Winning Bid on Freelance Job Sites

Maximizing Your Potential at Guru.com And Elance.com

Freelance job sites such as Guru.com and Elance.com are flooded with freelancers just like yourself who are looking for jobs in various fields. The competition is fierce when hundreds of applicants bid on one particular project and the employer is faced with a huge decision. In order to write winning bids on freelance job sites, you must know how to attract attention to your bid.

1. Don't Use a Standard Template
No matter how you write it, employers will know if you use a standard bidding template rather than writing individual responses to different projects. Although you might want to include much of the same information -- especially if you only apply to one specific type of freelance job -- you'll want to gear your response to the particular employer. This shows not only that you read the bid, but that you take the time necessary to show you are interested.

2. Comment On Statements in the Bid
This second tip goes hand-in-hand with the first. Not only should you write individual bids on freelance job sites, but you should also comment on the specifics of the job in question. For example, if you are a freelance writer and the project is for writing 40 articles, you'll want to give an estimated turn-around time for 40 articles. This shows that you read the bid carefully and that you are interested in taking on that specific project.

3. Address the Employer by Name
Some employers on freelance job sites will sign their name at the bottom, while others won't. If they do put their name, start your bid with Dear ____. Personalizing your bids on Guru.com and Elance.com will show that you are interested not only in projects, but in the people behind the projects. Wouldn't you be more inclined to offer a job to someone who addressed you by name rather than Hey You?
Many of the employers on freelance job sites give too little information, which should prod you to ask questions to learn more before you actually bid. If you are just bidding on whatever jobs flood your inbox, employers will realize that you aren't discriminating about who you work for or the types of jobs you'll do. For example, if an employer on Guru.com doesn't specify the word count on an article he needs, send him a message asking for the word count before you place your bid.

4. Follow Up
I noticed a dramatic increase in job offers when I started following up on my bids. Two or three days after I submit a bid, I send the employer a private message that thanks him or her again for considering my bid and asks if they would like any further information about me. This will encourage the employer to check out your bid again and to seriously consider your offer.

5. Direct the Employer to Your Website
One of the biggest mistakes you can make on freelance job sites is failing to post the link to your website or CV. Get the employer interested in your bid by encouraging him or her to learn more about you. Recommend that the employer visit certain pages on your site to get a feel for your talents and ask that he or she e-mail you with any questions.
With all of the different service providers on freelance job sites, it's a wonder that anyone makes any money. But you can make your bid stand out above all the rest by following the tips above.

By Steve Thompson, published Mar 04, 2007
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/158167/how_to_write_a_winning_bid_on_freelance.html?page=2&cat=31

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