Do you use a professional freelance site to find work?

[UpAndAtEm]

Hi Ladies!

I've been toying with the idea of using a site such as Guru.com or Rent-a-Coder to find some freelance work. While I've got plenty to do with running my publishing company, I thought it might be fun to broaden my skills a bit and try something new. This isn't something I'm doing for the money, really. I just want to try it for a change of pace. Most of what I write about is business related, so it might be fun to do a project for another company that is based on another theme.

Have any of you used a professional freelance site to find work? If so, what has your experience been? Anything I should know before signing up? Is there an upfront fee I would need to pay? I explored Guru and found that you can't bid any projects unless you pay a fee, although you can sign up for free. What's the point of that?

Thanks for your thoughts!

[smbwallace]

I got on Rent-a-Coder one time and was completely overwhelmed with the process of submitting anything! I went back again and had the same problem. That's my only experience with that. Surely you are better than I am at figuring stuff out! :?

[UpAndAtEm]

Hmmmm....well, I do have some experience with RAC from the other side...as an employer. I used RAC to find the programmer for my site and it was a wonderful experience. I noticed they do have freelance writers on the site too, so I was just curious. Maybe I won't have too rough of a time of it since I'm already signed up. Guess there's really only one way to find out, huh? :D

[smbwallace]

You can probably figure it out and will be glad you did! :thumb:

Lori has some sites she recommends for finding work. I think it's at http://www.freelancemom.com/gigs.htm.

[UpAndAtEm]

Thanks, Michelle! I just thought it might be fun to get out of my comfort zone a little and this seems like a good way to do that! I'll take a look at that link.