[leifg]

For me as a freelancer the fundamental question was always: "how much money will be in my bank account when I take this job". Yes there is risk of non payment and hidden fees that I don't anticipate but the main driver was the rate of the gig.

I was not able to find that information on the platform looking at the jobs tab. Most of the value was "negotiable".

But leaving that aside, it seems that "value" is not what will be in my bank account.

And from the overview it seems like the fee is only 3% which implies I get to keep 97% of the money. But further down there is a diagram that puts "70%" next to "Freelancer" so I'm not even sure how much percent of a job I get.

[VukT]

We are about to resolve content quality issues in future updates. CryptoTask platform would take 0% if you don't use escrow system, giving you 100% of completed task value. If you decide to use an escrow system, platform would take 3% from total task value. About 70% - There's affiliate system, which allows for freelancer who can't find a job themselves, rely on a headhunter type of users, who'd connect freelancer with a client. 10% from the total task value goes to the platform, where 20% of the task value is meant for a headhunter. As both systems are still in development (development roadmap can be found no https://about.cryptotask.org/), percentage of task value going to headhunter could potentially be manually set.

[leifg]

I still don't get how the platform would take only 3% but I only get 70% of the value.

[renewiltord]

They're value-added features:

* You get 100% by default

* To get escrow services, you pay 3% of that

* If you want someone to find jobs for you, you pay 30% to them

[temp8964]

I think this explanation makes more sense. The other explanation, although mathematically equivalent, sounds weird.

[VukT]

You'd get 97% of the job value if you use an escrow system. If you are a freelancer, who can't find a job and you rely on a headhunter, in that case you'd get 70% (which is to be discussed). If you don't use either of those, you'd get 100% of the job value.

[cercatrova]

They just explained it, it's three different models:

- keep 100% green you don't use their escrow system

- keep 97% if you do use their escrow system

- keep 70% if you need someone to find you jobs

[zikzak]

Do you get most work through marketplaces like this or via people you wish have a connection with? I'm really interested in knowing if you could make a "good" living on these marketplaces if you want to sustain a middle class lifestyle as an adult with kids in Canada or the US (let's leave it the most expensive real estate regions). I briefly reviewed this space several years ago and didn't think it would pay enough to even remotely compete with more traditional employment, especially when you consider factors like "doing your taxes" and healthcare.

[acruns]

I am a full-time freelancer (cloud arc not dev). I started cold turkey last April when my firm lost tons of gigs. I started on market places and through that built relationships with other firms that didn't have a cloud architect and they have come back to me with additional work. I have also landed gigs through contacts. Once I got the ball moving it has been mostly non-stop. The taxes and insurance aren't as bad as you might think. The back end work of invoices, taxes, expenses, contracts, so on can all be managed in one app so it isn't a nightmare. It's nice to be able to spot concerning projects and turn them down as opposed to being forced into a project you know is going to be a nightmare. I bill @ 110/hr with no problem. It has also let me spend time giving away my services to some non-profits and startups. I don't think it's right for everyone but I enjoy it.

[rurp]

Thank you for sharing. I would love to know which app you use for invoices, contracts, etc.

[zikzak]

Thank you for this, I have been out of the freelancing game for over 10 years and wasn't sure what it was like these days.

[leifg]

In the meantime I stopped freelancing but I had 5 longer running gigs in total (+ a few shorter term gigs).

All of these gigs I got through different channels.

Only 1 was through a platform, but it was one of those higher playing platforms where you had to go through an application process which included building a project without being paid (I was living in the US while I was working through this platform)

So in essence: I think it's possible but not on all platforms.

[ssijak]

The platform you are talking about is probably Toptal https://www.toptal.com#connect-unmatched-coders-now ?

I work through them and am very satisfied. Though I do not live in the US, rates I can get through Toptal are much higher than local rates. And if you are from US you can set even higher rates. Also there are US only jobs. So I guess if you dont live in the expensive part of the US it is doable.

[ipaddr]

Toptal is not really aimed at the North American market. Last time I applied I could only book interviews at 3-5am.

[IncRnd]

I went to the site to look for cryptography related jobs. The shady postings without payment information, qualifications, or any other real information all made sense when I saw that the "crypto" was for cryptocurrencies.

One post wanted someone to create a coin in a month, but the rate was "negotiable". Hucksters (the posters).

[ipaddr]

I could create a coin for you tomorrow if you are interested. It will be based on an open source existing coin but you get to choose the blocksize and you get to name it.

[IncRnd]

Yep. That's my exact point.

[VukT]

Appreciate the feedback! When you put it that way, situation is ridiculous. That's the content quality issue. These jobs were manually approved and are legitimate, however due to lack of information they come of as shady. We'll add guidelines for clients to follow when creating a job listing and probably issue a requirement too. Accounts with no profile picture, no information on them, posting jobs titled with " NFT platform ", probably aren't employers freelancer is dreaming of.

[IncRnd]

I'm really glad to see your response and will bookmark your site for that reason. I want to visit again!

What appeared earlier to be the site's intent, now seem to be growing pains, after your explained the situation. I hope the site works well.