Tips and Best Practices

To help our new providers create an attractive oDesk profile and, therefore, launch their first project, we are introducing a feature in the forum.

If you would like to get advice on creating a great profile from more experienced oDesk providers, Buyers and oDesk staff, create a new forum topic with a link to your profile, so it can be reviewed and commented on!

Before asking for your profile to be reviewed, make sure that you have studied the Profile Help Pages and these tips from a successful oDesk Provider. Also check if any advice already provided in this thread applies to your profile as well.

Summary of the advice provided in this thread:
* If you are a web designer, your portfolio is going to be critical. Show as much as you can.
* Provide external links to examples of your work, whether programming, design or writing
* In your title I would try to highlight something that really makes you stand out.
* Make sure your cover letters to buyers are highly personalized and custom to their job posting. Buyers hate getting cut and paste cover letters.
* Take the time to do a spell-check
* Format your profile so it looks accurate and is easier to skim through
* If you are an individual provider upload a portrait rather than a logo
* If you are skilled in several different areas, help buyers really understand your focus
* Spend time on your Objective field. It's at the top of the profile and is intended to deliver your profile summary and goals in a concise sentence or two. Might want to talk more about what you want to do for potential buyers than what you have done for others.
* Try including a brief testimonial from some of your previous clients / employers

Regards,
Olga
oDesk

Vote Result

Score: 8.0, Votes: 4