Guidelines

1. Understand Your Requirement
Understand your requirement in detail: functional requirement, look and feel, detailed specification, scope, quality, likely cost, timescale, the freelancer skills, and your own resources, required to deliver and test the project.

2. The Right Budget & Resource
Ensure that you accurately estimate the job and provide enough budget. Choose the best match to the skills and resource requirements for the job.

3. Detailed Clear Specifications
Always ensure that your specifications are clear and understandable on all the detail of the requirement. Take the time to answer questions in detail and confirm that answers have been understood.

4. Realistic Timescales
Don't press freelancers into unrealistically short timescales for the work. Freelancers have weekends and holidays and sometimes unexpected things happen to them too!

5. Project Agreement
Always agree a written Project Agreement with the freelancer. The Project Agreement should include a detailed Specification, description of Deliverables, Milestones and a Payment Schedule linked to Deliverables and Milestones. It should also state what is not included.

6. Manage the Project
Manage the project tightly according to the work schedule,  timescales, milestones, deliverables, testing, payments, etc.

7. Contain Additional Requirements
Additional or changed requirements are bound to emerge while the project is in progress. Note these down and keep them for a separate mini project when the main requirement has been delivered.

8. Testing
Test according to a test plan, give a detailed response to the freelancer describing the circumstances which produced bugs.  Remember to retest everything again according to the test plan because fixing one bug may introduce another.

9. Communications
If there is one really high risk area this is it, as most project failures can be linked with poor communications. The most important thing is to communicate with your freelancer regularly and in detail at all stages of the project.

10. Ask for Support
Ensure that support (for a reasonable fee) is agreed with the freelancer.

Accurate and clear Project descriptions and specifications will help you receive the best quality proposals from Freelancers and ensure that there are no problems later.

Some tips on completing the Project Form:-

Project Categories - You may select multiple categories, but only select those the Project best fits, and don't choose more than four.

Project Title - make it meaningful and understandable so it may be picked up by Project searches made by Freelancers.

Featured – if you choose "Yes" to make the Project "Featured" then the Project will be highlighted on the site’s Front Page. This is probably a good move as your Project will then gain more attention from Freelancers and hence more bids, but doing so will (normally - but not with our introductory offer!) cost you an additional fee deducted from your account balance. If you don't have enough in your account you will need to deposit funds first.  Choose "No" if you don’t want the Project to be "Featured".

Duration – This sets the length of time in days that the Project Listing is open for Freelancers to place their Bids.

Minimum Budget - the minimum budget allocated for this project. This should be the realistic estimated minimum that you would expect to pay for this Project.

Maximum Budget - the maximum budget allocated for this project. This should be the realistic estimated maximum that you would expect to pay, or have available to pay for this Project.

Location – the geographical location of the project - state the location of the Freelancer if that is important, otherwise put "Anywhere".

Starting Date – this is the starting date of the listing of your Project. You can click on the calendar icon next to the text field to reveal a calendar, and choose a date by clicking it. It should not be backdated. If the Project is in draft form you can select a date in the future and the Project will not be visible until that starting date is reached.

Description – this is a short description to summarise the Project. It should summarise the following points:-

* a clear and accurate description of your requirement and its scope,
* duration,
* Milestones,
* Deliverables,
* likely skills required,
* and any external references (e.g. like www.xyz.com) to clarify requirements.

Attachment – this is the detailed Project file available for download by Freelancers. This file typically contains further detailed description and specifications of the Project.  Note that you may only upload one file per Project. So any any tables, documents, pictures, graphics, etc., should all be contained in the one uploaded document. If you upload a new attachment file, the old attachment will be automatically removed.

Project Type – this is an option to make the Project less public and more private. There are three options available:

* Make this Project public – visible to any visitor of the site
* Make this Project non-public, just for registered users – only visible to logged-in users.
* Make this Project private just for specified users below – choose this option to make the Project only visible by certain freelancers that you specify, as below.

