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Knowing how to succeed on Fiverr is essential since so much competition exists on the platform. As a successful Fiverr seller who has conducted extensive research about how to master this marketplace, I can help you.
To succeed on Fiverr, it’s crucial to understand the platform’s algorithm so buyers can find your gig. Other keys to success include niching down with your service, consistently delivering on time, communicating clearly with clients, and understanding your gig analytics.
In this article, I’ll give you tried-and-true tips for creating algorithm-friendly gigs so you’ll rank well in the Fiverr search results. Then I’ll show you how to impress buyers so they become repeat customers.
41 Tips to Help You Succeed on Fiverr
Becoming successful on Fiverr has a particular advantage over most other freelance platforms like Upwork and Freelancer.
Why?
Because you don’t have to spend time carefully crafting proposals for every job you want.
The clients on Fiverr will come to you if they’re interested.
Throughout this article, I’ll use proofreading as an example to illustrate points since I’m a proofreader.
I hope these suggestions help you achieve success as fast as possible.
Let’s get started!
To create a gig on Fiverr, you need to fill out five sections:
- Overview (come up with a gig title, search tags, and other relevant data)
- Pricing (briefly define the scope of each package, and assign prices)
- Description and FAQ (describe your gig, and use FAQ for clarification)
- Requirements (tell your buyers what you need to complete the job)
- Gallery (post a video or image for your gig thumbnail; you can also include work samples)
We’ll go section by section to discover valuable tips for each step of your gig development.
OVERVIEW
1) Analyze the gigs on the first page of search results for your service.
Before creating your gig, examine the gigs that made it onto the first page of results for whatever service you provide. Focus on the ones with lots of five-star reviews, and ask yourself the following questions:
- Do these gigs have something in common?
- What keywords are used in the title, search tags, and description?
- What does the gig description convey to the buyer?
- Apart from offering quality service at a fair price, why are these gigs so popular?
Looking closely at those gigs will give you ideas and help you know what elements to include in your gig to have success.
2) Use a primary keyword in your title, search tags, and description.
Think about what word or words a buyer would type into the search bar to find your gig. That word (or those words) will be your primary keyword.
For example, if you’re a proofreader, make sure the word proofread, proofreader, or proofreading appears somewhere in your title.
Also, be sure to include the primary keyword as one of your search tags.
Finally, use that keyword in a natural, conversational way several times (three is a good number to shoot for) within the first couple of paragraphs of your gig description.
If it sounds unnatural, it will turn off your clients; even worse, Fiverr may penalize you. Avoid keyword stuffing!
This tip is effective since the Fiverr algorithm looks at relevancy.
Using this keyword throughout your gig shows Fiverr that your gig is relevant since it matches the searcher’s (your buyer’s) intent.
3) Use secondary keywords in your search tags and description.
Secondary keywords are words related to your gig.
Having three to four secondary keywords is a good rule of thumb.
A great way to find these secondary keywords is to type your primary keyword into Fiverr’s search bar.
Directly below the search bar, you’ll see that Fiverr has generated a vertical list of words related to my primary keyword: proofread. These are words that people are searching for in relation to your gig, so these make great secondary keywords!
Another way to come up with relevant secondary keywords is to look at the “suggested” words that Fiverr generates. These will appear in a horizontal row underneath the search bar. I usually choose these suggested words as my secondary keywords.
Sometimes these suggested words are variations of your primary keyword. For example, if proofread is my primary keyword, proofreading and proofreader may come up as suggested terms.
These variations are super secondary keywords.
Include each of your secondary keywords once or twice throughout your gig description.
Also, use these secondary keywords as your search tags. Fiverr allows you to have five search tags for each of your gigs. One of your tags should be your primary keyword, and the other four should be your secondary keywords.
Use all five tags to give the Fiverr algorithm as much relevant data as possible.
4) Consider using one or more secondary keywords in your title.
Whether or not you do this depends on how far you want to niche down in your gig. For example, the title for one of my gigs reads as follows:
“I will professionally proofread and copy edit your document.”
This is a broad title since I’ve only included my primary keyword: proofread. This gig is for proofreading any kind of document.
Here’s the title of one of my other gigs:
“I will professionally proofread your college admissions essay.”
I limit this gig to proofreading college admissions essays.
In this gig, proofread is my primary keyword, and college admissions and essay are two of my secondary keywords.
Although the more general gig has been far more successful in attracting buyers, I joined Fiverr earlier when there was less competition. It may be more beneficial now to niche down.
PRICING
5) Set good prices so you can compete with other sellers.
