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12-16-2001, 12:02 AM
|  | Junior Member | | Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 8,328
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I got this in my email as part of a newsletter that I don't remember signing up for. But I don't think it's spam; I think I actually did subscribe at some point, but just don't remember doing so.
Anyway, I thought it was interesting and the information looked good, despite the horribly unreadable format and the repititions, so I thought I'd pass it along. I'm thinking of buying the book that this is excerpted from. If I do, I can let you know if it's any good.
---------------------------
To: webwritingbuzz@yahoogroups.com
From:
"mysmys_99" | Block Address | Add to Address Book
Date:
Fri, 14 Dec 2001 20:02:27 -0000
Subject:
Content Counts: The Writer's Online Survival Guide
Reply-to:
webwritingbuzz-owner@yahoogroups.com
------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
---------------------~-->
Win a Capcom Console Game.
http://us.click.yahoo.com/smpz8B/fxb...SFAA/HamwlB/TM
---------------------------------------------------------------------~->
Dear Readers: I'm excited to announce that my first
eBook, The
Writer's Online Survival Guide, is available for
purchase. The Guide
includes over 230 job resource listings and summaries,
from RFP
Marketplaces to Market Guidelines databases, tips on
getting gigs,
and more!
For a the next week only, I'm placing the book for a
pre-release
price of $4.00. (This price is good for the first 200
orders --
normal price is $8.95!)
You can view or purchase the book at:
http://mysmys.tripod.com/thewritersonlinesurvivalguide/
An excerpt from the first chapter follows. Please feel
free to
forward this email to any newsletter as long as the
preceding message
stays intact. :-) If you have a writing-related
website, please feel
free to contact me about review copies and/or
affiliate
opportunities.
Please let me know what you think!
-Melissa Brewer
mysmys@home.com
From Chapter 1:
Using RFP Markets
The Online RFP Marketplace is a fairly new format for
freelancers and
has been the source of much controversy on many
writing lists and
newsletters. Some writers have felt "cheap" when using
these
marketplaces to secure jobs -- it can be disheartening
to watch
several dozen other writers bid on one job for a
less-than-market-
value price. However, it is important to keep in mind
that RFP
Marketplaces are one of the few places online where a
writer can see
the competition. Writing jobs you respond to through
email lists or
job boards most likely have two to three times the
competition. (I've
placed a few ads on job boards in the past to
outsource some of my
excess workload. You would be shocked at how many
people offered to
write for "free" until I was satisfied with their
skills or work for
wages much lower than the prices my ads offered.)
Many writers liken the bidding format to eBay and
complain the low-
budget projects that often get handed down to the
lowest bidder.
There is some truth to this criticism; RFP
marketplaces normally
cater to a worldwide clientele, globalization can
drive prices down.
At the same time, these marketplaces allow freelancers
to find
projects with small businesses and startups across the
globe and give
writers access to industries they have never been
exposed to. (I've
worked on projects for clients from startup music
labels to General
Electric.) The variety of writing opportunities, and
budgets, provide
for a good mix of projects to bid on and projects that
you may want
to skip.
Online RFP Marketplaces are less an eBay mutation and
more an
evolution of the standard government RFP format.
Bidders receive a
request for a proposal and send the requester
background information
on their skills and previous clients, create a
bite-sized proposal
tailored to the requester's needs, and provide the
company with a
rate quote. Negotiation usually takes place on some
level; including
the project completion date, fees, and deposits.
The RFP Marketplace, in a sense, leaves writers as a
whole, naked.
Every piece of the bidding process reflects your
professionalism and
skill. Your samples and client list, your feedback
profile and the
words you choose to craft your bid are all under
serious scrutiny by
potential clients. Even your interactions on message
boards at the
websites can affect your ability to land a gig. Be
careful what you
say and how you say it. Patience is a virtue when
trying to land your
first job from one of these sites. You must invest
your time and
learn the delicate art of self-promotion. Paying the
fees to use the
website does not guarantee a project. Neither does a
simple, well-
written profile. To effectively use these websites,
you must think
like a marketer, not a writer. Here's a breakdown of
the components
that will help you on your way to landing a gig.
