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Fiverr Review: A Versatile Platform for Freelance Gigs

Freelancing offers a lot of freedoms that other jobs don’t. You can work it as a side gig for extra income or build a career freelancing in one or more industries. However you work it, the toughest part of managing a freelance career is finding gigs, but Fiverr aims to change that.

What is Fiverr, how can you make money on it, and is it worth your time? Read on as we delve into the good, the bad, and the possible in our comprehensive Fiverr review.

What is Fiverr?

Fiverr is a platform that allows individuals and businesses to hire freelancers for as little as five dollars. It’s a massive marketplace for freelancers with various skills ranging from writing to video animation.

Clients can comb through eight categories with dozens of subcategories to find freelancers willing to complete their projects. Freelancers charge anywhere from five dollars up to $995 per project.

Ways to Make Money on Fiverr

As a freelancer, you have almost limitless options for making money on Fiverr. From creating cartoons of people to delivering messages dressed as bizarre characters, Fiverr truly seems to have room for every freelancer.

Graphics & Design Gigs

Do you specialize in graphics? Fiverr offers a prolific collection of artists offering services ranging from pattern design to game art. It’s a veritable haven for small businesses seeking unique graphics and design elements at a reasonable price.

There are more than two dozen subcategories under graphics and design gigs, so you can certainly fly your creativity flag and snap up some business. Some of the unique graphics & design categories include:

• Logos
• Brand style guides
• Illustrations
• Album covers
• Storyboards
• Portraits and caricatures
• Tattoo design
• Architecture and interior design
• Jewelry design

Digital Marketing

Small businesses often need help getting started on social media platforms and developing proper marketing strategies. That’s where you can help. If you have an aptitude for digital marketing, you can set your services for hire in a range of categories.

You don’t even have to know everything about digital marketing to find a niche on Fiverr. List your services in a subcategory that reflects your specialty. 

• Social media marketing or advertising
• SEO
• Content marketing
• Crowdfunding
• Influencer marketing
• Domain research
• Music promotion
• Community management

Writing & Translation

Writers can establish themselves in several niches via Fiverr. From resume writing to sales copy, there are dozens of options for freelance writers to find gigs. Even creative writers can find gigs on Fiverr with an entire subcategory dedicated to stories, game writing, and more.

Are you fluent in more than one language? Perhaps you can make money translating text for clients.

Video & Animation

Not to be mistaken with the graphics and design category, this one only covers video content. For freelancers who already have the necessary software and ability, it may be a great way to make extra money doing something you love. The subcategories for video and animation include:

• Whiteboard and animated explainers
• Short video ads
• Character animation
• Video editing
• 3D product animation
• Visual effects
• Drone videography
• Book trailers
• Product photography

Music & Audio

Voiceovers, music lessons, and sound effects aren’t readily accessible to most people. If you have musical talent and equipment, you could make some money filling in the silence for clients in need.

Sound editing gigs also have a place on Fiverr. If you know how to mix, blend, or splice tracks, there may be a client searching for you right now.

Programming & Tech

If you possess programming skills, you could find a gig on Fiverr. From WordPress and website building to mobile apps, there are clients seeking a range of technical services for a reasonable fee.

Some freelancers offer user testing services, file conversion, and quality assurance. You can even offer lessons to teach clients how to do things for themselves.

Business

Do you have serious business know-how? Maybe you hold a legal degree or have a financial background.

People tend to forget how many important business aspects contribute to a company’s well-being. Even the savviest entrepreneur needs help at some point, and you could be that person via Fiverr’s business listings, which include:

• Legal consulting
• Project management
• Market Research
• Supply Chain management
• Lead generation
• Career counseling

Lifestyle

This category seems to be one of the catchalls for Fiverr. Basically, if you have a talent for helping in any capacity, you could market your services. The range of services include:

• Online tutoring
• Astrology and psychics
• Life coaching
• Fitness lessons
• Personal stylists
• Cooking lessons
• Craft lessons
• Family & genealogy research
• Messaging, greeting cards, and videos
• Viral videos
• Celebrity impersonations

Even though the current listings seem fairly comprehensive, it appears that Fiverr adds new categories regularly. Maybe your unique skill will lead to a brand new category!

Perks of Freelancing on Fiverr

Fiverr has a lot to offer freelancers, or the site would have gone defunct a long time ago. However, Fiverr’s platform expands every day with new offerings and a selection of big partners, including Google, Netflix, and PayPal.

Variety of Gigs

As noted above, you can submit almost any type of job to Fiverr. Even the site notes you should be creative. Fiverr states that you can “offer any service you wish as long as it’s legal and complies with our terms.”

