vWorker has recently conducted case studies of successful employers and workers on the site. During the next few weeks, we’ll be releasing a new story each week; describing the story of how an employer was able to use vWorker to develop/enhance their business or how a worker is able to financially support themselves through the work earned on vWorker.
Naveed Baig: Naveed Baig (screen name: Hi Needz) is a graphic designer from Islamabad, Pakistan. Naveed has had a passion for graphic design since childhood. After graduating with a Bachelor Degree in Information Technology from PIMSAT Islamabad in 2005, he still knew he wanted to pursue a career in the design. He started out working IT jobs for various software houses, while gaining design skills in his spare time. Once he felt confident enough to work on his own, he resigned from his job and started working full-time on his own. Naveed has since completed over 400 projects on vWorker, including designing the logo for vWorker.com.
Naveed shared the following with us about his experiences working on vWorker.
1a. Why did you start working on vWorker? How did you find vWorker?
Designing and graphics has always been my passion since childhood. I received my first computer in 2001, and this was when my exploration in designing first started. Initially, the computer was a toy to me, where I explored Windows and Microsoft Paint. Since graphics were not as important then as they are today, I used it more for self-based experiments.
My first introduction into graphics was in Gif animations, and that was what attracted my attention. While I was in school, I visited a software mall and purchased a couple of Gif animation CDs. Unknowingly at the time, one of the CDs I bought was Adobe Photoshop 6. I wasn’t really aware of the setup process with software since I was still just a student at the time, but I installed Photoshop anyway. I started experimenting on it, and reading the help files from the CD itself, since dialup internet was way too costly and considered more of a luxury.
I started excelling in Photoshop gradually. I was soon then introduced to Macromedia Flash by one of my colleagues in school. Designing websites was my passion, and curiosity led me to consult my colleague once again to learn about HTML 4.0. I started to learn HTML as well, and by then, I started understanding the power of the web.
I graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Information Technology in 2005 from PIMSAT Islamabad. During my graduation process, I interned at one of the local software houses during the evening. This was where my scope broadened. I was lucky enough to work with professional gurus of Vector and Raster graphic designers.
I later joined 4-5 software houses, each offering different exposure and experiences…some bad, some good. I then took a customer support position for one of the local ISP companies in order to make ends meet, as my financial situation wasn’t great at the time. This wasn’t my field, but I continued to explore graphic design at home whenever I had time. I eventually became a night owl, finding that I work best at night.
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| Hi Needz Logo |
So it was in 2007 when I was jobless for exactly a year. I wasn’t getting any employment and was surviving on the basis of local freelance work, which was barely enough to cover the cost of living. It was a really tough time for me. And since I had bad experiences working in software houses, I wasn’t willing at first to go for one of the few jobs they offered.
It was during local freelancing that I required a PHP programmer for one of my projects. Through a friend, I was referred to a freelance programmer. We became best friends, and he eventually introduced me to vWorker.
I joined vWorker in 2007, but never started working or placing bids at the time. I had no idea about working online like this, as to communicating and dealing online. I didn’t think I was competent enough to win projects over seasoned freelancers, so I caved in and joined one of the local software houses instead.
My schedule was tough; I had to work 10 hours a day and was badly facing a financial crisis. I soon realized that I wasn’t satisfied with the job I had accepted. As a graphic designer, I was not freely allowed to do things on my own, according to my own style. Rather, I was forced by my boss to implement designs that never actually went according to design rules. Since “the boss is always right”, I had a major issue of conflict. So I decided that I was going to pursue a career in freelancing, in order to work according to my own style.
I started learning and understanding the vWorker procedures and process in my spare time. Since I didn’t have a PC or internet at home (I had to sell my computer due to my financial crisis), I asked my boss to allow me to visit the office on Saturdays and Sundays to learn. My boss allowed me to do this, and I spent all day exploring and reading articles about freelancing. I read 100s of different articles regarding entrepreneurship, freelancing, tips, guides, etc. It was a hell of a learning process!