Familiarize yourself with the Website: It may seem
like common sense,
but it's best to not jump right in and begin bidding.
All
marketplaces have their own rules of decorum and a
standard process
for bidding. Before you even think of bidding on a
project, observe
the marketplace for a few days. See who's winning the
auctions and
why. (Was their bid more specific? Their rates lower?
Their
experience most suited?) If there are community forums
such as
message boards, stop by and introduce yourself. Most
of these
websites have a great sense of community and it's
likely you'll need
the expertise of some of the "veterans" in the future.
Create a Kick-Butt Profile: Describe your skills and
approach to
business first and foremost in your profile. This is
not a space for
simple bragging; your profile should accurately
express your skills,
business philosophies, and work ethic. Because most
projects are web-
centered, you'll want to express your technological
capabilities.
(I.E. if you have Adobe Acrobat, let them know you can
deliver the
completed project in .pdf. If you have DSL, let them
know that
you're "always on" and available.) If you have some
copy from a self-
promotional brochure, spice it up for the web. Make
sure that your
profile meets the character limit and formats
properly. Try to
avoid "I" phrases; let the content be "you-friendly."
In other
words, "Your project is my number one priority. I'll
create web
content that retains users and provokes your users to
take action,"
is more client-friendly than, "I have a reputation for
creating
interesting content and I can provoke your users to
take action."
Focus your profile on what you can do for them, not
what you have
done in the past. List any professional references and
education near
the bottom of your profile. If the buyer is interested
in your
services, they'll read on.
Show Off Your Best Work: Create a portfolio that
stands out from the
crowd with a broad sampling of your previous
experience. For example,
a press release for a telemarketing company and online
content for a
retailer show both the variety of your writing style
and the
flexibility of the industries you serve. This is also
the appropriate
place to upload your formal resume for review. Make
sure your uploads
are in a standard format; converting them to HTML or
.PDF will ensure
that buyers are protected from viruses.
Find Projects: Here's the fun part! Find projects that
you want to
bid on by checking out the descriptions, delivery
dates, and budget
sizes. If the deadline is unrealistic or the budget is
too tight,
skip it. There are plenty of other projects to bid on,
even if they
aren't listed today. Check back for projects on a
daily basis -- it's
worth the investment. Read buyer profiles and payment
histories to
ensure that the buyer is legitimate and has a record
of ethical
business practices and prompt payment.
Bid: Now it's time to write your bid. Don't bid
blindly. Read the
project description carefully to understand the
buyer's needs and the
project scope. Most RFP websites have a forum to ask
questions; use
it! This shows sincere interest in the project and a
desire to meet
the client's needs. Before you place your bid,
research the company
and its competitors. (This doesn't require as much
effort as it
sounds like - just go over to google.com and enter
information about
the company or industry.) If you learn something
interesting,
reference it in your bid. For example, "While browsing
your website I
noticed that you have a newsletter. I can create web
content that
retains your current customers and encourages your
prospects to join
your website. I would also be interested in helping
you create a
viral marketing campaign through both your website
content and your
newsletter." Your bid is also an appropriate place to
reference
relevant experience. (Avoid generalizations here!
"I've created many
user manuals like yours in the past," is condescending
to the buyer
and implies that you will treat their project like
"all the others".
However, "I recently created a user manual for another
ASP using
RoboHelp documentation tools and they were impressed
with the
results," shows relevant knowledge and experience. )
Some RFP
Marketplaces also allow you to upload relevant
samples. (The keyword
here is relevant! Don't spam with samples from your
portfolio!) One
caution: Don't openly criticize other bidders in the
auction. If your
bid is professional, you won't need to put others down
to look good --
you'll make others look 'bad' by your thorough,
professional effort.
Set a Price: Set a price and stick to it. It's OK to
ignore other
users' rates when placing your bid. Really. If you
have a client
list, the buyer will know that others have
successfully used your
services in the past and that your rates are standard.
If you're
willing to negotiate your rates, state it in your bid.
If not,
they'll get over it. J Don't over-explain your rates
when negotiating
with a buyer.
Check Back Frequently: Buyers add information to their
projects and
change the scope of their project frequently. Make
sure to continue
to follow the auctions you bid on so you can adapt
your bid to new
information. You'll also want to return to the RFP
Marketplace
frequently to bid on new projects.
