Freelancers Ponder Over Optimal Strategy: Bidding on Job Listings or Creating Predefined Gigs?
In the world of freelancing, two primary methods stand out when it comes to finding and attracting clients: bidding on jobs and creating predefined gigs. Each approach has its pros and cons, and the best strategy depends on your skills, platform, and stage in your freelance career.
Bidding on Jobs
Bidding on jobs, or applying to client-posted projects, offers the opportunity to tailor each proposal precisely to the client's needs. By demonstrating a deep understanding of the project, you can build custom relationships with clients. This method is particularly useful for complex or large projects where negotiation is necessary.
However, bidding on jobs can be highly competitive, requiring time and effort to craft proposals. The success rate can be low for new freelancers without a reputation, and it may involve back-and-forth communication before winning a contract.
When to Use:
Bidding on jobs is suitable for freelancers starting out on platforms like Upwork or Freelancer who want to build access to projects by directly responding to client requests. It's also best for specialized, custom, or one-off projects that don’t fit predefined packages.
Creating Predefined Gigs
Creating predefined gigs, or offering fixed services clients can buy directly, allows for faster client acquisition as clients can purchase instantly without waiting for approvals. It also allows for setting clear expectations and pricing upfront. This method is easier to optimize for platform search algorithms using keywords and tags.
However, creating predefined gigs limits customization and may attract more price-sensitive clients expecting lower-cost services. It requires effort to create appealing and keyword-rich gig descriptions and visuals.
When to Use:
Ideal for freelancers offering standardizable services like logo design, content writing, or simple coding tasks, creating predefined gigs works well on platforms like Fiverr, where buyers search for ready-made service offers. It's also useful when you want steady inbound leads without bidding effort.
Additional Insights
New freelancers often combine both approaches: starting by bidding on jobs to get initial clients and reviews, then creating gigs for passive inbound leads. Networking and referrals also play a vital role and can supplement either strategy by providing warm client leads outside platforms. Optimizing gig titles, descriptions, and tags with relevant keywords improves visibility in search-based marketplaces.
In summary, freelancers should bid on jobs when seeking customized projects or building initial reputation, and create predefined gigs for standardized services and faster client conversion. Combining both approaches and leveraging networking can maximize client acquisition opportunities.
Remember, figuring out how to get clients consistently is crucial for a freelance career. Predefined gigs offer more flexibility for buyers and can help freelancers maximize earnings, but they need to be set up properly with a sharp title, clear description, polished visuals, the right keywords, and reviews for credibility.
Both methods (bidding and predefined gigs) have their own advantages and disadvantages. The choice between bidding and creating gigs depends on whether you need quick wins or are ready to build something slower but more passive. Freelancing is a game of self-awareness and what works for you, where you are, and what you need right now.
Education and self-development is essential for freelancers to maximize earnings, as understanding the nuances of both bidding on jobs and creating predefined gigs can lead to effective client acquisition.
Career development in freelancing might involve exploring the benefits of each approach, such as bidding on jobs for customized projects or creating predefined gigs for quicker client acquisition, and learning when to combine them for optimal results.
