Comments on: oDesk shares new information through their “oConomy” http://odeskinsider.com/blog/odesk-shares-new-information-through-their-oconomy/ Freelancing is more fun with oDesk Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:09:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Karel Soupal http://odeskinsider.com/blog/odesk-shares-new-information-through-their-oconomy/comment-page-1/#comment-21 Karel Soupal Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:24:12 +0000 http://www.odeskinsider.com/blog/odesk-shares-new-information-through-their-oconomy/#comment-21 Thanks Josh for the detailed explanation ... Thanks Josh for the detailed explanation …

]]> By: Josh Breinlinger http://odeskinsider.com/blog/odesk-shares-new-information-through-their-oconomy/comment-page-1/#comment-20 Josh Breinlinger Fri, 08 Feb 2008 01:24:59 +0000 http://www.odeskinsider.com/blog/odesk-shares-new-information-through-their-oconomy/#comment-20 Great insights Sarah. And certainly, as you point out, these charts are open to interpretation. One way that we can help at oDesk - is to provide additional data. In building this oConomy feature, we built a new infrastructure that allows us to publicly share much of our internal information. So, if you like, add comments to any of the charts that you see in the oConomy and we'll likely be able to add new charts or sections based on the data you request (if others request it as well). fyi - my interpretations of these 2 charts: -First, when reading these charts, the $5 bar includes assignments from $5-$10, and so on. -Quite a few providers underbid, especially after they've established a reputation. While it's important to set reasonable expectations when getting started, for many serious buyers, I think a very low rate can be a turnoff. If a buyer is looking for a highly skilled web developer with 10 years of experience, they're expecting to pay more than $5 or $10. -Before providers have established a reputation, a very low rate may still be a turnoff to buyers that are looking for high quality work. If you are looking for your first job and want to bid low, explain in your cover letter that you're bidding low because this is your first job. Alternatively, build a reputation on Fixed Price jobs. -The Providers rate distribution chart includes the "listed rate" on provider profiles, and does not reflect the actual bid rates. So, I know that some providers set their public profile to say $25, and bid at $10-$20 to get the jobs. This may cause some of the discrepancy that you see in the charts as well. -Josh Breinlinger oDesk Great insights Sarah. And certainly, as you point out, these charts are open to interpretation. One way that we can help at oDesk – is to provide additional data. In building this oConomy feature, we built a new infrastructure that allows us to publicly share much of our internal information. So, if you like, add comments to any of the charts that you see in the oConomy and we’ll likely be able to add new charts or sections based on the data you request (if others request it as well).

fyi – my interpretations of these 2 charts:

-First, when reading these charts, the $5 bar includes assignments from $5-$10, and so on.

-Quite a few providers underbid, especially after they’ve established a reputation. While it’s important to set reasonable expectations when getting started, for many serious buyers, I think a very low rate can be a turnoff. If a buyer is looking for a highly skilled web developer with 10 years of experience, they’re expecting to pay more than $5 or $10.

-Before providers have established a reputation, a very low rate may still be a turnoff to buyers that are looking for high quality work. If you are looking for your first job and want to bid low, explain in your cover letter that you’re bidding low because this is your first job. Alternatively, build a reputation on Fixed Price jobs.

-The Providers rate distribution chart includes the “listed rate” on provider profiles, and does not reflect the actual bid rates. So, I know that some providers set their public profile to say $25, and bid at $10-$20 to get the jobs. This may cause some of the discrepancy that you see in the charts as well.

-Josh Breinlinger
oDesk

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