Work at elance for beginners. Part 2

So, in the previous part ( How to get started on Elance.com. A quick guide for a web designer. ) We settled on bids (applications for the project)

The right bids with examples, getting started

This is perhaps the main part of my story. How you know how to compose and throw bids will determine the profitability of your work.

• Immediately introduce yourself as an individual, you do not need to invent all kinds of nonsense and write in the style of "we are a talented young company / web studio that satisfies everyone left and right." In the bidet, you can briefly list the advantages of working with an individual.
• Do not write generic bids (I have super development experience, I know all the technologies, I will do your project at the highest level). Laziness is a good thing, but it is here that you need to overcome it.
• Insert 3-4 links to specific thematic screenshots. Portfolio links are very long so use tinyurl.com
• Insert a short plan with work stages (deadlines and prices)
• Leave the possibility of maneuver for the customer in the text and price

Examples:
Bad Hindu bid (used in the same way for any projects)
My bid for the project (I feel that after such a rape, he will still meet me on the ellance, which of course I would not want to - add your thoughts to the text :))

This does not mean that nobody bites on generic bids at all, the matter is still at your level - when you become big and famous, you can do without bids - customers will come themselves)))

Sometimes customers, in addition to screenshots from the portfolio, may ask you for recommendations from clients or links to work projects (this is the end of more for those who register only and does not review).

References are reviews from your previous US-based customers, so customers really check them by email or phone. Therefore, do not write that I did ibm.com, as you may be asked for a phone. This is a very common practice.

If, at the request of a new customer, you cannot show a working project, etc., then try to say that you have signed the NDA (nondisclosure agreement - confidentiality agreements, practiced everywhere) - not the fact that they will believe you, but at least they will lag behind.

Total: a competent bid, which clearly approaches the solution of the problem in efficiency, is many times greater than generic bid

Business terms

Once you have been selected as the project executor, you must necessarily agree on a work and payment plan. Firstly, according to this plan, you will receive money (since the process is automated to some extent, it is simply more convenient to send an application for a specific payment, which is already written in your plan).

Secondly, this is a very important point in resolving conflicts with a customer.

Project implementation, reviews

PMB - private message board - internal messaging system

From the very beginning, complete all correspondence via PMB (at least with new customers). Be sure to send all work only through it. Otherwise, in the event of a conflict, do not find the ends.
I took this more lightly, but the last order made me change my mind.

I will not describe the implementation of the project - there is a lot to be desired, however, know that you can always be reminded of your nagging in the review :)

Feedback (feedback) is a key thing for your development, it is even more important than a portfolio.
Therefore, always try to carry out the project in such a way (to work in good faith and make small concessions) in order to ultimately receive positive feedback from 4 to 5 points.
If something did not grow together during the work, then try to come to an agreement - for example, throw off the price, do additional work for a good review.

Good advice for beginners - take on small and cheap tasks that are neglected by others, do them quickly to get the first feedback just as quickly.

Remind the customer after the project that it would be nice to leave a review.

In general, do not skimp on words of gratitude for the customer and the project results - “excellent, super” - this is not particularly accepted here, but there it is. Leave people a pleasant impression of work.

Total: Honor needs to be protected from a young age :) to tarnish your reputation - very quickly, and earn a very long time.

Financial issues, conflicting prices, payments, withdrawals

Cost of participation at elans

The cost of participation is approximately 250-400 rubles per month (depending on the number of bid, you can buy them)
Payment to Elans, percentage of the transaction - 10%

Payment - by plastic card or from an internal account, there are no problems.

Payments, conflicts

Use escrow - it’s much easier to throw a designer than a programmer (I personally can’t stand pinching a jeep, set watermarks), so use a secure transaction. It is generally accepted. In general, the choice of payment model is determined by the customer when placing the project, you can only confirm.

In the event of a conflict with the customer, we can contact elance arbitration to resolve the issue. Arbitration only works with money deposited into an escrow account.

The essence of arbitration - elance tries to act as the regulator and solve the problem peacefully (draw up a new work plan, etc.), but if attempts to reach an agreement have failed, then elance will accept decision to release money from the account.

Arbitration is carried out on the basis of facts obtained from buisness terms, internal correspondence and the result of the work sent.

They say that more often decisions are made in favor of the performer, but I can neither confirm nor deny.

Withdraw funds

Getting the first payment is also nice how to capitalize the first girl.

Very simple, two good options:

1. Transfer to the account of an individual in a Russian bank.
For example, you go to Alfabank, get yourself a plastic visa / mastercard, they give out gold cards for almost that, plus a lot of chips like SMS notifications about receipt of money - it's convenient.

It takes 2-4 business days (accordingly, try to accumulate funds and throw them off once a month at the beginning of the week). If I am not mistaken, then one withdrawal per month is free, the next one this month - for a fee.

Of course, there is a question of taxes and entrepreneurial activity, but knowledgeable people say that with amounts less than $ 10k per month you are not interested in anyone.

2. There is a very chic option. Elance works with Payoneer plastic cards.

How to get a card - fill out the application in the profile (do it immediately after registration) and wait for the envelope with the card by regular mail. It takes 2-4 weeks, costs $ 10 - money is withdrawn when the card is activated, it is serviced at any ATM, the fees for withdrawing funds are acceptable.

This completely solves the problem of delays of 2-4 days with the withdrawal of funds and potential problems with the tax. Recommend.

Links to other exchanges

It did not work at all, but maybe someone will be interested.

odesk.com
guru.com
rentacoder.com

However, it is for designers that elance is more suitable.

Conclusion

He told everything that he knew, as he gained new experience, some new interesting moments might come up.

Perhaps you have the impression that working for elance is easy money. This is not true. To make money on freelance, you need to work and be responsible for the result of your work.

You should not count on the fact that you are sitting at work now, register and will not bother getting an increase of $ 1-2k. In addition to money, it will be very useful for many to gain experience of working in a competitive environment not on the Russian market.

It should also be understood that when registering for an e-business, you come to a clean field where no one knows you, and your portfolio is most likely not what you need. You will have to build the foundation of your material well-being from scratch, but it will depend only on you and will not disappear anywhere.
Like everything new - it's harder than riding on the thumb, but over time your reputation will work for you, not you for it. Now think how much those projects that you did before (to a familiar company, Vasya, at work ...) are

working on you now. I will end my story about working at elance.
Good luck)