Category Archives: Freelancing

What freelancing websites are better than bark.com?

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Bark.com’s model, where freelancers pay for leads that may or may not convert, has drawn significant criticism.  Many freelancers report spending considerable money on unverified or low-quality leads with a low success rate.

Therefore, most other reputable freelancing platforms are generally considered “better” than Bark.com due to their different business models and a greater focus on verified opportunities or direct client interaction.

Here’s why and which platforms are generally preferred:

Why other platforms are often better than Bark.com:

  • Lead Quality & Cost: Bark.com often charges freelancers for “leads” that may be old, unverified or where the client has already found someone else. This can lead to a significant financial drain for freelancers.  Most other platforms offer free Browse of jobs (though some have paid tiers for more “connects” or visibility) or operate on a commission basis after you secure work, aligning their success with yours.
  • Vetting & Verification: Many platforms have stricter vetting processes for both clients and freelancers, leading to more legitimate opportunities and a safer working environment.  Bark.com is often criticized for a lack of client vetting.
  • Direct Interaction: On many platforms, you can directly interact with clients, ask questions and build rapport before committing to a project or spending money on a lead.
  • Reputation Building: Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr allow you to build a public profile with client reviews and a portfolio which is crucial for attracting future work.  Bark.com’s lead-based system makes building a visible, client-facing reputation less straightforward.
  • Payment Protection: Reputable platforms often have escrow services or payment protection plans to ensure freelancers get paid for their work.

Freelancing Websites Generally Considered Better Than Bark.com:

Here are categories and specific examples, keeping in mind the SEO and related work you mentioned:

1. Large, General Freelance Marketplaces (Direct Bidding/Gig Model):

  • Upwork: The largest and most diverse. You bid on projects or clients invite you.  While there’s competition, the volume of jobs is huge, and you can build a strong profile and track record.  They take a commission, but only once you’ve earned money from a client.
  • Fiverr: Excellent for “gigs” (pre-defined services at set prices).  Great for building a portfolio, getting quick projects and establishing a presence.  Good for specific SEO tasks like audits, keyword research, or content optimization.  They take a commission.
  • Freelancer.com: Similar to Upwork with a bidding system.  It has a vast global reach.
  • PeoplePerHour: Popular, especially in the UK, with both project-based and “Hourlie” (fixed-price service) options.  You can apply for jobs or set up your own offerings.
  • Guru.com: Another long-standing platform with a wide range of categories, including many digital marketing roles.

2. Curated & Vetted Marketplaces (Higher Quality, More Exclusive):

  • Toptal: Focuses on the top 3% of freelance talent (developers, designers, finance experts and increasingly, marketers).  Rigorous vetting but if you get in, projects are typically high-paying and with reputable clients.
  • MarketerHire: Specifically for marketing experts.  They vet freelancers and then match them with clients, often leading to better-quality, higher-paying projects.
  • GrowTal: Similar to MarketerHire, connecting businesses with proven marketing and sales talent.
  • Mayple: Another service that matches businesses with top-tier marketing and SEO talent, often with a focus on performance.
  • Vettted: (As mentioned previously) A niche platform exclusively for SEO freelancers with a very strict vetting process.

3. Niche Job Boards & Professional Networks:

  • LinkedIn: Absolutely crucial for professional networking and finding direct freelance opportunities.  Many companies post freelance or contract roles directly on LinkedIn Jobs.  Your profile acts as your portfolio and resume.
  • FlexJobs: A subscription-based job board that only lists legitimate remote, hybrid and freelance positions.  They screen all listings, so you avoid scams.  You’ll find many SEO, content and digital marketing roles here.
  • ProBlogger Job Board: While it’s focused on writing, a lot of content writing involves SEO, so you’ll find relevant jobs here.
  • Specialized SEO Forums/Communities: Sometimes, the best leads come from within industry communities (e.g., SEO-specific Slack channels, Facebook groups, or online forums) where people ask for recommendations.

In summary, if you’re looking for freelancing work in SEO and related fields, starting with Upwork, Fiverr, or PeoplePerHour will give you the broadest access to clients and projects.  If you have significant experience and want higher-tier, more exclusive work, platforms like MarketerHire, Toptal or Vettted are worth exploring. And always leverage LinkedIn for direct networking and job searching.

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How can coaching.com help me?

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Coaching.com can be a valuable resource for coaches in several ways, primarily by offering a platform to streamline their business operations, enhance their skills and connect with potential clients.  Here’s a breakdown of how Coaching.com can help you:

