Contents

Freelancer Help Center ................................................................................................................................. 4

Basics......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Top Questions ....................................................................................................................................... 4
Get Started ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Account Settings ................................................................................................................................... 4
Transaction & Privacy ........................................................................................................................... 5
My Team ................................................................................................................................................... 5
Build Your Team .................................................................................................................................... 5
Manager Your Team.............................................................................................................................. 5
Manage Profiles ........................................................................................................................................ 5
Creating and Managing Profiles ............................................................................................................ 5
Membership Information...................................................................................................................... 5
Total Marketing Score ........................................................................................................................... 6
Skills Tests ............................................................................................................................................. 6
Find Work .................................................................................................................................................. 6
Searching for Projects ........................................................................................................................... 6
Project Invitations ................................................................................................................................. 6
Project Matches .................................................................................................................................... 6
Watch List.............................................................................................................................................. 6
Submitting Proposals ............................................................................................................................ 6
Communicating with Employers ........................................................................................................... 7
Project Awards ...................................................................................................................................... 7
Reporting Projects................................................................................................................................. 7
Collaborate................................................................................................................................................ 7
Work Room ........................................................................................................................................... 7
Project Teams ....................................................................................................................................... 7
Agreements ........................................................................................................................................... 7
Discussions ............................................................................................................................................ 7
Milestones & Tasks ............................................................................................................................... 8

Files ....................................................................................................................................................... 8
Time Tracker ......................................................................................................................................... 8
Get Paid ..................................................................................................................................................... 8
Guru.coms Billing and Payment Service .............................................................................................. 8
SafePay .................................................................................................................................................. 9
Guru Invoicing ....................................................................................................................................... 9
Transaction Fees ................................................................................................................................... 9
W-9 Forms & the 1099 Service (U.S. Freelancers Only)...................................................................... 10
Employer Payment Methods .............................................................................................................. 10
My Cash Account ................................................................................................................................ 10
Transfer Methods................................................................................................................................ 10
Feedback ............................................................................................................................................. 10
Dispute Resolution (SafePay Users Only)................................................................................................ 11
Dispute Resolution Services ................................................................................................................ 11
Mediation ............................................................................................................................................ 11
Arbitration........................................................................................................................................... 11
Chargeback Protection ........................................................................................................................ 11
Guru Answers .......................................................................................................................................... 11
Posting Basics ...................................................................................................................................... 11
Posting Guidelines............................................................................................................................... 12
Employer Help Center ................................................................................................................................. 12
Basics....................................................................................................................................................... 12
Top Questions ..................................................................................................................................... 12
Get Started .......................................................................................................................................... 12
Account Settings ................................................................................................................................. 13
Transaction & Privacy Protection........................................................................................................ 13
My Team ................................................................................................................................................. 13
Build Your Team .................................................................................................................................. 13
Manager Your Team............................................................................................................................ 13
Find Freelancers (formally My Freelancers) ........................................................................................ 14
Post Projects ....................................................................................................................................... 14
Receive & Evaluate Quotes ................................................................................................................. 14

Search for Freelancers ........................................................................................................................ 14

Inviting Freelancers ............................................................................................................................. 15
Contacting Freelancers ....................................................................................................................... 15
Rehiring Freelancer ............................................................................................................................. 15
Manage Projects ..................................................................................................................................... 15
Work Room ......................................................................................................................................... 15
Agreements ......................................................................................................................................... 15
Milestones & Tasks ............................................................................................................................. 15
Discussions .......................................................................................................................................... 15
Files ..................................................................................................................................................... 15
Time Tracker ....................................................................................................................................... 15
Pay Freelancers ....................................................................................................................................... 16
Guru.coms Billing and Payment System ............................................................................................ 16
SafePay ................................................................................................................................................ 16
Guru Invoicing ..................................................................................................................................... 16
Payment Methods............................................................................................................................... 17
My Cash Account ................................................................................................................................ 17
Loyalty Dollars ..................................................................................................................................... 17
1099 Service (U.S. Employers Only) .................................................................................................... 17
Feedback ............................................................................................................................................. 17
Dispute Resolution (SafePay Users Only)................................................................................................ 18
Dispute Resolution Services ................................................................................................................ 18
Mediation ............................................................................................................................................ 18
Arbitration........................................................................................................................................... 18
Guru Answers .......................................................................................................................................... 19
Posting Basics ...................................................................................................................................... 19
Posting Guidelines............................................................................................................................... 19

Freelancer Help Center

Basics
Top Questions

How does it work?

