The Best Job Websites For Freelancers
Whether you’re new to freelancing or have been working on your own for a while, one of the toughest phases in freelance work is actually finding a job, or jobs. The best job websites for freelancers will make this a little easier, although it can still be a challenge to hunt through job listings on each website and find the right job for you. Sometimes even finding the best job websites for freelancers that aren’t scams is difficult.
I started freelancing about six months ago, and here’s a list of websites that I’ve found to be helpful, and should keep you from getting sucked into scams. I’m currently working with some of the websites on this list, but others are just great resources that may work for you. I’ve included a variety of options in an attempt to list the best job websites for freelancers of all types, including serious career freelancers and casual freelancers who only want to do easy tasks.
- Elance.com - Elance is one of the top rated freelance sites. People will post jobs that they need done (and the job range is huge) and you can bid on jobs, negotiating fees and getting jobs based on your experience and expertise.
- oDesk.com - Similar to Elance, oDesk is a site that will work for just about anyone. It features different tests that will prove your skills in writing, editing, computers, etc, so that prospective employers know exactly what you can do. You choose which jobs you’re interested in taking on, and employers choose whether or not you’re the right candidate for them.
- Freelancer.com, Guru.com, Peopleperhour.com, Freelanceswitch.com, iFreelance.com - I haven’t used these sites personally, but they allow freelancers to join and search a large number of different jobs, deciding what work they want to take on, and when. You’ll still have to meet employer deadlines, but these are some of the best job websites for freelancers that allow you a lot of leeway to choose your work and schedule. For the best luck in these websites, have a portfolio of whatever work you do and be able to show it to potential clients.
- Blogmutt.com - This is a site that’s really only for writers who are willing to write blog posts and articles for different companies. The downside of Blogmutt is that you have to apply to be a writer and you only get paid if the company you’re writing for approves your post. You could also end up writing articles that are a little more technical, and require a fair amount of research. The upside is that each blog post you write only needs to be 350-400 words, and pay per post is $8. That’s higher than you’ll receive from some of the other sites on this list.
- Society6.com - This is one of my favorite new finds. Society6 lets photographers and other visual artists like painters, etc, sell their images online. All you have to do is upload your images and Society6 will give buyers the option to print the image, have it placed on a t-shirt or other item, and other options. Society6 will give you a base cost for your image and each of these options, which will cover printing and shipping. You can then mark up the price so you make a profit. You will, however, have to market your items and make sure people know that your images are available for purchase. Society6 won’t do the marketing for you.
- Fiverr.com - Fiverr is a website that’s growing and gaining a lot of attention. It’s for freelancers who are willing to take on jobs for a flat $5 fee. You can make a profile and advertise services for just about anything, sound bites, following people on Twitter of Facebook, singing a song, writing press releases, anything. Some of the talents and services that people advertise on Fiverr are a little out there, so I’m not really sure what to think about Fiverr overall, but I’ve included it in this list because it’s an interesting concept, and it could work well for someone who’s creative.
- iWriter.com - True to its name, iWriter is a website for writers. Through this site you’ll find freelance SEO writing, content writing, blog writing, marketing writing, and other writing jobs. You’ll have better luck getting work on this site if you have a portfolio, but if you’re a talented writer with experience this is one of the best job websites for freelancers.
- microWorkers.com - microWorkers is a website that can be used by anyone. And by anyone, I mean anyone. It’s based around very small, very easy tasks that require little to no thought or experience. Tasks include following people on Twitter or bookmarking websites. Now, these tasks are really, really easy (obviously) so you can expect only small payments, but if you want work that’s fairly mindless and might add up if you’re dedicated and keep taking jobs, this is the website for you. No thinking involved, which could be a nice change.
These are some of the best job websites for freelancers that I’ve come across. The amount of experience and different types of jobs offered by each website differs, but they’ll all allow you to choose what jobs you take. You can work as much or as little as you want, and from anywhere in the world.
They’re not the only job websites out there, though. You can also try your hand at blogging, which may or may not help you make some money. There are also more career-focused websites that will help you find steady jobs that allow you to telecommute or offer flexible schedules. These types of websites are a little different, though, and won’t give you as much freedom when it comes to how much and how often you work. Some of the best job websites for freelancers who are looking for project-by-project work are listed above.
As I mentioned, I’ve used several of these websites personally. If anyone else has tried these websites I’d love to hear your experiences, and what you thought of them. If I left any websites out, too, please feel free to let me know. I’m still browsing for freelance work myself, so I’d love to hear about other options.