I eventually placed my first bid on vWorker, and although I lost my first 5-10 bids, I kept trying and eventually had a bid accepted. That was my turning point in life!
After that first bid acceptance, I completed another 25 projects, and started to receive lots of appraisals from employers. My portfolio started to build up, and my boss eventually offered me to join him as a partner. It was then that I felt confident enough to pursue a career as a freelancer, and I resigned from my job. It was a big risk and it paid off!
I bought a cheaper PC with internet connection, and started giving my full dedication to vWorker. As the business belonged solely to me, I worked very hard to achieve high results. I was my own boss; I had my own priorities; and most of all, I had my own style of work. I’ve gone from completing that first project to over 400 projects on vWorker.
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| vWorker logo designed by Hi Needz |
1b. Are you able to find sufficient work through vWorker to support yourself, or do you also have a full-time job?
Yes, I’m able to find sufficient work now that I’ve established myself. Initially, winning projects was the hardest part of all…especially the first project. But as my ratings got higher, the percentage of project approvals also increased. At times, I now even cancel out of projects if I receive too many at once.
Even at this point, though, I can’t sit back and relax. I still improve my portfolio on a regular basis, apply efficient methods to win projects, experience new employers, etc. vWorker is my full time job right now, and luckily I’m supporting myself full fledge!
1c. Have you been able to form a company and hire others through the work completed on vWorker?
*Hi Needz* is in fact the company which I own. Currently, I am the CEO, as well as its only employee. A couple of months back, I did consider expanding by hiring some online workers (using the sub-account feature), but later changed my mind as I decided to keep running the company on my own. No one else will be as loyal as I am to Hi Needz. Secondly, clients expect the same level of quality as in my portfolio, so I cannot risk having other workers provide work that does not maintain this level of quality. I don’t want to lose clients that way.
Once I find a proficient worker that I can trust, I will surely expand my company using the sub-account feature.
2. What advice do you have for others who are starting the same way you did?
Very importantly, learn the ropes first. Gain some experience locally through software houses, and then jump into freelancing. Secondly, don't use shortcuts in learning and educating yourself. In fact, add hard work and honesty. Lastly, learn to be professional. Improve your skills and always be a mirror to yourself when dealing with clients.
Remember, time is money! BUT money is not everything!
3. What is your favorite feature on vWorker?
Every vWorker feature makes my favorite’s list, but the most important ones are:
1. Escrow payment process (I love this)
2. Secure money safety & transfer (I love this)
3. Sub-account feature
4. Unlimited # bids
5. No monthly / annual subscription fees
6. Most of all, prompt responses from the CEO himself
4. What has been your experience in mediation/arbitration?
Arbitration is the awesome feature that I always try to avoid. I initially used the feature frequently when I first joined vWorker, but I gradually now find myself rarely using it.
Arbitration has always been fair for both workers and employers. vWorker has arbitrators to keep an eye on things while the project is going on and make the right decisions. If a case gets complicated, the arbitration is transferred to a technical arbitrator.
The best part is that arbitration can be reopened if doubts arise. There are also no charges or fees for arbitration. I never feel like I am being discriminated by any means.
5. Do you have any tips/tricks/secrets about vWorker that you’ve learned that you’d like to share?
I will say that working on vWorker for any worker is like running their own business, so you should treat it as such. You are responsible for your right and wrong doing. Whatever you do will not make vWorker’s reputation bad; it will only affect your own reputation. So take care of your business and respect it. Try to flourish it and maintain your standard of work.
Also, a little secret: Explore the internet…you can learn a lot. :)
6. Do you have interesting stories about employers or projects you’ve completed that you’d like share?
Yes, of course. I worked with one employer last year, and after the project was completed, we gave our ratings and comments for each other. The employer gave me such a great tagline as appraisal that I made it my brand Identity:
If You Have Graphic Design Needz?
Then Don't Hesitate 1 Second To Hire Needz!
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