Specified Private Users – if you choose the third option radio button above, then you will have to specify the usernames of the Freelancers to whom you want to make your project visible.

When you’ve completed the form, click the “Save Project” Button to save the changes and release the Project to be open for bidding.

Supervising the Project work via Skills for Projects is similar to managing any professional services engagement:
Manage each phase from Milestone to Milestone,
Test Deliverables thoroughly,
Provide testing feedback promptly
Communicate often
Your freelancer should, at the very least, give you a weekly status report

Ensure that you test all Deliverables thoroughly,
Ensure that everything has been included and delivered in the form required,
Provide testing feedback promptly and clearly,
Accept the deliverables when you are satisfied,
Pay when agreed, and
Finally submit objective feedback.

As a Buyer, you have the right to review and rate the Freelancer who has worked on your Project. The option to rate/review a Freelancer will appear after the project’s status is closed (which happens after the Freelancer has Accepted the project). Although the option is available before the Freelancer has started working on it, typically a Buyer will rate/review a Freelancer only after the Project work has been delivered and you have paid the Freelancer's  fee. A Buyer may only rate/review his or her Freelancer ONCE per project, as is vice versa.

Freelancers may bid on buyers' projects with the sole aim of obtaining the work, before fully understanding the scope and nature of the work required. Buyers should learn to recognise false bids so it does not award projects to freelancers who cannot deliver. Buyers should also learn to recognise the signs that a project is going "off the rails". The following warning signs should help in selecting freelancers, and managing projects.

Freelancer has no Experience of the Requirement
If the freelancer cannot demonstrate past experience or expertise with the intended project subject matter, the buyer will be taking a great risk in awarding the project to this freelancer.

Freelancer with poor Feedback
If the freelancer has been a member of the site long enough to have some representative feedback, but the feedback is poor then the buyer will be taking a great risk in awarding the project to this freelancer.

Freelancer Bid Too Low
If the freelancer's bid is too low is has to be suspicious. Either the freelancer does not fully understand the scope of the work, or is just bidding low to win the job, to then increase the fees with "extras" later.

Freelancer Quotes Unrealistically Short Timescales
If the freelancer's bid shows unrealistically short timescales, again, one has to be suspicious. Either the freelancer does not fully understand the scope of the work, or is just bidding a short timescale in an effort to win the job, the "real" timescale would emerge later.

Freelancer Bid Too High
If the freelancer's bid is extremely high, he may just be chancing that no-one else will bid and he'll get awarded the job on a premium rate. Or that he has misunderstood or over-estimated the scope of the work. Always assuming, of course, that the buyer has a realistic budget!

Freelancer Does not Ask Questions on the Requirement
In this world of imperfect specification writing, buyers should expect freelancers to ask questions on the requirement. Those who don't, indicate that they are not focussing on understanding the requirement but just on getting the work. If they are awarded the project there is a chance that they will later argue that the requirement was not set out clearly enough and push for additional fees.

Freelancer Wants to Build Demonstration first
If a freelancer requests that he first builds a demonstration of the project work this may be perfectly innocent, wanting to demonstrate skills and understanding of the requirement. On the other hand, it may be a ploy to draw in the buyer while postponing a decision to award the project to another freelancer, who may look more attractive for the project.

Freelancer will not Provide Support when Project Complete
Freelancers should always agree to providing support to the buyer after completion of the project at a reasonable hourly rate.

Freelancer Refuses to Agree Contract
A freelancer that wants to be awarded a project but refuses to agree a contract should be avoided.

Freelancer Withholds Contact Details
A freelancer should be keen to share contact details to assist in providing a good working relationship. If the freelancer seems reluctant you have to wonder about their motives. It could make it impossible to find the freelancer after completion of the project for support if required.

Freelancer Poor and/or Irregular Communications
If a freelancer is slow to respond to communications or responds badly, not addressing specific questions or requests, this could jeopardise the whole project. The parties should agree the best forms of communication, whether PM, email, Skype, etc., to suit their purposes. It is recommended that the Project Forum and PM system are used for communications so that there is a record of all correspondence. Details of all holidays and absences should be shared so that any gaps in communications are anticipated.

