Anybody ever use a Freelance website to get a job?

[Shane Drew]

Hi Simon,

We have a few companies here that offer this sort of thing. I’ve not heard a good report about many of them.

Some ask for money upfront then list you as a contractor. There is no incentive for them to find you work, and they often have their favourite contractors anyway, so you’ll usually only get the jobs that others don’t want, or the rush jobs that are nothing but trouble.

There used to be some companies here that would take a commission on each job (usually 60%) instead of upfront fees, which covered finding the job and administration and paying you. If the client defaults on paying them, you must reimburse the main office the money they lost in the deal.

We have sign brokers here too, which are free to register with. I’ve done that here, but only calls I’ve got is to be one of three quotes, impossible lead times, and unfair conditions if you get the work.

I’d be doing some serious homework, especially if they are asking for registration fees or something upfront..

[Malcolm Elliott]

Simon

My wife is a freelance designer (has been for around 6 years now) and she finds the best way to get work is leg work I’m afraid. Most of the websites she’s joined or listed on come to nothing or you only get the small, time wasting jobs that want it done for nothing.

Best bet is to tout yourself around I reckon.

Malk

[Simon Strom]

Thanks Shane and Malk,

I was kind of thinking that would be the case. I have done the occasional business card / brochure design for friends or friends of friends. Usually just to barter or for a very low fee. I didn’t really try to build up networking for freelance before as I wasn’t worried about really taking on any extra work until now.

I can definitely use my portfolio from work and from some of the occasional side jobs to hit the pavement looking to get some good leads. You’ve both been very helpful! 😀

Malk, do you mind me asking how your wife contacts potential clients? Does she cold contact them, or does she already have some type of connection with them usually?

[Malcolm Elliott]

Simon

No worries, when first starting out it was cold calling, ringing around and using old contacts but now, as she’s built up a good reputation, most of her work comes from recommendations nowadays. She has recently joined the local BNI group but she only gets small amounts of work from that.

Hope that helps

Malk

[Simon Strom]

Yeah, thanks for the advice. It helps a lot.