Freelancers

Digital technology makes finding matches in markets much easier. The proliferation of freelancing is a example. The picture is not all bright, however, as total supply far exceeds total demand, and customers are in trouble of finding competent freelancers to do the job. Nonetheless, doing business with freelancers remains a interesting experience, for it brings a lot of freshness and new ideas. Often, students without much access to market try to improve their own status by freelancing. It's not hard to find a bargain and novelty.

There are several types of freelancers to avoid. Some are totally dishonest and lazy that the reason they are freelancing is incompetence. Some don't respect customers' time and money. Some try to charge outrageous prices with low ability. Fortunately, traces of inappropriate freelancers are often transparent in communication, though they waste time.

Free freelancing web sites underperform paid ones in Taiwan, which is a puzzle. Markets with higher transaction costs perform better, for some reason. Best freelancers are not necessarily most popular. Many customers only demand low quality job. Many jobs can not find suitable proposals because of poor web site navigation.

Perhaps the biggest puzzle in the freelancing market is the willingness of freelancers to lose money to the platform rather than withdrawing from it completely. It's not lottery. There isn't a little chance of big payoff. So, why?