1. Can you make money in Elance?
Yes. I do 🙂
2. Won’t they cheat you without paying?
No. Before you start the work, the client will deposit the project money with Elance. So, no client can run away after you finish the work.
3. What kind of work can I find in Elance?
Mostly, jobs which you can do using a computer. See the Elance work index.
4. Should I become a paid member?
Yes. You can only apply for 3 small projects per month with free membership. This is not enough. Before you win first project, you may have to apply for many jobs. With paid individual membership, you can apply for 20 small jobs (less than 500 USD budget). Also, you will get a free withdrawal each month. If you are a free member, you will have to pay for withdrawal.
5. How much can you earn?
It depends on how many hours you work, what your skill set is, how big an expert you are 🙂 I know freelancing friends who make more than 1000 USD per month working at least 8 hours a day.
6. Should you bid very cheap to win projects?
No. For the first few projects, just quote the average bid price. Not very high not very low. Once you establish your expertise, people will be ready to pay more for your expertise. Money is not the only deciding factor for all clients. Actually, you should avoid clients who will decide just based on the money and don’t see any value in your work.
7. How many projects should I bid? It seems tough competition?
Keep bidding until you win. Seriously. Once you get the first project, it will be easy after that. I got my first project in 15th bid after trying for a month.
8. How about other freelancing sites?
Elance is a leading freelancing site. I am very pleased with it. Never tried anything else.
9. Can I do part time freelancing?
Why not? I have a friend who does it part time while working a day job. Just make sure you don’t take too many projects and mess up. But, I have seen people who have a regular job not having the motivation to try enough.
10. Which job gives more money?
This is not a right question. Know what you are skilled at and try to improve it. Find places where there is a need for your skill. It may not be even Elance.
You cannot succeed big time or in the long run if you just do it for money. There are people who charge 5 USD per hour and 250 USD per hour in the same niche. So, for any kind of work, if you improve your expertise you can earn more.