Directfreelance Writing and Graphic Design Forums / Writing / Business Issues / Non-US residents and freelance.com / Latest Posts

RE: Non-US residents and freelance.com

gmkorson — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 18:42:47 GMT

I'm a writer/editor in the USA. After one year as a member of this site, I can say that it has been worth it. I can count on one hand how many jobs I've received, but I've far more than recovered my membership fee.

It can be frustrating at times because many members in India and China can bid very low. Some vendors have mentioned that they do not want to work with someone outside the USA because they have had a bad experience in the past. I'm sure a number of non-USA writers don't have the best command of the English language and its grammar, but the same can be said of many American writers.

For the gentleman from Egypt who never gets paid, I would suggest setting terms of 50% of your estimated fee up front. When you get halfway through the project, send your client that work. If he/she is happy with it and wants to proceed, have them send the other 50% before you send the completed project. Or do it in thirds -- whatever. That way the client and the artist share the risk a bit more evenly. You just need to have a lot of communication and a lot of integrity.

RE: Non-US residents and freelance.com

mwurz1975 — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:20:15 GMT

I can tell you, I also had to pay US $ 99, and that is because I am not a (US) tax payer as freelancer. And other comments in this topic here (see above messages)make me realize that I should be happy, that no one replies to my bids, because I might not get paid.

In any case, if any of you serious writers would like to stay in contact, please contact me - particularly for sharing these kind of experiences. You can also find me on Facebook, which turned out more reliable and for free with much better networking.

Best regards

Matthias

http://mwurz1975.wordpress.com/

RE: Non-US residents and freelance.com

mwurz1975 — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 07:18:31 GMT

Well, I am registered for almost a year, and absolutely no one replies to my bids. I am in Austria, Europe, professional accredited journalist and working as an editor for an English language newspaper, trying to freelance alongside. My personal opinion is, this site does not help me at all in opening up new opportunities.

Matthias Wurz
http://mwurz1975.wordpress.com/

RE: Non-US residents and freelance.com

ramadevy — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 07:30:25 GMT

don't waste a single pound on this

RE: Non-US residents and freelance.com

saurabhsengupta — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:09:59 GMT

And, I am from India. I really dont know what to say after, I've read most of the postings and, especially of those who are not from the US of A. I feel, projects or biddings should not be based on; nationality, creed or community. We are professionals and that's a very big community in itself. I'm sorry, I still dont know how it all works. I'm still not a PAID member. I dont have the money to pay. I come from a third world country -- not a member of G8!

RE: Non-US residents and freelance.com

gboase — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:47:22 GMT

I am a paid member and a US resident/citizen. I have lost bids to people off shore so obviously it can't be a major hinderance. You do have to consider the fact that in many cases where exact English is a requirement or familiarity with the location is important, you're not going to get the work. Simply don't bid on those jobs.

For those who question whether it's worth the $79, that is not the issue. The jobs are there. If you're bid is well thought out and informative, you WILL get responses. I get responses to about 80% of the bids I submit.

If you're submitting one-line bids with no enticement to contact you, no one will.

RE: Non-US residents and freelance.com

ramadevy — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:26:57 GMT

i have been here for 2007.i hadn't got a single customer.it's real waste to spend any money on this my sincere request for you is not to waste you money on this.

RE: Non-US residents and freelance.com

NetService — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 10:06:54 GMT

Why are you paying to find work? I find this all really idiotic of these types of web sites. I to am American and live out side the U.S. I am actually here at this site because of an article I was directed to but saw this post and had to put in my 2 cents and they are, You should never have to Pay to go get a job! and There are so many places to find work online like getafreelancer and eufreelancer just to name 2. directfreelance will probably delete my account but who cares I would never pay 99$ to see a job or contact a potential client, it's stupid they should get a different business model...Do they have an Affiliate program if so I could try and sign up some suckers and make some extra cash off of those kind of fee's.

Good Luck,
G.B.

RE: Non-US residents and freelance.com

scarlet1 — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:12:28 GMT

Yes, I also did pay $100.00. Why do they have a different fee?

