Elance University

Provide Services: Find Work

Welcome to the Elance Provider Network.  We are excited that you have decided to join the leading online work community.  Before you get started finding work, there are a few steps that you must complete.

  • Review all content on Elance University for tips on submitting high quality proposals, managing your jobs, and getting paid.
  • Take and pass the Elance Admissions Test.
  • Verify your phone number.
  • Create a complete profile marketing your skills, experience, and portfolio of work. If you added the Team feature to your membership plan, be sure to add your team members to your account.

Now that you’ve completed the steps above, to begin finding work on Elance, use the search option to type in keywords and/or search by category and job type.  You can use the slider bars to filter your search results by time left in the bidding period, posting period, and budget. 

 

 

It’s a good idea to think creatively when looking for job opportunities.  For example, when searching for jobs, it may be a good idea to focus on a particular niche in order to become an expert in a specific area – for example, social networking sites.  Another example is finding underserved markets where there is an increasing demand for certain skills.  An easy way to do this is to visit the Skills Central where you can learn about general trends on Elance with regards to job postings and skill demand.

 

 

As you start applying for jobs on Elance, creating effective proposals is crucial to your success. 

There are three important steps to creating an effective proposal. 

  1. Interest the client in what makes you uniquely qualified to do the work. Prove that you understand the client’s specific needs by creating a customized pitch which demonstrates your understanding of the job requirements. In some cases, the job description or requirements may be unclear. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You can do so by using the Public Q&A forum. Asking clarifying questions about requirements engages the client and shows your interest in the job. Clients appreciate this as it helps you craft a better proposal.
  2. Prove your expertise by referencing relevant work samples. Including links to previous jobs and uploading targeted work samples makes it easier for the client to evaluate your work. Pick only a few of your most relevant samples to highlight in order to avoid overloading the client with examples.
  3. Personalize your proposal by giving the client insight into who you are with a brief background about you or your company. This serves as your marketing message so make it good.

 

 

 

As you begin, here are some guidelines to keep in mind: 

  1. Be sure to quote a fair price. Don’t be afraid to price higher than others, but if you are new, this will likely be a factor that you will have to compete on to win those first clients.  However, it is important to note that consistently submitting proposals below the client’s budget will hurt your provider ranking on Elance in the long run. Focus on describing what value you will deliver and why you are worth the price. 
  2. Review your proposal closely before submitting. Make sure that it is customized and targeted to the actual job description. A good proposal shows you have a clear understanding of the requirements, conveys your qualifications and communicates your interest in doing the work.
  3. Respond quickly to client questions. A timely response will give you the opportunity to close the deal with the client before the competition. If you haven’t heard from the client in a couple of days, it can be helpful to send a follow-up message using the Message Board (Elance’s messaging platform for secure communications) to see if there is any more information you can provide.
  4. Be sure to stay away from copying and pasting standard text in your proposals.  Generic proposals reflect poorly on you and your brand and are most often overlooked by prospective clients. Remember, the quality of your proposal is what will make you stand out from the competition.  Making it specific to the job is the best way to get noticed.

Building your presence on Elance will take some time and the competition may seem tough at first. But if you focus on the work you do best by targeting the most appropriate jobs and take time to develop proposals that convey your professionalism and attention to detail, you can expect to find plenty of clients willing to give you a chance. More than 10% of the jobs awarded in a given week go to new providers.  Remember, taking the time to create effective proposals will have a significant impact on your ability to win jobs on Elance. 

Now you have the tools to search for work and create effective and strategic proposals. It’s time to learn how to be successful once you win the job and start managing the work.