Winning Bids: If you win the bid, require a signed
project and an up-
front deposit so you don't get stiffed. A sample
letter of agreement
follows. (This is one I used for projects I won
through eLance.com;
Note that the project ID and my bid ID are included
for future
reference.)
Info Splat
http://www.InfoSplat.com
Free, International
Description: Design-related RFP's that are free to
respond to. Most
of the jobs for writers here are technical spec
writing, copy
writing, and other types of marketing writing. Very
clean interface
and professional look.
123 Lance
http://www.123Lance.com
Free, International
Description: A fairly new website with the bidding
proposal process.
Not many writing or editing RFP's currently, (not many
bidders,
either, so less competition!) but looks promising.
Click on "Writing
and Editing" and sign up to receive notification when
new projects
are posted.
Biz Moonlighter and Creative Moonlighter
http://www.bizmoonlighter.com
http://www.creativemoonlighter.com
Free, International
Description: These fairly active websites are aimed at
part-timers
and students who have spare time, but not full-time
freelance work
needs. Very easy to work with; buyers approach you and
you receive an
email describing the job they need done. You have the
choice to
accept or decline, give a quote, and wait for their
response. You
won't need to return to their website once you
register; you are
notified when your profile has met a buyer's criteria
and the bids
are invitation-only. You can get paid direct-deposit
through their
SafePay system. BizMoonlighter focuses on business-end
projects such
as business plans and technical writing;
CreativeMoonlighter focuses
on copy writing and other more creative writing
project.
Consultant RFP Marketplace
http://www.prosavvy.com
Free, National
Description: A professional marketplace with a
refreshing array of
project types. Many opportunities for business plan
writers and PR-
writer types. Specify your specialization (Medical
Writing, Business
Plan Writing) and sign up as a consultant to bid on
projects. Fairly
active marketplace with many interesting projects!
Freelance Jobs Network
http://www.thecentralmall.com/index.html
Free, International *You can also pay to be featured,
$99/year.
Description: This little marketplace has a good start
with many open
projects, but not many bidders. Many of the writing
projects are
actually located under "Marketing & Sales" as copy
writing and PR
projects. You may want to consider being featured when
the
marketplace expands.
Instant Work
http://www.instantwork.com/
Free, International
Description: This website is in "beta mode". Buyers
will contact you
based on your profile. A neat feature of this website
is the "Instant
Message" option. Employers can contact you via AOL
Instant Messenger,
Yahoo, or any other messenger you use online. Just
remember you gave
it out! It looks like there are very few writers on
this site -- most
of them have completed projects in the copy writing
category. Fill
out your profile (no HTML) professionally and make
sure you list a
few impressive URL's or clients.
eWork Exchange
http://www.ework.com/exchange.cfm
Paid, International *First profile skill listing is
free, additional
listings $25/per month
Description: The sign-up process for this website is
time-consuming
but well worth it. Specify the hours and time periods
you have
available for projects, your skills, rates, and create
a slick
summary of your services. Clients will seek you out
and ask for a
quote; you'll be notified via email by eWork. You can
then respond to
their requests and accept projects. Fairly active
marketplace with
some stiff competition; make sure your profile
summarizes your skills
and is kept up-to-date.
Contracted Work
Http://www.contractedwork.com
Free, International *BRAND NEW
Description: Brand new RFP site where writers can list
their services
and bid on projects free. You can also set up a
"Store" that buyers
can use to buy your services directly.
Cyber Workers
http://www.cyberworkers.com/index.en.shtml
Free, International *based in France
Description: This website is brand new and the RFP
Auction
marketplace is not set up for business yet. (As of
December, 2001.)
However, browsing freelance job postings and signing
up as an expert
are active. Sign up as an expert and people can pay to
get your
expertise, and when the marketplace is ready, you can
be one of the
first members to sign up and bid on projects!