Extended Project Timescales
If a project's timescales begin to extend the buyer should question the freelancer as to the reasons. Again, it's possible that this is completely innocent and the freelancer has (slightly!) underestimated the timescale. However, it might indicate a more serious underlying problem with understanding, ability, resources, etc.

Lack of or Poor Quality Deliverables
If a freelancer fails to deliver when expected or delivers sub-standard work, warning bells begin to ring, and it's time for the buyer to talk to the freelancer asking for reasons. The buyer should apply pressure to the freelancer for timely deliveries and set out the quality and scope expected.

1. Positive Attitude
As in any business, approach your freelancing business with a positive attitude, expecting to be successful, as your customers will notice this. Trust your feelings which will help you make good decisions on what business to accept and what to decline.

2. Business is Business
Approach your freelancing business in a businesslike manner. Treat your customers in a professional way. Freelancing is not a hobby, it's a business.

3. Priority to Customer Work
Give priority in your timetable to customer work, particularly deliverables which release payments and those projects that are almost finished.

4. Expect Ups and Downs
It is inevitable in every business that there are very busy times and then some not so busy times. Your plans should always allow for the inevitable ups and downs of business life.

5. Ask to Clarify
Always ensure that you are completely clear on all the detail of the requirement. It is inconceivable that there are no questions on which you should seek clarification.

6. Project Agreement
Always agree a written Project Agreement with the buyer. The Project Agreement should include a detailed Specification, description of Deliverables, Milestones and a Payment Schedule. If it's not obvious, it should also state what is not included.

7. Payment Schedule
For the freelancer an ideal payment schedule might be 50% up front and 50% on final delivery. However, buyers may prefer to see a smaller up-front, say 20% (or even 0%) and near equal milestones for the project (e.g. 4 x 20%) with the last on final delivery. Negotiate something that works for both, but always think about your cashflow, especially for bigger projects.

8. Realistic Delivery Dates
Delivery dates should always allow for weekends, holidays and contingencies. Manage your customer's delivery expectations and don't be over optimistic as it leads to disappointment and damages trust and relationships.

9. Communications
If there is one really high risk area this is it, as most project failures can be linked with poor communications. The most important thing is to communicate with your buyer regularly and in detail at all stages of the project.

10. Ask for More Business
Getting repeat business from your customers is the easiest and cheapest way of generating new business and is often as easy as just asking.

Make sure that the total amount that you are Bidding for the Project is clear and is between the Project’s required minimum and maximum budget figures.

In how many days can you deliver a completed project? – fill this in with your estimate of the total number of ELAPSED days (not working days) that you need to complete the Project. Make sure that it complies with the Buyer’s requirements.

Provide the details of your bid – use this field to further qualify and provide more detail about your bid.
Notify me by e-mail if someone bids lower than me on this project – select "Yes" or "No".
Click the “Save” Button to place your Bid, or the “Cancel” Button to discard changes and go back to the Project Details screen.
Once you have placed your Bid, then it will be displayed in the “List of Bids” table along with any Bids from other Freelancers, just below the Project Details Screen.

Managing your Project work via Skills for Projects is very similar to managing any professional services engagement: Manage each phase from Milestone to Milestone, testing Deliverables thoroughly before delivery, acting to fix problems on any testing feedback promptly and reporting back to your Buyer. You should, at the very least, provide your Buyer with a weekly status report. Communicate often, ask to be paid when successful deliveries have been made and finally submit objective feedback.

Ensure that you have thoroughly tested all deliverables before releasing them,
Ensure that you have included everything and delivered in the form required,
Request that the Buyer accepts the deliverables or provides you feedback on testing,
Request payment with acceptance of the deliverables,
Check that you have received the correct payment, and
Finally submit objective feedback.

