Mar 19, 2014 07:54:54 PM Edited Oct 30, 2014 02:13:26 PM by KC P
Mar 19, 2014 08:07:00 PM Edited Oct 31, 2014 01:21:35 AM by KC P
Mar 20, 2014 07:41:53 AM Edited Oct 31, 2014 01:21:41 AM by Dianne M
May 6, 2015 08:35:41 PM by Jay L
Offer a consolation PRIZE?
.
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That's delusional at best. So you're telling me, any random person can opt in and send you a subpar design and expects to collect $10?
Is this what you mean? That'd be crazy. You'd run through your budget so quickly, you'd be chased off to 99Designs or DesignCrowd.
Now if you say the top 3 will get $10 dollars each with the top 1 awarded the job based on a total budgeted amount, you might have traction. But award EVERYONE. lol hahah that's comical. Let's be real here.
May 17, 2015 08:27:15 PM by Kris T
I. Odesk needs to add "Contest" as ONE method of posting a job here. Here's all the reasons/advantages:
1. Everyone knows the rules going in, so no one bids who doesn't agree with the few extra rules
2. Odesk makes a LOT more money since contests are in HIGH DEMAND
3. THE WINNER GETS PAID immediately when s/he wins the project.
4.. You get to a JUMPstart on the project and learn it well.
5. You get to see what it's REALLY like to work with the employer (how valuable is that?)
6. The buyer gets to see what it's REALLY like working with you
7. If you're as good as you say, then you'll WIN the project "every time", and what's better:
8. The guy/girl who WINS the contest WINS the project usually too!!
It's good for EVERYONE, and MOSTLY, it's good for you!!
If the worker doesn't like contests, doesn't think he can win, then he doesn't have to bid! He can just do the regularly, old standard posted jobs.
There are NO DISADVANTAGES TO CONTESTS WHEN OFFERED PROPERLY and they offer every advantage a regular contest offers and more! A great example is a logo job: Instead of having every designer in the known world, respond "I can totally duwwwwit!" and having to BLINDLY pick someone based on their words or their portfolio of sometimes 1 logo (!), there are a LOT of workers who would LOVE to participate in contests, if you offer them, since it's a) EXTRA income (for you too!); b) a chance to FINE TUNE their "real life" skills and in real time, as in "we need something now"; c) it's a chance for BOTH parties to see what it's like to work intimiately with the other, which ITSELF is INVALUABLE to the buyer when we choose a winner! d) What's more, IF the worker CHOOSES to participate, these are outstanding opportunities, because they fill a need in the employment community, a need for immediacy. And finally, perhaps the best advantage of all e) Everyone (Odesk/worker/employer) gain HUGE advantages because, when they see immediate success on a project, and award that individual right away, we then want to REHIRE that individual for FUTURE jobs. That's why the most savvy among workers will always choose to participate in contest-style job posts. It's so easy to implement: a few extra fields and a few extra bullet points of rules.
Please add contests.
May 18, 2015 10:41:35 AM Edited May 18, 2015 11:03:35 AM by Bojana D
No, Upwork definitely doesn't NEED to add contests IN ANY shape or form.
Here's why:
1. Let's face it, the rebranding was done partly so they can build new image and repair some of the damage cheap labour, cheap scammy clients and unreliable providers had done to the brand oDesk. If Upwork wants to build itself a name as a place for true professionals, contests have no place on it - no serious professional wants to work on contest basis.
2. Upwork won't make a LOT more money because they'd only take their usual 10% cut from the winner's prize. But they'd have to dedicate N x more bandwidth to host ALL the entries from ALL the contestants. Won't even bother to comment why and how contests are in demand and which client base they cater to.
3. The WINNER gets paid AFTER a long(ish) process of selection. During which none of the contestants, winner included, know IF they'd get paid at all. That goes well for work morale and motivation, let me tell you.
4. What even?
5. I get to see what it's like to work with employer and that's valuable? Really? First, you're not an employer. You're not even a client in a contest. You're a contest-holder and I definitely won't see you or treat you as a client. And second, that valueable experience is worth diddly-squat - in a contest there's no actual communication line between the holder and the contestants, so it's technically not a work experience. And even if it was, experiences don't pay bills. Which all of us have to do in order to be able to even enter.
