A Freelancers Guide to Earning More on Elance.

Table of contents

1. Work Differently: Youre gonna love it................................. 3 2. Your Profile: Shine like a diamond......................................... 5 1. Write your Overview with the ideal client in mind...... 5 2. Include an engaging and professional photo............... 6 3. Take multiple Skills Tests............................................. 6 4. Use your Portfolio to showcase talents....................... 7 5. Join Elance Groups..................................................... 7 6. Miscellaneous tips, advice and others truths............... 8

5. Your Workroom: Where jobs get tackled.............................. 17 6. Your Reputation: Stand out from the rest............................. 19 1. Feedback is important. No, critical............................ 19 2. Making sense of My Stats and Level......................... 20 3. Managing your Feedback, Stats and Levels............. 21

7. Your Reminder: Rules to keep you safe............................... 22 8. Youre Hired: Go do an awesome job.................................. 23 1. Speaking of which, look-out for follow-up jobs........... 23

3. Your Job Search: Finding great work fast.............................. 9 1. Check your Opportunities daily.................................... 9 2. Use Watch Lists to follow potential clients................. 10 3. Use the Elance search bar to find jobs...................... 10 4. Respond to Job Invites you receive........................... 11 5. Miscellaneous tips, advice and others truths............. 11

4. Your Proposal: The perfect pitch.......................................... 12 1. Stay in your happy zone, selecting jobs carefully...... 12 2. Screen clients as carefully as theyll screen you....... 13 3. Now write a killer Proposal........................................ 14 4. Set a fair price........................................................... 15 5. Consider submitting a Proposal with no price........... 15 6. Dont just sit there, follow-up..................................... 16 7. Dont just sit there, send more Proposals.................. 16 8. Negotiating your price................................................ 16

Section 1:

Work Differently: Youre gonna love it

Hello and welcome to Elance. Ready to land fantastic online freelance jobs? Excited about earning great money working when you want, on projects you love? We thought so. Well, youve come to the right place: Elance. Whether youre new to Elance or looking to brush-up on your expertise, this Freelancers Guide is a great starting point for being more successful. Youll learn how to perfect your Profile and Proposals, how to find the best jobs, how to stay protected and even how to get jobs done and get more work flowing in. We assume youve already registered on Elance. If not, sign up now (its free). What exactly is Elance? Elance is where people Work Differently. Were an online workplace where businesses go to find, hire and collaborate with skilled online freelancers like yourself. Not to brag, but Elance has over 500,000 businesses posting 100,000+ jobs each month. On Elance youll have the opportunity to work with businesses in more than 170 countries from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and individual entrepreneurs.

Corrina S.
United States | IT Project Manager

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Section 1: (continued)

Work Differently: Youre gonna love it

How Elance works. To work at Elance, all you need is an internet connection and talent. You use Elance to find jobs (we help you, making it even easier), then you complete jobs in a secure Workroom. We also take care of all the paperwork, plus collect and pass-on your money-due (so youre sure to get paid). As a freelancer, working on Elance doesnt have to cost you a penny. You have a choice of membership options, including a free plan. We make our money by adding a small 8.75% service fee above and beyond your price. For example, when you submit a $500 proposal, we add our fee to your quote and pass it on (your client would see a quote of $543.75). When the work is delivered, we deduct our $43.75 and pass the remaining $500 on to you. Ready to learn more? Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the guidelines in the following pages. With your talent and the tips provided, youre sure to earn more money and be even more awesome on Elance.

Artem K.
Ukraine | IT Programmer

Go for it!
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Section 2:

Your Profile: Shine like a diamond

When you stand out from other freelancers, you improve your chances of getting hired. Thats why making a great first impression is important. Come to think of it, its critical. Here are some tips on creating an eye-catching Profile:

1. Write your Overview with the ideal client in mind.

You cant be all things to all people. Throwing too wide of a net in your Overview section will land you nothing. Write your Overview to be read by one person and one person alone: Your ideal client. What would he or she want to know? Explain how your SKILLS allow you to SOLVE PROBLEMS (as much as we hate using all caps, this is one time theyre called for). Also, write in a friendly yet professional tone. Be warm and youll instantly stand out. And no tpyos (oops).

