Proud to be oDesk Upwork Top Rated freelancer

I've been working online with oDesk for more than five years. It made me enjoy working from home full time (since more than half of my earnings are coming from that site). It is indeed the world's best workplace.

thank you :)

I had that Top Rated badge on my profile for about two months already. Thank you for the recognition! While that badge is an icing on the cake, hope it remain to be part of my freelancing career. I work not for recognition, but to commit and deliver value to my clients, help in achieving their goals and of course, earn to support my needs.

Top-Rated badge :)

Less than 10% of freelancers on oDesk qualify and earned this Top Rated status. I'm happy, thankful and proud to be one!

Well, oDesk is now relaunced as Upwork - a new freelance talent platform. Last year, the merger of Elance-oDesk was established.

As what Stephane Kasriel Upwork CEO says, "... With an exciting and limitless future in mind, we chose Upwork to better convey our vision and represent our current and future community. It’s a name that inspires us and we hope it will inspire you as well."

Changes.
Looking forward to better things ahead.

Getting Paid from Odesk

oDesk guarantees payment and so far, I have not received any payment dispute, even from the fixed-price jobs. Every week I've been receiving payments from my hourly assignments.

I've been using my new oDesk Payoneer Mastercard as soon as my old oDesk card expired. I'm using it to withdraw funds from BDO, BPI and Metrobank ATMs, and make transactions to establishments/ merchants with Metrobank logo. All oDesk card expired last July 15 and Payoneer had issued a new oDesk Mastercard.

While the old Odesk card has a printed oDesk in bold letters, the Payoneer Choice Prepaid MasterCard has a combination of gray and blue with the word Payoneer. I'm keeping my old card as a remembrance of my first hard earned cash in freelancing at oDesk, and as an inspiration to enjoy working even more!

oDesk Payment Method

Payoneer and Paypal and is the best payment method for me. I regularly use oDesk Payoneer Mastercard to withdraw cash and make transactions. I transfer using Paypal only if I need huge amounts of cash (thanks my sister for withdrawing my money).

1. The oDesk Payoneer Mastercard

This is the fastest and most flexible payment method. It works like any other ordinary debit card and can be used for online shopping. Withdraw your earnings from oDesk and transfer it to your Odesk Payoneer card. You can load your card within two days or expedite the payment by paying $3 load fee.

Fees:
oDesk to Payoneer = $2
immediate loading of funds (optional) = $3
monthly maintenance fee = $3 (if there is no transactions made), $1 (if you've made 2 or more transactions)
Declined ATM Withdrawal = $0.90
ATM Withdrawal (Philippines) = Php 150 - Php 200

2. Paypal
This method is cheaper than withdrawing funds from Payoneer. Though, withdrawing the money to Philippine bank takes 5 to 7 working days.

Fees:
oDesk to Paypal = $1
Paypal to local bank account = Php 50 for withdrawals less than Php 7,000; no charge for for withdrawals above Php 7,000

Other payment methods (I have not tried these 3):
3. Money Bookers - an international e-wallet system based in the UK.
4. ACH / Direct Deposit - lowest-cost way to receive funds for US bank account holders.
5. Wire Transfers - withdrawal from oDesk is $30

You can also try your freelancing career, even on a part time basis, and get paid. Register at The On Demand Global Workforce - oDesk

First $50 Referral From Odesk

I've been working on several online Odesk projects for a year - from content writing, e-commerce task, Internet marketing, social networking, researching, database building, product imaging, virtual assistant, and a lot more.

I haven't been promoting the link to my online work. I just shared it with a few friends who needs help on how to earn money at home - either full time or part-time.

One of my referral earned her first $1,000 and it had given me my first $50 referral fee.

Grateful that she registered and signed up thru my link. I guess she registered through clicking one of the ads in my sidebar or thru my blog post a year ago. I may not know her personally, but I can remember hopping through her blog last year.

Thanks Cathara! I wish you more successful projects and earnings!

What is Odesk?

Odesk is a global service marketplace for employers and contractors. At oDesk, a freelancer earns money by completing freelance projects, either on an hourly or fixed rate. It is the best place to get a project and for employers, its the best place to hire freelancers.



There are a lot of freelance job sites, but for me, Odesk is my most valuable resource. Odesk and their referral system truly works!

Get started with Odesk in these simple steps:

1. Create an account.
2. Complete your profile. Make sure that your profile professionally lists your skills, abilities, and work experience
3. Familiarize yourself with the system so you'll pass the Odesk Readiness Test.
4. Take other tests relevant to your skills and goals.
5. Search and bid for projects.

There you go! At first, it might not be easy to get projects at Odesk as the competition in this marketplace is also fierce. It is important that you present your qualifications professionally and give your commitment to all your projects. 

Some do not fancy working on online projects , but for those who are committed and disciplined, you can really reap benefits from working online.

Register now and start your freelancing career with The On Demand Global Workforce - oDesk!

oDesk Email's for Filipino Providers

In this virtual world, oDesk, the On Demand Global Workforce, shows that they are humane. Aside from the regular tasks from my current buyers, a new Odesk assignment and an interview request, I received an email from oDesk sending their best wishes to its providers in the Philippines.

oDesk took the initiative of informing oDesk buyers about the dilemma that might hinder some providers from doing their assignments. Through this simple gesture, buyers become aware of the situation of some Filipino providers.

I am pleased that oDesk gives importance to the welfare of Filipino freelancers. I have no idea how many oDesk providers were not able to be spared from the typhoon that hit the country last September 26. I feel for all the typhoon victims and those oDesk providers who worry about their assignments and without any means of advising their buyers; or worst, lost their computers and their income.

