Fiverr 101: How to Make Money and Grow Your Freelance Career

In 2024, more than 76 million people in the U.S. earned their income through freelance work, and this number is only expected to increase. Fiverr has become a go-to platform for freelancers to offer their services and connect with clients worldwide.

However, the overwhelming number of freelancers using Fiverr can make it difficult to earn money. When I first started on the platform as a freelance content writer, I only made $600 in six months. But other Fiverr freelancers have made thousands on the platform.

Let’s look at how to make money on Fiverr and the steps you need to take to be successful.

Key takeaways

• Fiverr connects freelancers with clients.
• Freelancers create and sell “gigs” on the platform.
• Gigs often have three service levels: Basic, Standard, and Premium.
• Fiverr takes a 20% commission on gig sales.

What is Fiverr?

Fiverr is an online platform that connects freelancers with clients seeking a diverse range of services. Services offered on the platform include everything from website design and social media marketing to resume writing and legal services.

As a freelancer, you can reach potential clients across the globe, increasing your earning potential. However, you’ll need to do something to stand out from thousands of other freelancers offering the same services, some at cheaper prices.

When Fiverr launched in 2010, freelancers offered their services for as low as $5. Most freelancers offer three levels of service, each with varying features, delivery times, and pricing. This tiered pricing model can attract clients with differing budgets.

I have used Fiverr periodically, primarily to sell freelance content writing services. I’ve had some interesting projects on the platform, including writing an “About Me” page for a real estate agent who eventually starred in her own reality television show.

How do you make money on Fiverr?

Freelancing can be one of the best side hustles for making extra money. Best of all, it is work you could often do from home.

Freelancers on Fiverr create “gigs” that clients can buy. Some commonly posted gigs include web development, graphic design, content creation, search engine optimization (SEO), virtual assistance, lead generation, and more.

Fiverr enables you to set your own rates and offer three different level packages to your gig. These packages are typically labeled Basic, Standard, and Premium, and they differ in price based on the level of service and delivery time provided.

You can also offer upgrades to a gig that clients must pay extra for or send clients a custom offer for work that may be more than what is provided in your existing gig. Clients are required to pay upfront before the work begins, which ensures that you get paid promptly once the job is completed to the client’s satisfaction.

There isn’t a fee for creating and maintaining gigs on Fiverr, but the platform does take a cut of your sales. When you sell a gig, Fiverr takes 20% of the sale, and you retain 80%. Fiverr uses the commission it earns on your gigs to help cover its operating costs.

While 20% may sound like a large chunk of income to give up, the cost may be worth it because using the platform saves you time hunting for customers and chasing down payments from existing clients.

What kind of gigs can you do on Fiverr?

The types of gigs that you can offer as a freelancer on Fiverr are vast. As a writer, my services on the platform included press releases, blog articles, and bios or About Me web content.

Fiverr has 12 service categories of freelance work.

• Graphics & Design
• Programming & Tech
• Digital Marketing
• Video & Animation
• Writing & Translation
• Music & Audio
• Business
• Finance
• AI Services
• Personal Growth
• Consulting
• Photography

Each of these categories has a whole host of subcategories. For example, within the Personal Growth category, you can find freelance life coaches, models, tutors, travel itinerary assistants, and more. In the Business category, there are freelancers offering market research, business plans, legal advice, project management, sales, and more.

How to create a compelling Fiverr profile

Your Fiverr profile is what prospective clients look at when deciding whether or not to hire you. Consider giving one of these approaches a try to ensure that your profile stands out among the hundreds of other freelancers available.

1. Describe why you’re the best person for the job
   No matter what category of service you offer on Fiverr, there are many other freelancers competing for the same gig. Winning gigs just because you offer the cheapest price will hurt you in the long run. Instead, detail your experience and skills that set you apart from other freelancers and make you the best candidate for the job.
2. Include a professional photo
   Prospective clients like to put a face to the name of the person they will be working with. The picture you include on your Fiverr profile should be a professional photo of you, not a GIF or image of someone else. You can use a company logo as well.
3. Incorporate keywords

   Using keywords in your gig could help it come out on top when buyers search Fiverr for a service. You should incorporate keywords in your gig descriptions and gig titles.

4. Add video
   Adding a video to your Fiverr is a great way to attract prospective clients. A personal video could be more captivating than static images. Fiverr gig videos detailing yourself and your service can be up to 75 seconds long.
5. Show your work

   If you have a personal website or portfolio, you can share it in your Fiverr profile. You can also list your education and relevant certifications, awards, and other honors you’ve earned through your work.

How much money can you make on Fiverr?