How does Guru.com make money?
How do I update my profile?
How do I upgrade my membership?
How do I find work?
Why cant I apply for some projects?

Why isnt anyone hiring me?

When will I get more bids to spend?
How do I communicate with an Employer?
How will I know when Im awarded a project?
Ive been awarded a project. Whats next?
What should be included in a Project Agreement?
Can I use Guru even if the Employer didnt post the project on Guru?
Who owns my project work?
How do I get paid?

Whats the difference between SafePay and Guru Invoicing?

How do I leave feedback?

Get Started

How does Guru.com work?

How much does it cost?
How does Guru.com make money?
How do I register?
Can I register as both a Freelancer and an Employer?
Im having trouble signing in.
Which browsers does Guru.com support?

Account Settings

How do I update my contact information?

How can I change my username and password?
How do I opt out of Guru.com emails?
Why am I not receiving emails from Guru.com?

How do I upgrade my membership?

How do I delete my account?

Transaction & Privacy

How will Guru.com protect my privacy?

What contact information can Employers view?
Will Guru.com sell my contact information?
How are my transactions secured?

My Team
Build Your Team

Why build a team?

What can my team members access?
What type of membership do I need?
Does it cost extra?
How many members can I add to my team?
How do I build my team?
What are the roles my team members can play?
How do I resend a team invitation?

Manager Your Team

How do I change a team members role?

How do I assign a project to a team member?
How do I remove someone from my team?

Manage Profiles
Creating and Managing Profiles

How do I complete or update my profile?

How do I view my profile as the Employers will see it?
How do I activate or deactivate a profile?

How do I hide or show my profile?

If I deactivate a profile after applying to a project, will I still be able to work on the
project?
How many profiles can I have?
How do I delete a profile?

Membership Information

How do I upgrade or renew my membership?

How does the 20% discount for upgrading multiple profiles work?
How do I opt in to or out of auto-renewal?
What are my payment options?
What happens if my membership expires?
Can I get a refund for or transfer my membership?
Membership Pricing Chart
Membership Comparison Chart

Total Marketing Score

How is my Total Marketing Score calculated?

Why is the minimum denominator for the CAR 40?

How can I improve my Total Marketing Score?
I have earnings and feedback, why is my proposal below other proposals?

Skills Tests

How do I purchase and take a skill test?

How do I display my test results?
I didnt finish my test. How do I get back to it?
I dont like my test score. Can I retake the test?
Why is there a hold on my test?

Find Work
Searching for Projects
Project Invitations
Project Matches
Watch List
Submitting Proposals

Why cant I apply for some projects?

What information should be included in a proposal?
What are Premium proposals?

What are bids and Bid Pax?

How can I use proposal templates to my advantage?
How and when will the Employer receive my proposal?
How do I check a projects status?
How do I know if other Freelancers have already applied for a project?
What if the Employer asks for samples or mock-ups?
How can I improve my chances of getting hired?

What does auto archived mean?

Communicating with Employers

Direct Contact
Project Messages
Project Q&A
Project Announcements
I havent heard from my Employer. What should I do?

Project Awards

How do I accept or decline a Project Award?

How does an Employer award a project?
How do I know if a project has been awarded to another Freelancer?
An Employer wants to hire me, but hes not posted a project yet. Can he award
me his project?
How do I avoid fraudulent Employers?

Reporting Projects

Projects Guru.com will not post

What if my reason for reporting the project isnt in the list of reasons?

What is considered abuse of the Report Project tool?

What are the penalties for abusing the Report Projects tool?

Collaborate
Work Room
Project Teams

How to I add members to my Project Team?

