It's Been a While and It's Been a Blessed Year with Website Marketing Experts

Hi guys, it's good to be back. I wasn't able to write on my blog due to busy schedules and demanding clients. I've also been further training my SEO (Search Engine Optimization) skills for big projects ahead. Today, I will tell you a short story of what I've been up to while I'm away (well, not literally away... I've just been too busy and unable to put something on my blog).

I've been in and out of my two main sources of clients lately - oDesk and Elance. The main reason why is that I landed a full time job on an SEO company based on Australia - Website Marketing Experts.

Here's the story

Before, I was just an all-around freelancer - writing articles, blogging, doing article spinning and submissions, which I didn't realize were big factors of off-page SEO (I have to clarify this later). During those times, I am entirely focusing on article spins and submissions. One day, I got a client from Website Marketing Experts. So, while I was doing the spins and submission for the company for a long time, I was able to build trust and a good working relationship with my bosses. One they they mentioned that they were looking for an SEO specialist who can manage the on-page and off-page SEO of their websites. I don't know why, and up to now I'm still wondering and my only idea was that my boss saw some potential in me. He offered me the job opening and asked if I am willing to be trained to be an SEO expert/specialist. Of course, I grabbed the deal without further hesitation.

Training started

And so the training started. I am new to SEO and honestly, at that time, I have zero knowledge about SEO and how it works for the websites. My bosses, were both (I've got two bosses) very professional and kind-hearted guys. They taught me from proper on-page optimization to complex off-page optimization. They were very patient and supportive. They led me all the way to the end.

Time to work

Training is over and it's time to work. Working as an SEO specialist is fun and tough at the same time. But I can tell you that it is rewarding. All the stress go away when you see the websites you're promoting go up Google's SERPs (Search Engine Results Page). I worked side by side with them and it went by just fine. I didn't notice that time flew by so fast.

Time to stop

November the 15th of 2012. This is my last day of work with my bosses. They decided to end my contract. Everyone does have a contract and it has to end right? So, yes, my contract did end on this memorable day (this date memorable to me). Even though it was tough, I had to move on and find a new job to fill in.

My stay at the company

It was an awesome ride with Website Marketing Experts! All I can say is that I had the best bosses in the whole world - I don't know if I'll ever find someone like them again. They were both the coolest, easy to go with, straightforward, thoughtful, understanding and give bonuses for a job well done. They taught me everything and I can't express all of my gratitude. At least I had the chance to brag and blog about them. Very dramatic eh? It was hard for me to leave the company, but it is inevitable.

To boss Troy and Steve, I can't thank you enough! :)

Lesson learned?

I've learned a lot of lessons while working with my ex-bosses. I've learned how to think twice before doing anything, paying attention to the smallest detail, being more professional, never rate other people's work NEGATIVELY (what I mean is, don't give negative feedback like on Fiverr, YouTube, etc. I don't know the reason yet but someday I will), be positive and patient at all times.

Just a piece of advice

When you get a job, see to it that you build trust and long working relationships because you don't know what's ahead. More projects or a big promotion perhaps? Don't over-promise be realistic!

oDesk: Starting From Scratch

Finally, I was able to write something for my blog. This time I will tell you how you will start from scratch in oDesk.com. I will tell you my personal experiences of how I started.

Okay, here we go. You might have read my first 2 posts about oDesk, but if you haven't yet, it would be great to do so. The first 2 posts will give you a bit of an idea how oDesk works.

The Starting Line

So, after registering an account with oDesk.com, freelancers need to take the oDesk readiness test. This is the very first step you need to take because you will not get any job without taking this test. The answers to this particular test are mostly "all of the above" and some questions can be answered by your common sense. This test contains 10 questions where 8 of them can be answered using "all of the above."

After passing the oDesk readiness test, take time to add your educational background, past experiences (your past jobs, employment, etc.), your expertise. This will boost your "profile completeness." Your profile completeness will show employers or buyers how serious you are to work online and how legit you are.

Add a neat profile picture and some of your work samples as portfolios. Doing these will make you look good and easily searchable for the buyers.

Searching for Jobs

This is the next step for you to take. But first, you must know what you are capable of, what you can do and not. My tagline is always "Don't overpromise, be realistic." Buyers really love freelancers who are realistic at offering what they can do and not. Be honest of when you can deliver the goods/services. Be true to what you promise your buyer. Doing such will lead you to many projects (just like me.. LOL!).

If you are good at writing, then look for writing jobs. If you are well grounded in the computer language, go for technical jobs (most of them pay very good).

Just search for the keyword of the job you want to apply to. For example, you are an article writer. You just need to type in "writer" and then results will come up and choose one that you seem good for you.

Winning the Bid

Once you have chosen the job posting you want to send an application to, check on the average bid. It is not advisable to send the lowest bid as you will not enjoy doing the job.

What you need to do is:

1. Follow all the requirements that the hiring manager asks
2. Write a good application letter
3. Check on the average bid
4. Quote a reasonable price

These are my 4 steps to winning good projects. Trust me! They're proven. :)

I guess this will end my blog for today. I hope this will help new freelancers out there in grabbing those projects and start earning with me.