The Truth about Online Job Sites like Guru.com – Part II

Updated: Mar 20th, 2010

Here’s part two of my review of Guru.com. Be prepared to pay many fees for a project. You are subjected to many fees. You can avoid some of these fees, but if an employer may choose to ignore your request to be paid by check or e-check. Let’s take a further look at Guru.com.

Fees

Just like other online job sites, Guru.com has different levels of membership. The first one is a basic account which is free. Freelancers who are new to Guru.com may want to start with a free account. There is a transaction fee of 10% of a project’s payment value. You cannot bid on all projects.

The next level is called Guru. Membership ranges from $29.95 to $99.95 per quarter. The transaction fee drops to 5% of a project’s payment value. You are allowed to bid on all projects. You are guaranteed to find two projects per quarter. If you do not, “your profile membership will be extended on a monthly basis until you do.”

The third level is GuruVENDOR. The fee ranges from $38.94 to $129.94 per quarter. The transaction fee is 5% of a project’s payment value. This membership allows you to bid on all projects. You are guaranteed to find two projects per quarter. If you do not, “your profile membership will be extended on a monthly basis until you do.” Your profile appears above basic profiles. If employers specify a Vendors Only search, your profile will appear above Guru profiles. For more information, please visit Guru.com’s membership chart.

If you think the membership fees are high, check these out. If an employer pays you with a check, there is a 10% project fee. There’s also a 2% escrow fee if your elect to use the SafePay Escrow Escrow/Mediation Services. If an employer uses their credit card to pay you, the credit card company charges a 4% fee. PayPal charges a 2.5% fee.

Tips and Tricks for Guru.com

  1. When you submit a bid, make sure you specify how you want to get paid.
  2. Provide your contact information in your bid.
  3. Keep track of your assignments either in Word or Excel. Create columns with the assignment date, name of employer, date completed, and payment amount. This will help when it comes to tax time. Note: you’ll receive a 1099 if you make over $600.
  4. If you do not receive a “good feeling” about a project after you accepted, notify the employer. It’s better to lose a job than to have one that is nothing but a headache.

Despite their many fees, Guru.com is a great place to begin your writing career. The more exposure you receive as a writer, the better. Many writers who sign up for Guru.com do very well. It’s up to you how much time and effort you put into developing your profile. It’s up to you if you bid on projects and accept them when they’re offered to you. Good luck with Guru.com!

Rebecca

Did you sign up Guru.com? Do you like it? Why or why not?

About Amandah Blackwell 198 Articles

Amandah Blackwell is a creative, freelance and ghost writer for industries that include but are not limited to the arts & entertainment, travel, publishing, real estate, pets, personal and professional development, and much more.

Amandah's personal writing projects include screenplays, teleplays, YA, non-fiction, short stories, and poetry. 

You can find more of her writing at www.MisticCafe.com, savvywritingcareers.wordpress.com, and www.savvy-writer.com.

You can follow Amandah on Twitter at:  http://twitter.com/savvy_writer

1 Comment

  1. Thanks for the review of Guru.com. They are a popular site. I know some people who signed up with them and make decent money.

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