Agreements

What are Project Agreements?

What should be included in the Project Agreement?

Who drafts and uploads the Project Agreement?
How do I submit a Project Agreement?
How do I change a Project Agreement?
How do I submit a Change Order?

Discussions

Tell me more about discussions.

How do I start a new discussion topic?

How do I post to an existing discussion?
What happens to the files I attach to discussions?

Milestones & Tasks

What are milestones and tasks?

How do I create a milestone?
How do I create a task?
How do I add comments to a milestone or task?
What does it mean to be the Project Manager?

Files

How do I upload files?

What are the file size and type limitations?
How do I access files uploaded before March 25, 2012?

Time Tracker

What is Time Tracker?

How does Time Tracker work?
What are the benefits of using Time Tracker?

Is Time Tracker required?

How do I download Time Tracker?
How do I run Time Tracker?
How do I turn Time Tracker off?
How do I view screenshots?
What information will my Employer see?
How do I add notes to screenshots?
How do I delete a screenshot?
How do I change the project or task for which Im tracking time?

How do I update my Time Tracker preferences?

How do I add hours worked offline?
I used Time Tracker, but my Employer is refusing to pay me. What do I do?

Get Paid
Guru.coms Billing and Payment Service

Why should I use Guru.coms Billing and Payment System?

Whats the difference between SafePay and Guru Invoicing?

Why is the use of Guru.coms Billing and Payment System mandatory?

How can I get paid for a project what was not posted to Guru.com?
Why cant I invoice my Employer for less than $25?
How do I bill an Employer for my expenses?

SafePay

How does SafePay work?

What are the benefits of using SafePay?
Are there fees for using SafePay?
How do I create a SafePay request?

How do Employers pay SafePay requests?

What is the status of my SafePay request?

How do I view or update a SafePay request?

How do I request payment approval?
How do I view or update an approval request?
How are refunds issued to Employers?
What is a billing code and how to I find it?
How long will Guru keep SafePay payments?

Guru Invoicing

How does Guru Invoicing work?

What are the benefits of using SafePay?
Are there fees for using Guru Invoicing?
How do I create a Guru Invoice?
How will my Employer pay my Guru Invoice?
How do I check the status of my invoices?
How do I view or update an invoice?
How do I issue a refund to an Employer?
What is a billing code and how do I find it?

Transaction Fees

What are project fees?

How are project fees determined?
What is the project fee for a project that was not posted on Guru.com?
My project fee should be 4.5%. Why is it 9%?
What are payment processing fees?
What are transfer method fees?

W-9 Forms & the 1099 Service (U.S. Freelancers Only)

How does the 1099 service help me?

How do I complete a W-9 form?
Can I update the W-9 form on file?
What are W-9 and 1099 tax forms?
Will I receive a 1099 form in January?

Employer Payment Methods

What are the Employers payment options?

What are Loyalty Dollars?

My Cash Account

How do I transfer funds out of my cash account?

When will I receive the funds?
How do I check the status of a transfer?
How do I check my cash account balance?
Understanding cash account credits and debits
Can I use cash account funds to buy a membership, Bid Pax, or skills tests?
How can I track my expenses on Guru.com?
How long can I keep funds in my cash account?

Transfer Methods

Direct Deposit (U.S. Bank Accounts Only)

PayPal
Prepaid MasterCard
Wire Transfer (Non-U.S. Bank Accounts Only)

Feedback

How and when can I leave feedback?

How do I view feedback Ive received from an Employer?

Why is my feedback pending?

How do I publish feedback Ive received?
How do I block feedback?
How much blocking power do I have?
How does positive feedback help me?
How do I archive feedback?
How do I delete feedback?

Why is there no feedback displayed on my profiles Feedback tab?

Dispute Resolution (SafePay Users Only)

Dispute Resolution Services

How do I open a dispute case?

How does the dispute resolution process work?
What is the cost of Guru.coms dispute resolution services?
What is the difference between Mediation and Arbitration?
What if I have a dispute and the Employer failed to pay the SafePay request?
If Guru.com cannot help resolve the dispute, can they at least close the

Employers account?
Can I dispute the feedback rating I received?
How can I prevent disputes?

