Freelancers are always looking for ways to get paid quick and easily without having to deal with clients or managers. The freelancing website Fiverr has become notorious among those who try to work from home full-time by offering short-term gigs that pay up to $5 per hour (or more).
While Fiverr isn't necessarily a bad place to find freelance jobs -- there's plenty of legit stuff posted here every day -- people have been posting horror stories about how they were ripped off after being hired through Fiverr. One Redditor even claimed he was forced into sex slavery when his gig didn't go well.
But if you're desperate enough to give the site a shot at making some extra cash, let me show you what kind of opportunities exist within this particular marketplace. At least, where "opportunities" means earning less than minimum wage.
It depends. There's an estimated range between 0c to $8/hr depending on your skill set. Let's say you're really great at drawing cartoons but don't know any other artists who could help you out. You might be able to land yourself a few small commissions. A quick search shows someone charging $4/hour for illustration services. If you're confident enough, you could probably charge twice that amount. But keep in mind the rate you'll end up getting will depend entirely upon which project you choose, and whether you actually deliver quality work.
As one redditor pointed out, most of these projects seem like scams because the person asking for payment won't respond to emails or calls until weeks later. This makes them look unreliable. In fact, many people post their own fake reviews under the "verified purchase" section so potential employers see positive feedback before giving anything away. It's also common practice for companies to not pay their workers until they receive physical copies of the completed product.
If you want to avoid falling victim to such practices, my advice would be to only consider work that doesn't require graphics design skills. That said, graphic designers are often very busy, so feel free to offer your services outside of Fiverr. Just remember, you should never expect to earn $10+/hour doing something that takes little effort.
A better option is to start selling your digital art online using sites like Etsy, Gumroad, or Patreon. Sell prints, shirts, phone cases, whatever! My friend sells T-shirts on Amazon, another friend sells her crafts on eBay, while yet others sell their original paintings on Instagram. With just a bit of creativity and marketing savvy, almost anyone can turn their hobby into a side business. And yes, you can use Fiverr to promote it.
This question gets asked quite frequently on Reddit, Twitter, Facebook, etc. People usually ask it based on two criteria: time commitment and payout. Generally speaking, the easier the task, the lower the payout. For example, writing articles involves minimal technical knowledge, but you've got to write dozens of words to make a decent hourly fee. On the flipside, finding a client willing to hire you to create content for their blog may take months of hard word-writing, research, and promotion.
In general, there aren't too many easy tasks listed on Fiverr. Most users tend to gravitate towards low paying gigs due to the ease factor. However, there are exceptions.
For starters, creating websites seems to be a popular service offered on Fiverr. Many people claim a one-day turnaround for simple sites, although I personally haven't had success trying to build a basic WordPress site myself. More complicated sites involving JavaScript programming can take several days longer. Again, check out our guide to building a simple Wordpress site if you'd like to learn how to code your own web pages.
Another thing worth mentioning is designing logos. Designing is one of the best ways to earn money as a freelancer, especially since it requires lots of trial and error. You can spend hours playing around with colors, fonts, spacing, shadows, etc., and then submit your final designs for approval once you think they're perfect.
One Redditor earned over $700/month designing custom t-shirt buttons for friends' clothing stores. Another guy made hundreds of dollars monthly by designing logo concepts for new startups. While this comes with its fair share of stress, it does allow for high earnings potential. Check out Saikat's guide to becoming a professional designer for tips on starting your career in this field.
You'll notice that we mentioned promoting products rather than listing ourselves as consultants. Promoting products is extremely lucrative in Fiverr because it allows you to control the entire sales process. Instead of worrying about dealing with customers or managing orders, you simply reach out to interested parties and tell them about your unique expertise. Then, you direct them to whichever company offers them the lowest price for your services.
Some examples include:
I recently sold custom sticker sets on Fiverr for $30 each. Other sellers typically list theirs for $50-$100+. Why did mine cost half as much? Because I created personalized stickers for each buyer instead of mass producing generic ones. They ended up saving money overall because they weren't wasting money on bulk supplies.
To summarize, the easier the task, the lower the payoff. Don't waste your valuable time on overly difficult assignments unless you truly enjoy the challenge.
There are three main options available to brand newbies looking for part-time employment via Fiverr: selling items, performing administrative duties, and creating artwork. Selling products tends to be the quickest method for newcomers to start earning money.