6. Since the BUYER can't work with EVERYONE, they actually work with no-one in a contest. They post a description and collects the results. That's not the same as working WITH someone.
7. Being "good" doesn't automatically mean you'll win - it all depends on the contest holder's personal views/taste/expectations for the result. Sometimes contest-holders have ...odd... taste. So you're "good" and you still don't get paid for your work. Isn't it wonderful?
8. Sooo. There will be people who win "usually"? And what, pray tell, will motivate the rest to enter? The amazing perspectives?
If the contest-holder likes contests so much, he can go to a contest site (there are plenty of those around) and post there, instead of demanding a contest category on a site that's supposed to be a professional platform. Those workers that you mention that would LOVE to participate in contests are ALREADY on those sites, so there you have it.
Please don't add contests. I think that's the last drop that will drive me away from this place.
Feb 7, 2024 04:21:46 PM by Rekha S
You realise this is a 10 year old thread?
If you want to work for free, why don't you join a contest site, instead of a site where people come to find work that pays their bills?
Mar 20, 2014 06:50:42 AM Edited Oct 31, 2014 01:21:37 AM by Exp U
Mar 20, 2014 07:53:14 AM Edited Oct 31, 2014 01:21:43 AM by Dianne M
Mar 20, 2014 06:59:44 AM Edited Oct 31, 2014 01:21:38 AM by Marcia M
Mar 20, 2014 07:50:26 AM Edited Oct 31, 2014 01:21:44 AM by Dianne M
May 6, 2015 08:39:14 PM by Jay L
I really do not get your suggestions!
.
You do know that there is a plethora of other services out there right?
Anddddddddddd this is how the new CEO sinks the company. smh.
Listen, it sounds harsh but cash is king and the POSTER is cash.
Fight if you will but for every 1 decent poster willing to pay, there are a dozen cheap guys like "myself" if you will, looking for top design for rock bottom pay. That's the fundamental breath of these types of freelance sites. lol
.
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Otherwise, we'd tap local talent in the US. =/
You guys aren't ready.
Mar 20, 2014 11:19:11 AM Edited Oct 31, 2014 01:21:46 AM by Bojana D
Mar 20, 2014 07:06:17 PM Edited Oct 31, 2014 01:21:50 AM by Junelle A
Mar 20, 2014 07:43:00 AM Edited Oct 31, 2014 01:21:40 AM by Dianne M
May 6, 2015 08:42:12 PM by Jay L
Duh!
course its rubbish and manipulative.
But there is ONE absolute truth in all of this.
THERE IS NO DURESS!
You are NOT required to participate if you do not want.
#simpleAsThat!
Mar 20, 2014 03:21:06 PM Edited Oct 31, 2014 01:21:47 AM by Exp U
Mar 20, 2014 06:56:50 PM Edited Oct 31, 2014 01:21:49 AM by Junelle A
May 6, 2015 08:46:26 PM by Jay L
Anything can be gamed though.
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There is no assured way of guaranteeing anything. While I agree that you're putting sweat and real work behind a potential design that may ultimately be rejected, or forgone for another, its the nature of the beast.
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I too, would like to see how some of these concerns can be resolved. I'd hate to see a contractor lose out but limiting these options not only hurt Odesk/Upwork and its contractors, it allows for other groups like 99 design and designcrowd to find traction and wedge into the industry.
But who cares, no one wants to assure survival of their business, right?
May 6, 2015 08:56:17 PM by Suzanne N
Guess if folks really want to gamble at if their design would be the best they can go to any other site out there that offers contests for their hard work.
May 6, 2015 09:34:02 PM by Jean S
An absolute new low for the company.
Things are getting worse by the day here.
May 6, 2015 09:47:59 PM by Suzanne N
May 17, 2015 08:33:49 PM by Pandora H
Plenty of good points have been stated in this thread, including and not to be ignored Terms of Service regarding allowed job types.
There is another "freelancing" site out there who has a very very busy Contests area, to the point "good" jobs are a rare find. After realizing this, I've avoided that site like the plague. If Upwork allowed this job type, I'd throw my hands up in disgust and leave without looking back.
One last word: Yeesh!
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