Demand Star
http://www.DemandStar.com
Paid, National Government Contracts *Pay $30.00/per
county, per year
Description: There aren't many freelance writers on
this site and
they are definitely missing out. Demand Star posts
government
requests for proposals that are usually invisible to
outsiders unless
you work in the industry. You'll be notified when the
regions you
select post an RFP and you can submit a formal
proposal to the
government agency. These agencies always pay at least
the average
going rate and tend to have long-term projects such as
annual reports
and training materials.
eLance.com
http://www.elance.com
Paid, International *$25 per month for "basic", $45
for "Select"
Description: eLance is by far the "oldest" and most
established RFP
marketplace on the web, but since they have instituted
monthly fees,
their membership has dropped off. However, at any
given time, they
have at least 75-100 active freelance writing projects
at a given
time. Features included in the basic fee are: online
portfolio,
access to "basic" projects, profile, and buyer
feedback. Members that
pay the "Select" fees will be able to set up an eLance
store of sorts
and have an option for users to "Buy Now" and access
to high-dollar
projects. The fees you charge regularly may be higher
than the rates
reflected on this website, but if you build up your
feedback to 5
stars, buyers are willing to pay the going rate. If
you join, make
sure you check the website on a daily basis and bid
quickly and
professionally -- some auctions end early when the
buyer feels the
best candidate has bid. Also worthy to note; buyers
can pay you
through eLance and you can have the money directly
deposited into
your bank account within 2 days. Most buyers pay
within a few days of
project completion.
Info Splat
http://www.InfoSplat.com
Free, International
Description: Design-related RFP's that are free to
respond to. Most
of the jobs for writers here are technical spec
writing, copy
writing, and other types of marketing writing. Very
clean interface
and professional look.
123 Lance
http://www.123Lance.com
Free, International
Description: A fairly new website with the bidding
proposal process.
Not many writing or editing RFP's currently, (not many
bidders,
either, so less competition!) but looks promising.
Click on "Writing
and Editing" and sign up to receive notification when
new projects
are posted.
Biz Moonlighter and Creative Moonlighter
http://www.bizmoonlighter.com
http://www.creativemoonlighter.com
Free, International
Description: These fairly active websites are aimed at
part-timers
and students who have spare time, but not full-time
freelance work
needs. Very easy to work with; buyers approach you and
you receive an
email describing the job they need done. You have the
choice to
accept or decline, give a quote, and wait for their
response. You
won't need to return to their website once you
register; you are
notified when your profile has met a buyer's criteria
and the bids
are invitation-only. You can get paid direct-deposit
through their
SafePay system. BizMoonlighter focuses on business-end
projects such
as business plans and technical writing;
CreativeMoonlighter focuses
on copy writing and other more creative writing
project.
Consultant RFP Marketplace
http://www.prosavvy.com
Free, National
Description: A professional marketplace with a
refreshing array of
project types. Many opportunities for business plan
writers and PR-
writer types. Specify your specialization (Medical
Writing, Business
Plan Writing) and sign up as a consultant to bid on
projects. Fairly
active marketplace with many interesting projects!
Freelance Jobs Network
http://www.thecentralmall.com/index.html
Free, International *You can also pay to be featured,
$99/year.
Description: This little marketplace has a good start
with many open
projects, but not many bidders. Many of the writing
projects are
actually located under "Marketing & Sales" as copy
writing and PR
projects. You may want to consider being featured when
the
marketplace expands.
Instant Work
http://www.instantwork.com/
Free, International
Description: This website is in "beta mode". Buyers
will contact you
based on your profile. A neat feature of this website
is the "Instant
Message" option. Employers can contact you via AOL
Instant Messenger,
Yahoo, or any other messenger you use online. Just
remember you gave
it out! It looks like there are very few writers on
this site -- most
of them have completed projects in the copy writing
category. Fill
out your profile (no HTML) professionally and make
sure you list a
few impressive URL's or clients.
eWork Exchange
http://www.ework.com/exchange.cfm
Paid, International *First profile skill listing is
free, additional
listings $25/per month
Description: The sign-up process for this website is
time-consuming
but well worth it. Specify the hours and time periods
you have
available for projects, your skills, rates, and create
a slick
summary of your services. Clients will seek you out
and ask for a
quote; you'll be notified via email by eWork. You can
then respond to
their requests and accept projects. Fairly active
marketplace with
some stiff competition; make sure your profile
summarizes your skills
and is kept up-to-date.