When you start selling on Fiverr, especially if you lack experience, you need to set your prices low to have a competitive advantage over other freelancers.
Fiverr has become competitive, so neglecting this tip will likely result in little to no sales.
Although I’m not a fan of anyone working for less than what their service is worth, it’s a necessary evil to get your foot in the door.
If you’re relatively new to your craft, think of your initial gigs as a low-paying internship and a chance to hone your skills.
If you’re more experienced, you’ll still need to set your prices low, but maybe not quite as low. You can think of your first sales as a chance to make someone’s day. 😊
Finally, if you do a good job, some customers will recognize that you’ve given them a great price and will leave you a tip.
You can increase your prices after you’ve made some sales.
6) Offer more than one package for each gig.
You have the opportunity to offer three distinct packages within each gig.
With each successive package, you can give the buyer more value and charge a higher price.
Doing this can attract a broader range of clients. It also gives customers more options.
For example, as a proofreader, all three of my packages allow the buyer to submit a text of up to 500 words. However, the first package provides proofreading, the second offers copyediting, and the third is for heavy copyediting.
Even if you’re offering just one specific service, you can tweak your gig to give the client additional value with each package.
7) Be careful with offering unlimited revisions.
Offering your clients revisions can help ensure they’re satisfied with your work.
However, offering unlimited revisions allows buyers to take advantage of you by continuing to ask for additional work.
8) Offer a $5 gig and a one-day delivery if possible.
Buyers can narrow their search for a service by several factors.
Two of those factors are price and delivery time. Many clients search for the cheapest and fastest service possible.
You’ll appear in more search results by including a $5 gig and a one-day delivery.
For proofreaders, offering a $5 service is simple. Decide how many words you’ll proofread for five bucks, and bam! You’ve got an offer that’s true to the name Fiverr.
If you don’t have time to offer a one-day delivery during the week, you can change your gig to provide this service on the weekend. But make sure to switch back to the regular delivery time when necessary.
Also, it’s best not to charge extra for the one-day delivery in the beginning.
DESCRIPTION AND FAQ
9) Write a thorough gig description and use text features.
Although your description needs to be concise, it should also be complete.
Aim to write a keyword-rich description that’s as close to the allowed character count as possible. That way, the Fiverr search engine has more relevant keywords to consider.
I suggest using bold text and highlighter to emphasize important points—but don’t overdo it.
I once overdid it with the bolding and highlighting, and my gig descriptions looked like a bumblebee. Thankfully, writing this article reminded me of what not to do! 😉
You can also use bulleted and numbered lists to make your description easy to skim.
10) Offer something unique or share something about yourself.
I know it can be challenging to develop something unique on Fiverr since it seems like you can find every service under the sun. However, if you can offer a service from a distinct point of view, solve a problem in a more cost-effective way, or provide a unique gig extra, go for it!
If not, you can reserve a line in your gig description to share something interesting about yourself.
For example, I let people know I enjoy being in nature, picking four-leaf clovers, and practicing yoga. One of my projects involved working on a book about yoga. I attracted that client based on a shared interest.
11) Clearly define what you do and don’t do.
When writing your gig description, it’s essential to precisely describe what you do and do not offer.
Making your description crystal clear will help you attract the right customers and avoid unnecessary cancellations.
Avoiding cancellations can help you level up as a seller.
12) Don’t promise anything you can’t deliver.
No matter what service you offer, be sure you can always do what you say you’ll do.
I’ve seen proofreaders on Fiverr who claim they’ll be returning an error-free document to the buyer.
However, we know that a perfect proofreader doesn’t exist. Proofreaders are human beings who aren’t immune to making mistakes.
Claiming perfection and not delivering on your promise will undermine your credibility.
13) Focus on what you can do for the buyers when writing the gig description.
Your buyer will want to know about your training, qualifications, experience, and why they should hire you over some other seller. So you’ll want to include that information in your description.
Most importantly, the client will want to know what’s in it for them. How can you help them?
For example, if you’re a proofreader, let them know (in your own words) that errors in their writing can annoy readers, detract from their message, and even cause people to question their authority. With your help, their writing will come across as professional and polished.
14) Empathize with your buyers to be more successful.
One way to do this is to cater to their pain points by letting them know you understand where they’re coming from.
Another way, if it’s relevant for your gig, is to assure the buyer that their work is in good hands.
For example, I try to convey to potential buyers that I recognize the hard work they put into their writing, so I’ll do my best to make it shine.
Understanding each customer’s point of view will help them trust you.
