Freelance / Contracting Platforms

[Andy Hallett]

Interesting feedback and mirrored what I saw when we were looking to build these 'disruptive' platforms. The biggest issue appears to be liquidity, eg if you go looking for gigs there and you don't find any you won't go back - same for the clients as well.

Ultimately they won't have as much reach or content as the job boards, supported by agencies.

I do think major firms with a Rolodex may be able to crack this at some point if they are prepared to challenge their own business model.

[BritishLad88]

Race to the bottom rates. In the UK, I wouldn't even attempt thinking these platforms can offer work to replace full-time contracting. I've tried them a few years ago thinking exactly that but failed in my efforts so I've reverted back to contracting.

At the very best, they're good for side hustles

[Peoplesoft bloke]

In my specialised area (the Workday system) its a tightly controlled skills market. You can only gain a Workday certification through working for a Workday partner (as an employee).

Projects are not just a few hours or days.

I got the certifications by getting a job at a partner, then left and went contracting via my own limited. The certifications lapse but you can show you once held them. Workday won't let small players be partners.

I looked on some of these platforms and the 1-2 people advertising themselves clearly didn't have in-depth skills and seemed to have done zero work through the platform.

[ladymuck]

There's also Talmix which seems to have some interesting stuff on it but I've never bid for work there. I've always been a bit suspicious of it.

[oilyrag]

Upwork was hit and miss, where I could hire contractors, but I could not attract work to myself. With Toptal, I get a good supply of work coming in for myself.

[eek]

Which would confirm my viewpoint of such systems

Great when you are selling a small product and can easily explain what you are selling - they fall apart as soon as things get complex...

the issue is that except for obvious flaws the best market for contractors is really agencies - they source the work and for a percentage find a suitable candidate for the project.

Every other scheme for a contracting platform has failed because it doesn't provide the leg work that is required - contractors and end clients look at them as ways of removing the agency cut but in reality that's cheaper than the other options.

[victorantos]

It's happening everywhere else in the world, platforms are disrupting and replacing traditional businesses. Uber and taxis, Purple Bricks and Estate Agents etc

Has anyone started to get their gigs through Upworks, Elevate, Guru, Fiverr etc? If so, how have you found the experience?

I got on Upwork a few weeks ago. My first gig got me $400 for 10 email templates, which is actually not much only £200 in my bank account after fees.

The second gig I got an hourly based rate $50/hour, but the client limited the task to 15 hours only after an "estimation" session. I've done more than 2/3 of the task in 17 hours.

Now the client is not willing to pay me more than 12 hours for it, I stopped working on it - so not a good experience...

[courtg9000]

It's happening everywhere else in the world, platforms are disrupting and replacing traditional businesses. Uber and taxis, Purple Bricks and Estate Agents etc

Has anyone started to get their gigs through Upworks, Elevate, Guru, Fiverr etc? If so, how have you found the experience?

I have tried two of those for small jobs in the past. As the customer. Very poor.

Speaking as the customer, a colonoscopy is more pleasant and I have had one of those as well!

For the most part, I have a large "Rolodex" of contractors/freelancers that I know if I need anything. Easier just to pick up the phone if my contact base doesn't have what I need they will more than likely know a chap or chapess that does. Failing that I find advertising for resources on my own website yields good results.

Would I use another platform or a new platform. Very unlikely. I have now retired from active work and business and my long-term property and financial markets investment holds are managed elsewhere. I would probably resort to the "Rolodex" if I needed anything.

[northernladuk]

Don't think that purple bricks made any difference, only very bad reviews
As for a contractor platform it has been tried before and failed each and every time

Punternet seems to have filled a hole though.

[MasterBait]

Don't think that purple bricks made any difference, only very bad reviews
As for a contractor platform it has been tried before and failed each and every time

[DaveB]

I always thought those were a race to the bottom and with very little control. Maybe I should take a look...

Thats been my view as well when I've looked at them. Moistly minor one off jobs that aren't paying well.

[ladymuck]

I always thought those were a race to the bottom and with very little control. Maybe I should take a look...

[Andy Hallett]

It's happening everywhere else in the world, platforms are disrupting and replacing traditional businesses. Uber and taxis, Purple Bricks and Estate Agents etc

Has anyone started to get their gigs through Upworks, Elevate, Guru, Fiverr etc? If so, how have you found the experience?