How much money you make on Fiverr depends on how much time you are willing to put into it. Many freelancers use Fiverr as a side gig, while others support themselves with full-time work.

Another factor that plays into how much you could make on Fiverr is the kind of service you provide. For example, computer programmers and web designers usually make more per gig than writers and graphic designers.

In a Fiverr subreddit forum, freelancers report they’ve made anywhere from a couple hundred dollars a month to a couple thousand per month. One engineering freelancer said she made over $48,000 in a year on the platform.

I only made about $600 on Fiverr in the six months I was on the platform in 2020. However, I was only on the platform briefly before I went on to get more lucrative gigs elsewhere.

How to maximize Fiverr earnings

It’s safe to say you aren’t going to make a lot of money with $5 gigs, which really only pay $4 after Fiverr takes its 20% commission. One of the keys to making money on Fiverr is upselling clients from Basic to Standard or Premium services, or giving them a reason to buy upgrades and custom offers you provide. If you provide exceptional service, your Fiverr gigs may also lead to repeat customers.

Here are some other things you could do to maximize your Fiverr earnings.

Optimize your gig for Fiverr’s search algorithm

It’s important to optimize your Fiverr gigs for the keywords buyers are searching. You do this by including the relevant keywords in your gig title and description. For example, if you create UGC videos, you’ll want to include the keywords “UGC” or “UGC videos” in your gig title and description.

Promote your Fiverr gig

You can boost your gig’s visibility by creating an ad on the platform. These paid ads are called “Promoted Gigs” and could improve your visibility by up to 200%, helping you reach a larger audience. Fiverr charges you per click for the ad, and you can set a budget on the maximum you will pay per day.

Provide good customer service

Once you are up and running with Fiverr, make sure that you keep your customers happy by communicating often, meeting deadlines, and delivering quality work. Happy clients leave positive reviews, and those reviews could help you get more clients.

As you build up several good reviews, those reviews could help you progress through Fiverr’s level system. New freelancers on the platform start at Level 0 and can earn Level 1, Level 2, and Top Rated status as they complete projects and get positive client reviews. Many buyers consider these rankings when choosing which freelancer to work with.

Niche down

With Fiverr, the riches are in the niches. If you can offer a service that doesn’t have a lot of competition, you may be able to make more money.

For example, say you are a master at cold calling and want to sell your services on Fiverr. You could offer real estate lead generation, but you’d be competing with over 40,000 other freelancers. But if you focus your talents on leads for insurance companies instead, the competition shrinks to about 2,200.

Become a Fiverr Pro Seller

To attract higher-paying clients and charge premium rates, you can apply to become a Fiverr Pro. However, the available categories for Pro Sellers are limited, and qualifying requires demonstrating significant experience in your chosen field, both on and off the Fiverr platform.

Alternatives to Fiverr

While there are other freelance marketplaces available, the other gig apps and platforms tend to operate a little differently. Here are eight alternatives to Fiverr that you may want to consider when looking for freelance work.

• Upwork
• Freelancer
• Toptal
• Guru
• PeoplePerHour
• TaskRabbit
• Bark
• 99designs

FAQs

Do beginners get work on Fiverr?

Yes, you can get work on Fiverr as a beginner, but it may be challenging in categories that are inundated with many other freelancers. To differentiate yourself in a competitive category, try niching down. For example, instead of just offering to write blog posts, create a gig providing insurance blog content.

How much money can I make per month on Fiverr?

How much you can make per month on Fiverr depends on several factors, such as your pricing, competition, and clients. Fiverr freelancers report monthly sales anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to $1,000 or more.

What are the best gigs on Fiverr?

Some of the best gigs on Fiverr are:

• Social Media Marketing
• WordPress Developer
• Product Reviews
• Virtual Assistant
• Mobile App Developer
• Programmer
• Canva Designer
• Translator
• Proofreading and Editing
• Website Content Writer

Bottom line

Fiverr is a great option for freelancers looking to showcase their skills and connect with clients from around the world. With a wide variety of service categories, it’s a versatile platform for beginners and seasoned freelancers alike. Using features like tiered pricing, custom offers, and gig upgrades could boost your earnings and cater to clients with different budgets.

However, it takes some effort to stand out among all the other freelancers on Fiverr. The key to success is creating a strong profile, optimizing your gigs with the right keywords, and delivering top-notch work to get positive client reviews. As you build your reputation, you can move up Fiverr’s levels, which could lead to more visibility and higher-paying clients.

While Fiverr takes a 20% commission on each sale, it can be worth it for the platform's exposure and convenience. Whether you’re looking to make some extra cash or build a full-time freelance career, Fiverr can be a valuable tool to reach new clients and grow your business.