Detailed eLance Review
Elance is perhaps the most well-known outsourcing and freelancing companies on the internet. In fact, they were the first company I ever used to start outsourcing work.
(For that example, I was outsourcing article writing).
That was several years ago. These days I do much of my outsourcing to providers that I have found via outsourcing services like eLance. In fact, I would say about 75% of the "regulars" that I use were initially found on eLance.
Like any outsourcing and freelance services, there are hits and misses. You do seem to find two main extremes here on eLance:
1) Professionals - These are usually more costly than the individual freelancers, but you usually get more reliable and top quality results. I have used these professionals (using companies or certified individuals) when I NEED a task completed properly. Communication is usually high using these service providers.
2) Freelancers - These are people like you or I that usually have some killer skills...most of them at least. I have had great, affordable experiences with these service providers and others who have done dirt poor jobs or didn't do the job at all. With eLance, you are protected against this since they run their service via their own escrow system. I have found some of the "best outsourcing deals" from eLance (both domesically and overseas).
Looking for Freelancers...
For those looking to outsource a task, the process is quite simple (and there is no obligation to hire anyone, either). You first sign up for a free account at eLance. Initially, I would recommend that you browse the current jobs being offered. This will give you an idea of the response to expect as well as the "going rate" for such a task.
Creating a task request (or bid) only takes a few minutes (and again, this doesn't cost anything). Simply give the task a good, enticing headline (remember, you want as many bids as possible). Follow that with a description, the skills needed, the time frame and a preferred bidding amount. That's about it. Over the next few days, you will see bids come in with comments. Some will be lower that your bid request, some will be higher. You can follow-up with providers and further interview these people through eLance. It is rather simple.
Want to be a Freelancer?...
eLance is also great to build your own freelance status...or maybe make some extra money on the side with the skills you possess. There are unlimited tasks such as writing, proof-reading, computer programming, online tasks (link building, seo, PPC), research, data entry and more.
Being a provider is as easy as creating bids, too. You simply create your free account. Then, you want to spend some time creating a killer bio and define your skills and possibly organize some examples related to the skills you have.
From here, you can now browse current jobs and bid on them. At first, because you don't have any history, you may need to bid lower than others. But doing this can create credability and reliability very quickly! (that is the key to successful Freelancing!). Once this is established, you will be able to command the price your services are worth.
Again, this is both a great way of creating a freelancing career or earning a little bit of extra cash on the side.
Making/Getting Payments
And as I mentioned before, eLance uses their own escrow system to protect both the buyer and seller. Money is managed by eLance and is not released until tasks are completed. (This is important when taking higher risks with lower priced, overseas users and it will assure that if you are doing the task that the money is available to you).
Final thoughts...
Outsourcing is a critical part of running a successful online business. It is also a low risk method of earning cash online without the risks associated with marketing and business. There are several outsourcing companies out their, too. But when I initially think of "outsourcing", the first place I usually go it eLance.
At least sign up for a free account and check it out:
 
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