Fiverr Buyers Dictating Prices Is a Problem

If you take a look at the Fiverr Forums, you'll notice that there is a major problem for sellers: Fiverr buyers dictating prices. This isn't about negotiating, but about buyers just deciding that they don't want to pay a certain amount and will tell sellers what to charge instead.

Yes, there is a big different between negotiating and dictating.

Negotiating is a little annoying on Fiverr (as prices are already heavily discounted) but it's tolerable. There's no issue with buyers sharing they have a smaller budget than needed and finding a way to use that budget well. If you think the gig prices are a little too high, you can share your offer. But it doesn't mean a Fiverr seller is going to accept that rate.

Good negotiators won't throw a tantrum when they don't get their way. They will either accept the rate on offer or they will walk away politely and calmly.

However, there's a major issue with Fiverr buyers dictating prices. These buyers realize they don't need one thing on offer within a gig (X), so will state that they was something else instead (Y).

X doesn't always equal Y.

Seller set up packages and prices based on the time it will take them to do something. If they deem that something isn't worth their time for $5, then they will charge more for it. Generally speaking, if they don't offer something within their gigs then they may not be able to do it anyway.

If you want something that isn't on offer in a Fiverr gig then you need to ask the seller about it. Don't assume that it will replace something else that you don't want or need.

Likewise, don't think you can tell a Fiverr seller what they should be charging for their work. I had one Fiverr buyer recently tell me that he didn't think he should have to pay $30 for my services because he couldn't see how it would take that long.

My services aren't just based on the time it takes to complete. They're based on the time it's taken me to develop the skills and experiences to confidently offer the services. By the buyer telling me that, he made it clear that he didn't have any respect for the skill or my time. It instantly left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

Fiverr buyers dictating prices is a problem on the site and it is likely due to the discounted rates. Remember that your sellers are doing you a service. They're selling their time and skills to make your life easier, since you don't have the time or skill to do the work in the first place. Don't just jump straight into dictating Fiverr prices. You can consider negotiating, but that's a very different topic.

5 Types of Fiverr Gigs Writers Can Offer

Are you a writer wanting to start a Fiverr gig? Fiverr can be a good way to create a side business. You need to think carefully about the Fiverr gigs you’ll offer though. It’s easy to offer way too much compared to the price that you charge.

Things have changed a lot over the last couple of years on Fiverr. It’s not much easier to set up packages and get paid a fair rate with the set up. The difficulty is getting people to spend the money you deserve.

So, that’s why I’m here to offer some ideas for Fiverr gigs for writers. Here are five that will allow you to earn a good rate of return.

Offer Packages PLR Content

One popular type of gig on Fiverr is for PLR content. You can offer a package of 5-10 articles for $5-$10.

There are a few benefits to PLR gigs. The first is that the content is already written. All you have to do is send it off and your gig is completed within a couple of hours.

With the content being PLR, you can send the same sets of articles to multiple people. It’s up to you if you allow them to put their own bylines on the content or if you want your own. I suggest allowing them to add their own byline and give them the option to edit the content. That way you give them freedom and increase the chances of people buying your gig.

Make it clear just how many articles you have available. If you only have five, you won’t want people buying your Fiverr gigs a few times expecting multiple different articles or blog posts.

Creating a Writing Gig

PLR content can be hit and mix. My most popular Fiverr gig is my article and blog post gig. This is set up in a way to make it quick to write the content and keep the price worth my time.

I now offer 250-300 words of content for $5 and make sure that only the writing is needed. If people want images or keyword research, they will need to pay extra. I even stipulate that the title needs to be provided, as this can be a time-consuming part.

Watch out for the writing gigs. You will need to have a clear revision policy and stick to that. There are a few people who expect the world for just $5. I don’t have time for them!

Offer Editing/Proofreading Services with Your Fiverr Gigs

If you don’t want to write, you can offer to proofread or edit content. I’ve not found this type of gig as popular as others, but it doesn’t mean that it won’t work for you.

