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Using EP to externalize your work - 4 simple Steps

Step 1: Post your project - Communicate your idea. .

EP guides you through the process of describing what you want to get done. You don't need to know every detail, but outlining the scope and important requirements will improve the number and quality of quotes you receive.

2nd step: Choose the right Professional or Firm

Within hours of posting your project, you will start to receive quotes. You can also search for specific professionals and invite them to bid on your project. Quotes include project costs and any additional information on qualifications for the work and relevant experience.

Select one of the quotes after reviewing the proposals, the profiles, the prices and the feedback left by others who have worked with the same professionals. Communicate directly to clarify any questions you have using EP's Private Message Board (PMB).

3rd step: Track progress of your work and rate the professional.


Working with your selected professional is easy using the tools the FP provides:
  • Work comfortably online using the FP Project Workspace - FP provides you with a workspace you share with your selected professional so you can keep everything in one place. Use tools like the Private Message Board (PMB), which makes it easy to communicate, share files and track progress from start to finish in a safe manner. In addition, it keeps a record of your project history, so you can go back and refer to prior discussions at any time.
  • Better quality assurance through the feedback tool -  FP's feedback system and the knowledge that work will be rated after the work is completed provide additional incentive for professionals to do their best work and keep you happy

4th Step: Pay for completed work.


FP makes working with professionals online safe and easy.
  • Pay in a safe and secure environment -  With EP you do not need to disclose payment information multiple times to people you don't know well. Plus, you have multiple options for payment.
    You can pay by credit card, check or wire transfer.
  • Use the EP Payment guarantee service - For more security, we offer a "Guarantee" service that holds payments until the work has been completed as agreed.

For a more detailed example illustrating these four steps, please see below.

Detailed Step 1: Post your project - Communicate your idea.

 Project Publishing Example: Imagine you are starting a new business and need a logo designed. The name of your business is "Cambridge", and you manufacture high-quality widgets for the semiconductor industry.

Publishing your idea: You might describe this Logo Design project on EP (like in the image to the right). You might also add links to other logos you like or dislike - or provide any other information to give service providers a better idea of what you are looking for. Do not worry - if they have more questions, they will ask you. Ayuda para describir su proyecto: Para muchos tipos de proyecto populares, EP ofrece una opción conveniente de opciones múltiples para describir lo que necesita. Estos “asistentes de decisiones” están disponibles cada vez que usted vea este ícono cuando esté publicando su proyecto.

Credit card verification: Posting your project on EP is free, and you are not obligated to select a quote. For verification purposes, we require you to enter a valid credit card the first time you post a project. We do not charge your card for posting a project. We do ask though that you only post a project if you are serious, as the service providers make an investment in responding to your request.

Verificación de su tarjeta de crédito: Publicar su proyecto en EP es grátis, y usted no está obligado a seleccionar una cotización.  Para propósitos de verifiación, requerimos que utilize una tarjeta de crédito válida la primera vez que usted publique un proyecto. No hacemos ningún cargo a su tarjeta por la publicación de un proyecto. Le pedimos que sólo publique un proyecto si usted es serio, ya que los proveedores de servicio hacen una inversión al responder a su petición.

We keep your information secure: When you publish a project...

  • Your EP user name is visible to the visitors that navigate through our web site and the service providers that make bets for your project.
  • If you select a provider, they will be able to see your user's name.
  • Only the EP approved employees have access to your name, last name, and phone number. We ask you for your phone number in case we have to contact you because of your account.
    The Service Providers that visit EP can not see you unless you allow them specifically.

Only our secured billing and payment system has access to your credit card information. We keep it encrypted for safety and privacy. As an added measure of security, we do not store your credit card's CVV code (Card Verification Value - an anti-fraud security feature).

Detailed Step 2: Select the adequate professional or firm

Receiving Proposals:  Within hours, you typically start to receive quotes from service providers. Most postings receive between 5 and 20 proposals.
Providers send proposals describing:

  • What they will do for you
  • How much it will cost
  • How much time it will take
  • Work samples relevant to your project, such as websites designed, illustrations drawn, chapters written, or voice-overs recorded


Detailed Step 3: Monitor your work progress and evaluate the professional.

You can review multiple information sources to select the winning quote.
Work examples portfolio The examples of the best provider work are a very strong indicator of their talent. Seeing these examples helps you see a variety of designs and possibilities.


EP ratings and reviews -  LThe customer satisfaction ratings, feedback, and size of every project they have ever worked on at EP is recorded and available for your review. You can read what other buyers say about working with this provider. See how they were rated for:

  • Quality of work
  • Responsiveness
  • Professionalism
  • Subject matter expertise
  • Adherence to cost
  • Adherence to schedule

Professional Descriptions - Click on any provider's username to see their profile. It describes the services and skills they offer. You will also see their professional references and credentials. If the provider is a company, you will see how many employees they have.
Location Details - Useful if you are interested in working with someone local or from a specific region.

Direct communication - clarifies questions related to a bid using the EP private message board.


Choosing a bid - You are NOT charged when you choose a bid. You always control if, when, and how much to pay a provider.

  • Choose the bid only if you are fully prepared to pay the provider the negotiated amount once services are performed.
  • Confirm your payment terms with the service provider. Some providers will seek a deposit before they start work. Others may require payment at different milestones (e.g. 25% to start, 25% at first draft, 50% at completion).

Collaborate online: You and the professional you are working with can use the Private Message Board (PMB) to communicate throughout the life of your project. More than a convenient way to collaborate, the PMB is also your project's official transcript. Whether sent by email, or written using the PMB's own screen, every message and attachment is saved in the project's history. This makes it easy to lookup design feedback, instructions, and agreements you and your provider make as you work together.
Share files: Use the Project Workspace to share files, such as design concepts, attachments, and final deliverables.
 You can share an unlimited number of files in the workspace. Only you and your provider can access the files in your workspace.

Detailed step 4: Pay for the completed work

Your provider sends you an invoice once your project completes, or reaches a milestone you have agreed to. We automatically notify you via email when the invoice arrives. The invoice contains your project name, the amount due, and any comments written by the provider. You can print your invoice to use for business receipts or reimbursements.

Paying an invoice:  There are two secure ways to pay an invoice:

1. Credit Card- Use Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. Your payment is handled by our secure payment system.
Your provider never sees your credit card information. As well Paypal and Google Checkout.
2. Check or Wire Transfer - You can deposit money into your EP account by sending us a check or wire transfer. Then you can pay any provider directly using the funds in your EP account. Your payment is handled by our secure payment system - Providers never see your check, wire transfer or bank information.

 We take extra steps to make paying safe. Before you can pay service providers with your credit card, we validate that you are the owner of the card. You will receive detailed instructions once you sign up, but here is how it works:

  • We temporarily charge two small amounts under $2 to your credit card. This is not a fee. These amounts are credited back at the end of the process.
  • You contact the bank that issues your card. Ask for the two amounts of less than $2 each that EP has billed your card. (You can also do this by looking at your online or paper credit card statement).
  • Return to EP, log in to your account, and enter these two amounts.
  • If the amounts match, you can use your credit card to pay providers.
  • Important: You only have to do this the very first time you use your credit card. Subsequent payments do not require this step.
  • This process can take up to 4 days to complete. Get started early to avoid delays.
  • We also honor Verified by Visa. If you have activated this feature on your Visa card, we will ask you for your extra password as an added assurance.

Leaving feedback and rating the service provider
Once your project is complete, you have the opportunity to rate how well your service provider satisfied your needs. Your feedback becomes part of your provider's public profile