When you are new to the world of freelance writing, it can be tempting to bid on any and all projects that you see. What you need to know is that while many freelance writing jobs are advertised by well meaning buyers who are willing to pay what they say that they will pay for work which meets their expectations, there are some bad apples out there. The best defense against unscrupulous buyers is to be choosy about which projects you bid on. Here are a few tips that you can use while you are browsing project listings and deciding which projects you would like to bid on. Please keep in mind that these tips are a product of my experience with Elance, because that is the only freelance job site that I use to find work. Other sites may have similar features and information available for you to use to evaluate projects.
Before you bid, take a peek at the buyer’s profile. If there are many jobs posted and few jobs awarded, don’t waste your time bidding because there is a low likelihood that anyone will be awarded the project, even you. Also, read feedback that other contractors have posted regarding their experience with the buyer. If you are able to see the job history and you see that a few other contractors (with otherwise good ratings) have tried their hand at it and have not met the client’s expectations, think twice before bidding because the client’s expectations may be unrealistic.
When you look at the project itself, it should provide clear expectations. If you find yourself having trouble deciding what you would bid on it because you can’t quite understand exactly what you would be doing and how long it would take, pass on it. When you select a project with a clear description it is easier to bid and you know what you are potentially signing yourself up for.
Also, if you can find jobs that use the escrow and “Work View” features. These features help to ensure that you get paid for the work that you do. Other sites may have similar features, and I believe that they are a very important safeguard.
Photo by mensatic on morguefile.com.