As both a long time service provider and buyer at Elance, here are some tips of the trade.

1. The more time you put in up front, the more time you will continue to put in. So if you are communicating back and forth explaining, asking questions, etc. too much, you’ll do so afterwards and the project is not a good fit. Stop and more on. You need to asses the situation. More than likely, either you are too needy, you are not communicating effectively back and forth, or the person you are hiring is not qualified or has no instruction from you (like a video tutorial).

2. From what I've found among the water cooler gang at Elance, it may look like 'bait and switches' occur, especially with USA teams, for the following reasons: too many people want USA help, for many reasons - -like you get much better quality with USA content writing - -however, the buyers get too needy and greedy, most often. Instead of just ordering, they ask hundreds of questions up front – and during the course of the project - and expect the service providers to reply to them - -for free, of course, with no payment whatsoever. For example, before and even after a deal is already made, they ask things like:

 - what is the best way to write my content for SEO?
- once your write my sales copy, how will you help me get testimonials for it? 
 - which will convert better?
 - how do I make graphics to go with the content?
 - where are the best articles directories to submit my articles?
 - will your low fee of $5 per article include distributing it to dozens of places, manually, plus following sending links once each directory approves it?
 - will you take my calls 24/7, even on Sundays, and talk for half-hours and more - for free - about Internet marketing strategies so I can learn more?

...etc. there are many, many questions these people ask AND believe they deserve replies to; i.e. free training. Now not all these people are from the USA, but many are, and it's sad. They’re basically trying to cheat the system, manipulating the providers into doing and giving freely, similar to eBay buyers who hold feedback over the heads of auction winners. [Difference is, though, that Elance will help out and help stop the crap.]

So in summary here:

a) Communicate professionally, with respect for the service providers and their work, or don't post projects.

b) Don’t push the envelope. Focus and order accordingly, not asking the service provider to teach you all there is to know about their field of focus. Learn on your own or via other avenues. Service providers are there to do paid work, not teach, unless you pay for this, too (“consulting” would be needed in a package like that).

You wouldn’t ask an auto mechanic how each car part and system works. Don’t do this of Elance service providers either. Order what you need and let them work. If they can’t end the project and move on. Same as you would with your car, seeking paid training from a local tech school or community college, etc.

3. If you hire a helper for a very low rate (and even if you don’t), hire someone else to edit and / or manage projects. You need to basically order what you need or hire a coordinator to take charge of this step. If you are not interested in teaching, even to this coordinator or manager, state that as well, hire someone experienced and move on once your find the person cannot do the required work. Dig deeper to find someone who fits the bill for your needs and projects. There are millions of people out there.

4) Get and read the “4-Hour Work Week” by Timothy Ferris (in print at Amazon). He shows what the 13 major mistakes people make. Plus he has a lot on outsourcing in this book.

5) Some people are at too needy a stage for Elance. Most of these are new people, have little money, and feel rushed to make it big online – quick and easy. Don’t attempt to go this route with Elance. Elance actually grows as the web evolves, for both service providers and buyers. Unlike eBay, for example, where many go to manipulate and get anything they want for under $1, Elance has encouraged the system to pay better rates, give more to the buyer with help, etc.

Example: pick up the phone for help from Elance. Then do it with someone from eBay. Enough said. Elance is there, for buyers and sellers. Show respect for their system, don’t try cheating people, and do act professional.

If you are at a needy stage, seek a part time job for income and / or help in other ways, legit ways at that.  Recognize if you are needy, too, as there’s no shame in it. Once you recognize it, tackle it head on and come to grips with your own reality. There are many avenues out there for help, online and off. But you have to face this step before moving ahead.


@ copyright 2008 Moving Ahead Communications. All rights reserved.