I am also an oDesk provider working both on hourly and fixed-priced jobs for more than 8 months. Both my mom and my sister are oDesk providers too. I might have missed working for a day and a couple of hours when the electricity was cut-off, but I can now work despite the intermittent Internet connection.

Indeed, oDesk is changing how the world works and I am thankful being part of this community.

Requirements, Events, Photoshoot and Sickness

+ [Tuesday, April 21 ]

I need a medical certificate and a notarized waiver and permit!

The pedia of my kids doesn't have a clinic schedule on a Tuesday, and this means visiting a nearby clinic so my kids can be issued a medical certificate. I got their certificates without any hassle at all. Before lunch time, I received a call reminding me to have the waiver and the work permit notarized. Good thing that mama is also having some documents notarized. We dropped by the notary public before heading to the office.

I was not feeling well that afternoon and I could hardly eat that night.

+ [Wednesday, April 22]

I need to attend the DOLE seminar!

I asked my husband to accompany me today as I already have a slight fever. At 9:00 a.m, we met Lolita at McDonald's and went to DOLE to for the requirements and the seminar. There I've met the other moms as well.
I slept throughout the afternoon. I am too worried of my pending Odesk assignments.

+ [Thursday, April 23]

I need to rest and prepare our things!

I didn't get to work today. My head fells slightly heavy everytime I check on my emails and use the PC. I checked the list for the things that we need to bring for tomorrow's shoot... clothes, shoes and accessories. I dropped by Landmark department store in the afternoon to buy tops and slippers for Skylah and Brent. Good thing I was in the area, and I decided to claim my free David Sedaris book from Powerbooks Greenbelt.

No breakfast and no lunch as my throat still hurts. I've only took a large size of Fruit Magic's body cleanser on my way home.

+ [Friday, April 24]

This is the big day!

Call time is at 11 am and we were there just 10 minutes after 11! We took breakfast before the makeup session. The photoshoot starts at around 1 pm. I was really thankful that my kids didn't have any tantrums expecially Brent who's not really fond of smiling at the camera. I guess our shoot just went naturally and the kids enjoyed it as well.

How I wish that the outcome would be good as it is.

+ [Saturday, April 25]

It's Barbie's birthday party!

My daughter Skylah and my sister Jalysa got invited to attend Barbie's birthday party at McDonald's El Pueblo. They were among the 50 kids who got to join the party. It was so much fun! They got to bring home prizes and a barbie doll as well. They both joined all the party games. This is the party where I've seen Skylah had so much fun!

Before the party ended, I received a text message from Powerbooks that my Powercard is already available. Since we were near the area we decided to get my Powercard!

Good thing that I am feeling fine today with lesser pain in my throat.

+ [Sunday, April 26]

I need to relax but I still have an event to attend to!

This time, the event is for me. My sis, our friend Rose and me, participated in Power Plant Mall's Weekend of Fitness. We took part in the Pulse Yoga class. It was just a 1-hour session but we all felt good afterwards. After the yoga class, we claimed our free pair of Havaianas! How's that for a great day? A free yoga class and a free flipflops as well!


This had been a great weekend after all. Blessings really comes in great ways. No matter how sick or tired I am, I had managed to be at all these events and accomplish what needs to be done. This just proves how important my health is and the happiness of my family.

Britain’s Got Talent 2009: The Susan Boyle Phenomena

Working on my Odesk task had made me aware of the world out there. I got so curious of the name Susan Boyle which kept appearing on the most search and viewed word on the Internet. At first I stir away from the whole hoopla, thinking that Britain’s Got Talent is just one reality show with the same set of talents and stories. It was only after sometime that I decided to check the YouTube video with the million views.

And I was indeed amazed!

I’ve seen the audiences’ reaction and skepticism the moment she stepped on stage, but it all disappeared into thin air that instance she belted out her first note. She shocked everyone when she sang “I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables. She received a standing ovation from the audience that lasted through almost the entire performance and yes-votes from Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and “the biggest yes I have ever given anybody" from Piers Morgan.

She is absolutely amazing! It was exceptional! How wonderful to hear her voice. I too felt touch not just because of the sound of her voice but by the way she made the song live. Her voice touches the soul. There was indeed warmth and passion.

Just by standing there and singing, she proved to the world that looks doesn’t matter. It is inside beauty that matters the most. From this ordinary woman comes an extraordinary lesson of not judging people from looks alone. It was an eye-opener for everyone. She has touched our hearts with her voice and her character… and this had exceptionally made her beautiful. She had broken through the shallowness of people and the coldness of the judges. She has her own magic. She is a triumph for all self-doubters.

The Susan Boyle phenomena is truly inspiring and the biggest YouTube sensation ever! Will she reach her dream of being a renowned singer and be as famous as Elaine Page? In her own way she have achieved that… she had a more profound impact that outshines most musical performers could ever hope to achieve.

The Odesk Project

I just started my first hourly Odesk project. I was hired for a Virtual Assistant job and my first task is Blog Commenting wherein I need to create 50 blog comments. The work is good enough and I am hope the next task would be better as well.

This alleviate the disappointment of the lack of hope of getting an online job. And another dissapoinment follows. Would you be disappointed too if what you're expecting didn't materialize when you were really counting on it? I had anticipated too much; only to find out that there wasn't any trace of it at all! It was like hating where I am...

I guess there's still a lot more to come... a thousand more opportunities to grasp and look forward to. I just need to think and say to myself that it's not just meant to be. Well, this is life. It's fair enough.. and I wish it really was!