Mediation

How do I open a Mediation case?

Why should I use Mediation?
What does the mediator do?
Are there any restrictions on my use of the site while in a dispute?
How can I see my Mediation Agreement?

Arbitration

How do I open an Arbitration case?

Who has the burden of proof in Arbitration?
What happens after the Arbitration decision is rendered?
What types of cases go to Arbitration?
What information does the arbitrator look at?
How can I see my Arbitration ruling?

Chargeback Protection

What is a chargeback?
How do I fight a chargeback?
What happens if I dont win? Do I have to return the funds that were disputed?
Why cant Guru.com fight not authorized chargebacks?

Guru Answers
Posting Basics

How do I ask or answer questions?

Which category should I select?

Has my question already been asked?
Do I have to post my question publicly?
What is karma?

Posting Guidelines

What cant I post?

How do I notify Guru of forum abuse?
What are the penalties for forum abuse?

Employer Help Center

Basics
Top Questions

How does it work?

How much does it cost?
How does Guru make money?
Can I register as both a Freelancer and an Employer?
How do I find Freelancers?
What is my project worth?
When will I start to receive quotes?

How do I invite Freelancers?

How do I contact Freelancers?
How do I select the best Freelancers?
What is the Work Room?
Will I own the project work?
How do I pay a Freelancer?
Should I pay my Freelancer up-front?
Can I use SafePay if I received an invoice?
What is a 1099 form?

How do I leave feedback?

Can I block feedback I receive?
Why is the feedback I left for a Freelancer not visible?

Get Started

How do I register?
Is registration free?
Can I register as both a Freelancer and an Employer?

Im having trouble signing in.

Which browsers does Guru support?

Account Settings

How do I edit my contact information?

How can I change my username and password?
How do I opt out of Guru emails?
Why am I not receiving emails?
What are Employer statistics?
What is the average pay time lag?
How do I delete my account?

Transaction & Privacy Protection

How will Guru protect my privacy?

What contact information can Freelancers view?
Will Guru.com sell my contact information?
How are my transactions secured?

My Team
Build Your Team

Why build a team?

What can my team members access?
What type of membership do I need?
Does it cost extra?
How many members can I add to my team?
How do I build my team?
What are the roles my team members can play?
How do I resend a team invitation?

Manager Your Team

How do I change a team members role?

How do I assign a project to a team member?
How do I remove someone from my team?

Find Freelancers (formally My Freelancers)

Post Projects

How do I post a project?

What information should I include in my project description?
What are the privacy options for my projects?
How do I add location preferences?
How do I attach files to my project?
How many skills should I add to my project?
What is my project worth?

How do I post an hourly project?

How long can I keep my project open for quotes?

How do I check the status of my project?

My Project is Pending Approval. What does this mean?
My project was not approved. What now?
How do I view or edit my projects?
How do I repost a project?
How and when will I receive quotes?
I have not received any quotes! What should I do?
Can I invite Freelancers after posting my project?

How can I send a message to everyone interested in my project?

Can I ask Freelancers to send samples with their quotes?
Projects Guru Cannot Post

Receive & Evaluate Quotes

When will I start to receive quotes?

How do I view quotes?
How do I select the right Freelancer?
How do I award a project?

What is the Recommendation score?

What are premium quotes?
How do I cancel a Project Award?
How do I rehire a Freelancer?

Search for Freelancers

Saving Favorite Profiles

Inviting Freelancers
Contacting Freelancers
Rehiring Freelancer

Manage Projects
Work Room
Agreements

What are Project Agreements?

What should be included in a Project Agreement?
Who drafts and uploads the Project Agreement?

How do I approve or decline a Project Agreement?

How do I change a Project Agreement?
How do I approve or decline a Change Order?

Milestones & Tasks

What are milestones and tasks?

How do I create a milestone?
How do I create a task?
How do I add a comment to a milestone or task?
What does it mean to be the Project Manager?

Discussions

What are discussions?

