Hey all, I have recently signed-up with Guru.com. All looks nice and fine until I start finding projects. I can't approach 90% ( maybe more) of buyers with a Basic free account. Wasn't expecting that TBH! Still, as the profile creation looks comprehensive and asks you to add a lot of info and samples, I have the feeling that this site might be worth the fee they're asking for. Just wondering if any of you is a paying member? What's do you guys think as a user? As a buyer? I know it's not a lot of money to risk but still it is money a'right!
I paid for 6 months with guru.com a few years ago. The projects are low paying on the whole, as with most bidding sites. You also have to pay commission even though you pay a subscription, and also a percentage to use their Escrow system. Also, if the client pays by credit card, the charge falls to you, the writer. By the time paypal have also taken their cut to put it into your bank account, the total amount falls quite a way short of your bid. However, saying that, I did it for six months, and managed to build up a good client list. All repeat business was taken 'offsite' and I increased my fees gradually as a working relationship was built up, and the client knew the quality of my writing. I still have many regular clients from this, who pay me my set fees. I suppose you have to decide if you can afford to spend that six months working for low fees. I would also advise being very picky about the projects you bid on. Guru.com provided me with a means of moving from mainly print publications to online writing - although saying that, in these 'credit crunch' d ays, most of my clients are now print publications who have let their staff writers go. I wouldnt go back to guru now, although I still have a profile on there, with a basic account, and old clients still contact me. As a way of building a client list at the time, it worked for me, but as everyone else here will tell you, bidding sites are never the 'best' way to go. All the best Christine
I have not tried guru.com. I have tried GAF and Elance. Didn't like either site. I am sure that Guru probably is no difference. Right now with the clients I have gotten from here and WF my writing schedule has moved out 4 days in advance. I have a few repeat customers and things are looking good. I wish the rest of the writers good luck in your endeavors.
I have been a Guru member for some weeks now. Basic membership is absolute time-waster. Just to rope you in! I agree with Christine that it can be an okay tool to build profile over a period of time. But then if you're willing to work for just anything, you''l find work everywhere. If it's just a matter of throwing a wider net then no bidding site is bad. I'm not sure if I'll become a paid member. Hersh