Good: Stand out with great design! With over 12 years of producing corporate marketing projects for some of the most innovative companies in world, Im here to bring your ideas and vision to life. Ive personally managed over 150 website designs and hundreds of print packages that include magazines, 1-pagers, and other collateral for events and other special promotions. I can and will deliver great results with a process thats timely, collaborative and at a great value for my clients.

Bad: Minimum hourly rate $15. A 10 year old software development company.

Daniel B.
United States | Videographer/Animator
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Section 2: (continued)

Your Profile: Shine like a diamond

2. Include an engaging and professional photo.
Clients are people too. They love putting a face to a name, and a friendly photo of you smiling is sure to get them leaning your way. Research shows that freelancers with an image are twice as likely to get the job. Yes, twice as likely.

3. Take multiple Skills Tests.

Show clients you know your stuff. Most professionals will find relevant Skills Tests on Elance, assessing your proficiency. Test completion helps separate you from others. In fact, 76% of clients say they prefer hiring tested freelancers. Tests are free on Elance, and if you suffer from the test jitters (as we all sometimes do), dont worry. You can always re-take the test later.

Good:

Bad:

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Section 2: (continued)

Your Profile: Shine like a diamond

4. Use your Portfolio to showcase talents.
Dont be shy, show-off. Real-world samples bring your skills to life. Again, fill your Portfolio with work your ideal client would want to see. Be specific in your descriptions, explaining your role in the project and what was accomplished. Also name your sample carefully, as potential clients can use our search bar to find Portfolio pieces of interest (such as, ecommerce mobile app).

5. Join Elance Groups.

Your membership in pre-screened professional Groups goes a long way to reassure a client that youre top-notch. Youll find Elance Groups in many categories, from technical fields to creative categories. Potential clients often exclusively invite Group members to a job.

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Section 2: (continued)

Your Profile: Shine like a diamond

6. Miscellaneous tips, advice and other truths.
Here are other juicy tidbits that we hear often from clients: In your Service Description section, explain how you solve problems. Be solutions oriented and give clients a good idea of how you think and approach jobs. Pay close attention to the Keywords you enter on your Profile. Again, try not to be all things to all people. Narrow the list of words that showcase your talent to those that will attract a very specific client. Clients want to know for sure who theyve hired. Complete the Identity Verification and verify your Credentials. Trust is key to any working relationship. Your Portfolio will be public. Dont include sensitive files you wouldnt want shared. And make sure you have approval to use those files. No borrowing/pilfering. Its OK to check-out other Profiles for inspiration, but dont plagiarize. Ditto for Portfolio samples. With your talent and the strategies addressed in this guide, its only a matter of time until the awesome jobs start rolling in. Make sure your Profile is 100% complete. Clients constantly search for freelancers (read: you), and the information found in your Profile is what steers them in your direction. On the right side of your My Elance page, youll see a tracker that marks Your Profile Completeness. Aim for 100% to give yourself the best chance of attracting clients.

Yoko M.
Japan | Graphic Designer

Next: Your Job Search

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Section 3:

Your Job Search: Finding great work fast

The future looks bright! Now that your Profile is simply dazzling, youre ready to explore the 100,000+ jobs posted on Elance each month. You have many options for getting hired, but here are some quick thoughts to head:

1. Check your Opportunities daily.

The great thing about Elance is, you dont have to do anything to find jobs. You can be more proactive (and we whole-heartedly encourage you to be see below), but we will do a fair amount of the work for you. This includes your personalized Opportunities feature. Heres a quick synopsis: Get email updates with job Opportunities. We use our number-crunching ber computers and well-seasoned job matching expertise to pinpoint jobs that match your skills and interests. We then email you recommendations. How easy is that? View Opportunities from My Elance. My Elance is your homepage on Elance, where youll keep an eye on all projects and possibilities. To see more recommendations we found for you, simply click on the Opportunities tab. Voila! Jobs galore.