15) If you love what you do on Fiverr—say so!
The description or the FAQ section are perfect places to persuade potential clients that you’re passionate about your work. You want to get better at something when you’re passionate about it. Therefore, you tend to be successful at what you do.
We know that customers can’t read our minds and that not everyone enjoys their job or side hustle.
Be explicit about your passion for what you offer as a Fiverr seller.
That kind of passion is attractive!
16) Consider including a “past projects” section in your gig description.
In my gig description for proofreading any kind of document, I mention the types of texts I have experience with (e.g., résumés, blog posts, books).
By doing this, I can naturally include several relevant keywords customers may search for.
Fiverr will be more likely to show my gig whenever a buyer needs to have one of these kinds of documents proofread.
If you don’t have any past projects under your belt, don’t worry. You can include this as part of your description later.
Just remember to update it as you gain experience.
17) Use the FAQ to your advantage.
Using the FAQ shows that you’re helpful and have the buyer in mind.
I don’t recommend putting essential info in the FAQ since some buyers won’t read it. But it’s a great place to clarify an aspect of your gig, provide details, and answer common customer questions.
For example, my clients want to know that I don’t outsource my work and that I use more than just proofreading software when polishing their writing.
Customers will appreciate it if you can answer their questions and reassure them.
18) Avoid spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
Although this is crucial for proofreaders, it’s important for everyone who creates a gig on Fiverr.
You want your gig to look polished and professional—just like you!
A gig description riddled with errors will be a red flag to any buyer.
Who wants to purchase a service from someone who couldn’t be bothered to write their gig copy carefully?
A buyer will likely assume you’ll be equally careless while performing your service.
If you’re not a native English speaker, buyers will be much more forgiving of oversights in your gig writing. However, having your description as refined as possible is still ideal.
The free version of Grammarly can help you catch basic grammar and spelling errors.
REQUIREMENTS
19) Be specific with your gig requirements.
The requirements section is your last chance to remind buyers what you do or don’t accept so you can avoid unnecessary cancellations.
For example, one part of my requirements section states, “Please upload a Word document (no PDFs or Google Docs), and let me know if you prefer US or UK English.”
The buyer then has to attach a document before placing their order.
Ask for everything you need to get the job done well.
GALLERY
20) Make a video for your gig thumbnail.
Since few Fiverr sellers take advantage of adding a video to their gig, including one is a fantastic way to stand out!
Creating a video allows you to connect with buyers, significantly increasing the chances of someone purchasing your services.
You can make a video with your smartphone. Watch other Fiverr sellers’ videos to get an idea of what to include.
When making your video, use natural lighting and set your smartphone to the highest resolution possible. Keep it professional, friendly, and to the point.
I recommend having a call to action at the end.
You can encourage potential buyers to place an order or ask them to contact you.
If being on camera isn’t your thing, you can hire someone on Fiverr to make an animated video. Provide them with the script and any additional info they ask for so they can make the best video possible.
“Our research shows that adding a brief, high-quality video to your gig can increase your orders by over 200%.”
– Fiverr
21) If you don’t make a video for your gig thumbnail, use a photo of yourself.
If you opt out of having a video, the next best thing is to display a high-resolution photo of yourself.
Your picture is another way to connect with buyers: people want to know who they’re working with.
You can use a graphic design program like Canva (free and easy to use) to create a visually appealing thumbnail with your photo in the foreground.
If you’re short on time, need extra help, or want an eye-catching thumbnail, Fiverr is a prime place to pay someone $5–$10 to create this.
“To add credibility to your gig, we recommend including a photo of yourself in your gig image.”
– Fiverr
22) Say cheese! (It’s good for business!)
Smiling in your photo makes you look friendly and approachable. 😊
Would you want to place an order with a Fiverr seller who looks like they’re not happy to be there?
According to an article in Reader’s Digest, New York University performed a meta-analysis that showed we perceive people who smile in photographs as trustworthy.
Establishing trustworthiness with buyers is crucial.
23) Offer more than one gig by niching down.
Since you can create multiple gigs—even as a new seller—you may want to make one with a general scope and another (or several others) with a narrow scope.
The reason to offer multiple gigs is to create more opportunities for sales.
Having a gig that covers a broad spectrum (like my proofreading and copyediting gig for all documents) will have a higher number of buyers but more competition.
A gig with a limited scope (e.g., proofreading only college admissions essays) will have fewer buyers but less competition.
The lower the competition, the better the chance of standing out to people searching for keywords related to your gig.
