Many freelance writers get their start on job bidding sites…I know this because I was one of them. The first place I signed up for when I wanted to write online was Scriptlance.com. I eventually branched out to GetaFreelancer.com and Elance.com, but Scriptlance was my main focus for the first 8 months or so of my writing journey. Though the pay isn’t the greatest starting out, I have managed to land several gigs from these sites, some of which become longer projects. Previous clients from these sites still contact me with work they need completed.
- Showcase your abilites.
For these job bidding sites, people are coming to get quality work at the most affordable prices. These people are putting their money on the line to get what they want, but the majority will need to be swayed in regards that you are the best person for the job. Each of the job bidding sites allow you to create a profile and portfolio to present your abilities to the buyers. Having an empty profile will drastically reduce the changes of you landing a gig. It is important to fill every field of your profile, and upload several of your writing samples to the portfolio. If you don’t currently have any samples, sit down and write them. You have to be able to show these potential clients your writing talent before they will hire you.
-Bid Often.
Job bidding sites are a numbers game…one in which the more jobs you bid on, the more jobs you will win. Set a goal of how many jobs you want to submit your bid to each day, and stick with it. My personal goal was always 3, though sometimes I did more or less. The more you get yourself out there, the more likely you are to stay booked up with work. You can always turn down the less interesting/lower paying gigs in favor of the better ones.
-Present Informative, Interesting Bids
Few people will be able to land gigs by placing a bid along with a incredibly short “Let me have the job” line. The option to add a message with your bid should be taken advantage of. I use this text box as a cover letter to be sent along with the dollar amount I wish to complete the project for. In the message, I outline my abilities as they pertain to the project, clarify my bid and the time it will take me to complete the job, and include anything else that could help me land the job. Have a general template that can help you speed up the bidding process, but be sure to tailor it to each job listing, as some buyers will ask specific questions to the writers. Sending a well thought out message will make you sound more interested in the project.
-Don’t Expect to Get Rich
Job bidding sites usually offer low paying gigs, which some people are okay with in order to get experience and clients under their belt. When I first got started, I didn’t realize people out there would pay $10-$15 or more for one article, so I thought the $5 rate I was working for was pretty darn good. If you are going to get your start on these kinds of sites, you cannot go in with the mentality that you will make top dollar for your abilities. Many of the buyers are seeking decent work for the lowest price possible. It is extremely possible that you will be outbid many times by someone who lives outside the USA and is willing to write for $1/article.
That doesn’t mean you can’t receive nice paying gigs on these sites. I’ve had clients from Scriptlance pay me $5-$8 per article or blog post. Nowadays, however, these projects are like a needle in a haystack. They are out there, but may be few and far between.
All in all, I wouldn’t recommend quitting your full time job to gain work off job bidding sites. However, they are beneficial if you are just getting started and are looking to expand your portfolio and gain some clients.
