{"id":1344,"date":"2022-05-22T13:31:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-22T03:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mariuswrites.com\/?p=1344"},"modified":"2023-10-23T16:11:49","modified_gmt":"2023-10-23T06:11:49","slug":"i-made-some-writing-coin-on-fiverr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mariuswrites.com\/i-made-some-writing-coin-on-fiverr\/","title":{"rendered":"How I got started on Fiverr doing &#8216;everything wrong&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Since 2021 I&#8217;ve written thousands of words and actually ended up making a bit of money off my writing, other than what <a href=\"https:\/\/mariuswrites.com\/about-marius-berg\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"113\">The Man<\/a> is paying me.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As far as my goal of pumping out novels goes, it&#8217;s been the wrong kind of writing. But I&#8217;m not complaining. Not much anyway! \ud83d\ude0a<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_4aadc4-72:not(.this-class-is-for-specificity):not(.class-is-for-specificity){margin-top:20px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:40px;margin-left:0px;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_4aadc4-72 .kb-table-of-content-wrap{padding-top:20px;padding-right:20px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:20px;border-top:6px solid currentColor;border-bottom:6px solid currentColor;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_4aadc4-72 .kb-table-of-contents-title-wrap{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_4aadc4-72 .kb-table-of-contents-title-wrap{color:#000000;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_4aadc4-72 .kb-table-of-contents-title{color:#000000;font-size:2em;font-family:'Cabin Sketch';font-weight:400;font-style:normal;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_4aadc4-72 .kb-table-of-content-wrap .kb-table-of-content-list{font-family:Cabin;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;margin-top:20px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_4aadc4-72 .kb-table-of-content-wrap{border-top:6px solid currentColor;border-bottom:6px solid currentColor;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_4aadc4-72 .kb-table-of-content-wrap{border-top:6px solid currentColor;border-bottom:6px solid currentColor;}}<\/style>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">High Fiverr<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At the start of 2021, I put up a couple of gigs on Fiverr to write photography and technology content. Not your salesy copywriting kind of stuff, but proper decent articles and blog content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I spent hours putting together the gigs, designing thumbnails, writing <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/fiverr.com\/pixamoo\">my Fiverr profile<\/a><\/strong>, deciding on pricing, putting together FAQs and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then I hit the big, green publish button and&#8230; Drumroll&#8230; Nothing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a couple of months, nothing happened. I started to forget about Fiverr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then one morning, while I was out sailing, there was an unfamiliar sound from my phone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Somebody on Fiverr wanted&#8230; To send me a file. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Probably one that was full of malware, because about one minute later the message disappeared into oblivion, as if it had never been right there on my phone screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another month passed, then that same, somewhat unfamiliar sound from my phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another malware file?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No&#8230; Somebody wanted me to write an article about a photography competition for a very well-known photography blog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A scam for sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So I did what every vigilant Fiverr wannabe does (at least what I think they should, in my jaded, cynical mind): I unleashed the cyberhounds to dig up information on this guy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In other words, I googled him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And sure enough, there was nothing that seemed to connect him to said really big photography website. So I did the next best thing: I asked him where he fit in with that website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Turns out my spidey senses got all tingly over nothing, as he was in fact the owner of an agency that provides sponsored content to various big-name websites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I took on the job, and a couple of weeks later the post I wrote was online <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterbug.com\/content\/enter-now-time-season-photo-contest\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">on said website<\/a>, with the byline of&#8230; &#8220;Sponsored&#8221;. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The joys of ghost writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whatever I did, the client was happy, and a year later I had written 19 posts for him, which were <a href=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/2021\/04\/29\/spring-photography-gear-guide-6-perfect-gifts-to-suit-every-budget\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">published<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterbug.com\/content\/instant-savings-save-150-slik-carbon-fiber-tripods-and-select-professional-ball-heads\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">under<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterbug.com\/content\/portable-storage-solution-made-adventure\">various<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterbug.com\/content\/here-are-amazing-winners-shutterbugs-summer-time-season-photo-contest\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">bylines<\/a> on two big-name photography websites and another <a href=\"https:\/\/creatorsnetwork.co\/add-some-color-to-your-black-friday-with-this-special-datacolor-deal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">big<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/creatorsnetwork.co\/rugged-storage-for-relentless-creatives\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">website<\/a> for creatives and content creators. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;ve had the pleasure of writing photography content for three other clients as well, and have dipped my toes writing copy for a legal industry recruitment firm and various software outfits, and even a very large communications agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And importantly, I&#8217;ve been able to net some $$$$ (that&#8217;s in the mid-four digits) from my writing, other than from The Man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mid-four digits in a year isn&#8217;t all that impressive compared with what some Fiverr freelancers pull in. But I&#8217;m happy, as I wouldn&#8217;t have had those four digits otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1344_d7e0f3-22, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1344_d7e0f3-22[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1344_d7e0f3-22\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1344_d7e0f3-22 mark, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1344_d7e0f3-22[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1344_d7e0f3-22\"] mark{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading1344_d7e0f3-22 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1344_d7e0f3-22\">How I made money writing on Fiverr<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Please don&#8217;t try this at home, kids&#8230; <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The way I went about making money from my writing on Fiverr is completely contrary to almost every recommended method out there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Long story short, conventional wisdom dictates you should set your prices super low to the point where you&#8217;re working for almost free. The idea is that nobody is going to take a chance on you if you are a newbie freelancer with no reviews and no portfolio to show for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After you&#8217;ve worked almost for free and netted a few good reviews, you should start slowly increasing your prices to what your services are actually worth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And what did I do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I published two gigs offering writing services in the niches of photography and technology. But instead of selling my services for $5 (the minimum price you can set), I started out offering 700 words for $65.