However, the downside of selling goods is that you need to ship them out yourself. Some buyers will request international shipping, meaning you must pack the item carefully and send it across borders. Shipping internationally adds significant costs to your total profit margin.
Alternatively, you can sell photography services. Fiverr used to host a section called Photography Gigs, but now photographers are directed to a dedicated page. Photographers can either upload photos directly onto Fiverr or link their portfolio to the site. Unfortunately, there isn't a ton of demand for photography services currently. Not to mention, you'll likely have trouble competing against established professionals.
Finally, you can perform administrative tasks for businesses. Since the beginning of 2016, Fiverr has allowed businesses to connect with individual contractors known as Gig Workers. These workers can perform various types of administrative work including data entry, transcription, video editing, proofreading, and similar activities. Businesses can list specific tasks they need done and pay workers accordingly.
Many of these tasks involve completing repetitive paperwork, so it helps if you enjoy sitting behind a computer screen. Otherwise, you'll quickly tire of doing the same routine over and over again.
Most administrative tasks can provide higher rates than traditional gig work. For instance, a customer support specialist can earn anywhere from $3 - $7/hour. However, administrative tasks still come with fewer benefits compared to regular freelancing. To ensure a steady income, you'll need to complete multiple contracts simultaneously. Plus, you'll have to wait until the next month to log additional hours.
Yes and No. Overall, Fiverr provides ample opportunity for newbie freelancers. However, it definitely has drawbacks compared to standard methods for finding freelance work.
First, competition is fierce. Newcomers face stiff competition from seasoned veterans who've worked for years to develop strong reputations on Fiverr. Second, it's difficult to determine legitimacy because everyone claims to be verified. Third, it's difficult to measure performance because Fiverr doesn't release worker statistics. Finally, it's tough to grow your reputation without proper training.
All of these factors combine to produce mediocre results. Unless you're exceptionally skilled at networking, you'll struggle to stand above average performers. Fortunately, however, these issues don't stop experienced freelancers from racking up thousands of dollars per year.
So where else can you find legitimate gigs that don't suck? Try Freestyle Marketplaces. Here are a couple of platforms you should consider:
Upwork
Peerlance
Guru
These marketplaces generally charge slightly higher fees than Fiverr, but the upside is that you can skip the verification step and immediately begin booking projects. UpWork charges 10% per transaction plus 30 cents per hour for virtual assistants (VAs) and 15% + 35 cents per hour for coders. Guru charges 20% flat fee for both VAs and coders. PeerLance charges 12% flat fee for coders and 25% + 50 cents per hour for Virtual Assistants.
Regardless of which marketplace you decide to join, follow the rules outlined by each site. Always read the fine print thoroughly before accepting any gig. Make sure to stay safe and protect your intellectual property. When necessary, contact a lawyer or accountant.
Fiverr has been around since 2011 and is one of those online services that everyone knows about but few actually use. It's a notorious bad way to make money as a freelancer because there are so many scams happening daily. As with all things on the internet: it's possible. I'm in the top 1% of earners on Fiverr, working as a niche...
A quick search for "make money" brings up over two million results. That should tell you something right there. The problem is not only finding reputable work-from-home providers who will give you legit gigs, but also how to navigate through this mess and find your way out from the scammers.
If you're looking to earn some extra cash or even quit your day job, here are five tips for anyone hoping to get started on Fiverr.
It may sound strange, but before you can begin earning any real money, you have to sign up first. Signing up isn't difficult at all. You simply need to go to fiverr.com/your_email_hereand fill in your details (name, email address etc.). Once done, click submit and wait for verification code sent via text message. Make sure you check your spam folder if you don't see anything within an hour. After receiving the SMS, open the link and follow instructions. If everything goes well, congratulations! You've just signed up to be part of the world's largest marketplace for micro jobs.
After signing up, you'll probably want to browse through other categories to see what kind of gig appeals to you most. There are hundreds of different niches available such as photography, graphic design, writing, translation, marketing, music production, etc., which means there are plenty of potential clients ready to hire someone like you. Choose the ones that interest you most and then scroll down to view more information about them. This includes additional requirements they might ask from their chosen provider, payment schedules, turnaround time, prices, etc. For example, when selecting my own category, I saw several gigs asking for $5 per postcard designed by me. Other examples include designing logos, banners, social media graphics, flyers, business cards, posters, invitations, t shirts, stickers, etc.
