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kamakiri
07-06-2008, 02:23 AM
I finally got some time, and registered with Elance. I got two of the 5 projects I am planning up and running. Basically the testing phase of each of them. My first proposal has 3 bids of $300 each with time frames of 1 to 3 weeks until completion. First off, I was wondering if anyone had any experience with a company called Technology City working out of Calgary. With sites like these:

www.diversboost.com (http://www.diversboost.com/)
www.buildyourowntheater.com (http://www.buildyourowntheater.com/)
www.dirtyrugs.com (http://www.dirtyrugs.com/)
www.kidscanmusic.com (http://www.kidscanmusic.com/)
www.dakcs.com (http://www.dakcs.com/)
www.myconfidentialcoach.com (http://www.myconfidentialcoach.com/)
www.gjsmithinc.com (http://www.gjsmithinc.com/)
www.vividturtle.com (http://www.vividturtle.com/)

I would say that these guys are popular with the 4HWW crowd. Obviously not many people here, but most of the links there are right out of a 4HWW business plan, and the guys getting them up are a lot further along than most of us are.

What do you guys think of those sites? (especially people who know more about them then me). Something seems missing. The overall feeling I get is that they miss some essential link that tells tweaks my 'spidey sense' that they are a fly by night operaiton, whereas the internet is the great equalizer and should make me look just as professional as the best sites around. The flip side is analysis paralysis. There are soooo many sites there that I could spend days picking them apart.

Is it best just to choose and start? I am literally thinking that the blindfold dart toss might be the way to go. Just choose one at random then work through each of my projects, and revise as I go along.

The reason for the fire in the pants is that I had a 2 year consulting contract lined up in Singapore and Dubai develoiping a pizza chian, but the deal fell through last week, so in October when the lease on my current pizza shop is up I need to find something to keep me gainfully employed.

camdengirl
07-06-2008, 08:16 PM
Hi

I've used Elance to outsource work and I guess the main thing is to make sure you agree project milestones.

In terms of choosing the supplier, I have tended not to go on the cheapest quote rather basing my decision on how well they have understood my brief, their previous work quality (although I've also found people claiming work as their own when it was designed by someone else!), and the approach they take.

For example, I had one supplier who wanted to chat on MSN about the project before quoting. The point was everyone else managed to quote without chatting and I just wanted the proposal - I didn't want to spend awkward, time delayed, intercontinental conversations - I only wanted the quote! So he got banished from the running quickly.

Hope this helps!!