Jan 08 2009
Legitimate Writing Jobs at Elance
If you are looking for legitimate writing jobs on a freelance basis, you may want to check out Elance. It is a marketplace where freelance providers meet with buyers (job suppliers). These buyers put up their job proposal on the website and have the freelance service providers bid for the job. If you have any kind of service that can be done online such as writing, illustrating, programming, accounting and such, you can try to find a job here. Some buyers require a freelancer to complete the job on a regular basis, while others require a one-off assignment.
I have not tried bidding for a job, but I have personally tried to get someone to perform a writing task for me. There were many writers who came forth to offer their services. Some are individuals while other work in a team. There are advantages and disadvantages of both groups of service providers. Anyway, what I liked about Elance is that they have a secure payment system, which makes it impossible for buyers to run away with the completed assignment without paying the freelancers. It is also impossible for freelancers to run away with the money without completing the agreed assignment. Here’s how they ensure there is no fraud cases.
Once the buyer has agreed to accept a freelancer for a job, they have to remit money to the Escrow account in Elance where it is safe and secure. Once the money has been remitted, the freelancer will then begin with the job and complete them within the designated time agreed. Once the freelancer has completed the job and the buyer is satisfied with it, the money will be transferred from the Escrow account to the freelancer’s account. If there is any dispute, Elance may step in to mediate the situation.
I think that if you have the time to spare to follow through a writing job, this is a great way to venture into freelance writing. It would definitely expand your online earning opportunities. As for me, I don’t think I will have that much time at this moment to concentrate on writing on demand like this, but it is a consideration in the future, especially when I’m in desperate need for more income.
Having actually participated in the site I thought I would correct some things.
Elance is not a very good site for PROFESSIONAL writers. Not unless you want to edit a 50 page e-book for $50. The Elance market is flooded with a majority of overseas providers working for a dollar an hour (sometimes even less). The overall quality of providers is very low as well.
Elance escrow is not a safe bet either. Many buyers have had money locked up in escrow for months. This, on projects where the provider has not produced any work product and in some cases disappeared all-together.
Elance will NOT get involved. They even specifically say they will not get involved. Their “mediation” is nothing more than saying they “encourage” the buyer and provider to work out the problem themselves.
Elance is also wrought with fraud. Providers and buyers both have figured out many ways to cheat one another and Elance turns a blind eye…again citing that they “cannot get involved”.
There have been many instances where a defrauded member has attempted to resort to working with their credit card company or bank to address an issue of fraud. Elance will sick their attorneys on it to protect their cut of the fees they have collected.
Buyers and providers alike should be very wary of venturing out to Elance. Their poor BBB record, record on ripoffreport and a host of other ratings sites speak for itself.
Not suprising considering their founder himself was indicted and convicted of federal fraud charges.
Elance is a joke if you are looking to provide quality work (and get anything close to a fair wage).
For buyers it’s even worse. The whole site is chalk full of low-quality providers with glowing resumes and feedback. The thing is the providers make multiple accounts and “trade” projects within the accounts for that very feedback.
Elance turns a blind eye so they can collect their service fees.
Their escrow isn’t a real escrow system, the website itself has errors all the time and if you are looking for any type of customer service or support you get a phone answering machine and an email support service that never returns emails.
Elance is by far the worst freelancing site I have ever had the misfortune of working with.
If you ever think of checking it out be sure and READ their 800 page terms of service statement. They are not responsible for ANYTHING. They can come back and take money you made months ago if they want (and they have citing problems and fraud)…even though their system is supposed to prevent these things.
Elance is a joke and a horrible affront to decent business practices.