- GetAFreelancer
- Scriptlance
- oDesk
- RentACoder
- Elance
All of these sites have free and Paid Membership. Of course, paid memberships have more privileges but that doesn’t mean free members won’t get their share of success. You can start by signing up for free and as soon as you have built a strong profile, you may then upgrade your membership status. Make sure to read and follow their terms to avoid being banned on the site. (Scrap that! Just click on “I Agree” and you’re all set.)
Know Thyself
Assess your skills and interests. What is your field of expertise? What do you want to do?
| I am good in… | Maybe you can try… |
| Speaking | Voice Over |
| Writing | Copywriting |
| Selling | Telemarketing |
| Typing | Data Entry |
| HTML | Website Design |
| Japanese | Translation |
| Art | Logo Design |
If You Have It, Flaunt It
Convince your clients why they should choose you and what makes you so special. Do you have years of experience? What tools do you have? Make sure it is related to the job being offered. For instance, telling them that you can make a 3D design of a house, or that you can make a software for networking, or that you have an X-ray vision won’t do any good if the job only entails editing simple data.
Aim High
Do not settle for mediocrity. Try to exceed your clients’ expectations. If you have committed to deliver the project in 10 days, surprise your client by sending the complete and error-free data in 7 days. In that way, your clients will give you good reviews and possibly Recommend you to others which can also help increase your market value.
If at First You Don’t Succeed, Heck You Know The Rest…
Do not be easily discouraged if you weren’t able to close a deal yet. Oftentimes, landing on the first job is the hardest part. It gets easier as soon as you are able to build connections with your clients. If you have succeeded on your first try, then your one lucky guy after all. You can go thank that Feng Shui guru in the Chinese shop where you bought that golden waving cat figurine.
