This past week I was solicited by yet another platform where freelancers, contractors and consultants can market themselves for free and find work. These platforms that help pair companies and individuals who want to hire writers, editors, artists, musicians, developers, designers, etc. with said professionals have proliferated in the last two decades. The majority of them are structured similarly in that it is free to join but they take a cut (often 20 percent) of any work that gets assigned and completed through the platform. 

Here's a rundown of some of the possibilities, if you are looking for more work:

1) Guru.com is one of the original platforms that appeared, back in the early 2000s. They have contractors available all over the world and a broad base of skills that can be hired. In fact, their "Top Skills" list is 54 categories long, every thing from logo designers to app developers, architects to bookkeepers. In my experience, some of the jobs or people looking for contractors on Guru.com don't want to pay very much. For example, I've received numerous "job" offers to write full length ebooks for $250, which when you live in an economy like California, is a paltry and unsustainable about of money for the work. 

​2) Upwork has been a super popular site for people who provide and are looking for web development, writing, administration support, sales and marketing, design and creative professions, customer service, data science and analytics and engineering. And because of the COVID-19 epidemic, Upwork is offering up to one million dollars in grants to the talent on its network. (See the website for full details on how to apply.) 

​3) Fiverr tag line is "In Does We Trust" and the site has been an active part of those who have made their careers based on the gig economy. They boast over 100,000 "sellers" of services, and some freelancers have gotten almost all of their clients through Fiverr so for some people, it can be profitable.

​4) Freelancer.com has over a million subscribers in a wide range of fields. And in fact, on this Sunday when the SPaceX Dragon just attached to the International Space Station, Freelancer.com's website claims that a radiation shield was designed for NABA through their site and that it cost NASA US$500 and took 15 days to make. 

5) LearnNexus is a newish start-up geared towards connecting professionals in education with experts in assessment, learning management systems, curriculum development, and other K-12 through university related needs. And right now, because they are new, this site isn't flush with a bunch of talent, so if you have the needed skills, it may be a good place for you to find work. 

6) Solidgigs is connected to ryobi and provides registered users a weekly gig list so that one doesn't half to track down the work, and as they say on the website  "waste time" looking for great clients. "Stop hunting. Start billing." the site admonishes the freelancer. This site also offers plenty of training and templates (think client e-mail templates) in the ways of courses, videos, and online examples.

7) CloudPeeps may be a good choice for you if you have a strong portfolio that focuses on social media management, content marketing and SEO expertise. This site doesn't accept all freelancers; you have to apply and have your stuff reviewed and be accepted. But once you are, you'll find the work is for high-quality clients from companies whose names you recognize. 

​8) ServiceScape started in 2000 so it's weathered the feasts and famines in gig economy work. It focuses on editors, writers, translators, and graphic designers, and it boasts almost 300,000 completed projects, many for universities and university-related entities. 

​9) Contena. was built for writers and those looking for writers for projects. They have small projects and bigger projects that pay well. You have to apply to the site and you go through an interview process and have a Contena. coach. But some writers have reported that it is well worth the process because of the quality work and the pay. 

10) 99Designs is for all things designs. Logo designers, graphic designers, website designers, etc. can register and show off their creativity on this site, and any business who needs branding, a new website, an app, or anything design-related can get their needs taken care of by the professionals on this site. 

Websites to find freelancers literally number in the hundreds so these ten are only meant to be a sample. But if you're looking for more work or better work, you may want to check out one of these sites. After all, you never know where your next big client will come from and what kinds of relationships you will build. 
#gigeconomy #freelance #creatingthefreelancecareer #findwork

Today, May 4, Real Talks with Jakub aired an episode where I was a guest. Jakub and I discussed how to get started in a freelance or self-employed business and the biggest lessons I've learned over my 30+ year career. . Click on the Real Talks with Jakub words above for the hyperlink to the show.