonlinefreelancejobsanddoanawesomejob.Were

    excitedtohaveyouontheteam!

    IfyourelookingforadditionalhelponearningmoremoneyatElance,check

    outtheseresources:

    Elance Help Center

    ElanceOfcialBlog

    Hiring Trends

    TermsofService

    ElanceWebinarSignUp

    WaterCoolerMemberForum

    Cheers,

    TheElanceTeam

    SamB.

    Australia|Writer

    Elance:AFreelancersGuide|23

    http://help.elance.com/homehttps://www.elance.com/q/blog/https://www.elance.com/trends/skills-in-demandhttps://www.elance.com/q/legal#serviceterms2https://www.elance.com/q/contractor-webinarshttps://www.elance.com/q/forumhttps://www.elance.com/q/forumhttps://www.elance.com/q/contractor-webinarshttps://www.elance.com/q/legal#serviceterms2https://www.elance.com/trends/skills-in-demandhttps://www.elance.com/q/blog/http://help.elance.com/home
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