Do You Hire Freelance Web Developers & Graphic Artists On Services Like Elance? Watch Out For This Deceitful Tactic!
June 21st, 2007
Written By: Adam Sussman
I’m constantly hiring freelance graphical talent on Elance and I’m seeing some real deceiving tactics taking place.
Before I hire a new graphical / web designer I review every bidder’s portfolio in detail. It is a time consuming task but I want to make sure I get the most bang for my buck. When I see a portfolio that I like, I send it to my short list.
Over the past few months I’ve had many projects going on at the same time and because of this I’ve caught on to some underhanded practices by many freelance bidders.
For starters many of the custom web design work I’ve seen in the bidder’s portfolios are not unique. In fact quite a few are common templates anyone can find on the web for $40. It has become apparent to me many bidders are sharing their portfolio work and the majority of templates are easily found publicly.
Secondly, there are some large foreign companies who are bidding under multiple account names but they all end up at the same company. I know this because I hired two different companies to do some work for me. During private messaging with both companies I ended up with two different private messages on two different projects where I hired two unique companies but they mistakenly signed the same signature. Oooops!
How Do I Combat This?
The value with freelance work on services like Elance is unbeatable. But a lot of time can be wasted if you hire the wrong company and they send you crap!
For the past few months I now send all graphical artists / web design bidders a small description of what my vision is. During the bidding phase I private message my first round draft picks a letter requiring that they show me a unique rough mock-up of my ideas.
If they can not do that, then I do not hire them. And the ones that do it, they make it to my shortlist. This allows me to see just how qualified they really are. I should give credit of this idea to Design Outpost. Back when I used to use them, all artists compete openly and they can all see each others work.
I personally don’t want my work “so open” to the world. So my solution is a hybrid of the two.
When using Elance, do not forget to read all the bidders last 6 months Feedback / Review / Earning and try to even get the bidders to speak with you over the telephone before hiring them. Because of the amount of work I do overseas I have a dedicated Skype line just for this purpose.
You’ve been warned!
June 21st, 2007 12:14
Thanks! I am about to start a new project. This is helpful info. Can you post more about Skype? I’ve heard it mentioned here and there but I need to learn more from people who actually use it. (I don’t trust marketing).
June 21st, 2007 14:38
Thanks for the suggestions - I’ve been outsourcing a lot of graphics design, and ran into a few of the same problems.
I have had some success with the Sitepoint contests, though. What are your thoughts on those?
And where is your ‘Subscribe’ checkbox so I can subscribe and get emailed when you reply?
June 21st, 2007 16:17
Hmmm, I may have to find that plug-in for WP. The problem i have with sitepoint or any other forums is my public appearance. I dont want people to know what I am working on or even catch on to some of my ideas. Typically those who troll those forums are at a higher level. I see no reason to tip people off! Perhaps thats me just being an obsessive compulsive entrepreneur!
Hey Hawaii, Skype is my last resort tool. I’ve picked up a linksys telephone and even blogged about it. I am not thrilled with it as users say I sound funky. I also use a calling card to call India, Asia or Europe when I need to speak with people.
June 22nd, 2007 13:50
Brian, you should be able to subscribe now!
June 22nd, 2007 15:22
Shandy: Just create a separate profile for Sitepoint. I have a profile there which I use for getting my design work done there, which I have never posted with.
Also, you took me way too seriously on the subscription plugin. At the same time, I appreciate the effort, and am now subscribed to a few of your posts.
June 22nd, 2007 15:41
Brian, I actually thought it was a great suggestion!
July 18th, 2007 20:30
Shandy, good post.
I 100% agree with you that one person is behind two companies. They want to grab the clients with hide there informations. If they mention everything in the begninning of business relationship then I don’t think, its any harm BUT they hide.
BTY I havent used Elance or any similar type of websites for freelance work but I have seen profiles in these websites.