Looking for the perfect freelancing platform

Today, I questioned Elance's method of charging 8.75% of my earnings beyond the regular monthly $10 membership fee as a professional provider. This said, I still have to pay my credit card company to shuttle money out of Elance. All these had driven me to find some other freelance sites that offered a good deal - rather a better deal than Elance. On a number of forums I even found Elance lambasted for its fallacies. All these said, I still love Elance for the flexibility it offers me and the security that I will get paid. The few buyers that I have been closely attached to ever since I started working through Elance have been an inspiration to me. They make my day! It is because of them and the faith they have in my work that pushes me on.

As I queried on Google about the "best freelance writing jobs", I came across several names that were new to me. I was familiar with oDesk, Academia Research, Get a Freelancer, Suite101, Constant Content. Some new but mentionable names are Guru.com, Script4lance, EssayWriters.net. I just glanced through some of them and was amazed at the quantum of work being outsourced - that is good news to all those who wish to work in the comfort of their homes. But easier said than done, freelance writing has its cons.

oDesk has an impressive layout and design, much like Elance and uses almost the same terminology. Its mode of payment is also very much similar. If I were to switch from Elance, it would be to oDesk as it has all the goodies for a perfectionist like me.

Suite101 has its boast of numerous readership from around globe. For those writers who just get the kick out of seeing their writing published in a reasonably well-read resource, it is the place. I am not sure about how much one would earn through the revenue it generates, but it is worth for those just requiring a place to vent out their talents productively.

Guru is a place for those who would seriously consider it for the bucks. Besides the quarterly, half-yearly or the yearly charges for the memberships, you ought to shell 5-10% of your hard-earned dough every time you earn through it. It has a basic membership which is FREE but you would have to fight it out to get a job out of it. Most of the projects is for GURUS and GURU Vendors. Just to let you know, it has quite a listing.

Craiglist is another place that many post their freelance jobs. It also gives links to other websites offering freelance jobs.

After ruminating over all the other options for a while, I got back to my faithful Elance. It is no easy start for a beginner though. It took me quite sometime before I could land my low paying first project. But, that was a start. I am almost done with 6 projects since December 2008.

Finally, good luck to all newbies. Welcome to the world of freelancing.

Will wait for your feedback on this one.

Cheers!