Hey everyone,
So as a part time free lancer getting jobs mostly from local referrals, I've just started to get into the online freelancing world. I just won my first project on scriptlance. Sadly had to go WAY below my normal rates, but I figured might as well to get a rep online.
I'm curious what you feel are issues that you have to deal with specifically when getting jobs via scriptlance and sites like that vs "real life" jobs. For example, do you still bother with contracts?
Yes I do. I start by getting half up front from every customer. Also, I send them a proposal and store it for my own needs. This specifies everything that is entailed, time, updates, everything.
I just finished up my first job via ScriptLance. I have to say, they make it easy to be a sloppy freelancer. What do I mean? Well, in my first post in this thread I mentioned if I need a contract or not. For the small jobs I am doing, it doesn't seem to matter since they have built in the whole escrow system into their site. For those of you unaware, the escrow system allows the client to pay you into an escrow account. Once the funds are there, they can't take it out/cancel it. But the money isn't in your account until the client is satisfied. You as the developer are the only one who can cancel it (and I assume ScriptLance)
Anyways, but having the client pay into the escrow, you're pretty much guarenteed to be paid if you do a good job. I find this makes me not want to bother with contracts if the project scope is smaller, what do you think?
I still think you should have contracts because it is good practice. I always use them even when half of the money is up front.
Hey LeetPCUser,
What if the work is only $50 or something small like that, would you still bother?
Yes I would still bother.
I have seen it happen and have had it happen to me...you need everything in writing. The complete details of the project...not just the brief description they post on a website.
Even if they have paid the money into escrow you have no gaurentee that they won't try and get more work out of you before approving the payment.
Unforunately if you do not have the details in a signed contract then there really isn't much you can do except do the extra work or walk away.
Good points, thanks guys. I'm still new to all this online stuff. Do you end up having them fax you a signed copy then?
I would try and get a fax...if that is not possible a scanned copy would do.
Are there other things that one should think about that are online specific issues?