Scrolling the site reveals an impressive range of jobs, including spellcasting! If you have a special talent, no matter how strange, you may be able to make money off of it. Fiverr seems to be a great way to gain exposure.

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Ability to Feature “Extras”

You can also build in “extras” for your gigs. For example, if you offer logo creation for five dollars, you can include the option for a client to tack on additional services for more money. You can charge additional fees for different sizes or features with the logo.

Free, Easy Sign-up Process

Fiverr walks you through the process, but it’s quick and easy. You don’t have to pass multiple trials to list a gig on the site. There are additional ways to generate more traffic, but you only have to create a profile and listing for your gig to sell on Fiverr.

Pro Seller Option

Fiverr offers an additional option for professional freelancers on the site or new to the site. The site’s editors complete an extensive vetting process to determine if you qualify, and it means you post in a unique part of the site known as “Fiverr Pro.” Typically, Pro Sellers charge more, and there’s less traffic in the FiverrPro listings.

Resources

The platform boasts more than fifty million transactions, and a new gig sold every four seconds. Fiverr features a community forum for the team and community. The site also operates a podcast and blog with additional tips, tricks, and industry trends. You can also access several resources, including guides and courses.

Guides

The guides section echoes the primary gig categories on the site. Each section features helpful guides that break down different subject matter, like selling books on Amazon or writing a mission statement. While these resources appear geared toward buyers, anybody can access them.

Learn

Whether you want to brush up on a skill or pick up a new one, the learn section features dozens of courses you can take on a range of topics. You have to pay for the courses, and prices range from $20 to $50 for the most part.

The Downside of Freelancing on Fiverr

As promised, we want to give you the good and the bad on Fiverr. It would be a disservice to you to ignore the downside of freelancing on Fiverr, and unfortunately, there are some significant problems for many sellers on the platform.

Fiverr’s Hidden Fees

You have to review the terms of service to discover a lot of the information that should be clear upfront. The platform is free to use, but Fiverr takes 20% of the money each freelancer makes. Unlike most sites, it’s a flat fee no matter how long you use Fiverr or how much you earn.

It’s Highly Competitive

It may not seem like a big deal, especially if you offer unique services, but there are thousands of freelancers vying for gigs. Newer users may struggle to find an audience and land gigs.

Faulty Level System

Fiverr uses a level system that’s based on ratings you receive from buyers. The site uses a three-level system – level 1, 2, and Top Rated. You gain levels by completing gigs and receiving high ratings.

Level One Seller

You have to be active on Fiverr for at least 60 days and complete at least ten orders in that time to achieve level one. Additionally, you need to make at least $400, receive an overall rating of 4.7 or higher, and maintain a 90% response rate, order completion rate, and on-time delivery rate. Oh, and you can’t have any warnings for 30 days.

In return for reaching level one, you receive more active gigs, the option to add “extras” to your gigs, create custom offers, and a 14-day earning clearance.

Level Two Seller

After 120 days on the site, you may accelerate to level two seller status if you meet the next tier of requirements. Even Fiverr notes that this is tough to do.

• Complete at least fifty orders.
• Earn $2000 or more.
• Maintain a 4.7-star rating.
• Maintain a 90% response rate, order completion, and on-time delivery.
• Avoid warnings for 30 days.

The benefits for level two seller status include double the active gigs, more extras, more flexibility with custom offers, “priority customer support,” and additional promotional opportunities.

Top Rated Seller

Fiverr notes that reaching this tier is a manual process, and that’s where the frustration kicks in for many level two sellers. You have to maintain all of the standards set forth in the previous two levels for 180 days, complete 100 orders, and earn at least $20,000.

However, even if you manage all of that, you still have to be selected by the Fiverr team. Unlike the previous two levels, there’s no guarantee that you reach the Top Rated Seller tier.

While these markers seem relatively easy to reach if you have any semblance of a work ethic, that’s not necessarily the case. It’s surprisingly easy to drop in ratings or miss out on response time due to vacations or technical issues.

Buyers Hold All Power

Sadly, there is little to no protection for sellers on Fiverr. It seems that buyers can request refunds for work received for any reason at all. Not only did the freelancer put time into the work, they submitted it, which means that buyers can get work for free.

There are hundreds of stories about sellers completing work and submitting it on time only to have the buyer cancel. Additionally, some sellers report buyers blackmailing them with poor ratings to get extra work for free. Based on our research, Fiverr always, or at least almost always, backs the buyer in any controversies.

Unfortunately, it appears that Fiverr created a platform that allows buyers to take advantage of and even abuse sellers.

How to Get Started with Fiverr

Now you know the basics of working with Fiverr, including the ups and downs. There is plenty of room to make money, and all buyers can’t be bad if the site remains operational, right? If you want to give Fiverr a try, here’s how to get started.