Contracted Work
Http://www.contractedwork.com
Free, International *BRAND NEW
Description: Brand new RFP site where writers can list
their services
and bid on projects free. You can also set up a
"Store" that buyers
can use to buy your services directly.
Cyber Workers
http://www.cyberworkers.com/index.en.shtml
Free, International *based in France
Description: This website is brand new and the RFP
Auction
marketplace is not set up for business yet. (As of
December, 2001.)
However, browsing freelance job postings and signing
up as an expert
are active. Sign up as an expert and people can pay to
get your
expertise, and when the marketplace is ready, you can
be one of the
first members to sign up and bid on projects!
Demand Star
http://www.DemandStar.com
Paid, National Government Contracts *Pay $30.00/per
county, per year
Description: There aren't many freelance writers on
this site and
they are definitely missing out. Demand Star posts
government
requests for proposals that are usually invisible to
outsiders unless
you work in the industry. You'll be notified when the
regions you
select post an RFP and you can submit a formal
proposal to the
government agency. These agencies always pay at least
the average
going rate and tend to have long-term projects such as
annual reports
and training materials.
eLance.com
http://www.elance.com
Paid, International *$25 per month for "basic", $45
for "Select"
Description: eLance is by far the "oldest" and most
established RFP
marketplace on the web, but since they have instituted
monthly fees,
their membership has dropped off. However, at any
given time, they
have at least 75-100 active freelance writing projects
at a given
time. Features included in the basic fee are: online
portfolio,
access to "basic" projects, profile, and buyer
feedback. Members that
pay the "Select" fees will be able to set up an eLance
store of sorts
and have an option for users to "Buy Now" and access
to high-dollar
projects. The fees you charge regularly may be higher
than the rates
reflected on this website, but if you build up your
feedback to 5
stars, buyers are willing to pay the going rate. If
you join, make
sure you check the website on a daily basis and bid
quickly and
professionally -- some auctions end early when the
buyer feels the
best candidate has bid. Also worthy to note; buyers
can pay you
through eLance and you can have the money directly
deposited into
your bank account within 2 days. Most buyers pay
within a few days of
project completion.
Info Splat
http://www.InfoSplat.com
Free, International
Description: Design-related RFP's that are free to
respond to. Most
of the jobs for writers here are technical spec
writing, copy
writing, and other types of marketing writing. Very
clean interface
and professional look.
123 Lance
http://www.123Lance.com
Free, International
Description: A fairly new website with the bidding
proposal process.
Not many writing or editing RFP's currently, (not many
bidders,
either, so less competition!) but looks promising.
Click on "Writing
and Editing" and sign up to receive notification when
new projects
are posted.
Biz Moonlighter and Creative Moonlighter
http://www.bizmoonlighter.com
http://www.creativemoonlighter.com
Free, International
Description: These fairly active websites are aimed at
part-timers
and students who have spare time, but not full-time
freelance work
needs. Very easy to work with; buyers approach you and
you receive an
email describing the job they need done. You have the
choice to
accept or decline, give a quote, and wait for their
response. You
won't need to return to their website once you
register; you are
notified when your profile has met a buyer's criteria
and the bids
are invitation-only. You can get paid direct-deposit
through their
SafePay system. BizMoonlighter focuses on business-end
projects such
as business plans and technical writing;
CreativeMoonlighter focuses
on copy writing and other more creative writing
project.
Consultant RFP Marketplace
http://www.prosavvy.com
Free, National
Description: A professional marketplace with a
refreshing array of
project types. Many opportunities for business plan
writers and PR-
writer types. Specify your specialization (Medical
Writing, Business
Plan Writing) and sign up as a consultant to bid on
projects. Fairly
active marketplace with many interesting projects!
Freelance Jobs Network
http://www.thecentralmall.com/index.html
Free, International *You can also pay to be featured,
$99/year.
Description: This little marketplace has a good start
with many open
projects, but not many bidders. Many of the writing
projects are
actually located under "Marketing & Sales" as copy
writing and PR
projects. You may want to consider being featured when
the
marketplace expands.
