I bid on a writing assignment at freelancer.com (external link) and I got it. When the full details of the job were revealed, however, it was clear that I didn’t have the expertise to complete the work. By mutual agreement the employer and myself are going separate ways. There are details left with freelancer.com itself, our deal needs to be untangled, but all communications with my potential employer were cordial and professional.
Freelancer’s job descriptions tend to be too brief to accurately bid; I may put more time at elance.com (external link), which seems more detailed and more American-centric. I may also look at guru.com (external link), another source of freelance work. Each site requires building a profile page, which is tiresome, but each site presents another door, another path to possible assignments. Limiting myself to print magazines and newspapers is just that, limiting. I need to continue to explore the world of on-line work.
Note: Freelancer.com charges an arrangement fee regardless if you complete a job or cancel it. Don’t accept work if you’re not sure you can finish it. Get as many details on the job as you can. Don’t bid if you don’t know!