Editing is less time consuming than writing. However, many people won’t realize the differences between editing and proofreading. Make sure you share exactly what someone is getting in your Fiverr gig description.

You may want to prove what you can do. The best way is through a sample with some tracked changes.

Set Up a Gig for Rewriting

People don’t always want content freshly written. Some people will find content online that they want rewritten. This is my second most popular gig on the Fiverr site.

Set up some stipulations about the length of the content. I work with the original content length, rather than offering to reduce a 1,000 word piece into 300 words, for example. It makes it easier for the buyer to price.

This is a relatively quick gig, but you will need to make sure you’re good at rewriting. This isn’t about spinning but creating original content with a similar meaning.

Help Other Writers Get Started

This is something that I’m considering as a gig, on top of my Fiverr tips gig. I get a lot of new writers asking for tips and advice to get started. You could set up a gig specifically for them.

Bear in mind that most writers won’t want to spend money on getting advice. They want it all for free. The problem is that your time is valuable. I’m tempted just to set up a gig to send people to as a standard message to improve my response rate. It also gives others a call to action. Some will pay for the advice, knowing that it’s valuable and worth their money.

You will need to show why you’re worthwhile hiring for writing help. Give them a good reason to hire that gig.

Are you ready to set up Fiverr gigs for your writing? Keep them small and build your way up. There are so many ideas and the above five will just get you started.

When Should Fiverr Buyers Ask for Revisions?

Revisions are a pain for Fiverr sellers and many will do everything possible in the lead-up to delivering to avoid them. However, there are many times that a revision request is justified.

Unfortunately, there is a growing case of Fiverr buyers abusing the system. They continually ask for revisions to avoid paying or to get more work than stated in the gig description.

Of course, these bad news buyers are making many others question whether they are right in asking for a revision. So many are now asking when should Fiverr buyers ask for revisions? Here are XX times you should.

When the Work Hasn’t Followed Instructions

Some sellers fail to follow instructions. You have every right to expect that your instructions are followed, as long as they are within the parameters of the gig description. If they’re not, then the Fiverr seller should contact you and arrange something different that does fit into the gig description parameters.

If all was well and the seller didn’t follow the instructions or missed something out, by all means ask for a revision.

When the Seller Didn’t Provide Everything in the Gig Description

Fiverr sellers set their own gig descriptions. This details what they will provide for $5 and what comes in as extras. If a seller is unwilling or hasn’t provided everything in the gig description that you expected, you should ask for revisions until it meets that expectation.

Check the Revision Policy

Always check the revision policy on a gig description; most sellers have them now. This will tell you whether a seller accepts revisions for free or not. Some will charge because of the low price you are already getting work for. Some will charge when the fault is not their own (eg. If you’ve changed your instructions).

It’s worth checking the revision policy before you order. If you’re not willing to stick to that policy then find someone’s you will stick to.

What About Unlimited Revisions?

Some sellers do offer unlimited revisions. However, think about the time and effort that is going into your work. If you’re only paying $5, do you really expect five days of work? You may have very high expectations and should be paying premium prices for that.

That being said, if the work is not meeting your initial instructions—and they meet the gig description parameters—you can ask for revisions.

When Shouldn’t Fiverr Buyers Ask for Revisions?

First of all, you need to see if the revision policy states any reasons revisions won’t be honored.

Now there are certain times most sellers will not want to do free revisions:

• When there is a change in instructions. That means more work and it isn’t the seller’s fault.
• When you’re not willing to pay for an extra.
• When you keep sending work back out of personal taste. Many gigs are subjective so please keep that in mind. Just because you don’t like a piece of artwork (for example) doesn’t mean it isn’t good.

Now you know when Fiverr buyers should ask for revisions and when they shouldn’t. Hopefully this will help you in communications with your seller.

