The funny part is the fellow "csadkins" resurrected this thread and then disappeared off the boards. Apparently he was here just to advertise his site
I'm hoping to get started using this website to find work soon too. I don't think bidding sites are for me, too many people saying they will do 100 articles for $10
I've used eLance, but I prefer my private clients. eLance and similar sites are just where I go to pick up some extra work. They are crowded with lowballers trying to bid $50 on every project. Luckily, some clients do value quality and avoid the lowballers.
The best way to get side work like that is to sign up to gig sites. There is several you can sign up to including popular sites like fiverr, and I also belong to one that also pays commission for signing up people and from them selling there own gigs. So if you want the link then PM me for it. But there is tons of ways to get paid from many different sites. Like getting paid for the same things you do on social network sites. I belong to 2 that pays.