Disappointed Newbie!
Hi everyone,
I've just recently joined oDesk and have been doggedly sitting tests and assembling my profile. Having started looking for jobs here I have to say that at the moment, it seems like too much of a pointless waste of effort, for the following reasons:
1. The rates offered for most of the jobs I've looked at are ridiculously low, and I'm trying hard not to feel insulted by them;
2. The high number of bids proposed on almost every job is enough in itself to put you off, almost like a lottery;
3. Also, if you have a look at the number of providers in each category in the index, the competition numbers are enormous (several thousand per category);
In summary, as long as there are providers who are prepared to offer themselves as slaves for the buyers, then quality providers will be forced out of the market place. It is for this reason that it is only a matter of time that this business model will ultimately fail in my opinion. Unless of course some action is taken to set some kind of sensible lower limits to rates being offered, or to ban buyers who are obviously exploiting providers.
Kind Regards
Allan
It's a record!
Wow you just broke the 'slave' record. You've been here 2 days, you clearly haven't mastered searching the forum, you're profile looks pretty good but like so many others you've jumped to conclusions without really knowing what you're talking about.
A. YES! There are some *very low* paying jobs here - but take a look at oConomy and see what the 'average' pay for your field is.
B. YES! There are some providers who accept these jobs - you're absolutely right - every hear of currency conversion rates? Not to mention lower costs of living?
C. YES! You're not here alone! Imagine that - you actually have to compete with peers *from all over the world*. All that means is you need a way to make yourself stand out from the pack.
Hints:
A) Add a photo (or a reasonable avatar) to your profile
B) You say you're applying for editing/writing jobs yet your portfolio is a graphics image. Pick one - and beef up the portfolio
C) Your editing cert was awesome - but for some reason the sentence structure was a little lower - consider hiding it for now and retaking it in a month.
Market yourself! That's what you have to do when you're competing in a global market. If you feel that you are worth what you're rate says and you feel that the market will bear it - stick with the rate - but trust me - writers are averaging about $15 per hour - not $27
Spend some time familiarizing yourself with the site and the forum and how this works - before you criticize it.
Doreen
How patronising!
Well, excuse me, but you seem to be the one who is jumping to conclusions about what I know, or don't know.
For your information, and for what it's worth I've been competing in the 'Global Marketplace' for about the last 20+ years. I've also got experience of winning jobs on other websites such as this one, so unlike you're assumption, I actually do know what I'm talking about here to a fair degree.
Also, I have been searching the forums already and it seems I'm not alone in my point of view, which seems perfectly valid. And I've also noticed that you seem to be very defensive about oDesk in many of the posts when it comes to anyone daring to question things here.
Oh, and another thing, I'm also an experienced currency trader, so I do know all about currency conversions, and how they affect the market place.
Cheers
Allan
Clearly
You missed a few things - see there are no other 'sites' like oDesk.
A) Unlike 'other' sites oDesk guarantees payment on hourly jobs;
B) Unlike 'other' sites you don't pay a fee to work unless you *actually* work
C) Unlike 'other' sites those who post jobs don't pay anything either unless they actually *hire* someone
D) Unlike 'other' sites oDesk provides all sorts of 'freebies' such as testing, etc.
Yes, I do get defensive about people bashing the system. Especially given that most people who show up here feel that this system owes them (a) minimum wages (b) ability to begin working days after they start.
You might have the experience you're talking about but clearly from your statements here you're working in limited markets with limited competition.
But, you missed the overall point of my post (no surprise I guess in re-reading it I couldn't get by my own sarcasm).
Bottom line: you could use some additional work on your profile/portfolio and I'm sure that if you're willing to invest the time in marketing your clearly strong skills that you'll do just fine.
Just have some patience and work at it.
Doreen
If you do
Well, excuse me, but you seem to be the one who is jumping to conclusions about what I know, or don't know.
For your information, and for what it's worth I've been competing in the 'Global Marketplace' for about the last 20+ years. I've also got experience of winning jobs on other websites such as this one, so unlike you're assumption, I actually do know what I'm talking about here to a fair degree.
