How to Get Freelance Jobs Through Elance

If you want freelance writing jobs, freelance web design jobs or freelance video editing jobs, there's no place like Elance to get the jobs you want at the price you want to be paid. Freelance writers have access to hundreds of projects each day with Elance.

Instructions

1. Sign up for an account from Elance. Some categories require their freelancers (called "providers") to take a skills test in order to become qualified as a provider. If this is required of you, take the tests to the best of your ability. Freelance writers also have the option of taking other skill tests that evaluate their writing and editing skills.

2. Fill in your provider profile. This is the area in which you will talk about your freelance writing, Web design, programming or other freelance skills. Discuss anything that a potential client will want to know about your skill set, your business terms and your experience in the field. Freelance writers should fill in their Elance portfolio with writing samples.

3. Start bidding on freelance jobs. There are hundreds of jobs added every day, and getting the job you want requires bidding the price that you want to be paid. Many people believe that clients will only hire the one with the lowest bid, but this is rarely the case. Most clients want the bidder who has the best experience and the writing, design or programming style that they are looking for.

4. Keep in mind that Elance takes a percentage of what you make. When you bid, add that fee into what you need to make to make the project worth your time. For most categories, the percentage is 8.75 percent. Freelance writers have this deducted by the site from every project payment.

5. Follow through with all projects that are awarded to you. Never leave a client hanging and always get your work in on time. Clients will rate you and give feedback about your work. Freelance writers start out with bad feedback, freelance jobs will be far harder to get through Elance.

6. Increase your fee over time. As you build up more feedback and ratings, you can command a higher fee. Clients will see that you are good at what you do and are a trustworthy provider and will be willing to pay more for those attributes.