Instant Work
http://www.instantwork.com/
Free, International
Description: This website is in "beta mode". Buyers
will contact you
based on your profile. A neat feature of this website
is the "Instant
Message" option. Employers can contact you via AOL
Instant Messenger,
Yahoo, or any other messenger you use online. Just
remember you gave
it out! It looks like there are very few writers on
this site -- most
of them have completed projects in the copy writing
category. Fill
out your profile (no HTML) professionally and make
sure you list a
few impressive URL's or clients.
eWork Exchange
http://www.ework.com/exchange.cfm
Paid, International *First profile skill listing is
free, additional
listings $25/per month
Description: The sign-up process for this website is
time-consuming
but well worth it. Specify the hours and time periods
you have
available for projects, your skills, rates, and create
a slick
summary of your services. Clients will seek you out
and ask for a
quote; you'll be notified via email by eWork. You can
then respond to
their requests and accept projects. Fairly active
marketplace with
some stiff competition; make sure your profile
summarizes your skills
and is kept up-to-date.
Contracted Work
Http://www.contractedwork.com
Free, International *BRAND NEW
Description: Brand new RFP site where writers can list
their services
and bid on projects free. You can also set up a
"Store" that buyers
can use to buy your services directly.
Cyber Workers
http://www.cyberworkers.com/index.en.shtml
Free, International *based in France
Description: This website is brand new and the RFP
Auction
marketplace is not set up for business yet. (As of
December, 2001.)
However, browsing freelance job postings and signing
up as an expert
are active. Sign up as an expert and people can pay to
get your
expertise, and when the marketplace is ready, you can
be one of the
first members to sign up and bid on projects!
Demand Star
http://www.DemandStar.com
Paid, National Government Contracts *Pay $30.00/per
county, per year
Description: There aren't many freelance writers on
this site and
they are definitely missing out. Demand Star posts
government
requests for proposals that are usually invisible to
outsiders unless
you work in the industry. You'll be notified when the
regions you
select post an RFP and you can submit a formal
proposal to the
government agency. These agencies always pay at least
the average
going rate and tend to have long-term projects such as
annual reports
and training materials.
eLance.com
http://www.elance.com
Paid, International *$25 per month for "basic", $45
for "Select"
Description: eLance is by far the "oldest" and most
established RFP
marketplace on the web, but since they have instituted
monthly fees,
their membership has dropped off. However, at any
given time, they
have at least 75-100 active freelance writing projects
at a given
time. Features included in the basic fee are: online
portfolio,
access to "basic" projects, profile, and buyer
feedback. Members that
pay the "Select" fees will be able to set up an eLance
store of sorts
and have an option for users to "Buy Now" and access
to high-dollar
projects. The fees you charge regularly may be higher
than the rates
reflected on this website, but if you build up your
feedback to 5
stars, buyers are willing to pay the going rate. If
you join, make
sure you check the website on a daily basis and bid
quickly and
professionally -- some auctions end early when the
buyer feels the
best candidate has bid. Also worthy to note; buyers
can pay you
through eLance and you can have the money directly
deposited into
your bank account within 2 days. Most buyers pay
within a few days of
project completion.
Info Splat
http://www.InfoSplat.com
Free, International
Description: Design-related RFP's that are free to
respond to. Most
of the jobs for writers here are technical spec
writing, copy
writing, and other types of marketing writing. Very
clean interface
and professional look.
123 Lance
http://www.123Lance.com
Free, International
Description: A fairly new website with the bidding
proposal process.
Not many writing or editing RFP's currently, (not many
bidders,
either, so less competition!) but looks promising.
Click on "Writing
and Editing" and sign up to receive notification when
new projects
are posted.
Biz Moonlighter and Creative Moonlighter
http://www.bizmoonlighter.com
http://www.creativemoonlighter.com
Free, International
Description: These fairly active websites are aimed at
part-timers
and students who have spare time, but not full-time
freelance work
needs. Very easy to work with; buyers approach you and
you receive an
email describing the job they need done. You have the
choice to
accept or decline, give a quote, and wait for their
response. You
won't need to return to their website once you
register; you are
notified when your profile has met a buyer's criteria
and the bids
are invitation-only. You can get paid direct-deposit
through their
SafePay system. BizMoonlighter focuses on business-end
projects such
as business plans and technical writing;
CreativeMoonlighter focuses
on copy writing and other more creative writing
project.