You won't know until you try though. Don't worry about sending messages or emails, no client wants to hear back from you. They already gave you the green light to send proposals and expect nothing else unless you really deliver outstanding quality. So don't hesitate. Start applying now.
Another thing worth mentioning is that you must upload high resolution pictures whenever asked. Most buyers prefer original photos taken specifically by you rather than stock images. Also, always keep track of deadlines and turnarounds times.
Once you receive a request, apply immediately. Clients usually review applications within 24 hours. Some require applicants to attach links proving previous experience and others may ask you to provide samples. Keep copies of every document attached, including contracts, proof of qualifications, resumes, samples, references, testimonials, portfolio, etc. Just remember that once you accept a project, it becomes legally binding.
And lastly, never pay upfront without having received a final contract detailing exactly what needs to be delivered, paid for, and provided after each milestone. Read everything carefully, understand what tasks still remain and be aware of your rights regarding payments. Ask questions where needed. Never rush into paying too much upfront either. Remember, trust is earned gradually and if you treat your current customers fairly, future projects will come naturally.
For experienced users, we recommend using Paystack [No Longer Available]. It's an API service built entirely based on Stripe technology. No matter whether you're new or veteran user, you'll enjoy full control over managing your finances directly through PayPal. All transactions are processed securely and automatically. And best of all, it costs absolutely zero dollars.
When it comes to submitting bids, please note that you cannot create multiple profiles simultaneously under different names. Bids submitted under separate accounts result in automatic disqualification from further consideration.
Unfortunately, no. At least not yet. But let us explain why.
First of all, Fiverr takes 25 percent commission for every successful transaction regardless of price range. Yes, even if the buyer pays less than $1. Even worse, the amount of money you receive for completing a given task depends solely upon completion rates. Meaning, if you complete 10 orders and none of them meet expectations, you'll end up getting approximately $2 instead of the agreed upon fee.
That said, being able to earn $10-$20 bucks per month isn't bad considering the fact that it took weeks of hard work to achieve these figures. We advise against spending too much effort trying to reach higher goals. Instead focus on building relationships and delivering exceptional quality while saving yourself some trouble along the way.
Also, bear in mind that Fiverr provides its sellers with tools and resources to increase sales. These include:
Facebook Ad Builder - allows you to target specific audiences with Facebook Ads
Instagram Advertising Toolkit - helps you promote products on Instagram
Twitter Marketing Planner - enables you to discover followers interested in particular topics
LinkedIn Sales Funnel Creator - creates professional landing pages optimized for LinkedIn
Google Analytics Integration - integrates Google Analytics tracking codes onto your website
Websites & Blogging Platforms - offers websites created according to client specifications
Social Media Management Tools - provides access to powerful platforms like Hootsuite, Buffer, Social Proof, etc.
In short, Fiverr gives you free training and support to help you succeed. However, it doesn't mean you shouldn't strive for better goals. On the contrary, striving towards excellence is highly encouraged. In order to become truly valuable to our community, we encourage you to improve your skills on relevant marketplaces outside Fiverr. Here are some great recommendations:
Gigbucks - Gigbucks works similar to Fiverr but requires users to pass qualification tests and prove themselves as experts. According to their terms of agreement, Gigbucks gets 20 percent cut of fees collected during a sale. Still, it's definitely easier to earn decent income compared to Fiverr.
Prolificcity - ProlificCity employs a unique approach called "pay-per-task." Sellers set hourly earnings depending on complexity and difficulty level of the assigned task. Users can choose their desired skill sets and then contact prospective employers to find suitable opportunities.
Upwork - UpWork stands above all competitors as the biggest freelance job board on the Internet today. With millions of active monthly members, UpWork presents thousands of opportunities everyday. Although the site itself charges a 5 percent fee for completed assignments, it does offer various benefits to both buyers and sellers alike. Among them are insurance coverage, escrow protection, background checks, credit card fraud prevention, etc.
There are dozens of options available for you to explore, but ultimately the choice belongs to you. Only you can decide which path suits you best. Take advantage of what's offered and stick to it. Eventually, you'll learn what works best for you and grow accordingly.
