Ever since I started writing this ebook, I’ve received questions about why I chose to focus on
oDesk (a relative newcomer) rather than writing a book that would generally apply to
all the online freelance marketplaces (like Elance, Guru, RentACoder, etc.).
One very pragmatic reason is that it’s just easier and more effective to focus on one tool than try to cover every possible option. To cover them all, I would have had to write a 400-page monster ebook, or leave out the level of detail that makes a guide like this useful.
The core reason, though, is that
I just really like oDesk. I’ve used several other freelance marketplaces, both as a buyer and seller, but it wasn’t until oDesk that I really saw the potential of outsourcing.
For the record, I’m not an employee of oDesk, or being paid by them, nor do I have any official relationship with them beyond my regular account. I’m just an enthusiastic fan of the service who happened to see an opportunity to help freelancers get started.
How oDesk helps freelancers
There’s a whole section in the ebook on this topic, but if you’re debating whether to buy it or not, a few points about oDesk might help (though you’ll find the general concepts helpful
regardless of which marketplace you use).
First,
oDesk guarantees you’ll be paid for the work you do. This goes well beyond the escrow services offered by their competitors. Ever had a client request more features once the project started? On oDesk, you’re paid for the actual time the project takes, not just what you
thought it would take based on partial information.
Second,
oDesk handles billing and collections for you. No more invoicing. No more tracking down clients who suddenly disappear. You don’t even have to submit a time card. You just get paid weekly for the work you did—automatically.
Finally,
oDesk encourages long-term work relationships. Wouldn’t it be nice to get new work without having to hunt for it? Thanks to oDesk’s unique model, buyers are usually very motivated to continue working with quality freelancers once they’ve found them, which means you can continue getting new work on a regular basis without always searching.
The bottom line
I believe
oDesk is the very best marketplace currently available to freelancers. Many freelancers are switching to oDesk exclusively, and many more are using it as yet another arrow in their project-hunting quiver.
Whichever approach suits you, my ebook will help you get the most out of oDesk, and with a little abstract thinking, the rest of the marketplaces, too.
