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Business

Business proposition for anyone looking to get something started...

So I have an idea of using Freelancer.com to earn money but the only problem is that it is hard to do it alone especially when you are just starting so here is my idea. I was thinking of a way to use a team to go about individual projects on Freelancer.com. Here's how it would work:

Someone from the team bids on a job. If you win the job than you won't have to go at the job alone. Instead what we could do is collaborate to get the job done. Whoever was the winning bidder gets 50% of the income from the job and the rest is divided evenly amongst the remaining team members.

Anyone in? Anyone have any suggestions that could make this idea work better?

3 Answers

In general not a bad idea but it highly depends on tracks and goals. An Android development track might not be compatible with a front end track when it comes to taking jobs and helping out.

On the upside it would be amazing to get experience working a project with multiple people.

Exactly! That's my point. Personally I find teamtreehouse to be way too convenient. We literally have the means to become great. This forum is the most active so finding answers from others isn't too hard. Not to mention that the instructors update their content very frequently. But I do see what you're saying. I think it would be a good idea to divide it up by what you're skilled at. So for my idea it would be great for anyone who is also working on web development to work with me on projects. Personally I would like to become skilled at all of them but I have to stick to one for now without becoming too scattered.

So I see you have skills similar to mine. Would you be willing to give this a try if it were able to work? It would be like an online business. I'm positive that even if there is no way for this to work properly that we can possibly create something to make it work so that no one ever feels like they are being cheated.

Hehe, I just looked at your profile and I want to say my skills aren't anywhere close to yours. Yet! :)

I would welcome the opportunity to get some real life experience and work with someone who is a little further ahead. :)

I see you're actually coming along quite quickly. The last time I saw your profile you have just over 1000 points and now you have 3000. By next week you'll have more points than me maybe! lol

I myself have been trying to find ways to make money which is why my points haven't changed a whole lot. I also work what feels like 2 full time jobs. One at the place of business and then one at home. lol

Lol, ai hear ya. And yeah, learning goes fast right now although it still feels too slow. I need to get going on my projects though. I want to be done with the front end dev course in 2 weeks latest. And then working to find a job.

Good luck.

Roy Penrod
Roy Penrod
19,810 Points

If you're going to test this, pick one or two other people who have skills that compliment your own. You'll want to form a small team with the skills of a web designer, front-end web developer, and back-end web developer.

The problem with larger teams that you aren't paying is that you'll get enthusiastic people who want to join the team, but most of them won't actually contribute anything. They just won't do the work.

The other problem you're likely to run into is people not feeling like they're compensated fairly. How do you weigh the contribution of each team member? What happens if a programmer feels his contributions are more valuable than the designer? You might want to give some thought to it.

When you do find a team you think will work well together, try to work on a test project together for free. It'll give you an opportunity to see how everyone meshes, who pulls their weight and who doesn't, and what tools you'll need to actually complete the projects together.

Would you happen to know of a way to split the pay up? I'm new to the freelancer thing and I see a lot of websites out there for freelancers. The pay usually only goes to the one bidder. Now if the winning bidder works for a company then I would imagine that the money goes to the company in which case the company would compensate the developer however they agreed upon. I was wondering is there something that can something similar to this?

Roy Penrod
Roy Penrod
19,810 Points

I've never used the freelancer websites. That's where all the competition is. I'd rather focus on a narrow market then go hang out in the communities they hang out in and build relationships.

What I've always done is partner up with someone who was strong where I was weak. That's a graphic designer for me.

I get an idea of what they'll charge for what kinds of jobs, then I'll give make the client an offer knowing I'm going to have to pay the graphic designer roughly X dollars.

Or you can clarify the requirements with the client and then contact your partner for a bid on the work you need them to do.

After working with someone for a while, you'll get to know their pricing.