How do I start a new discussion topic?
How do I post to an existing discussion?
What happens to the files I attach to discussions?

Files

How do I upload files?

What are the file size and type limitations?

How do I access files uploaded before March 25, 2012?

Time Tracker

What is Time Tracker?

How does Time Tracker work?
What are the benefits of using Time Tracker?
Is Time Tracker required?

I required Time Tracker for my project, but the Freelancer did not use it. What do
I do?
How do I view screenshots?
How do I dispute Time Tracker hours?
Can I add notes to a screenshot?
Can I delete a screenshot?
Will I be automatically billed for Time Tracker hours?

Pay Freelancers
Guru.coms Billing and Payment System

Do I have to use Gurus Billing and Payment System?

Whats the difference between SafePay and Guru Invoicing?

Should I use Guru Invoicing or SafePay?

Can I pay my Freelancer directly?
Should I pay my Freelancer up-front?
What if Im not happy with the work?
Is it true that I can get free money back?
Can Freelancers see my payment statistics?
How do Freelancers get their funds?

SafePay

How does SafePay work?

What does SafePay cost?
How do I pay and approve SafePay payment requests?
How do I view or delete SafePay requests?
How do I get a refund of a SafePay payment?
What is my billing code?
How can I use SafePay if the Freelancer sent an invoice?
How long will Guru keep SafePay payments?

Guru Invoicing

How does Guru Invoicing work?

What does Guru Invoicing cost?
How do I pay a Guru Invoice?
How do I view or delete invoices?
How do I get a refund of a Guru Invoice payment?
Can I pay my Guru Freelancer for work I did not post?

What is my billing code?

Payment Methods

Cash Account
Check or Money Order
Credit Card
E-check (U.S. bank accounts only)
Loyalty Dollars
PayPal
Wire Transfer

My Cash Account

What is the cash account?

How do I add funds to my cash account?
How do I transfer funds out of my cash account?
When will I receive the funds?
How do I check the status of a transfer?
How do I check my cash account balance?
Understanding cash account credits and debits
How long can I keep funds in my cash account?

Loyalty Dollars

How do I earn Loyalty Dollars?

How do I redeem Loyalty Dollars?
Do my Loyalty Dollars expire?
What is the weekly $100 sweepstakes?

1099 Service (U.S. Employers Only)

What is the 1099 service?

Do I qualify for the 1099 service?

How do I know if a payment will apply to the 1099 service?

How do I opt in to or out of the 1099 service?
How do I view 1099 reports?

Feedback

How do and when can I leave feedback?

How do I view feedback Ive received from a Freelancer?

How will I know if I have received feedback?

Why is my feedback pending?
Why is the feedback record locked?
How do I publish feedback Ive received?
How do I block feedback?
What is blocking power and how is it calculated?
Why do you allow users to block feedback?
How do I archive feedback?
Can I update or delete feedback?
Why isnt the feedback I submitted appearing on my Freelancers profile?
Can I dispute feedback?

Dispute Resolution (SafePay Users Only)

Dispute Resolution Services

How do I open a dispute case?

How does the dispute resolution process work?
What is the cost of Gurus dispute resolution services?
What is the difference between Mediation and Arbitration?
What if I have a dispute and didnt use SafePay or I already approved the work?

If Guru.com cannot help resolve the dispute, can they at least close the
Freelancers account?
Can I dispute the feedback rating I received?
How can I prevent disputes?

Mediation

How do I open a Mediation case?

Why should I use Mediation?
What does the mediator do?
Are there any restrictions on my use of the site while in a dispute?
How can I see my Mediation Agreement?

Arbitration

How do I open an Arbitration case?

Who has the burden of proof in Arbitration?
What happens after the Arbitration decision is rendered?
What types of cases go to Arbitration?
What information does the arbitrator look at?

How can I see my Arbitration ruling?

Guru Answers
Posting Basics

How do I ask or answer questions?

Which category should I select?
Has my question already been asked?
Do I have to post my question publicly?
What is karma?

Posting Guidelines

What cant I post?

How do I notify Guru of forum abuse?
What are the penalties for forum abuse?