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fiverr-res.cloudinary.com\/images\/t_main1,q_auto,f_auto,q_auto,f_auto\/gigs\/190003292\/original\/b3f3c3c1c098022dc896b4142581680a13e5e387\/ghostwrite-a-quality-post-for-your-photography-website.png?w=1080&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"My first Fiverr gig\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">My first Fiverr gig<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My theory is you should set your prices at what you believe you&#8217;re worth and then put together a kick-butt profile to convince your clients you&#8217;re the right person for the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Was I worried about missing out on lots of jobs by setting my prices too high?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No&#8230; Because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>I set my prices at what a junior copywriter in the US should normally be able to charge (nevermind I&#8217;m based in Australia, where copywriters charge wayyy more). Fiverr seems to have more potential clients from the US than anywhere else, so I figured this was a fair rate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I&#8217;d much rather do one job and deal with one client for $65 rather than doing 13 jobs for 13 clients at $5 each. Just imagine the administrative overhead of that!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Oh, and my intuition told me that by setting my prices higher than your average upstart Fiverr writer, I&#8217;d avoid most PITA (Pain In The bAckside) clients who are looking for 3000 words of god-level quality content for $5 with unlimited rounds of revisions and rewrites and constantly changing requirements. (Hey, I did say I have a jaded, cynical mind &#8211; at least when it comes to freelancing.) \ud83d\ude01<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>And look&#8230; It actually seems to be working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With 34 orders under my belt and now as a verified Fiverr Pro copywriter, the clients I have worked with have been nothing short of fantastic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every single one of them has provided clear requirements and been quick to respond whenever I needed to clarify something. None of them (possibly with the exception of one) have requested any out-of-scope changes to their copy, and there&#8217;s never once been any attempt at wiggling out of actually having to pay for the finished product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">So, how much do I charge?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As mentioned, I started out on Fiverr by charging about US$65 for 700 words and about eight cent per word thereafter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the orders rolled in and the work piled up a bit, I started increasing my rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I tried $125 for 700 words, but that $100+ starter price seemed to put a stop to new orders, so I dropped it down to $90 for the same word count. The lower price point helped get the orders rolling back in again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over time, I settled at about $0.15 per word, starting at $90 for 600 words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The reason I didn&#8217;t put my starting price lower is the admin overhead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It doesn&#8217;t really matter how long the text you&#8217;re writing is&#8230; There&#8217;s usually always about 45 minutes of admin per job, so it was not really worth it for me to &#8216;get out of bed&#8217; for anything less than $90 per job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once I got approved as a Fiverr Pro copywriter, I upped my rates quite considerably. I started my Pro streak charging $0.25 per word, and currently I&#8217;m aiming for between $0.40 and $0.50 per word starting at $230 (or a bit more or less, depending on how busy I am).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mind you, I&#8217;m not as concerned with the per-word price as I am with my hourly rates&#8230; Whenever I price up a job, I currently aim for an hourly rate of US$60 before Fiverr takes its 20% cut, although I&#8217;m hoping to get to US$100 per hour eventually &#8211; through a combination of higher cost per word and actually working faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By focusing on an hourly rate, I&#8217;m able to charge slightly less for easy jobs and repeat clients, where I know I can get through the work quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keeps everyone happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why am I telling you this?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;m not one to brag and show off. That&#8217;s not what this is. (And besides, there are heaps of freelancers that make way more than what I do on Fiverr.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What I wanted to show you is that if you present well on a freelancing site like Fiverr and deliver excellent copy, you should not be afraid of charging accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You may not necessarily want to do what I did and insist on getting paid fairly from the get go. But this strategy has saved me a lot of headaches in not having to deal with dodgy clients. And I&#8217;ve always been happy to put in the hours because I feel my work is being valued and I&#8217;m getting paid a fair rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So in short&#8230; <strong>Believe in yourself and value your writing. If you don&#8217;t, nobody will!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>PS: My Fiverr client allowed me to link to the articles in the text above for portfolio purposes. Pro tip&#8230; Never, ever do that for ghostwritten content unless your client has specifically approved it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>PPS: <strong>Check out my <a href=\"https:\/\/fiverr.com\/pixamoo\">Fiverr profile<\/a>!<\/strong> \ud83d\ude01<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>PPPS: In my next post, I&#8217;ll share my copywriting workflow including which tools I use. Stay tuned!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Since 2021 I&#8217;ve written thousands of words and actually ended up making a bit of money off my writing, other than what The Man is paying me. As far as my goal of pumping out novels goes, it&#8217;s been the wrong kind of writing. But I&#8217;m not complaining. Not much anyway! \ud83d\ude0a High Fiverr At [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1725,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"1080","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[328],"tags":[],"novelcategory":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mariuswrites.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/patrick-fore-0gkw_9fy0eQ-unsplash-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mariuswrites.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1344"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mariuswrites.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mariuswrites.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mariuswrites.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mariuswrites.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1344"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mariuswrites.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1344\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1832,"href":"https:\/\/mariuswrites.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1344\/revisions\/1832"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mariuswrites.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1725"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mariuswrites.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1344"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mariuswrites.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1344"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mariuswrites.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1344"},{"taxonomy":"novelcategory","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mariuswrites.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novelcategory?post=1344"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}