Bidding websites

As a newbie to the world of freelancing I have just come across the world of web bidding freelance sites. At first glance I thought this was an amazing idea. I sit here, in my pyjamas and tell various clients why I am great and they should hire me. No problem.

So I check out some jobs and find one I know I can do. I'm feeling confident. So I try to bid.

First hurdle - the profile section:

I fill in all the easy ones - my name and where I've worked. I can handle that. Then the skills and why people should hire me. Then I need to upload a portfolio.

Second hurdle - the portfolio:

So it turns out most of the work I want to showcase is hidden in my mums attic or still on the system at one of the companies I used to work for. Did I think this through before I left? No. Of course I didn't. So, I email and plead and climb into the stuffy, dusty loft and eventually get together a collection of goodies.I put up my portfolio. Finally I get to start bidding.

Third Hurdle - choosing what to bid on:

There is a huge choice of jobs but I only get 10 credits, unless I want to buy more, which I can't afford because I have no work… so I read and narrow down a short list and read again until I have some I'm happy with. NOW I can bid.

Forth Hurdle - the competition:

I've worked in the design industry for five years and I know what the companies I've worked for pay freelancers. So I feel pretty happy about my rate - until I see some of these bids. 1.50 per hour?!!?!? How are these people making enough to live? I can't do that. Yet, if I bid a decent amount surely I've got no chance?

Do I waste my bid by practically paying them to let me do the job, or waste my bid bidding an amount I can actually do the job for and knowing the client will tend to want the cheaper option?

Anyway, the outcome was, I placed bids on many different jobs, on many different sites, for various rates. I bid high, I bid low, I bid in the middle, I bid on small jobs and ongoing jobs … I tried it all. Then, the very next day, … miracle … I won a bid! They contact me, I feel smug, I tell everyone how easy it is to find freelance jobs, the client says they'd "love to get going on this project" so I wait for my deposit and contract … and I wait … and I ask if the project is going ahead… and I wait … and ask again. I am now not looking so smug. I'm still waiting.

So, it's back to the drawing board. Remind me why I left my 9-5?