1. Building Reputation on Online Software Markets - Introduction There are a few continuously growing online software markets : RentACoder.COM, Elance.COM, GetAFreeLancer.com, GetACoder.com, guru.com, etc. I’ve started taking projects from online markets in 2003. I had very small projects in the beginning implemented almost for free but since 2004 I’m in the top 10 coders world-wide and the complexity of projects got pretty high Good reputation on online software markets means very high rating and comments/feedback from your customers. This results from high quality work, good communication with the customer After so many years our average rating at RentACoder.COM is still 10. www.outsidesoftware.ro

2. How to get the first project RentACoder.com has registered over 60000 active bidders (software buyers) and every day there are over 2000 open bid requests (projects to be assigned) Looking at the numbers seems like it’s easy to get the first project. But it’s not, because the experienced coders with very good reputation are preferred. To get the first project you have to search for a small project (like homework for students) and implement that project almost for free and take it seriously. The first project must be from the area you know the best www.outsidesoftware.ro

3. How did Outside Software Inc. Start ? Outside Software Inc. started based on the reputation I’ve built on RentACoder.COM The increasing number of projects and the increasing projects complexity have naturally lead to the necessity of taking more people in the business Outside Software Inc. is now a small company with 5 software developers Moving now to create and promote our own products like software tools for marketing (surveys, newsletter) and online reservation systems www.outsidesoftware.ro

4. What skills you need when starting a business Both technical and soft skills You need good technical skills because in the beginning you’ll have to handle by yourself the complex technical issues until you find the right people to hire and solve these problems. You also need to have very good soft skills like effective communication when negotiating projects and hiring people. www.outsidesoftware.ro

5. Keeping your the Clients Satisfied A stable, long term relationship with a customer is the most important resource you have acquired On online software markets you have a good chance to get more projects from the same customer if the customer was happy with your work After some time you’ll get private requests from more and more customers A few advices about how to keep you clients (good work quality, good communication, etc) Communication is not always very easy. Sometimes you’ll never talk face to face with your customers I have clients who continue to offer me projects since I have started with RentACoder.COM www.outsidesoftware.ro