1. Practice Management Software:

  • All-in-one platform: Coaching.com provides a centralized system to manage various aspects of your coaching practice, potentially eliminating the need for multiple separate tools.
  • Client Management: You can create detailed client profiles, track their progress and securely store relevant documents.
  • Scheduling: The platform often includes integrated calendar and scheduling tools that sync with external calendars (Google Calendar, iCal, Exchange), allowing clients to book sessions based on your availability and reducing no-shows through automated reminders.
  • Video Conferencing: Some plans offer built-in video conferencing capabilities or integration with popular platforms like Zoom, Google Meet and Teams, allowing you to conduct virtual sessions directly within Coaching.com.
  • Content Sharing: You can upload and share session materials, resources and homework assignments with clients through a centralized library.
  • Program Management: Create structured coaching programs with custom roadmaps, including sessions, milestones, surveys and assignments.
  • Goal Setting and Tracking: Facilitate collaborative goal setting with clients, create action plans, request stakeholder feedback and measure progress over time.  The platform can generate reports on goal progress.
  • Session Notes: A rich-text editor allows you to take and organize notes before, during or after sessions, with the option to share them with clients.
  • Invoicing and Payments: Simplify billing and invoicing by assigning billing approaches to engagements, receiving notifications for billable activity, creating and sending invoices and collecting payments via Stripe.
  • Forms and Assessments: Create customized intake forms, surveys, assessments and feedback forms to gather client information and measure progress.
  • Engagement Automation: Automate follow-ups, reminders and check-ins to maintain consistent client engagement.
  • Mobile App: Both you and your clients can use the Coaching.com mobile app for on-the-go access to features like messaging, scheduling and task management.

2. Marketplace for Leads:

  • Coach Directory: Coaching.com often features a marketplace where coaches can list their profiles, specializations and coaching packages to be found by potential clients actively seeking coaching services.
  • Client Matching: Some platforms offer coach matching workflows to connect clients with suitable coaches based on their needs.

3. Professional Development and Resources (Often through a Membership Model):

  • Coaching Center of Excellence: This may include a library of recorded sessions and live events featuring insights and wisdom from leading coaching experts.  It’s often described as the “Netflix of Coaching.”
  • Live Sessions and Workshops: Access live coaching demos, round table discussions, Q&A sessions and immersive workshops to enhance your coaching skills.
  • Implementation Mastery Sessions: Participate in smaller group sessions to discuss and practice implementing the concepts learned from expert sessions.
  • Exclusive Coach Community: Connect and network with other coaches within the Coaching.com platform.
  • Certification Programs: Some platforms offer their own coaching certification programs to enhance your credentials.
  • Learning Resources: Access blog posts, case studies, guides, webinars and podcasts to stay updated on industry trends and best practices.

4. Enhanced Client Experience:

  • Client Portal: Clients often have access to a dedicated portal where they can schedule sessions, access shared resources, update goals, join video sessions, use chat functions, respond to forms and track their progress.
  • Branding: Some platforms allow for customizable branding of the client portal to create a more professional and cohesive experience.

In summary, Coaching.com aims to provide a comprehensive ecosystem for coaches to manage their business efficiently, expand their knowledge and connect with clients.  The specific benefits and features available to you will depend on the pricing plan or membership you choose.  It’s recommended to explore their website and potentially sign up for a free trial (if available) to see if their offerings align with your needs and business goals.

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How can I get more freelancing jobs with guru.com?

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To increase your chances of getting more freelancing jobs on Guru.com, here are some effective strategies:

  1. Complete Your Profile: Make sure your profile is fully filled out with a professional photo, a detailed bio and a comprehensive list of your skills and experiences.  Highlight your expertise and any relevant certifications or achievements.
  2. Showcase Your Portfolio: Upload samples of your best work to your profile.  This helps potential clients see the quality of your work and understand what you can offer.
  3. Get Verified: Guru offers verification services that can add credibility to your profile.  Verified freelancers are often more trusted by clients.
  4. Optimize Your Proposals: When applying for jobs, tailor each proposal to the specific project.  Address the client’s needs directly, explain how you can solve their problem and provide relevant examples of your past work.
  5. Set Competitive Rates: Research the going rates for your services on Guru and set your prices competitively.  You can adjust your rates as you gain more experience and positive reviews.
  6. Build Relationships: Communicate clearly and professionally with clients.  Deliver high-quality work on time and ask for feedback.  Positive reviews and repeat clients can significantly boost your profile.
  7. Stay Active: Regularly check for new job postings and apply promptly.  The more active you are, the more opportunities you’ll have to land jobs.
  8. Use Keywords: Make sure your profile and proposals include relevant keywords that clients might use to search for freelancers with your skills.

By following these tips, you’ll be better positioned to attract more clients and secure more freelancing jobs on Guru.com.  Good luck! If you have any specific questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask.

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How can I find reliable freelancers on Fiverr?

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Finding reliable freelancers on Fiverr can be a bit challenging but here are some tips to help you navigate the process:

  1. Check Reviews and Ratings: Look for freelancers with high ratings and positive reviews.  This can give you an idea of their reliability and the quality of their work.
  2. Review Portfolios: Examine the freelancer’s portfolio to see examples of their previous work.  This can help you assess whether their style and quality meet your needs.
  3. Communicate Clearly: Before placing an order, communicate with the freelancer to discuss your project in detail.  This helps ensure they understand your requirements and can deliver what you need.
  4. Use Filters: Utilize Fiverr’s search filters to narrow down your options based on criteria like delivery time, budget and seller level.
  5. Look for Level Badges: Fiverr assigns levels to freelancers based on their performance and customer satisfaction.  Higher-level freelancers are generally more experienced and reliable.
  6. Read Full Descriptions: Make sure to read the full gig description and compare different packages.  This helps you understand what is included in the service and avoid any misunderstandings.
  7. Post a Request: If you’re not finding what you need, you can post a request detailing your project.  This allows freelancers to come to you with their proposals.

By following these steps, you can increase your chances of finding a reliable freelancer who meets your project requirements.  If you have any specific needs or further questions, feel free to ask!

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