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Section 3: (continued)

Your Job Search: Finding great work fast

2. Use Watch Lists to follow potential clients.
Once you get up to speed, youll find lots of companies that are doing the work you love doing. Sounds like a match made in heaven? Simply put the company on your Watch List and youll know when they post jobs. Youll be among the first to catch their eye!

3. Use the Elance search bar to find jobs.

To use the Search bar on Elance (be sure you toggle to jobs), simply type in the project youre looking for or the skills you have and well give you a list of great job opportunities. Browse the selection for projects youre perfectly suited for. Keep checking back too, as new jobs are posted all the time. Keep in mind you can also Narrow Results when searching. Simply type in a general skill, such as writer and youll land on our Search results page. On the left column, youll see options for more-specific job categories for writing, as well as options for Job Type, Budget, Hourly Rate, Featured jobs and more. This can be a real time saver, if youre focusing on specific projects (which you should be).

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Section 3: (continued)

Your Job Search: Finding great work fast

4. Respond to Job Invites you receive.
With your eye-catching Profile and strong skillset, youre sure to get personally invited to jobs as well. Especially if you join Elance Groups and follow the other suggestions from the previous section, Your Profile. Be sure to respond quickly to invites, letting them know if youre interested (or not).

5. Miscellaneous tips, advice and other truths.

Things to consider when youre finding jobs on Elance: Use multiple forms of communication when conferring with potential clients. Your project Workroom has its own private message board, allowing for email communication. However, sometimes it makes sense to pick up the phone or Skype. Just be sure to wait until the client responds to your proposal not doing so and providing your contact information up front violates Elance policy. And be sure you and your client always document any decisions in the projects Workroom. When searching for jobs, keep in mind whether you prefer Hourly jobs or Fixed Price jobs. Each has its advantages, so decide what works best for you. Hourly jobs are based on a simple principle: An hour paid for an hour worked. The option is particularly popular when the project has a good chance of flexibility, such as the scope may change mid-stream. Freelancers often choose Hourly work because of features like Work View and Tracker where your time is automatically tracked and screenshots submitted to your clients. When work is approved, timesheets are automatically paid. Fixed Priced jobs are generally posted when the client has a good grasp of what the project entails, and there arent a lot of details left to the imagination. One benefit is the Elance Escrow feature, where the client funds your job before work begins. When certain pre-determined milestones are met and the client approves the work, payments are automatically released to you.

Dennis H.
Germany | Web Developer

Next: Your Proposal

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Section 4:

Your Proposal: The perfect pitch

Well done. Now that your Profile is a power-packed magnet pointed squarely at great businesses (if not, see The Profile section), your next step is pinpointing which businesses are truly great (read: great for you). And then crafting a proposal they cant refuse. Here is some sage advice:

1. Stay in your happy zone, selecting jobs carefully.

Just as your Profile Overview cant position you as all things to all people, nor should your job selection process span widely across your field. Its best to focus, focus, focus on jobs best suited for you. Things to consider: Find jobs that match your skill and interests. Life is too short to work on projects that neither interest you nor put your best talent to work. Find jobs with a hearty description. If the clients job description is vague and feeble, chances are the job will be equally woeful. Keep searching for better opportunities. Find jobs with the right budget. One good job you can sink your teeth into is better than four small ones that take time and energy ramping up for. However, if youre brand new to Elance or your category you may need to start small and grow your way to success. Find jobs that fit your availability. When youre booked solid and going on a 2-week trip to the islands, pass on monster projects. There will be more big projects when your stress level is back to normal.

Ivy F.
China | Translator

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Section 4: (continued)

Your Proposal: The perfect pitch

2. Screen clients as carefully as theyll screen you.
With so many opportunities on Elance, be selective in the businesses you choose to work with. If its not the right match, youll just spin your wheels and waste precious energy better used for other clients. A few thoughts: Find businesses who truly want you. Browse the job posting to make sure youre what theyre looking for. Check for the Experience and Skills they desire, as well as any Geographic Preferences. Dont fit? Move on. Find businesses with Verified Payment. Although its not essential, it makes sense to first seek clients who have a payment process in place. Look for the Verified Payment symbol in their job post a dollar sign among the green icons. Find businesses with a high Award Ratio. The Award Ratio is a fair indicator of how serious the company is in hiring you. Your time is valuable, so use it wisely. Find businesses with an established Job History. Although great new businesses come to Elance daily, there is peace-of-mind in finding clients with a solid track record.

