How do I use Elance Chat?

Elance Chat enables you to instantly contact service providers via Instant Message.

Key Benefits 

• You can easily see whether the provider is online, and start a chat conversation with the provider that interests you without having to wait (as in other contact methods such as email.)
• Elance Chat can use text, audio or video as a means to communicate with providers.
• This feature is free to all registered Elance buyers and service providers who are not on Basic Membership plans.
• Because the chat connection is enabled through Elance, you do not need to use or disclose your personal instant messaging identities (Yahoo, MSN,  AOL, etc.,)

How does it work?

• You can start an Elance Chat with any service provider from their bid or provider profile.  If the service provider is currently online, on the bid page, the 'Chat' icon will be linkable or the word 'Online' will appear below the 'Contact Me' button on the profile page.
• If you already have a project with the provider, and would like to keep a record of the conversation, cut and past into the project Work Space or Private Message Board (PMB).  Elance will enable you to store your conversations automatically within Elance in upcoming releases.
• To start a conversation from the provider's profile, click the 'Contact Me' button on the profile and select the 'Elance Chat' tab.  To start a conversation from the project page, click the 'Chat' icon on the far right of the bid.  If you have not logged in, you will be prompted to sign in before starting a conversation.
• If a provider goes offline, any message you send them will be sent via email to their registered email address.
• If your active browser window is not an Elance page, you will receive an alert indicating a user is trying to communicate with you via Elance Chat.   Note: You will not receive an alert if you have your browser's pop up blocker enabled.