So you’ve finally signed up with Elance, set up your profile, and have the required credits to bid on a writing project. There’s no doubt you’re a qualified writer: your skills and credentials clearly demonstrate you have the knowledge required to complete any project accurately–and on time. There’s only one tiny problem…you don’t have any feedback.

For new writers, this can be a huge problem. Elance providers want to know if you’re a dependable writer right off the bat, and without any positive feedback, it can be hard to gage that. But if you know how to really sell yourself, you won’t need any feedback to win the project.

So how do you win an Elance writing project?

1. Make it personal. Elance requires you to submit a proposal in order to bid on the project–it’s like a virtual cover letter. By making it personal, you increase your odds for snagging the project.

To gain the provider’s trust, explain exactly how you plan to complete it, what makes you qualified for the project (previous job experience, academic history), and what steps you’ll take to ensure it’s turned in on time. This shows the provider you’ve read their project thoroughly and are already taking the steps to plan how to complete it.

2. Check the competition. Scope out writers who have already bid on the project to see if you can outmatch their qualifications. Although you can’t view their proposals, you can view their expertise and qualifications on their own profile, along with that writer’s feedback. If their qualifications are significantly better than yours, you’re better off bidding on a different writing project with less competition.

3. Send the provider a couple of examples related to the project. This allows the provider to see the quality of your work first hand. For example, if you’re bidding on a project about health tips, attach an article you’ve written about health tips or recommendations. If the project is about a review on a popular supplement, attach an article about a similar supplement.

4. Include a sample. Throw together a rough draft of the proposed topic to make the provider really happy. This is another way of saying “I’m dedicated to your project–I’m a writer you should trust. Here’s what I’m exactly going to do.” Be careful not to write a complete article, though, or the provider may snag your article for free.

5. Bid carefully. The provider will usually state their budget for the project–it’s important your bid falls within this range. But bidding lower isn’t your key to success here. If you bid too low, they’ll assume you’re not a good quality writer–they’ll skip your proposal for another writer. Your best bet is to bid within the middle to high range of their budget.

A Final Word

Although providers are more likely to hire writers with plenty of feedback, demonstrating your strongest qualifications–and showing how much you care about their project–can improve your odds for winning a Elance writing project. Bid selectively, show initiative, and keep it professional to make your skills more appealing to the provider.