Freelance sites eat up my profits. Colleague says they're essential, I think they're a trap. Your opinion?

3 comments

3 Comments

Actually your colleague is missing the key point. Calling them "essential" is where the trap is, because it makes you think you can't build a business without them. They're just one tool, and a pretty bad one long term because of the fees and race to the bottom on price. I used them for a bit to get my first few clients, but the real work is getting those clients off the platform so you keep all the money next time. They're a stepping stone at best, not a real foundation.

grant3476d ago

My friend in Austin built his whole agency by being upfront about moving off-platform after the first project. That careful timing @jake_patel means you're not breaking rules, you're just not doing repeat business inside their system. The real foundation is turning that first platform job into a long term client who pays you directly.

jake_patel6d ago

Wait you can just take clients OFF the platform for the next job? That sounds like you're breaking rules or something. I heard a guy got his whole account BANNED for trying to move a conversation to email early. These sites want their cut forever, they aren't just letting you walk away with their customers. It seems like a huge gamble to build your plan around poaching clients.