| When you want to start a new home based business, | | | | including writing, web design, administrative support, and |
| you should first start by thinking about the different | | | | legal. |
| skills you already possess. You might be able to put | | | | |
| them to lovely use in the freelance marketplace. is four | | | | Step #2: generate a Profile |
| example of these marketplaces. Below is a brief | | | | When you begin learning how to use Elance, you will |
| explanation of how to use Elance to get your home | | | | also want to generate a great portfolio. This will help |
| based business off the ground. | | | | you win over clients. You can add samples of your |
| Step #1: Sign Up | | | | work, a brief description of your qualifications, and |
| When you first arrive at Elance.com, you'll want to sign | | | | anything else you think the clients might want to know |
| up for an account. Free and paid designs are available | | | | to select you over the competition. |
| so even if you're low on money at the moment you'll | | | | Elance also requires you to take a check over their |
| still be able to register and maybe get a project. To | | | | rules and procedures before allowing you to begin |
| sign up, you'll have to complete a couple of steps. | | | | bidding. You can also take skills check on the site for |
| Enter your email addressselect a type of plan - you | | | | free if you're a paid member. These tests |
| can be an individual or a business. You do get a few | | | | demonstrate to clients that you're knowledgeable and |
| extra features as a business, as well as some | | | | experienced. |
| additional credits for bidding but you have to pay higher | | | | Step 3: Start Bidding |
| membership fees.select a membership plan - no | | | | To get your home based business off the ground, you |
| matter whether you want to start your home based | | | | want to begin bidding. Elance uses an auction process |
| business as an individual or a business you can opt for | | | | in which you bid on projects that have been posted by |
| the free membership. However, you'll only have four | | | | buyers. The buyer doesn't automatically select the |
| "connects" per month (connects are used to get | | | | lowest bidder instead they get to select based on the |
| projects). Other plan options range from $9.95 to | | | | quality of your portfolio, your bid, your price, your |
| $39.95 per month.select a section - when you learn | | | | feedback at the site, and other elements. The number |
| how to use Elance you also have to decide what | | | | of connects needed for each project varies by the |
| types of projects you want. four options are available, | | | | budget listed by the buyer. |