Consultant RFP Marketplace
http://www.prosavvy.com
Free, National
Description: A professional marketplace with a
refreshing array of
project types. Many opportunities for business plan
writers and PR-
writer types. Specify your specialization (Medical
Writing, Business
Plan Writing) and sign up as a consultant to bid on
projects. Fairly
active marketplace with many interesting projects!
Freelance Jobs Network
http://www.thecentralmall.com/index.html
Free, International *You can also pay to be featured,
$99/year.
Description: This little marketplace has a good start
with many open
projects, but not many bidders. Many of the writing
projects are
actually located under "Marketing & Sales" as copy
writing and PR
projects. You may want to consider being featured when
the
marketplace expands.
Instant Work
http://www.instantwork.com/
Free, International
Description: This website is in "beta mode". Buyers
will contact you
based on your profile. A neat feature of this website
is the "Instant
Message" option. Employers can contact you via AOL
Instant Messenger,
Yahoo, or any other messenger you use online. Just
remember you gave
it out! It looks like there are very few writers on
this site -- most
of them have completed projects in the copy writing
category. Fill
out your profile (no HTML) professionally and make
sure you list a
few impressive URL's or clients.
eWork Exchange
http://www.ework.com/exchange.cfm
Paid, International *First profile skill listing is
free, additional
listings $25/per month
Description: The sign-up process for this website is
time-consuming
but well worth it. Specify the hours and time periods
you have
available for projects, your skills, rates, and create
a slick
summary of your services. Clients will seek you out
and ask for a
quote; you'll be notified via email by eWork. You can
then respond to
their requests and accept projects. Fairly active
marketplace with
some stiff competition; make sure your profile
summarizes your skills
and is kept up-to-date.
Contracted Work
Http://www.contractedwork.com
Free, International *BRAND NEW
Description: Brand new RFP site where writers can list
their services
and bid on projects free. You can also set up a
"Store" that buyers
can use to buy your services directly.
Cyber Workers
http://www.cyberworkers.com/index.en.shtml
Free, International *based in France
Description: This website is brand new and the RFP
Auction
marketplace is not set up for business yet. (As of
December, 2001.)
However, browsing freelance job postings and signing
up as an expert
are active. Sign up as an expert and people can pay to
get your
expertise, and when the marketplace is ready, you can
be one of the
first members to sign up and bid on projects!
Demand Star
http://www.DemandStar.com
Paid, National Government Contracts *Pay $30.00/per
county, per year
Description: There aren't many freelance writers on
this site and
they are definitely missing out. Demand Star posts
government
requests for proposals that are usually invisible to
outsiders unless
you work in the industry. You'll be notified when the
regions you
select post an RFP and you can submit a formal
proposal to the
government agency. These agencies always pay at least
the average
going rate and tend to have long-term projects such as
annual reports
and training materials.
eLance.com
http://www.elance.com
Paid, International *$25 per month for "basic", $45
for "Select"
Description: eLance is by far the "oldest" and most
established RFP
marketplace on the web, but since they have instituted
monthly fees,
their membership has dropped off. However, at any
given time, they
have at least 75-100 active freelance writing projects
at a given
time. Features included in the basic fee are: online
portfolio,
access to "basic" projects, profile, and buyer
feedback. Members that
pay the "Select" fees will be able to set up an eLance
store of sorts
and have an option for users to "Buy Now" and access
to high-dollar
projects. The fees you charge regularly may be higher
than the rates
reflected on this website, but if you build up your
feedback to 5
stars, buyers are willing to pay the going rate. If
you join, make
sure you check the website on a daily basis and bid
quickly and
professionally -- some auctions end early when the
buyer feels the
best candidate has bid. Also worthy to note; buyers
can pay you
through eLance and you can have the money directly
deposited into
your bank account within 2 days. Most buyers pay
within a few days of
project completion.
(Additional entries follow, these are just a part of
the set...
There's not enough room to list them all here!)
Copyright Melissa Brewer, 2001
http://mysmys.tripod.com/thewritersonlinesurvivalguide/
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