As a freelance developer, you can find good jobs on the Internet. To find such jobs, you can visit many websites that offer projects for freelancers, viz. RentACoder.com, ProgrammingBids.com. You can place your bid for the projects on these websites.

Some of you must be aware and some may not be. Let's first see what a bid is. When a project is placed on a website for freelancers to bid, you can read the requirement of the project owner in the description. Then you must understand the exact demand of the project.

After that you can place a bid to request the project owner to give you the project so that you can develop it and handover it to him. You will be given an amount in exchange of that. The bid amount will be placed by you considering the maximum allowed for bidding.

I wish you are a successful bidder. If not, then it's time for soul searching. In literary meaning, it's time for polishing your bidding style so that you get what you want… a Project!

Here are some helpful hints that once implemented can lead you to success on any website that provides projects for [TAG-Tec]freelance developers[/TAG-Tec].

How to bid for a Project?

• First and foremost thing is to get you considered for the project by the buyer. This should be your first motive while placing your bid. To become a successful freelance developer, you must first get noticed by placing a sensible bid. For example, if you are placing a bid for $500 project then your bid must be very convincing to the buyer. It must display seriousness and detailed analysis of the project. It shouldn't be like this,"OK, I can do this. Please accept my bid. I have enough experience to do this, etc."
• For getting at least a consideration, you must do some homework like a brilliant freelance developer does. First study the project. Know the exact requirement of the buyer. Get some extra information on the possible solution(s) to the project as this will show your seriousness towards the project.
• When this is done, place your bid along with a reasonable amount. Ask the buyer some questions, at least two of them so that the buyer gets an idea that you are a serious freelance developer and he will at least think of considering you for his project. In support of this, introduce yourself and let him know that you have done similar project(s) in recent past so that it displays your experience, if any, as a freelance developer.

How to interact with the client?

• One of the most important factors in being a successful freelance developer is the interaction with the client. It is always better to have constant interaction with your client so that the development process/progress is always known to the client. Barriers of any form that threaten to hamper the smooth flow of interaction at any stage can be disastrous to the whole freelancing process, which may in turn lead to unnecessary negotiations and modifications.
• As like the best freelance developer, you can have interaction with the client via email exchange or through a messenger like MSN. It is always a better idea to keep your client updated so that he doesn't have to search for you and check out how his project is going on.

What you must ask? What you must say?

Being a freelance developer, it is your primary duty to keep abreast your client of what is going on and at what level. Your client will feel happy when you involve him in the project by asking him some questions, also replying promptly to his questions. Discuss with the client about the project. Show him some screen shots; also ask his suggestions on improving the interface or anything like that.

A responsible freelance developer must always respect his client's word. Do not forget that you are a freelance developer; so you may get a chance to work with him again in near future if you provide him the best support through out your current ongoing project.

While placing your bid, you can include responses you received from your former clients. This will prove to be beneficial for you and for the would-be client to understand you and your working level. You might have received a response from your former client, for example, "Good Work. Excellent Coder. Provided best solution to my needs." etc. These can play a major part in getting you projects.

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 22nd, 2007 at 11:56 am and is filed under Outsourcing-2.