Welcome to Freelancing Guide
Freelance Online Training Article
. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for further reading, click here.
How to Win a Freelance Writing Auction
from:As you're searching for freelance writing work, you may decide to bid on jobs offered at various auction sites on the Internet. This is a great way for beginners to get their foot in the door and it is also a good way to obtain permanent clients. Keep in mind, though, that competition is keen and you may have to submit several bids before you win your first assignment. Following, are some tips to help you win the bidding wars.
Bid Within Your Area of Expertise
Only bid on jobs that you are qualified for and are confident you can complete. Of course, merely feeling qualified and confident isn't enough. Many buyers will ask for samples; some will ask for references, although this isn't always the case. The point is, you have to be well versed in the particular job you are bidding on. In fact, your bid should convey that you know exactly what you are talking about. Don't be afraid to ask questions, especially if you don't understand something.
Have Samples Readily Available
Freelancers should always have samples available for clients to see. If your samples are articles, try to have articles on a wide variety of subjects available to send to potential clients or send them a link to your work if you have your own website. Make sure these samples adequately showcase the quality of your work. They should be error free and representative of your writing style.
Follow Directions Exactly
If you can't follow directions in submitting a bid, the potential client isn't going to have any confidence that you will follow directions in actually doing the work. Therefore, take your time and follow the directions to the letter. If there is a maximum accepted bid noted, don't bid more than that amount. If you think the buyer is trying to get something for nothing, don't submit a bid telling him only an idiot would bid on his project.
If the client asks for samples to be submitted along with the bid, then submit samples. Submit samples even if the buyer didn't request them unless they have specifically requested not to receive samples.
Consider Your Bid Carefully
Freelancers sometimes have to under price their services in the beginning to build up a portfolio, to gain experience, or sometimes just to eat. While not all buyers go with the lowest bid, some of them do. Try to remain competitive but don't bid so low that you'll be doing three days of work for one day's pay. If you're able to view the bids of other freelancers, that may help to give you an idea of what you should bid. Some sites won't let you view the bids of open auctions but you can see all the bids for closed auctions. This can be extremely helpful because not only can you see the bids of all the other writers but you can see the winning bid as well. After you study a few of these, you will get a good idea of the going rates for the type of writing you do.
Once you are awarded the job, continue to follow directions and above all, make sure you meet the deadline. Once you start getting positive feedback, you'll be able to win more and more bids.
Freelance Online Training Specific links
Freelance Online Training News
FlexJobs Hits Milestone of 10,000 Available Jobs
Leading job service site for finding flexible employment hits new record for available part-time, telecommuting, contract and other work/life balance friendly positions hiring now.Boulder, CO (PRWEB) May 04, 2012 For the first time in its history, FlexJobs surpassed 10,000 job openings that offer some type of flexibility, including part-time, telecommute, freelance and more. ...
Read more...Now on J-Source: What the media missed in Alberta; CAJ Conference; Funding freelance environmental journalism Toronto ...
TORONTO, April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - FEATURES A PC majority in Alberta: The narrative the media missedWildrose surge vs. a disenchanted PC dynasty: It was an aggressive narrative the media wanted so ...
Read more...Boulder's film industry looks to new incentives to spur business
Earlier this month, the Colorado Legislature passed House Bill 12-1286, or the Film Production Activities in Colorado Act. The legislation, which advocates have pushed for since the early 2000s, was signed into law by Gov. John Hickenlooper on Friday.
Read more...Journalists, Editors Eligible for $5,000 Scholarships for Religion Courses
Religion Newswriters FoundationColumbia, MO (PRWEB) May 21, 2012 RELIGION | NEWSWRITERS invites journalists in the to apply to its Lilly Scholarships in Religion Program. The scholarships give full-time journalists up to $5,000 to take any college religion courses at any accredited institution at any time.Religion headlines are dominating news coverage—sex abuse, religion and politics, Islam in ...
Read more...Katherine Gustafson: Farmers' Markets Move Online
Smart use of the Web can shift the focus of food retail away from industrial suppliers and toward those in the position to offer on-demand delivery of the freshest food around.
Read more...