Absolutely yes. Thousands of individuals make a living selling stuff on Fiverr alone, generating millions annually. Check out this list compiled by Inc. Magazine showing the 50 highest grossing vendors on Fiverr: http://www.inc.com/jeff-bezos/shutterstock/50-highest-grossing-fivers.html#top
Here's another interesting article featuring 3 of the top 100 Fiverrs: https://medium.com/p/a7b8c6d89e3bb0ec28d9a06ccadbdcf4
Even celebrities like Ashton Kutcher and Kim Kardashian utilize Fiverr to sell exclusive merchandise. So if you think it's impossible, consider doing the same.
Just keep in mind that if you wish to earn significant amounts of money, you should aim to establish long term partnerships rather than rely on single deals. Otherwise, you risk losing a lot of money very quickly.
So what other advice would I give to beginning entrepreneurs? Well, let's put it this way - if you plan to spend tens of thousands of dollars on buying domain names, hosting servers, hiring employees, purchasing expensive office equipment, etc., Fiverr is NOT for YOU.
However, if you're willing to invest a little bit of money into establishing solid foundations, you could potentially profit significantly. Unfortunately, 99 percent of newcomers fail miserably despite all the advantages offered by Fiverr.
Why? Because they were unable to adapt to the demands of the industry, failed to build strong customer relations, didn't take enough action, and made countless mistakes. Bottom line, if you don't know what you're doing, stay away from Fiverr.
Freelancers have long been portrayed as lazy and entitled by the media. But there are hundreds of thousands of people who earn their living through freelance work – including an estimated 40 percent more than full-time employees. And while most people don't want to become millionaires overnight, earning some extra cash can help pay bills or save for something big like a holiday abroad.
Fiverr has grown from being one of the biggest sites for buying cheap Chinese electronics, to becoming one of the largest marketplaces online where anyone can sell anything at any time day or night. It's even earned itself a spot on our list of the worst companies that rip off consumers.
Here's everything you need to know about whether this site will be your ticket to financial freedom...or just another avenue for scammers to steal your identity and money.
If the question were asked "is Fiverr good for making money", the answer would likely be no. There's nothing wrong per se with selling stuff on Amazon, eBay, etc., but when it comes down to the services offered by Fiverr, they're not exactly what we'd call useful.
For example, if someone wanted to buy a copywriter, graphic designer, web developer, SEO specialist, ghostwriter or life coach, Fiverr doesn't offer these types of gigs. In fact, there aren't many categories that do. What you'll find instead is small businesses offering services such as dog walking, cleaning services, video editing and translation. And yes, sometimes those jobs actually come with $5 prices tags too!
As far as making money goes, Fiverr isn't really designed to get you paid unless you either already own a business (in which case you probably wouldn't use Fiverr) or have experience in the field. If you've never done it before, then expect to spend a lot of hours building up credibility first.
There are also plenty of scams out there waiting to prey upon unsuspecting users. For instance, you may see a job description asking for someone to send traffic to a website - without mentioning how much commission they'll receive. Or maybe you'll see someone advertising skills such as programming, writing or design, yet only provide photos of themselves rather than links to portfolio websites.
Or perhaps you'll hear someone claim to speak multiple languages fluently, yet fail to mention that their English is terrible. These kinds of deceptive tactics abound on the service. So beware of potential con artists looking to take advantage of others.
Another issue with Fiverr is its lack of privacy. Unlike other platforms that allow clients to contact you directly via email, text message or phone number, Fiverr requires you post messages publicly on the website for everyone to read. This means that employers can check your profile and apply to jobs privately using third party tools such as HireAHelper, Indeed, Glassdoor and SimplyHired.
It might seem counterintuitive to give out personal information on public forums, however doing so allows you to protect yourself against fraudsters. By posting details of your availability and hourly rate publicly, you create a barrier between you and strangers trying to scam you into giving them access to sensitive data. You should always keep your private info secure wherever possible.
In addition to having the abovementioned issues, Fiverr lacks basic features that every freelancer needs to run a successful career on their own terms. Most importantly, the ability to accept payments quickly and securely. The company uses PayPal which often takes days to process transactions, leaving you vulnerable to hackers. Other payment methods include Stripe and Authorize.net.
Also lacking is the option to set your own rates. While some users choose to charge whatever amount they feel comfortable with, this method usually leads to underpayment because a client could easily undercut you. Instead, try setting a price range based on past projects. This ensures both parties win by providing value to each other.
