On Certifications and Other Assurances

I've been thinking of getting some kind of certification to post on my elance profile. Maybe that will increase my chances to get work. And of course, as things go on the web, I discovered a new website and its American subsidiary (or the other way round). Freelance-writers.co.uk and its .com version both look interesting depending on where you live, although strictly speaking , that shouldn't really matter. They also both exist for proofreaders. Registration on the site is quite expensive, however, at 150 English pounds but only 30 US dollars funnily enough. I'm thinking about it because I'm wondering if I'll ever make my money back! (The way things are going probably not). However the projects and the clients sound more interesting and more upmarket than elance (but please don't sue me yet as I still have to research that a bit more). But the freelancers looked really good also with apparently eons of experience behind them. How can I ever compete? Me, who has been relegated to the corporate world for the last 10 years?

There's only one way around this: creative marketing.

Anyway, the sites have now been bookmarked and relegated to my "writing" folder, perhaps never to be opened again. I tell you, I'll trade for that cup of latte anytime.

And by the way, I've decided to wait a while on the certification as nobody else really seems to have any anyway.