You’ll have a significant advantage if you can identify an underserved niche that aligns with your skill set. But if you can’t, the only way to know if a gig will sell well is to create it and see what happens.
The process of trial and error is critical for success.
Building up your most popular gig is a strategy you should consider. Each positive review for a gig is like a vote in your favor.
Buyers don’t just look for services with high ratings; they look for services with numerous high ratings.
Would you rather buy from a seller who has a five-star rating and 10 reviews or a seller with a five-star rating and 100 reviews?
Now that you know how to create a successful gig, let’s look at helpful tips for acquiring your first buyers, turning those buyers into repeat customers, and having a smooth experience on the platform.
24) Read and follow Fiverr’s terms of service (TOS).
Being familiar with Fiverr’s TOS will afford you a positive experience.
If you violate the TOS, Fiverr may permanently ban your account—not good!
As a Fiverr seller, you’re responsible for knowing these terms. Some people have been banned from Fiverr because they weren’t aware of the TOS.
For example, asking a client for direct payment will likely result in your account being permanently closed.
25) Promote your Fiverr gigs on social media.
If you’re having trouble getting traffic to your gigs, get more exposure by promoting them on social media sites that allow advertising.
Marketing your services is an excellent way to increase your chances of success.
26) Take advantage of buyer requests.
Most Fiverr customers handpick the seller they want to work with. However, some buyers prefer to post a job offer and have sellers send them proposals. This is known as a buyer request.
Sellers can respond to 10 buyer requests daily. Some service categories have far more buyer requests to choose from than others.
If you’re a new seller, responding to these requests is a proactive way to obtain more work.
Make sure you understand exactly what the job involves before submitting an offer.
And if you want to take on the project a client has posted, try to be one of the first sellers to respond, and tailor your proposal to the specific assignment.
27) Keep an eye on your gig analytics.
Gig analytics help you see where you can improve. The metrics track the number of impressions, clicks, and orders your gig receives.
An impression is when someone sees your gig thumbnail while scrolling through services.
A click is when someone clicks your thumbnail to learn more about your offer.
Here are some troubleshooting tips if certain gig analytics are subpar.
- If impressions are low, make sure your gig title, description, and tags include relevant keywords.
Do your tags match what people are currently searching for? Use the advice from tip number three to find relevant keywords.
- If you’re not getting many clicks, tweak your gig thumbnail to ensure it stands out and looks professional.
Using appealing color combinations can increase the chances of getting more clicks. Adding a video or using a picture of yourself (if you haven’t already) could also help.
- If you’re getting clicks but people aren’t ordering your gig, work on optimizing your gig description.
Make sure your buyers understand the value you provide.
After making changes, monitor your analytics for about a week to see if they improve.
If you don’t see progress, tweak again where needed. Then watch your analytics—trial and error once again.
Note: Fiverr provides an amusing gig analytic called “world domination,” which is measured by a percentage.
It’s fun to see where your customers come from, and it can be helpful information for marketing purposes. If you hover your cursor over each country where you’ve made sales, Fiverr will show you the total sales for that country.
The little turquoise pin shows the country where you’ve made the most sales.
28) Be on the Fiverr platform as much as possible.
When buyers search, they can narrow it to include only online sellers.
Customers often look for online sellers because they need work done quickly.
Therefore, being online frequently means appearing in more search results and potentially getting more work. Definitely a plus! 😊
29) Respond to buyers as fast as possible.
Your profile displays how long you typically take to respond to a client.
Customers are more likely to contact you if they think you’ll be able to get back to them soon.
Also, responding quickly increases your chances of getting the job. If you don’t reply quickly, the client may hire another seller.
Having the Fiverr mobile app is a fantastic way to respond to customers no matter where you are.
30) Maintain a high response rate.
Try to respond to every client who sends you a message inquiring about your services. Aim to be friendly and helpful.
The percentage of messages you respond to is known as your response rate.
It’s one of the factors that determines your seller level, so try to keep this rate high. I’ve had clients I couldn’t help at the time return later since we had established a solid connection.
31) Communicate with your customers.
After someone places an order, get back to them as soon as possible to thank them for their order and let them know you have everything you need to complete the assignment.
If you have a project that will take longer than a few days to complete, check in with your client to let them know it’s going well.
Customers appreciate quick updates.
32) Be mindful of your written communication with buyers.
I mention this tip especially for writers, editors, and proofreaders.
However, it’s always favorable to communicate politely and clearly, no matter what services you offer.
Eliminating grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes in your messages to clients makes you look more competent.
Grammarly has a free browser extension for Macs and PCs that helps you eliminate errors when communicating on the platform.