Finally, Fiverr does little to promote self branding and reputation management. Users must rely solely on their profiles to attract new customers, build trust and gain referrals. Even worse, after you complete a project, you won't receive feedback until weeks later. That gives your competitors ample opportunity to swoop in and snatch away your gig.
So, while the concept behind Fiverr sounds great on paper, the reality falls short. However, there is hope for aspiring entrepreneurs who seek legitimate ways to make money online. Read on to discover how to make good money on Fiverr...and avoid getting ripped off.
While seasoned professionals shouldn't bother applying, beginners certainly can start making money right away. All you need to do is follow two simple steps. First, fill out your profile page correctly so that potential clients can learn more about you. Second, create compelling offers that clearly explain why you deserve the job.
To improve your chances of landing gigs, network with other members. Join groups related to areas of expertise you wish to pursue. Also consider joining discussion boards and social networks dedicated to freelancers. Not only will these communities foster friendships, but they'll also serve as valuable resources for networking purposes.
Once you land that perfect gig, you'll still face a few challenges. Chief among them is finding repeat clients who appreciate your quality work. To increase the likelihood of future engagements, establish relationships with previous clients, ask them for references and share your knowledge regularly.
Be sure to maintain high standards throughout the course of a relationship. Don't settle for substandard work simply because you got lucky once. Be patient and persistent, and eventually word will spread around town about your talent.
Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming trends in your area of interest. Research similar fields and stay updated with industry news. Once you identify a gap in demand, jumpstart your entrepreneurial journey by learning more about your target audience.
Then, begin sharing content and gaining momentum. People will soon notice your presence and reach out to you for help. When that happens, treat prospective clients respectfully and professionally. Make certain to communicate well, deliver quality results and handle problems efficiently. After you master these three elements, it becomes easier and faster to land new projects.
Despite its flaws, Fiverr represents a potentially lucrative source of income for those willing to put in effort. With patience and perseverance, you'll undoubtedly succeed at turning your passion into profit. Now let me tell you my story...
Last year, I was working part-time as a retail manager when my friend introduced me to Fiverr. She had heard that it was a popular place for sellers to showcase their products and services, and suggested I sign up myself since she wasn't interested.
I didn't think twice about her advice. Why should I care what other people did? I was going to join anyway, so why waste my energy browsing Facebook and Instagram during downtime. Besides, I figured the whole thing sounded pretty harmless.
After signing up, I spent several months creating my account and filling out various sections of my profile. Then I began experimenting with different ideas for product offerings. Eventually, I settled on digital marketing and started promoting local businesses. My goal was to become proficient enough to charge higher fees whenever possible.
However, despite sending countless emails and applications over the following months, I couldn't snag any paying gigs. I tried charging lowball figures hoping to pick up odd side contracts, but none worked. Since I needed to support myself financially, I decided to stop wasting my time submitting bids.
Instead, I focused on growing my existing customer base. Through social media channels, I provided free consultations and promoted special deals. This strategy allowed me to steadily grow my brand while simultaneously increasing revenue.
By early next year, I became one of the fastest rising stars on the platform. Today, I'm ranked #1 out of nearly 100k freelancers worldwide.
At present, I'm able to generate roughly $10,000 per month through Fiverr alone. Granted, I haven't taken on any outside projects recently due to limited funds, but I plan to continue focusing exclusively on this platform moving forward.
I attribute my success largely to my unique approach towards entrepreneurship. Rather than expecting handouts, I took matters into my own hands. I researched topics relevant to my target audiences and developed comprehensive solutions. Consequently, I established strong bonds with my customers. They respected me and sought my assistance whenever they ran into trouble.
My secret weapon? A genuine desire to exceed expectations. Being authentic helped me connect with others on a deeper level. Because people perceived me as honest, trustworthy and reliable, they felt compelled to reciprocate that sentiment.
First, focus on your strengths. Avoid competing on price and bid competitively within your chosen category. Remember, you can always raise your rates later. Focus on delivering outstanding work, and watch your bank balance flourish.
Second, leverage your contacts. Approach family friends, colleagues and acquaintances with proposals and opportunities. Offer to consult on current projects or refer clients to trusted associates. Networking effectively helps strengthen ties that form the foundation of lasting partnerships.
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.