Find businesses giving regular Feedback. Your status (see Your Reputation section) is based greatly on the Feedback clients leave. Look for partners who are quick to spread the word about your skills.

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Section 4: (continued)

Your Proposal: The perfect pitch

3. Now write a killer Proposal.
After vetting clients and finding a job that looks sensational, its time to pounce. Act quickly and set those wheels of getting hired in motion. Naturally a great Proposal is paramount to getting noticed and sealing the deal. Theres a lot to cover, so lets jump right in: Customize (yes, customize) your Proposal. Clients can spot cut-andpaste Proposals from a mile away (1.6 kilometers), giving you the axe instantly. Cookie-cutter responses stand out like a sore thumb and earn you a quick thumbs down. Ask questions too. As well as showing interest, its good to begin a two-way dialog between you and the client. Write in a suitable tone. Much like your Profile Overview, your Proposal should be personable yet professional. Save your 16-letter words for Scrabble, instead explaining yourself in a warm and friendly manner. Make a friend and youll get the job. Be succinct. Be a good editor. Brevity is vital, as clients may be browsing several proposals in a short amount of time. And please, no typos. Spellchecker is your friend. Show youre a good listener. Be sure to demonstrate that youve read the job posting. Ask good questions, and show interest and enthusiasm. Highlight the value you bring. Dont rely only on your Profile. Be specific about benefits you bring to this particular job. Spotlight relevant experiences youve had, how you tackled similar jobs and what unique approaches and skills you bring to the table. Ask for the job. Think of your Proposal as an interview. What would you say to make sure you get called back? Show your enthusiasm and let the person know you want to start the project soon. Oh, thank them for their time too. Showcase relevant samples. Your Elance Portfolio should be full of aweinspiring pieces demonstrating your talents, but why not pull some of the more relevant examples and include them directly in your proposal? This gives clients your best, most relevant work without having to search for it.

Firmo S.
Indonesia | Translator

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Section 4: (continued)

Your Proposal: The perfect pitch

4. Set a fair price.
Clients are inevitably going to get low-priced Proposals from the desperate and uninspired, as well as outrageously high-priced Proposals from others. Dont worry about them. If youve proven your worth (see above) youll get your fair price. Now, what exactly is a fair price? Heres a starting point to determine that: Factor in your time and effort. Carefully guesstimate all thats involved. Make sure to take into account the projects complexity, time-frame (any 16hour days needed?) and total effort required. Research your market. Do your due diligence, deciding who youre competing against. Get an idea for industry pay averages, starting with Elances very own Trends pages where we show you all the top skills being hired on Elance, along with average pay rates. Factor in if youre offering a premium skill thats difficult to find. See things from your clients perspective. Are you just breaking into the market, or new to Elance and yet to build-up your standing (see Your Reputation section)? Or just the opposite, are you a proven expert with great feedback and ratings? It matters. And realistically, so does your potential clients past budgets. Look to see what theyve spent for similar projects. Decide what youre worth. Estimate in all honesty what is a fair price for the job at hand. Dont sell yourself short, reacting to low-ball pricing. If the client wants quality work in a timely manner, theyll pay you what you deserve.

5. Consider submitting a Proposal with no price.

If youre not sure of the requirements, dont make a wild guess. It can come back to haunt you. Instead, on your Proposal check the Will submit amount later box. In your Proposal be sure to ask specific questions to get further clarification, and reassure the client that youll finalize a price based on that information.

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Section 4: (continued)

Your Proposal: The perfect pitch

6. Dont just sit there, follow-up.
Once your Proposal is submitted, keep your eye on the ball. Check your My Jobs page or Watch List daily for status updates on your potential project. The client may be asking for additional information. If you change your mind or earn another job and cant fit this project into your schedule, be polite and withdraw your bid. You may well come across this client again, and theyll remember your courteousness.