Fiverr Just Isn’t a Fiver Anymore: The Truth About Creating Fiverr Gigs

Image: Pixabay

“Fiverr isn’t a fiver anymore.”

That’s something that I’ve heard a few people complaining about. In most cases it is just from people who don’t really understand the truth behind creating Fiverr gigs and how to utilize extras. In a minority of cases it is people who just want the world for $5.

It’s worth understanding the idea behind the gig economy and all about the set up of extras. At the same time, I want to clarify something about the Fiverr setup.

Why Is Fiverr Called Fiverr?

Many people get the idea that Fiverr is for those who want something for just $5. Yes, there are gigs available for $5. In fact, everyone must have something that starts at $5 and be willing to do something for that one gig.

In the majority of cases, it will cost more to get more.

Fiverr is from $5. That is where the name comes from. When I joined the site three years ago, there were no gig extras or the ability to buy multiple gigs at the same time. People had to buy individual gigs to add up to the amount required. Now it is much easier.

What Will You Do for $5?

The art of creating Fiverr gigs comes from deciding what you will do for $5. Don’t worry about others right now. What are you willing to do?

When I started, I was willing to offer 500 words of original content for $5. That decreased over time and is at 400 words right now. From September it will be 350 words of original content for $5. Those who want more words, will need to pay extra.

It really depends on what you offer, but you need to think about the time it takes and any outgoing costs you have.

Build It Up From There

Once you have your base gig—the thing you will do for $5—you can build it up from there.

As an article writer, I decided I’d offer my time to search for a creative commons image and help with keyword research. Those tasks come at an extra cost because they take me more time to do.

Again, it depends on what you offer but have a good think about it. At first you won’t have access to the gig extras, but that doesn’t mean you can’t offer something. Add it to your gig description with a price breakdown. When you get access to extras (from Level One), you can then use them to add in your offers.

Fiverr Buyers: Don’t Expect Everything for a Fiver

Just because the site is called Fiverr doesn’t mean everything will cost just $5. The gigs are fromi $5, so you may need to spend more.

Think about the type of work you’re asking someone to do, and the time that it will take. With it being a multinational site, there will be people offering more for less. This isn’t always a good thing, but they may be perfect for your needs. It’s worth reading their descriptions, looking at samples and feedback and placing a test order.

Don’t expect hours of work for just $5. It’s not fair on the person doing the work! Would you work for that little?

“Fiverr isn’t a fiver anymore...”

It’s time to get that thought out of your head. It never was a fiver, but it has changed a little over the last 18 months or so. The site is growing and you may need to spend more.

Copyright Alexandria Ingham, 2014. All rights reserved.

Think About the Number of Orders In the Queue Before You Order from a Fiverr Seller

There will be people ahead of you in the queue. Image: ThinkStock

You want to order from a Fiverr seller. One of the first things you possibly check is the number of orders in the queue. It looks low, so you think that ordering your 20 gig order is perfectly fine.

There are many buyers who will ignore a request to contact a Fiverr seller before ordering in bulk. Some just don’t consider a large number of gigs being a problem.

It’s really important to think about the number of orders in the queue before you order. Don’t just look at the number on the page. It’s worth contacting the seller. That lone number on the page doesn’t tell you everything.

Those Orders Could Be Bulk

One limitation is that it doesn’t show the size of the orders placed. Those who have bought multiples or gig extras within one order will only appear as one order. A Fiverr seller could just show five orders in his queue, but each of those has 20 individual gigs within the order.

That’s 100 orders!

Yes, that’s excessive but it is certainly possible. Do you really want to add your 20 to that queue? Not only is the seller under pressure, but there is the risk of not getting the quality that you want.

Sellers Like to Split Out Their Delivery Times

If you want to place a large order, the seller might want to space it out. I know if someone wants to place 10 articles with me, I ask that the orders are placed in two sets of five over the course of two days.

