eLance

Subscription fee’s (in order to bid on projects)

There are different packages ranging from free to $30.00 per month

Transaction Fee

There is a fee of 8.75% commission on invoiced project if you win bid and fee is called a “finders fee”.

Payment

You can either be paid through eLances online billing and payment system or your regular client billing and payment process. A $10.00 fee applies for wire transfer withdrawals above one per month through their system.

Guru.com

Subscription Fee

Basic profile/membership is free

“Guru Profile/membership” will range from $29.95 to $99.95 per quarter.

Transaction Fees

It depends on what subscription plan you choose. You will need to read each plan at Guru website to view this information.

Payment

You have to invoice employer through Guru’s billing systems. Guru will apparently be handling funds and will send you payment via check, direct deposit, wire transfer, remit2india and paypal.

So as you can see, it can get a little confusing and there are plans in which you will have to pay a fee, but I would start out with free subscription to get a feel for website, for projects posted and just to decide if this is something you would like to invest time and a little money into.

I want to be clear that you don’t have to use freelance websites in order to get work at home. There are many job lead websites out there and lots of jobs for taking, but this is just yet another way to start getting work at home experience and some money to pay bills. Freelancing is 100% legitimate and many people have been doing this type of work for years. I know you have been preached at to not pay for a job, so how is this any different? This is more like paying to access a job lead database. There is nothing wrong with that and it is not a scam. My good friend, Pamela, owns a job lead website that is loaded with company websites and she charges a fee for you to access this. Freelance websites are much like this in fact that they charge (for better subscription plans) to connect you with possible employers/projects.

I would recommend having a look around for yourself, maybe ask some friends if they have ever used these freelance websites and get their personal opinion, but just remember this as an option to getting work at home jobs.

Your Picture - Like I've said before, it could just make you feel more real to employer. Since they can put a face to name, they might remember you more then someone who just has a resume.

Your Voice - Of course, this isn't one of those die hard rules. I enjoy option of listening to someone's greeting/intro, but I know some aren't comfortable recording their own voices. I do, however, think this is yet another great way to have employer see you as a real person. Not only can they see your picture, along with your skills and experience, but they could also hear your voice. I use audio on my websites/blogs and newsletters. I find them a great way to communicate and seem more real to my readers

Your Resume - This has all necessary information that employer will need. Please be sure to spell check your resume, along with rest of website. I would also recommend you having resume done professionally. Think of it as investing into yourself and your future. I've also been told that you can write off a resume on taxes, so keep that in mind.

Your Portfolio - If you have one and you're looking for work online, only place to showcase your portfolio is online. It would be a perfect addition to your website. Your portfolio can be one of two things: it can either be work you've done, or it can be samples of work you can do. Just have fun with it, and be creative.

These are just some of my own suggestions. There are many other things you can do, and I'm sure you will come up with some great ideas for your own personal website.

The next article in series I'm gong to talk about how you can get your website out there in front of potential employers. After all, you can build an amazing website, but if you don't know how to get it out there and seen, there's really no point to it.