The truth about being a freelancer

hhope1 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-08-2006, 04:54 PM

Hi,

I've been working as a freelance writer online now for a couple of months and I thought it would be fun if we freelancers could share our experiences and some tips on how better to deal with the ups and downs of the business. I can certainly come up with some good thoughts.

There are lots of hazards in working as a freelance writer. Has anyone had an experience with some of the freelance websites? I know of elance, guru, and ifreelance.

hhope1 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-21-2006, 03:09 PM

I'll start.

I've got this client whose been dragging out payment on something I turned in forever ago. Plus I was expecting that to help me move from my old apartment.

It hasn't shown up yet and I'm thinking about just writing it off. As a freelancer it doens't seem theres much I can do to track down and recieve payment.

sugarglider · #3 (**permalink**) 04-23-2006, 05:01 AM

I've been doing freelance writing online for a couple of years now. I'm a musician, and it's a good way to supplement my income.

Incredibly, I've never not been paid for a job. (Although there's a first time for everything!) Once or twice I've had an unacceptable delay in payment, but 98% of the time I've been paid very promptly.

The possibility of not getting paid is one of the big problems with this kind of work, and unfortunately, if they don't pay you, there's really nothing you can do, especially if the employer is in a foreign country. A good rule to follow is to not wait for a big lump sum payment - if it's a big job, get an upfront payment of part of your fee, or get it in regular installments as you go.

Sites like elance give you a certain amount of protection because there's a complaints procedure of sorts - you can red flag a non-paying employer.

noodlebunny · #4 (**permalink**) 04-28-2006, 12:18 AM

Sometimes it's good to demand half or 1/3 ahead of time and creating a contract which the demander should sign is also good. Just make sure there is a cordial agreement before doing anything.

llfwjr · #5 (**permalink**) 06-16-2006, 04:44 PM

Another trick is to develop long-term relationships with a client. In my experience, 90% of the no-pays (and there aren't that many of them) were all new clients.

jesstwnpr · #6 (**permalink**) 06-22-2006, 08:33 PM

I've started looking at www.freelance-design-job.com and it's going to be as good as the others, I think. The great thing about this one is there aren't as many people placing bids yet. So it gives you a better opportunity (if you're good) to get more jobs.

I've been freelancing for a few years now and love it. It works well for family life for me. It's only been in the past few months that I've started looking for odd jobs to fill my lulls on these freelance websites. I've had mostly good experiences. One no-pay. (Which was very frustrating!) But luckily it was for only a small project so I didn't waste too much of my time for nothing.

richiekotzenrules · #7 (**permalink**) 06-23-2006, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesstwnpr

I've started looking at www.freelance-design-job.com and it's going to be as good as the others, I think. The great thing about this one is there aren't as many people placing bids yet. So it gives you a better opportunity (if you're good) to get more jobs.

I've been freelancing for a few years now and love it. It works well for family life for me. It's only been in the past few months that I've started looking for odd jobs to fill my lulls on these freelance websites. I've had mostly good experiences. One no-pay. (Which was very frustrating!) But luckily it was for only a small project so I didn't waste too much of my time for nothing.

I have looked at the site and I like it so far, only no open jobs ? Have you ever gotten a job through this one, or did you just find this one ? It is true that the less people bidding for a job the more chances you have to actually get it. :D

annasibs · #8 (**permalink**) 06-26-2006, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richiekotzenrules

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesstwnpr

I've started looking at www.freelance-design-job.com and it's going to be as good as the others, I think. The great thing about this one is there aren't as many people placing bids yet. So it gives you a better opportunity (if you're good) to get more jobs.

I've been freelancing for a few years now and love it. It works well for family life for me. It's only been in the past few months that I've started looking for odd jobs to fill my lulls on these freelance websites. I've had mostly good experiences. One no-pay. (Which was very frustrating!) But luckily it was for only a small project so I didn't waste too much of my time for nothing.

I have looked at the site and I like it so far, only no open jobs ? Have you ever gotten a job through this one, or did you just find this one ? It is true that the less people bidding for a job the more chances you have to actually get it. :D

That is what I have noticed too. The website does look good but there seems to be only a few job listings, and most of the projects I have clicked at are either closed or frozen.

As for freelancing experience, I consider myself still a newbie at it, though I have been at it for nearly a year. I have a blog that I update on a day-to-day basis, and I get paid for it regularly, so it's not a problem for me. As for other projects, I have never not been paid... yet.

peachey · #9 (**permalink**) 06-26-2006, 01:47 PM

HI I myself have done this for a couple of years on and off. Lately I have had to quit my regular job due to health problems. I really enjoy staying home and doing freelance work. Freelance work gives me the oppurtunity to be my own boss with able to take the time I need off when I have to.

Thanks for the tip on the site. Recently I have been looking for new sites for freelancers to have a larger oppurtunity to find work.

The site that I currently working from does off the buy to post escrow. I have make it a practice to tell all the buyers I will not start a project untill money is escrowed. I have at one time had a problem with not paying. Learn really fast that if they do not escrow I will not start the project.

Another thing is I make the awear that communication with them is very important. This helps alot also with getting paid that if they communicate you know what is happening all the time.

Have fun working and be careful

richiekotzenrules · #10 (**permalink**) 06-26-2006, 04:36 PM

Does anybody know of any good freelancing websites ? And I don't mean the ones you have to pay a membership fee when signing up, I mean the ones that are for free or just charge a fee when you get a job and they take some % as fee. Which is your favourite site ?

peachey · #11 (**permalink**) 06-26-2006, 05:03 PM

this is one I use the most and seems to be good. My son also is a freelancer and been doing it for years. He said that this is one of the nicers sites. always lots of jobs to bid on.

ttp://www.getafreelancer.com/affiliates/rherdey/

and no fee for signing up they do charge a small fee when you win, just put that in the bid, I do and I explain to the buyer that I did that to get the fee paid for.

Have a great day!!!!!!!

annasibs · #12 (**permalink**) 06-27-2006, 05:52 AM

Yeah, http://www.getafreelancer.com is good. I got a couple of good jobs from it, and within two days of signing up, too. There are indeed a lot of jobs to bid on, on a variety of areas of expertise.

peachey · #13 (**permalink**) 06-27-2006, 12:32 PM

Yes it is a nice site. When I need something to do I know I can almost count on getting something quick to do there. The only thing that gets me in freelancing is the pay. We do not get paid enough due to there is alot of us out there but, I still enjoy the work, and love being home.

Rentacoder is another site that is not that bad and they do have where the buyer has to post the money in escrow. And they do have an arbtraiton in case something goes wrong which is really great.

peachey · #14 (**permalink**) 07-25-2006, 02:46 PM

I have found a new site that is nice and refreshing...they are just starting out...take a look and join in they offer great sign up for everyone.

www.justafreelancer.com

click on the link check it out and join today...
I really like the site and the people are very nice on there.

supressedinsanity · #15 (**permalink**) 07-26-2006, 08:55 PM

What kind of money do Freelance writers make at these sites?Are the jobs that they do the same as "copy writing", like come up with slogans and Advertisments and stuff?

I was also wondering,Are there any sites where people ask for written scripts and stuff like that which you can submit to film makers? That would be a really cool Job, but guess not everyone has the talent to write that well :(

lotsa questions, but lotsa answers is better :)

Bye!