5 Tips on How To Write a Project Winning Bid on Elance

Photo by ian_ransley

1. Properly introduce yourself

This is the first thing you should do when posting a bid. Let the buyer know that you are a person, and not some automated responder. If you are a freelancer, you should state your name. If you represent a company, you might want to add your position too.

2. Add relevant experience only

Don’t post all your skills with every bid. This is not a talent show. The buyer doesn’t care that you’re a Flash guru, if all he needs is a website mockup. Try to keep this short and to the point.

3. Show that you did your homework

Take the time to do a little research for the buyer’s project. Read his brief or project description and try to answer the questions he might have. Use this info to personalize your bid.

4. When in doubt, ask questions

If you feel some things are not clear enough or if you need additional info in order to formulate a bid, don’t hesitate to ask questions. This will not only prove that you read the specs, but will also ensure you and the buyer are on the level.

5. A picture is worth 1000 words

A link to your portfolio, links to previous websites or even some mockups attached to the bid can really make a difference. Let the quality of your work speak for you. This is also a very good way to rule out the buyers that are just looking for “something cheap”.