Making Elance Work For Your Fitness Business

Hey Guys

Been getting quite a few emails about using


so I thought I'd answer a few of your main concerns as well as tell you, from experience, how you can make sure you get the best results in the fastest time for the fairest price.

Note: I say 'fairest' rather than cheapest. You should NOT shop solely on price or you'll always be frustrated...

In terms of how


works, it's pretty straightforward.

You post a job that you want done, all of the interested parties that would like to do that work forward enter a bid. You accept and they do the work.

Pretty straightforward, right?

Well, not exactly.

You see, I've learned that to get the best results from elance you need a SPECIFIC job request put together or you spend the first week going back and forward in a communication that goes something like this:

Them: Dear sir, we are pleased that you have accepted us to do your work on this project. Please send us the details of the task and we shall be honored to complete it for you in 4 working days.

You: Thanks! The job is as laid down in the job description on the bid page.

Them (24 hours later): Thank you sir, am I correct in saying that you would like the job carried out as per the job specification laid out at time of bid?

You: Yes please, that would be great.

Them (another 24 hours later): Ok, thank you sir. Our team will be happy to do this for you and will complete in in 4 working days from this point.

Note: 2 days have elapsed in back and forward 'crap'

3 days later....

Them: Sir, we have completed the first draft of the project. Please look and see if it meets your requirements and we shall amend as appropriate.

You: Thanks, but the page is not laid out as I'd hoped, can we please move the header, change the picture, use a different font?

Them: Of course sir, and we will be pleased to complete this in 2-4 days.

You: I thought this would be 4 days total?

Them (24 hours later): Yes sir, but now we have to change so may take a little longer.


Ok, ok, you get the picture, right?

Boring, frustrating, disappointing.

BUT...

This can be VERY different if you set out SPECIFIC instructions from the start.

For instance....

1. Only allow 2-3 days MAXIMUM for the bidding process. Most people leave 7 days as default but this just wastes time and means you have to wade through bid after bid after bid.

What you want are the fast movers ad the action takers, not those who didn't even have time to read your bid post. They'll take forever to get the work done. Instead, reward those who bid fastest and best..

2. Give a VERY SPECIFIC job description: Instead of 'wanted, 3 page website' (which is what I used to post) say "Wanted: 3 page HTML website running off of CSS style sheet. Page one will be opt in page with aweber code provided by me. Page 2 will be thankyou page with downloadable report. Page 3 will be...."

You should even go as far as to provide several example sites that have the same look and feel as you want for your site. That way they have a template to work from rather than sending ugly site after ugly site that you're not happy with.

3. Give a VERY SPECIFIC time frame for completion: Make it clear from the outset that you MUST have a complete site by 'X' date. I always say "Please do not bid unless you can guarantee completion of the task on or before 'X'" and this has helped dramatically. Don't get into an 'I'm waiting' game that will frustrate and annoy you and hold up your project.

4. Operate a '2 strike' rule: Occasionally, despite laying down specific time frames, those doing the task will overrun. Sometimes with good reason (you may have made more changes), sometimes not. I allow for just 2 minor shifts in completion date before I cancel the job. This is within your rights if you've specified a date and it hasn't been met.

Sounds a bit harsh, I know, but you cannot wait forever for your providers to 'get around to' your task. Every day they hold you up is a day you don't have a site, or graphics or audio.

Give 'em 2 strikes then cancel the job... you'll often find they miraculously get it done within the next 30 minutes.

5. Help them along: If you're going to have audio, video, optins, downloads etc then get these materials to your elancer at the start of the job so it's all there and they can get on with things. Don't send stuff in dribs and drabs and then complain about how long it's taking. Make life easy for them and the effort you put in will pay you back with a great finished result in record time.

6. Budget but don't scrimp: I've had some amazingly cheap work done on elance but I've also had some stuff take ages, be of poor quality and end up basically worthless to me. Don't base your hiring solely on price. Actually read the bids and get a feel for the professionalism of the individual, their previous work and how soon they can get it back to you

In summary

Elance can be a great tool if used correctly but can also be a frustrating, annoying pain in the butt waste of time if you don't.

By all means use 'em and use 'em often and you'll get ten times as much done as you ever would alone, but use 'em strategically and with forethought rather than hapahazardly.

By applying just these six simple steps, you'll be well on your way!

Truth, joy and love

Dax Moy
www.personaltrainersuccess.ning.com