My name is Tanveer Hussain, a mechanical Engineer. I am currently living in Lahore. Here’s my freelance success story on Fiverr, a popular freelance marketplace that is a result of a “never give up attitude“.
I am a mechanical engineer who graduated in 2015 but was unable to find a suitable job for the past 6 years. I tried my luck by visiting Dubai but was not able to find a good job there too. So I am doing an 8 to 5 job in a private company and like most of the engineers of our country, my company is also not paying me well which always puts me in depression.
As far as my freelance journey is concerned, back in 2020 March, my company got shut down for 2 months due to COVID 19 Lockdown and I went to my hometown Toba Tek Singh. I was worried to meet my expenses as it’s obvious the company will not pay for the holidays or perhaps pay the salaries late (which they did). I am married and soon to be a father so there was a lot of pressure on me.
Knowing about Fiverr, a popular freelance marketplace:
One day I met with a cousin of mine who is working on Fiverr, he told me about Fiverr and the online earning. He assured his help and motivated me to start and make an account in the marketplace. Prior to this event, he has been asking me regularly, motivating me to start freelancing but being an employee, I was unable to pay heed to his advice. It was not possible to work on my own GiG after hectic 12 hours a day job, every bone and muscle in your body is tired to the core.
This lockdown was actually a blessing in disguise. I do not have to commute to work and while staying at home, with my loved ones, I have a chance to try something different that could pave way for a better future. Fully inspired to make it happen, I created my 1st Fiverr account offering a content writing Gig. My cousin helped me in setting up my account and my GIG.
As a beginner in the freelance industry, I did not have any idea about communication with my outsource partners. As I was not enough skilled and did not have expertise in the GIG I was offering, I had to lend out the task to an expert. Sometimes, when the clients demanded an update, late at night, I used to wonder what to do because the outsource expert would not pick my phone. This was getting extremely frustrated and clearly not working out, at-least the way I would have liked.
To overcome this hassle, I requested my friend to accommodate me in his home. He was kind enough to let me in and spend time with him. It’s been over a month and despite numerous efforts, I am unable to win a single order.
Finally, within few days. with my cousin’s help and the buyer offers that I used to send every single night, I finally received my first order on Fiverr. The price was $25 but the joy of receiving this order was “Price less”.
I worked hard and learned new things about Fiverr. In one month, I earned $1200. It was a huge amount for a 9 to 5 employee who was getting a far less salary as compared to this number.
Tricks & Tips to succeed at Fiverr:
A story without a takeaway is just a story. No, I am not a storyteller who is narrating his journey for nothing. I want to help you and teach you how to get work from Fiverr.
Here’s my learning:
- Focus on less competitive keywords before you publish your GIG.
- Make sure those keywords have GIGS that show earning/feedback (it shows the keyword is being searched on Fiverr)
- Make sure the images are eye-catchy *Use Canva for creating free images*.
- You can use royalty-free images from Pexels.
- A Gig with video gains more engagement.
- Stay online 24/7
- Send buyer requests daily *10 free offers in 24 hours, why not avail this chance?*
- Respond quickly to a clients’ message.
- Provide the best solution to their job.
- Be specific, stay to the point.
- Bonus Tip: Always share your gig on all social media platforms and get maximum exposure.
The fall and the rise:
Sadly, evil eyes did their magic. My Fiverr account got blocked. I did not lose hope, since I had learned all the tactics to rank a GIG and receive responses from the clients by sending Buyer offers, I created another account on the same website. This time around, after consistent hard work, I earned about $15,000.
My current salary is around $200. I think I am comfortably placed in a drivers’ seat to quit my job and pursue my dream career online.
What are your thoughts?
Conclusion:
Never lose hope and give your best, you will definitely succeed. if you fail once, it’s okay. Only the brave ones fall because they show up the courage, take the risk and give it a try. Lift yourself up, dust off and start all over again. Never give up in life.
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