Job bidding sites, where you can bid on freelancing projects, might seem like a great deal. You have a pool of potential clients actively looking for the exact work you do. All you have to do is put together a quick proposal and you’re good to go, right? Wrong. Job bidding sites are bad news for freelancers.
How Job Bidding Sites Work
First, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page about how these sites actually work. Say Client A wants a new logo designed by a freelance graphic designer. It’s easy for her. She:
- Describes the work
- Gives her budget
- Posts the job on the website
All she has to do now is sit back and watch the bids roll in. Once the job listing is live, interested freelancers write a proposal. They make a case for why they’re the best for the job, and provide a quote for the work.
A Race Toward the Lowest Price
At this point, you may be thinking this sounds like a great deal for freelancers. Scrolling through these sites sure sounds like an easy way to find clients.
But let’s be real. It sounds too good to be true, and that’s because it probably is.
Think of it this way: Every time you bid on a job, you’re competing with dozens of freelancers. Each bid costs you (unpaid) time to craft a thorough and compelling proposal that stands out from the crowd.
But it’s worse than being a time suck. The reason that Client A is using this site in the first place because she wants the best work done for as cheap as possible. In order to put yourself in the running at all, not only will you need to send a great proposal, you’ll also have to price your services lower than the other bidders.
The trouble with these sites is that you end up losing out no matter what. You either waste time writing unsuccessful proposals, or you get the job but make much less money than you should. Client A wins every time.
While it might be an “easy” way to find work, it’s definitely not the most productive use of your time and energy.
Pitch Businesses Directly
If you really want to succeed, prospect. When you prospect and send businesses a compelling pitch, you’ll find high-quality clients rather than bargain hunters. You’ll stack the odds in your favor by avoiding competition with dozens of other freelancers. And you can maintain control of your career by charging the rates you deserve.
Prospecting will always be the most productive way to build your client base and earn a great living.
Your turn! Have you tried landing work on job bidding sites? Let us know about your experience in the comments below!
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