Comments on: An Elance Dilemma http://scrawlbug.com/2009/07/12/an-elance-dilemma/ Sat, 05 May 2012 10:43:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Bidding Sites for Freelance Writers - Another Look http://scrawlbug.com/2009/07/12/an-elance-dilemma/#comment-475 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:46:37 +0000 http://scrawlbug.com/?p=697#comment-475 [...] An Elance Dilemma [...]

]]> By: spikethelobster http://scrawlbug.com/2009/07/12/an-elance-dilemma/#comment-424 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:33:56 +0000 http://scrawlbug.com/?p=697#comment-424 Sponsored blogging is quite nice as a bit of extra cash, definitely. It really helps if you happen to have a high Page Rank and a fairly commercial blog (something like tech or entertainment).

I’ve turned stuff down in the past, though, when they ask specifically for positive reviews: I’ll write for money, but I won’t lie.

]]> By: gardendog http://scrawlbug.com/2009/07/12/an-elance-dilemma/#comment-423 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:01:18 +0000 http://scrawlbug.com/?p=697#comment-423 Spike, you know for a pom, you’re not a bad bloke you know! Ha ha.

I have actually looked at Elance before, signed up and so on, but with changing email addresses, I have lost my password and so on. I tried to log in again today, to no avail, I’ll go back and try again maybe tomorrow. I’ve been having fun with sponsored blogs – that has been my best earner by far in terms of online earnings. 200-300 words, a few links and within a month, some more money in my Paypal acct. Very easy work, if you like writing to a theme, which I do.

]]> By: spikethelobster http://scrawlbug.com/2009/07/12/an-elance-dilemma/#comment-422 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:52:35 +0000 http://scrawlbug.com/?p=697#comment-422 Steven: The geographic aspect is unimportant to me – mine’s based on working around my lifestyle. I don’t think you lack patience. Perhaps in the sense of producing freelance work for someone else, but certainly not for your own future publications.

George: Same here! I guess that’s where all those crummy training courses about the difference between aggressive and affirmative come into play. Or something.

Gardendog: Elance looks scary, but I’ve had less trouble there than on GAF. I have yet to give Guru a fair shot, too (and since I just landed another Elance gig, it’ll probably have to wait). Have a quick shufty at the writing jobs post for info on them and the tips post for a bit more of a feel of Elance. And you know you can always shout for help from me, if it’ll be any use. (P.S. Just found the URL for your book again, must post about it!)

]]> By: gardendog http://scrawlbug.com/2009/07/12/an-elance-dilemma/#comment-421 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:50:00 +0000 http://scrawlbug.com/?p=697#comment-421 I’m still yet to give Elance a go. Stories like this one make me think I may not be up to the rough and tumble of negotiating it all. However, I do like the idea of working from right in this spot, in my trakkie daks, sitting at my PC with the heater on and coffee whenever I want it.
9-5 in an office, no thank you!

]]> By: Tumblemoose http://scrawlbug.com/2009/07/12/an-elance-dilemma/#comment-418 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:07:15 +0000 http://scrawlbug.com/?p=697#comment-418 Spike,

I believe your response was spot-on. This ends up being a problem for me occasionally since I tend to be a friendly person and want to underpromise and overdeliver. Gets me in trouble sometimes.

George

]]> By: Steven http://scrawlbug.com/2009/07/12/an-elance-dilemma/#comment-417 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:06:34 +0000 http://scrawlbug.com/?p=697#comment-417 I figured in the costs associated with doing these jobs, the time spent hunting for the jobs, etc, when guestimating your per hour earnings. I’d be really surprised if you’ve managed to get it up to $5/h when all is said and done. If so, you’re half way to a livable wage if it’s full time. I think if I could pull around $15/h with 30h weeks I’d probably be satisfied with that. ($240-$10 for expenses)/5=46 hours. Those wages also must include this blog. That said, I think you’re doing all the right things to succeed in the market. Your attitude is right on the money.

Geographic independence, for me, is what it’s all about. Can I live wherever I want? Ok, obviously it won’t get me into any penthouse. But, can I live on a lake in Bali? Can I go to India by train from England and continue earning my wage? That’s what it’s all about for me. Your strength, though, is my weakness: patience, which is precisely why I’ll fail at it while you succeed. Perhaps it’s because I still don’t see it as my end destination or my ultimate goal. Your work with “My Name is Pie” is far closer to home. Rather than working on some mediocre articles to feed a blog would still be a millstone compared to writing children’s books for the simple reason that I can disappear from the Internet for a month without disrupting my income.

It’s all about freedom man! That’s what freelance means to me!

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