If you do "know what you're talking about" and have been "competing in the global marketplace" for 20 years, saying things like [below] just makes you look either 1) ignorant, 2) arrogant or 3) like a jerk.
In summary, as long as there are providers who are prepared to offer themselves as slaves for the buyers, then quality providers will be forced out of the market place. It is for this reason that it is only a matter of time that this business model will ultimately fail in my opinion.
That sounds like jumping to conclusions to me.
When you say things like this, especially when oDesk seems to be doing just fine, and many long-term, experienced providers are doing just fine - people will take offense.
You've been here a grand total of two days. How can you be a part of a site for only 2 days, post what you posted, and not be jumping to conclusions?
- Danalyn
Before complaining about rates, I suggest reading all 4 parts of the oDesk Insider's Make More Money series.
global E-conomy
aewart,
It can be discouraging. I've been freelancing for 8 years and have worked in major animation studios but so many are looking to get work on the cheap. I suspect our global economy will force a more level playing field. This harsh competition is unavoidable, survival of the fittest. The fittest doesn't always mean the most talented though. As a provider with other online companies I've seen the profiles with those considered at a higher rank and was shocked to see such mediocre work compared to other providers with superior skills (no, not me, LOL). Perhaps it's low-balling; perhaps the higher rated provider is more efficient. There are plenty of variables and I believe those at the top do deserve their high ranking, be it talent, tenacity, dependability or pay rate.
I'm curious to see how oDesk will compare. I will definitely take advantage of oDesk tools...just when I thought I had paid my dues in life....
I wish you much success...as long as you're not an animation artist (kidding).
Caroline
points taken
Thank you Caroline, I appreciate your positive comments, and also the other comments posted.
I guess I can be a little bit impatient sometimes, it's just my nature. So, apologies if I've caused offence or upset anyone, it was not my intention. However, I would add that I think it's irrelevant whether I've been here for two days, two minutes or two months, I'm a fast learner and I reserve the right to comment on issues I feel strongly about. After all, that's what free speach is all about, right?
I too wish you all success, and I will give it another shot! I don't quit that easy folks 
Allan
What has worked for me... for what it is worth
What has worked for me... for what it is worth!
I have been on oDesk since the end of September 08. I had my first
assignment within a week of signing on with oDesk.
1. I took as many tests as I could (I will take more as time and talent
permits). I made sure I took enough tests to give me the maximum job quota, 20.
2. Patience, Patience, Patience, Patience, Patience, Patience,
3. I put up every portfolio piece I could find. Fortunately I had the foresight
to save many of my portfolio pieces from years back including taking screen
shots of older web sites that no longer exist.
4. I try and keep my quota as close to maxed out as I can. Meaning I apply
to everything I believe I am qualified to work on.
5. I do not take the rejections personally.
6. I started my pay rate below what I charge a client on the street; I do
this to build my hours and feedback on oDesk.
7. Patience, Patience, Patience, Patience, Patience, Patience,
8. I check oDesk job listings 10-20 times a day. New jobs are coming in regularly.
9. I do not let the amount of people discourage me.
10. I am constantly trying to learn and add to my abilities, thus giving the
client the ability to hire me to do more than one task.
I have run into a couple of questionable buyers, but I let that roll off my
back and move on.
I think oDesk is great, sure it has a few drawbacks here and there, but it
is by far one of the best freelance sites out there.
Thanks tgano
Thanks for the sanity tgano.
I think everyone in this challenging economic climate is a tad panicked. Honestly though... $2 for 300 words?!? Yikes.
Best of luck to all.
ej
good post...
Patience, patience, patience indeed.
Nice post tgano. Actually it's really discouraging sometimes for me when you know you can do so much or you do better things but you get turned down due to lack of oDesk experience. I haven't got my first job yet, and it's been months.
Anyhow, it was just nice reading posts like this.
- Migs
Hi Allan, I too am a newbie
Hi Allan, I too am a newbie here and have not secured any work yet. I too was somewhat put off by the amount of candidates for jobs, but delving deeper I found that many of these had no portfolllio to speak off, so I would say don't let that put you off, there are people on here who look as though they have managed to get lots of work through the system.