It should be a fixed rate regardless what country of origin.

RE: Non-US residents and freelance.com

scarlet1 — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:09:02 GMT

I registered last May paid a $100 and have not been successful at getting projects. I am a graphic designer form the Phils. maybe they have preferences. I don't know how this thing will work for me. Need to study more ,,,,

abby

RE: Non-US residents and freelance.com

sonica — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:16:57 GMT

The preceding discussion is very interesting. I will agree that we do need to register to be able to bid for jobs. My dilemma is that I am being asked to pay $99 for the registration where as most of you have specified it to b $79.

Anyone from directfreelance.com care to comment on this?

RE: Non-US residents and freelance.com

aaylin — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:09:01 GMT

I am living in Italy and i have surious dubts for the page for becoming a fullmember.

If i do a graphic design for example, client will tell me that he didn't like it but will use it still. Who gurantees that i will be paid?

RE: Non-US residents and freelance.com

junographic — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 03:00:33 GMT

I don't know if this method 'r more fair than percentage method?
what kind of contact detail we have if we register?
complete CP?

RE: Non-US residents and freelance.com

ttpass12 — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 03:09:45 GMT

I'm a member in this site for about 4 months now and my main problem is that every time I design something for someone ...I never get paid.....I'm from Egypt and I don't know how to garantee that the client is serious.

RE: Non-US residents and freelance.com

ey — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:19:20 GMT

I too am from the caribbean. I want to write also. But these questions need answering

RE: Non-US residents and freelance.com

Ron2008 — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 04:49:55 GMT

I agree with those who posted before me. You see, we are writers, not investors. it would be better for the guys at directfreelance to consider all that were posted here. we writers find ourselves in the sun with our skills not with out money. directfreelance is doing us a service by having a website like this, but how about us earning together without making writers part with hard-earned money before letting them earn some? we're not even sure about turn-around yet.

RE: Non-US residents and freelance.com

crismiyagi1512 — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 04:09:39 GMT

also a non-us resident, thus from previous comments seemingly its difficult to get a project. how about getting a project first then, from the payment why not get the membership fee you are collecting from this project. in this way, you would be able to know if project/jobs are done well or not. how about that. need feedback plz. 79 is 79, you know.

RE: Non-US residents and freelance.com

Malkos — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 07:50:48 GMT

I'm an out of work creative writer. Looking for someplace to start. If I get a job without paying for a membership I'll pay after I get my first paycheck. Cheers!

RE: Non-US residents and freelance.com

gboase — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:49:41 GMT

I am a paid member and so far I have yet to even get a response to a bid.

The thing to consider is .... if you want jobs your NOT going to get them unless you do. If you want to catch fish, you have to bait the hook and actually put it in the water.

Enjoy the day

RE: Non-US residents and freelance.com

sigm — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 11:48:28 GMT

I'm from Indonesia. I don't know how to do? How much I'll pay? Where?
And VERY IMPORTANT...How to get a client???

RE: Non-US residents and freelance.com

zeeska — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:12:43 GMT

Has anyone gotten a response. I am from the Caribbean, Trinidad to be exact and I am very interested in using the service but like everyone else I want to some idea about the returns on my investment and of course with what frequency.

RE: Non-US residents and freelance.com

catyeoew — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 20:34:31 GMT

Yes, I'm from Singapore and is very interested in being a freelancer here. Any one outside US with an experience working for clients here at directfreelance?

RE: Non-US residents and freelance.com

ReyesCDG — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 20:54:02 GMT

Same here. i wanted to get assurance that the $79 will really pay off. Please advise.

Non-US residents and freelance.com

Jamesws — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 04:22:46 GMT

I am at present a non-registered member of freelance.com, living in Bangkok Thailand. I'm a US citizen who has been a copy editor and sometimes writer for the Bangkok Post newspaper for the past 7 years. What I'm wondering is simply, is being a non-US resident a hindrance finding freelance work through this service? I would appreciate any input from others who may be in this position before I spend the $79 to register. I know it isn't that much, but, hey, I'm on a tight budget.