There is a major limitation with Fiverr. Bulk orders in the real world would take longer to complete. In Fiverr land, sellers are expected to deliver bulk orders within the same time frame.

If five buyers came a long and ordered 20 gigs at a time, that would be 100 orders that the Fiverr seller has to deliver within that time. The number of orders in the queue isn’t telling you that!

This Will Not Be the Seller’s Only Job

Bear in mind that Fiverr sellers work other places. Some people are still at school, while others work full-time and do Fiverr on the side. Some Fiverr sellers work on other sites as well and need to so they can pay the bills.

Even if the number of orders in the queue looks low, the sellers may have restrictions in place on number of orders at a time. It’s always important to contact and ask about this.

Getting Ahead in the Queue

If you don’t want to wait, there are usually ways of getting in front of the queue. Most sellers will have an extra fast option, which you can order and automatically jump ahead.

If the seller doesn’t have this option—some sellers won’t want to put it up due to other limitations—then you can contact him. Find out how much it will cost to jump ahead. Never expect to get it for free!

Now you know about the limitations on the number of orders in the queue, it’s time to contact your seller. Find out how many orders he can handle at once and whether you need to order over different time periods. This will really help to get the work that you deserve.

Copyright Alexandria Ingham, 2014. All rights reserved.

Fiverr Tips to Get More Orders

If you’re struggling to get orders on Fiverr at the moment, you won’t be the only one. The number of orders I receive per day has decreased, so I’m looking into ways to get more orders.

Don't just sit in frustration.

This happens every now and then. Part of it will be the summer months, but some of it is also to do with the new star rating system. Fiverr sellers are annoyed and Fiverr buyers are just confused. People are watching and waiting to see just how much damage it is going to do.

Whenever orders drop, I up my marketing. And I suggest you do too to get more orders. Here are my Fiverr tips to get more orders.

Promote Your Fiverr Gig on Social Media

Spend some time sharing your gig on social media. You could share it with your friends, or find groups for those looking for people within your industry. It’s also worth sharing it on your Twitter feed and Facebook page.

Some people have Twitter and Facebook feeds set up just for their Fiverr gigs. I don’t do that as I already manage two of both, but that’s not to say you shouldn’t. Work out what works best for your marketing.

When you promote your Fiverr gigs on social media, use the hashtag #Fiverr. People often use that to search for gigs on the site. You could also tag Fiverr into your post and they may share it with others to improve your reach.

Improve Your Gig Description and Tags

Now is the time to make some changes to your gig descriptions and tags. It could be these that are putting people off from buying, or making it difficult for them to find you!

Spend some time sprucing up the copy and make your gig sound amazing for people. Something that they must have right now. If you create that sense of urgency, they’re more likely to buy right at this moment in time.

Not sure what to do about your gig descriptions, I offer Fiverr tips to help with just that. Please check out my gig offering help to improve Fiverr gigs.

Think About New Gigs to Sell

It could be that your area is over saturated now. It’s time to start looking at other gig ideas, and think about other things that you can offer.

Maybe you’re creative and want to start doing something with that on the site. Maybe you have a chalkboard that you can put to some use for signs. Take a look around the site to see the type of things that are selling, and then get creative with your own Fiverr gig ideas.

Use the Forum More

Get onto the Fiverr forum and use it to your advantage. First of all, there’s a section for promoting your Fiverr gigs. Add in a thread and bump it up now and then to make sure people see it.

Second of all, just answering questions and starting discussions will get yourself noticed more. If you’re helpful, people could come by and buy your gig just as a thank you. If you start interesting discussions, they will come along to check out your gigs to see if they need your services.

It’s not always the case that people don’t want to buy. It’s often the case that they just don’t know you exist.

While you have some downtime, put the above Fiverr tips into use. It’s time to get more orders on the site, but only you can improve the chances of that happening.

Copyright  Alexandria Ingham, 2014. All rights reserved.