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OP didn't say "work for free", they said "work for peanuts". I agree that freelancer sites have some problematic aspects, but I don't think there is anything w

by crc32 6y ago

OP didn't say "work for free", they said "work for peanuts". I agree that freelancer sites have some problematic aspects, but I don't think there is anything wrong with the idea that you need to start small and build a reputation/profile. This applies to any bootstrapped business, not just when working via freelancer sites.

wokwokwok 6y ago
I would argue work for peanuts and work for free are not significantly distinct on many freelance sites. Unless you're suggesting that there's a meaningful difference in doing 40 hours of work for 5 bucks and working for free?
- fxtentacle 6y ago
  There is if you get non-monetary benefits such as a 5 star review pushing you up in the rankings, thereby making it much easier to get future bookings at higher prices. Edit: conceptually, it's nore like an unpaid internship. I know someone who got a highly paid job by first doing it for free for 3 months to prove his skills, as he was lacking formal certifications Edit2: I honestly don't get why this is being downvoted. It's neither unfriendly nor offensive and it is relevant to the discussion, even if you might not like this aspect of reality.
  - ken 6y ago
    > I know someone who got a highly paid job by first doing it for free for 3 months to prove his skills And I know dozens of people who got burned by being talked into working for "exposure".
    - fxtentacle 6y ago
      In Germany, for such an unpaid internship you will have a contract that says that unless they fire you with a proper reason during those 3 months, your temporary contract will automatically convert into a permanent position. In many cases, it will also already list the salary that you can expect to receive after the 3 months are over. Plus you'll be meeting your future teammates every day in their office. To me, that is a very different level of commitment by the company than working for "exposure" for someone who has no intention of hiring you.
  - kelnos 6y ago
    > conceptually, it's nore like an unpaid internship. People should get paid for work they do. If a task is worth $0 to a company, then they can do without it. The whole "you're getting paid in valuable training/experience/exposure" thing is bunk, IMO.
- reroute1 6y ago
  40 hours for 5 dollars is well beyond working peanuts that's just robbing people... Even Fiverr isn't close to this rate
- andi999 6y ago
  Well, there is a difference. With 5 bucks per hour the OP is almost in his target range.
- vorpalhex 6y ago
  Freelancing websites are about playing a game (reviews, ratings, stats) and you have to play the game to win. The first thing I do when I write a game or software is send out advance copies for free.

by crc32 6y ago

wokwokwok 6y ago

I would argue work for peanuts and work for free are not significantly distinct on many freelance sites. Unless you're suggesting that there's a meaningful difference in doing 40 hours of work for 5 bucks and working for free?

fxtentacle 6y ago
There is if you get non-monetary benefits such as a 5 star review pushing you up in the rankings, thereby making it much easier to get future bookings at higher prices. Edit: conceptually, it's nore like an unpaid internship. I know someone who got a highly paid job by first doing it for free for 3 months to prove his skills, as he was lacking formal certifications Edit2: I honestly don't get why this is being downvoted. It's neither unfriendly nor offensive and it is relevant to the discussion, even if you might not like this aspect of reality.
- ken 6y ago
  > I know someone who got a highly paid job by first doing it for free for 3 months to prove his skills And I know dozens of people who got burned by being talked into working for "exposure".
  - fxtentacle 6y ago
    In Germany, for such an unpaid internship you will have a contract that says that unless they fire you with a proper reason during those 3 months, your temporary contract will automatically convert into a permanent position. In many cases, it will also already list the salary that you can expect to receive after the 3 months are over. Plus you'll be meeting your future teammates every day in their office. To me, that is a very different level of commitment by the company than working for "exposure" for someone who has no intention of hiring you.
- kelnos 6y ago
  > conceptually, it's nore like an unpaid internship. People should get paid for work they do. If a task is worth $0 to a company, then they can do without it. The whole "you're getting paid in valuable training/experience/exposure" thing is bunk, IMO.
reroute1 6y ago
40 hours for 5 dollars is well beyond working peanuts that's just robbing people... Even Fiverr isn't close to this rate
andi999 6y ago
Well, there is a difference. With 5 bucks per hour the OP is almost in his target range.
vorpalhex 6y ago
Freelancing websites are about playing a game (reviews, ratings, stats) and you have to play the game to win. The first thing I do when I write a game or software is send out advance copies for free.