Deciding how and where to sell your skills is nearly as important as the services themselves.
As a freelancer, you can gain freelance work through your own website, work as an extension of a creative agency’s team, or set up a profile on a freelancing platform.
These sales avenues aren’t mutually exclusive, so you can always give it a try and then change up your strategy.
Deciding how and where to sell your skills is nearly as important as the services themselves.
Upwork kickstarted the future of freelancing in 1999, Freelancer.com started in 2009, and Fiverr built a new kind of gig platform in 2010.
Now there are dozens of global marketplaces to choose from to help you gain Fiverr jobs easily.
No two freelancing platforms are exactly the same, and it’s important to look into what each marketplace has to offer, including:
- Do you pitch to clients or do clients come to you?
- How large and active is the user base?
- How and when will you get paid?
- Does the platform charge fees or commission?
Today, we’re talking about selling on Fiverr and how does Fiverr work.
Fiverr has been an incredibly lucrative tool for me, and I do 100% of my business on the platform.
I picked the username carrieblogger and started selling on Fiverr as a self-taught copywriter in 2013 as way to land Fiverr jobs.
Now, I’m a top-rated Fiverr Pro seller with more than 10,500 completed orders. My business has continued to grow every year, and I now earn $125,000 annually working approximately 20 hours per week.
But for every gold-star success story, there are probably a hundred seller accounts on the platform with no sales and no Fiverr jobs. So, is freelancing on Fiverr the right choice for you?
Let’s dive in.
If… You’re Just Getting Started and Need Work Experience
There’s no shame in that!
That’s exactly how I started. As long you as you have professional skills, self-awareness, confidence, and the drive to keep improving, you’re ready.
Fiverr is one of the largest global freelance platforms with more than 2.4 million active buyers by the end of 2019, and the platform has grown 17% year after year.
Chances are, someone is searching for what you have to offer. The platform originally got its name because sellers could only offer $5 gigs, and those cheap, impulse orders are still very popular!
By setting your prices low, marketing yourself with confidence, and creating in-demand Fiverr jobs, you can get work, even if you don’t have much (or any) prior experience.
If… You Have Years of Specialized Experience as a True Professional
Fiverr Pro launched in 2017, and it’s only available for the top 1%.
As a talented freelancer, you can submit an application to be vetted for special approval to start selling.
Fiverr Pro sellers, like myself, attract higher paying clients, have access to exclusive tools, and have far less competition on the platform, even in saturated categories.
As a Fiverr Pro, I can set project prices up to $50,000.
For a closer look at the differences between the regular Fiverr platform and Fiverr Pro, check out my comparison video on YouTube.
If… You Want to Pitch for Specific Projects, Like a One-Off Fiverr Job Application
Fiverr is the opposite of that.
Personally, that’s one of the reasons that Fiverr works so well for me. Instead of bidding for the chance to work on individual projects, Fiverr buyers come to you.
You’ll create a gig that describes the service you offer, set the price, and wait for responses.
This way, you’re marketing and selling your services like a commodity in an online store. Once your gig is optimized for search and converting successfully, it runs on its own.
I don’t have to waste time searching for work, vetting opportunities, or pitching.
Instead, I can focus on paying clients and the constant stream of work in my queue! For me, this is priceless.
There is a mini job board on Fiverr called ‘Buyer Requests’ that allows you to send offers direct to buyers, but it’s under-utilized, hard to find, and not available for all categories.
If… You’re Worried About Getting Scammed or Not Getting Paid
This is one of the most common concerns that I hear!
Fiverr takes care of it for you. The invoicing is automated, so buyers will pay at the time of purchase and Fiverr holds onto the money for a week or two (depending on your seller level) after the order is complete. That way, both the buyer and seller are protected.
Fiverr also has fraud chargeback protection and 24/7 customer service.
Personally, the platform has stepped in to pay me thousands of dollars after delivered orders were fraudulently cancelled.
Of course, you’ll still need to be aware of red flags from sketchy buyers and have the foresight to turn down work when it’s not a good fit.
Check out this video on my YouTube channel for more information. Remember, you’re working on the internet and there will always be bullies – stay safe!
If… You Have a Large List of Professional Contacts
Lucky you!
Maybe you don’t need a platform like Fiverr.
The platform charges a 20% commission fee on all orders, so for every $5 sold, you earn $4.
Personally, I justify the fee as the price of built-in marketing, lead generation, and a huge suite of communication tools.
If you have the professional presence and connections to set out on your own, I recommend keeping that 20% in your pocket.
Once you meet a client on Fiverr, it’s against the terms of service to take business off-platform.
If… You’re a Little Disorganized or Not Super Tech-Savvy
I can’t even imagine how frazzled and disorganized I would feel without Fiverr.
The communication tools that I mentioned above? Yeah, the built-in inbox, automatic invoicing, delivery timers, mobile app, notes, analytics, and order history have been a godsend!
I’m incredibly organized, but still – it can be tricky to set up a fully functioning workflow, especially if you’re new to the flexible nature of freelancing.
There are tons of online tools that you can piecemeal together, but Fiverr’s pre-built system is definitely a platform perk.
If… You Want to Set Specific Office Hours or Only Work with Local Clients
I’ll be honest – freelancing on Fiverr probably won’t be a good fit for finding Fiverr jobs.
Responsiveness is one of the most important metrics, and the site keeps track of how long it takes you to respond to new messages. Fiverr is available in more than 160 countries, so you have the opportunity to work with global clients in different time zones.
The response timer is a true average, including the time you’re asleep or eating dinner with your family.
With a 2-hour response average, I’m living proof that you can create a balanced lifestyle, get a full night’s sleep, and still get work done.
But I also don’t have set office hours and I work a little bit every day, including weekends.
Fiverr does have a helpful tool called ‘quick responses’ that allows you to send pre-written messages.
This is a game changer for saving time and improving clarity when communicating with clients! Want to learn more about it? Check out this video.
If… You Need a Quick Upstart to Make Money Online Fast
Freelancing is a long game, whether you’re nurturing client relationships on your own or building up a trusted profile on a freelance marketplace like Fiverr – it takes time.
Unfortunately, Fiverr’s review system makes it difficult to break in and get started.
Many sellers never get any orders and then just give up. Buyer reviews have a huge amount of sway in search rankings, seller levels, and perceived credibility.
That being said, everyone starts out with zero reviews!
So, what’s the key to overcoming that hurdle? Set up a professional profile with clear gig listings, high-quality portfolio samples, and competitive prices.
On the flipside, Fiverr’s built-in audience, gig builder, and seller tools are ready when you are.
Unlike setting up a site and investing in your own advertising, there are no startup fees, so you have nothing to lose!
Fiverr isn’t perfect for everyone, and it’s not the only freelancing option, but when it works… it works!
My six-figure income and flexible lifestyle wouldn’t be possible without the platform, and I encourage everyone to explore the benefits of selling on Fiverr.
So, if I convinced you to start on Fiverr for your freelancing work, sign up here!
Over to you – are you on Fiverr? Share with me your experience working on Fiverr.
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