Create an Account

Remember that one of the perks of using Fiverr is the ease of use. To join as a seller, simply click on the “Become a Seller” tab on the homepage.

Build Your Profile

To sell on Fiverr, you need to build a profile, including a photo. Under your settings, you can find a dashboard with an option to start selling. View three brief videos to access your seller profile.

Note that your seller profile is important, and you need to complete several mandatory fields. Accurate, detailed information helps build up your profile.

Finally, you have to verify your account by phone to complete the process.

Create a Gig

To make money, you need to create gigs. It’s a simple process, but you may want to put some thought into each component.

1. Click on your profile picture and select “create a new gig” from the menu.
2. Type a title for your gig. Note that “I will” is the standard beginning for every Fiverr gig, so keep that in mind when creating your title.
3. Select a category and subcategory. Of note, some categories also include a service type and gig metadata field.
4. Choose one to five words or phrases to serve as search tags.
5. Click the “Save & Continue” button to move onto the meat of your gig listing.
6. The “name your package” field lets you provide a brief idea of the service.
7. Provide details for the gig in the next area.
8. Set the amount of time you anticipate the gig will take in the drop-down menu labeled “Delivery Time.”
9. Depending on your situation, choose any extras you want to include.
10. If you plan to allow for revisions, select the number you will permit as part of the gig’s flat rate.
11. Set your price. You can choose any rate from $5 up to $995.

Once you complete the basic overview, scope, and pricing elements, you get to set the parameters for the gig, including what you need to complete it.

1. Define the things your client needs to provide for you to start and provide any necessary instructions. You can write free text, create a multiple-choice question, or attach a file.

2. Next, you can upload files related to the service, including photos, video, audio, and PDF with additional samples or information.

When satisfied with the information you provided, it’s time to publish your gig on Fiverr. You also get the option for promoting your gig on various social media networks. Edit your listing at any time via the “selling” menu.

Tips to Stand Out and Make Money On Fiverr

It can be challenging to find gigs with the sheer number of freelancers on the site, but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible. We combed the internet seeking tips and tricks to help you make the most of Fiverr.

Embrace Your Niche

You may be a talented creative writer, but there’s a distinct difference between a space rock opera and a highlander romance story. Avoid posting gigs with broad titles, like “fiction story,” and narrow it down a bit. For example, instead of using a “highlander romance” story, try “period or historical fiction.”

Don’t Turn Down Work

Especially in the beginning, take everything you can and embrace that all-important word – yes. If it’s in your wheelhouse, it’s in your best interest to remain flexible and accept any requests that are similar to what you do.

Make a Video

Introduce yourself to make a connection with potential buyers. Sellers who feature videos sell more often than those who don’t. You don’t need a pro-video, but you should use a quality camera, good lighting and sound, and a plain background.

Experience Matters

You can certainly succeed in freelancing without a degree or any certifications, but they help. Similarly, there’s no substitute for experience in a particular area.

For example, say you want to be a medical writer. Though you lack writing experience, you completed nursing school and worked in the field for seven years. You could set your gig and highlight your nursing experience to score gigs. It may be a good idea to take a writing refresher course or research industry trends, but your experience speaks volumes.

Sell Existing Products

Do you have a PDF file of vegan-friendly recipes? Maybe you built an amazing postpartum workout for new moms. You can list these products as gigs to sell as many times as you like, as long as buyers don’t think they are receiving a one-of-a-kind product.

Deliver Quality Work Fast

Make a list of activities you can do in fifteen minutes or less. For example, write a 400-word blog post, create social media posts, or do a video as a character. If you can knock out four of them in an hour and charge $5 a piece, you make $20 per hour (minus Fiverr’s 20%).

Note that the products need to be high quality, but if you can knock out several 5-minute character videos in an hour, you could make it worth your while. Even if you just have one or two quick, quality gigs, you could create a steady flow of money for an hour or two of work.

Upsell with Extras

Upselling is a tactic that’s as old as the sales field. Anytime you have the option to tack on extras, you raise the value of a sale. It helps if you can create extras that don’t amount to much more work for you, but would be difficult for the buyer to do on their own.

Promote Yourself

Take advantage of social media to market yourself. Share your URLs with friends and family, and ask them to help you put the word out to their circles.

The Verdict on Fiverr

Obviously, there are some ups and downs to freelancing on Fiverr. Only a small fraction of users make a viable living on the platform. For most people, it’s a neat side job that’s fun and flexible.

If you’re willing and able to work through some of the unreasonable clients and part with 20% of your earnings, it may be a good way to make a little extra money. However, it may not be the best option for newer freelancers or people seeking a real career.