As a Freelancer, you have the right to review and rate the Buyer for whom you work. The option to rate/review a buyer will appear after the project’s status is closed (which happens after the Freelancer has Accepted the project). Although the option is available before you start working on it, typically a Freelancer will rate/review a Buyer only after the Project work has been delivered and you have received your fee. A Freelancer may only rate/review his or her Buyer ONCE per project, as is vice versa.

Freelancers should learn how to avoid problem projects that they might later regret having accepted. The following warning signs should help in selecting the right freelance projects.

Poor Project Specifications
Buyers who have little experience with freelancers might be unaccustomed to specifying their requirements accurately, or they may only provide a summary of the requirement. The buyer may be hoping to get the additional work from the freelancer for no extra money. The freelancer might then find that they are shooting at a moving target, unable to raise their fee to compensate. Requirements and agreements should be in writing. Any variation from the initial project specification should be matched with an increase in fees.

Unrealistic Timescales
When ever a buyer requests an unrealistic timescale, the freelancer should beware. The buyer may be hoping to get the finished project without paying, before the freelancer realises.

Buyer says that the Project is Simple
Many buyers say this and it may be innocent, it may show a lack of understanding of the scope of the requirement, or it may be a buyer's ploy to get the freelancer to accept a low fee. The freelancer should always assess the work independently.

Budget Too Low
The buyer's budget constraints don't make a freelancer's work any less. A freelancer should not work for less than his normal hourly rate based on his independent review of the work required.

Budget Too High
If the budget seems extremely high, the buyer may not fully understand the scope of the work, or just be trying to lure the freelancer in, only to present additional and onerous conditions later, which might jeopardise the freelancer's payment. The buyer may later balk at the total cost and withhold fees. To avoid any misunderstanding, freelancers should ascertain the buyer's total fee expectations, and agree them in writing.

Buyer Ignores Freelancer's Experience
If the buyer seems uninterested in a freelancer's skills or experience, this might indicate a lack of respect, or that the buyer may not care, and therefore have some ulterior motive.

Buyer's Business/Project not Profitable
If a freelancer can't see the buyer's project or business as being potentially profitable, he might wonder if the buyer will have the money to pay for the project.

Project Output to Be Reviewed by Third Party
A buyer may want a freelancer's output to be "reviewed" by a third party. The buyer may be trying to get two workers for the price of one, or to play them off against each other. It undermines each party's control over the quality of their work.

Buyer Requires a Prior "Test"
When a buyer requires a freelancer to do a "test" on part of a project, this suggests lack of belief of the freelancer's skills, or it might be a ploy for obtaining work without payment.

Buyer Withholds Contact Details
A buyer should be keen to share contact details to provide good communications to aid a smooth working relationship. If the buyer seems reluctant to give such contact details, what are the buyer's motives? It could make it impossible to find a buyer who hasn't paid up.

Buyer Refuses to have a Contract
A buyer that agrees to award a project to a freelancer but refuses to agree a contract should be avoided.

Payment Only "After Delivery" of Final Product
Freelancers should withhold delivery of the final deliverable until the final installment of the fee is received or released from escrow.

Pay Contingent on Future Sales or "Go Live"A freelancer should not agree that a fee is linked to or dependant on the buyer's ability to sell or "go live" with the deliverables. If a freelancer accepts such a contingency, he may have a long wait to be paid, if at all.

Buyer Poor and/or Irregular Communications
If a buyer is slow to respond to communications or responds badly, not addressing specific questions or requests, this could jeopardise the whole project. The parties should agree the best forms of communication, whether PM, email, Skype, etc., to suit their purposes. It is recommended that the Project Forum and PM system are used for communications so that there is a record of all correspondence. Details of all holidays and absences should be shared so that any gaps in communications are anticipated.

Buyer Slow or Inadequate Response to Testing Deliverables
If a buyer is slow to test deliverables or it is clear that the response is ill considered or hastily constructed, what will be the buyer's attitude towards payments? The freelancer should apply pressure to the buyer for an adequate and timely response.