| Like many people, I have found freelance writing to be | | | | get paid automatically for time spent working and |
| an excellent way to earn extra income. There are a | | | | timesheets delivered. |
| lot of websites which have been established to help | | | | 3. Value. I had to be sure that if I would be paying any |
| freelance writers source their materials. It was | | | | amount of money for a membership site to find work, |
| important to me to be sure, especially if using a site | | | | quite frankly, it absolutely needed to be secure, |
| that requires a payment that I chose one that made | | | | successful and profitable. I needed assurance that |
| me feel confident in that I would receive the best value | | | | once complete, I would be compensated for my time |
| for the service I was seeking as well as provide a | | | | and effort. In other words, I honestly had zero dollars |
| secure venue for me to receive my payment for | | | | to risk and needed to make sure that every penny |
| completed projects. Money was a factor in my | | | | spent, was well worth the investment. I had every |
| decision, but most important was the value of the | | | | confidence in my ability to provide quality content, I |
| service provided and my peace of mind. | | | | needed to have equal confidence in the avenue of |
| After reviewing a few alternatives for displaying my | | | | which I would choose to market my talent, secure jobs |
| writings and, sharing my unique talent, skills and abilities, I | | | | and get paid. |
| chose as my primary source for securing jobs that | | | | I first signed up with a free account on in February of |
| utilize these skills because, after careful consideration, I | | | | 2009, shortly thereafter, I became overwhelmed with |
| believe it is the very best option to achieve my goal, | | | | family responsibilities and had to put my freelancing |
| which is to obtain freelancing jobs with businesses or | | | | desires on hold. I returned to Elance in April 2010, upon |
| individuals with a need for the type of original writings | | | | reviewing some job postings, I quickly made the |
| that I produce and ensure a safe, secure way to | | | | decision to move forward and go "all in" by signing up |
| obtain payments for completed assignments. | | | | for a professional account, which requires a minimal |
| While doing my research I discovered some key | | | | payment of ten dollars a month. |
| features that were very important to me. | | | | With your membership, whether free or paid, you have |
| 1. Guarantees. Elance offers providers a way to | | | | immediate access to tens of thousands of buyers |
| guarantee payment for their work, for both "fixed | | | | looking for a writer to help them complete a vast array |
| price" and "hourly" jobs. For fixed price assignments, | | | | of jobs with as many different topics as you could |
| which is mainly how I work, you have the option to | | | | hope for as a freelancer. |
| require your client place funds in an Escrow account, | | | | Overall, Elance offers the best features that I was |
| this ensures the buyer has the money set aside and | | | | able to confirm from my free basic account in the |
| that you will get paid for your completed work. | | | | beginning and since upgrading my membership, |
| 2. Timely Payment. For hourly work, there's an | | | | updating my profile and securing jobs, Elance continues |
| Auto-pay system, which if enabled, ensures you will | | | | to have my vote as the best site for freelancing. |