8. Negotiating your price.

Often a potential client will like what they see, but not see eye-to-eye on pricing. This may be a straight-up cost issue, or the scope of the project may have changed. Either way, keep these thoughts in mind: Always remain professional. No need to take things personally. Youre a professional and you know what youre worth. Simply explain why you feel youre asking a fair price. Be willing to withdraw your offer. If there is absolutely no wiggle room, walk away and thank the client for their time. Simply withdraw your offer and move on. If the price changes, update terms and milestones. When fluctuations happen, update all related items in the project. Be especially sensitive to shifting end dates and scope. Do not work without job funding. While the early bird gets the worm, in some instances he/she gets burned. Dont be the one who gives away free work. Wait until funding is secured before you log hours.

7. Dont just sit there, send more Proposals.

Although you want to be selective in the jobs you set your sights on, you also want to make sure you cover all of your bases. Your first Proposal is just the beginning. Once that Proposal is submitted, start the process over and find another job thats perfect. And another. And another. As you build your online work reputation at Elance youll want to give yourself lots of opportunities.

Next: Your Workroom

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Section 5:

Your Workroom: Where jobs get tackled

Congratulations! Your Proposal was accepted and youre now ready to create some magic. With every project youll automatically be assigned a secure Elance Workroom where you and your client can collaborate. This is also where youll track progress and ensure you get paid (yeah!). While there are many services and features, here are some highlights of your shared Workroom: Communicate and collaborate. Youll find tools for staying in touch (from email to video conferencing), as well as solutions for sharing files and tracking work. Manage projects. Use your Workroom to keep projects moving smoothly. You can set and update terms, share status reports and have your timesheets submitted automatically if youre working on an hourly job.

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Section 5: (continued)

Your Workroom: Where jobs get tackled

Get paid quickly. All the tools for getting paid are included in your Workroom. When objectives are successfully met, your money will be released and sent to you. Eliminate paperwork and busy work. Elance has streamlined the process of getting work done, including taking many of the bureaucratic steps out of the process. Things happen automatically, intuitively and greenly. Mother Nature will thank you.

Esteban T.
Argentina | iOS Developer

Next: Your Reputation

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Section 6:

Your Reputation: Stand out from the rest

With all things being equal, clients will obviously accept the Proposal with the best balance of quality and value. But as we know, not all freelancers are equal in talent nor affordability. Thats where your online reputation comes into play. Elance gives you several opportunities to distance yourself from others who may be interested in the same job. Heres some information on how to put yourself in the best light:

1. Feedback is important. No, critical.

For each job you work, a client can (and should) leave Feedback ratings to share how great it was working with you. Just as clients can leave comments on why they enjoyed working with you, you can also respond with your own Feedback to their comments. It goes without saying that any comments you leave should be professionally wordedas other clients will be able to see them. Sometimes we see freelancers reacting poorly to Feedback received. Dont get caught up in the negativity. If you disagree with the Feedback left, be sure to remain professional and allow your response to explain the situation. If you feel that a client is pressuring you to change the scope of the work by withholding positive Feedback (example: asking for extra work you didnt agree to), give us a call. Coercion is a violation of Elance Policy and you deserve better. And remember, Feedback cannot be changed once its posted. This is important to remember when asking for Feedback, and when leaving Feedback for your clients.

Sarah R.
Puerto Rico | Writer

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Section 6: (continued)

Your Reputation: Stand out from the rest

2. Making sense of My Stats and Level.
To help differentiate yourself beyond a Profile and price, Elance has several features for determining your online reputation. These include My Stats and your Level. My Stats includes a snapshot of your history of work on Elance, while Level is calculated using the numbers from My Stats. Let us explain: My Stats is your online work history. Some key numbers we include in My Stats are the number of clients you have (and repeat clients), as well as the number of jobs, milestones and hours youve worked on Elance. It also includes client Feedbackfrom recommendations to reviews. Note: Feedback left by former clients is viewable by potential clients. Thats why its important to make sure clients leave Feedback after every successful job and you respond professionally to that Feedback. Good Feedback also elevates your Level. Your Level is determined by My Stats. By factoring in the data we accumulate in My Stats, were able to assign a numerical number that assesses your level. When you focus on doing great work and building a successful online business, your Level will rise accordingly. Note: Your Level is calculated as a result of a number of factors, from your service delivery and client relationships to marketing performance. Your Level will determine where you place in the default search rankings on Elance. Key drivers of My Stats and Level. Many factors play into your ultimate numbers, including job Feedback, earnings volume and growth, how you grow client relationships, whether you bid an appropriate price and even your Elance policy compliance.

