In fact some of the how to articles this person has submitted to sites (in particular one on business plans) is so misleading that it’s scary. If someone chooses to use this ‘model’ they’re all but guaranteed to NOT get financing.

For some, hooking up with an affiliate is a great move, for others (like you and like me) it might not be the best arrangement!

Doreen

If you look at the statistics the average hourly rate’s been pretty well constant at around $12 or better for a year. While that’s not a huge rate, it’s much higher than the numbers most of the complaints cite.

They aren’t my numbers either, they’re all direct from the oConomy.

I think part of it is that the average hides a lot. Rather than a single market I think oDesk is made up of a number of tiered markets, and depending on which market you’re in and where you are in that market you can either make a lot of money or make very little money.

Most of the complaints seem to come from people with limited oDesk experience and/or test scores who are applying in fields with lower category averages.

Meanwhile the people who are making more than the average are too busy working to spend time complaining.

It’s a seriously skewed sample.

There is also the fact, going back to the tiered markets, that it is almost impossible to make a good living doing data entry. Most of the administrative support jobs are low paying, and I think that category is more heavily represented than some others on the forums.

Writing seems to be another low paying category, but it’s got a wider range than data entry. Writers with a demand for their individual services can do well.

On the other, we have providers complaining that project fees are too low for them to make a living wage- as the direct, solo provider.

Seems a bit of a paradox.

I just wanted to make sure that people were approaching things like this with their eyes open. Glad you guys are reading.

Thanks,

Michael
Director of Product