33) Deliver all your orders on time.
Failing to deliver a project on time gives the buyer the option to cancel the order, automatically resulting in a one-star rating for that project.
A one-star rating can be detrimental to your overall rating.
For example, let’s say you have 10 ratings as a seller, all of which are five stars. If your next customer were to leave you a one-star rating, your overall rating would drop from 5.0 to 4.6.
34) Better yet, deliver ahead of schedule.
If you want to impress your Fiverr customers, return the work to them quickly.
Of course, it’s critical to deliver high-quality work.
But clients love a speedy delivery!
35) Try not to cancel any orders.
Although a cancellation is sometimes inevitable, try not to cancel an order if another solution is available.
If you find yourself needing to cancel multiple orders, make sure your gig description clearly defines what you do and don’t offer. Also, ensure clients know exactly what you need from them when they place an order.
Another option is to kindly ask the client to contact you before placing an order.
I now do this with all my services since assigning an accurate price is easier after seeing the document I’ll work on.
36) Go above and beyond for your first batch of customers.
In the beginning (more than ever), you need to impress your clients. You want to be sure you’ll get a five-star rating from each of them.
The best way to do this is to under promise and over deliver.
You’ll likely already be doing this since your prices will be low initially.
When I started offering proofreading gigs, I provided low prices and offered my clients explanations for some of the suggested changes I made to their documents.
These explanations showed that I knew what I was doing, which helped clients trust me.
37) Invite good clients back.
If you’ve had a positive experience with a buyer and would like to hear from them again—tell them.
Almost every time I deliver a document to a client, I invite them to collaborate with me again by saying, “I would love to work with you again in the future if the opportunity presents itself.”
Everyone likes to be appreciated. I genuinely appreciate my customers, so I let them know.
I’m fortunate to have met many wonderful people through the services I offer on Fiverr.
38) Respond to the reviews left by customers.
Responding to good reviews lets customers see that you’re communicative, and responding to any bad ones can be a chance to show your maturity and professionalism.
39) Apply for Fiverr pro status if you have what it takes.
Fiverr offers the distinction of being a “pro” to just 1% of all applicants.
Although it’s incredibly competitive, it could be worth a shot if you have a lot of experience and can offer clients exceptional service.
This distinction also increases your earning potential significantly.
40) Have realistic expectations of the platform.
Getting that first order on any freelance platform is challenging, so realize it can be a waiting game.
But with a strong profile and a bit of luck, someone will eventually give you a chance if freelancing on Fiverr is your fate.
41) Take the free Fiverr course designed to help you be a successful seller.
Fiver offers a course called Online Freelancing Essentials: Be A Successful Fiverr Seller.
I took this class and found it helpful. After completing the course, you’ll receive a green badge (like the one above) on your profile. If you want further insights on achieving Fiverr success, why not take a course directly from the source?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it hard to succeed on Fiverr?
Due to stiff competition, it can be hard to succeed on Fiverr, especially in the beginning. Fiverr is a popular platform among freelancers because it markets their services to a broad audience.
Getting your first few clients is undoubtedly the most challenging part. To acquire customers, you need to understand how to satisfy the platform’s algorithm so your gigs will be visible to potential buyers.
Can you realistically make money on Fiverr?
Yes, you can realistically make money on Fiverr. Earning money becomes easier once you’ve gotten a few positive reviews. How much you make depends on several factors, including what services you offer and how much time you dedicate to the platform.
Other elements that determine how much money you can make include the following:
- the visibility of your gigs to your target audience
- the overall demand for what you offer
- the competition among other sellers for the gigs you provide
- the quality of your work
- your ability to acquire repeat customers
How much does Fiverr take from sellers?
Fiverr takes 20% of your earnings in exchange for marketing your services and processing payments. They also take 20% of the tips you receive to prevent people from abusing the platform.
Let’s see how much you’ll earn after Fiverr takes their cut.
How Much You Earn after Fiverr Takes 20%
| What You Charge | What You Earn |
|---|---|
| $5 | $4 |
| $10 | $8 |
| $15 | $12 |
| $20 | $16 |
| $25 | $20 |
| $50 | $40 |
| $75 | $60 |
| $100 | $80 |
| $200 | $160 |
| $300 | $240 |
| $400 | $320 |
| $500 | $400 |
I hope the tips in this article help you become a successful Fiverr seller!
If you happen to be a proofreader, I penned a post about how to get proofreading customers if you’d like to learn more.
Best wishes to you!
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.“
– Seneca
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