Feb. 23--The 5 million jobless Americans -- and anyone else trying to make a few bucks on the side -- may be interested in a few Seattle Web startups brokering short-term work.

They aren't employment, referral or rating sites. There are plenty of those already.

They're also duplicating some services already available online.

What's new are additional tools they're building for individuals to find and provide services, their local approach, and the opportunities the downturn has presented.

Think of how online travel sites have evolved, with new tools for comparison shopping, ratings and price tracking, and imagine using similar tools to hire a roofer, a mechanic or a piano teacher.

With everyone trying to make ends meet, these startups may deserve a look, not for their technology or business models but because they can help you make a little cash.

Instead of selling stuff, they help you sell your time and skills.

They include:

--MiNeeds, started in 2007 by Microsoft veterans Raed Malhas and Deniz Erkans.

The site goes beyond referrals and service listings by adding a bidding system.

Consumers post "needs" -- seeking bids for jobs such as drywalling a garage or photographing a wedding. Then users may discuss and rate services they've received.

Bidders respond through the site. To encourage prompt replies, the first three may be submitted free. Otherwise, bidders pay $6.99 per bid or $24.99 a month for unlimited bids.

The site takes a 6 to 10 percent cut of consummated deals.

"You can turn your hobbies into moneymaking services through MiNeeds," Erkans said.

--Jobvana, started in 2008 by ex-Washington Mutual employees Nathan Casey, Steve Alseth and Jason Hellberg. It's funded by John Chapple, a Yahoo board member and former Nextel Partners chief executive.

The site is a combination social network and service marketplace. Free profiles created on the site serve as online billboards, and networking tools can be used for referrals and references. Jobvana takes a commission on payments made via the site.

"We're seeing people that are unemployed that are trying to fill the gap between now and when they find another job," Casey said. "One way they're looking to do that is freelancing their skills."

--TeachStreet, a company I've written about before, is a platform for finding and listing instructional services, such as tutors, cooking teachers or music instructors.

It's free to create profiles and offer classes. The site is ad-funded, but premium services are coming.

Founder Dave Schappell, a former Amazon.com director, said TeachStreet is seeing more listings but not necessarily from jobless people looking for income.

There may be money to be made on these sites, but they won't replace in-person business.

For instance, MiNeeds' Malhas found a key adviser and investor, Big Fish Games founder Paul Thelen, at a hair salon.

The stylist made the connection one day when they had simultaneous appointments.

"She said, 'You should meet this guy, he's been coming here for 12 years,' " Malhas recalled. "I told her, 'Why don't you take your time so I can meet him.' "

Brier Dudley: 206-515-5687 or bdudley@seattletimes.com

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