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Section 6: (continued)

Your Reputation: Stand out from the rest

3. Managing your Feedback, Stats and Levels.
Here are some quick pointers for maximizing your online reputation at Elance: Always request Feedback from clients. We automatically prompt your clients to provide Feedback once a job is complete, but we cant force them to do so. If a few days go by and theres been no Feedback entered, be sure to gently nudge them as a reminder. It may even take a second nudge or more. Be persistent, but not rude. Remember, before accepting a job you can check a potential clients tendency for giving Feedback. Keep that in mind when sending Proposals. Respond professionally to Feedback. Whether its good or bad, remember that its someones estimation and respect their opinion. Plus, Feedback cant be changed once it has been posted. Also, your response will be displayed on your Profile. Do you really want potential clients to see a nasty remark youve made to a client? Use the Elance platform. Youll complete jobs successfully, get Feedback and receive payment through Elance. Build strong relationships. To best raise your online reputation, continue to add new clients and achieve repeat work and strong earnings from them. Dot your is and cross your ts. Be diligent in the details provided in this guide. Create a strong Profile, submit quality Proposals for relevant jobs, price your services within customary budget ranges and ensure the work is awarded and completed on Elance.

Dayna B.
Canada | Illustrator

Next: Your Reminder

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Section 7:

Your Reminder: Rules to keep you safe

Your security is paramount at Elance. Naturally we want you to take advantage of all the great features and services we offer to help you Work Differently. Our guidance is simple: Stay on Elance, Get Paid on Elance. Using the jobs Workroom and Terms & Milestones areas to document costs, deliverables and other decisions related to your work is critical. Elance is here to help, but we can only rely on the information provided in the Workroom. Using Work View and Elance Escrow are great ways to manage your payments on Elance and will give you and your client the confidence to hit the ground running. Keep these rules in mind at all times: Never take jobs off Elance. If clients ask you to work outside of the Elance platform, a warning bell should go off in your head. Something is not right. If you agree, its against Elance rules and youre in danger of getting scammed. You will lose all protection Elance affords you. Period. Refuse (and let Elance know) if clients: - Ask you for financial accounts - Ask you to buy anything to complete their job - Ask you to work on a job Elance has disallowed - Are not officially listed on Elance Never create custom samples. Again, dont give out your work for free. Use your Portfolio (and prolific powers of persuasion) to sell yourself. If you make samples before the job is awarded theres a good chance youll never hear from them again.

Gillian W.
Jamaica | Writer

Next: Youre Hired

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Section 8:

Youre Hired: Go do an awesome job

With your incredible skills and the know-how gleaned from this handy Freelancers Guide, youre sure to be an awesome success on Elance. Remember, your online reputation is a major driver in growing your business. So be sure to go the extra mile/kilometer to do a great job. Feedback is an important tool for attracting new clients. Exceptional work will also help you get a second and third job from each client too.

Speaking of which, be on the look-out for follow-up jobs.

And as we mentioned previously, long-term client relationships is something that will only help you be more successful on Elance. When youre finished with a project, dont be shy about suggesting other work you can do. Clients are sometimes so focused on their to-do list that they dont realize opportunities that may be in the peripheral. Enlighten them (in a non-pushy way). In short, become an invaluable partner. So go get yourself some online freelance jobs and do an awesome job. Were excited to have you on the team! If youre looking for additional help on earning more money at Elance, check out these resources: Elance Help Center Elance Official Blog Hiring Trends Terms of Service Elance Webinar Sign Up Water Cooler Member Forum

Sam B.
Australia | Writer

Cheers, The Elance Team

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