Profile Views

First, what am I talking about when I go on about this wonderful Elance tool called a profile?

The first shot clients will see of you is minimal but gives relevant data. They will find you either through a contractor search like I went through in Chapter 2, or via the proposal you submit. Either way, they will see something similar to Figure 4.1.

Figure 4.1: This thumbnail view of your profile is chock-full of information.

Basic information is presented such as your average rating, earnings over the past 12 months, and number of jobs. The first couple of lines of your overview are displayed, and the client can click on Portfolio and directly access your work samples.

TOP TIPS

Each view of your profile carries the message of your professionalism. Examine each one to make sure it’s telling your story in the best possible way. This is a way, once again, to set yourself apart from the competition.

By clicking on the name of your business, a potential client is taken to your main profile page, such as the one shown in Figure 4.2.

Figure 4.2: The contractor’s main profile page.

Now we’re getting to the good stuff. At a glance, prospective clients see a picture of you, get an overview of your business, have a snapshot of your work statistics, and can begin scrolling through your job history. On the left are links directly to relevant areas.

Let’s go over each element of the profile in detail. But first, how do you get to where you can create and/or edit it in the first place?