Envato is a pretty well-known company among us webby types. Among their 8 million blogs and other sites, they also run a number of marketplaces where authors can sell their templates, graphics, videos, code snippets, etc etc to a huge pool of buyers for a certain amount of commission. After optimistically signing up to Theme Forest dreaming of becoming a top WordPress theme seller a few months ago, I finally got around to uploading my first item last week.
With game-style achievements, of course!
I’ve previously touched on the fact that I have the attention span of a mentally subnormal goldfish, and lately I’ve once again found myself overwhelmed with ideas for personal projects that I will probably only get done once someone in charge makes 10 extra hours in each day official. Last week, I heard the best and most obvious suggestion for sorting myself out that I have probably ever heard.
We’ve all been there.
You know you’re unlikely to find anything that pays more than $4 an hour, but work is thin on the ground and you’re feeling optimistic. Thirteen hours later you’ve watched 8 seemingly sensible buyers fall for the cut and paste bids, had 2 people tell you you’ll never make it in freelancing unless you halve your rates, and made exactly 0 pennies.
I’m sure there are some people who make a good living out of these sites but if you, like the me of a year ago, feel that freelancing sites are your best bet to get some portfolio work, read on. (more…)
