Constructive criticism on my gig?

[epeat1]

https://www.fiverr.com/epeat1/be-your-expert-beta-reader-and-give-a-detailed-critique-695a?ref_ctx_id=8168a66198219dd583ccd8ec0183aa15
 

I started years ago but quit because the amount of work I was getting was overwhelming. I imagine it’s even more difficult starting out now. I still have my old reviews so hopefully that’ll help me. 

Thoughts on my gig?

[vickieito]

You might want to create two separate gigs - one for beta reading and another for developmental editing. It's very hard to see what services you are offering for this gig. These two services are very different from each other.

1. Your titles, tags, and prices are all related to beta reading. The prices are very low.
2. Your packages only refer to developmental editing. Also the gig description doesn't mention a beta reader report or inline summary, which is typically seen for beta reading gigs.
3. If you are actually offering developmental editing, your prices are extremely low. I can't imagine any editor who will developmentally edit 100k words for only $20 (or even 20k words for $5 in your basic package). That is a lot of work. 
4. You aren't using any gig extras. Consider tailoring your gig for beta reading (including your packages) and adding on gig extras for alpha reading, developmental edits, inline annotations, additional reports/critiques, new content suggestions, additional words, a power read, etc. Be creative.
5. Take advantage of your FAQ section to answer any questions your buyers might have. You only have 1 FAQ, try to add more. What do you include in your beta reader report? Do you do annotations on the manuscript or are annotations on a separate report? Do you do work with PDF files, or do you require editable files? Do you give discounts to beta read later revisions? Put yourself in your buyer's shoes and try write your FAQs for them.

[uk1000]

I'd check how your main gig image looks on your Fiverr profile. That's how it will look on search pages - so if text is getting cut off on the profile it will be getting cut off on search pages.

[imagination7413]

I agree with both the previous posts. In addition:

1. Get RID of that "GUARANTEED SATISFACTION OR YOUR MONEY BACK." Bad Buyers will take advantage of it. 
 https://community.fiverr.com/forums/topic/220973-top-5-tips-to-protect-yourself-from-badly-behaved-buyers/
2. In addition to fixing the text location in your main image, you need to remove the 'stars' bit.
 https://community.fiverr.com/forums/topic/212263-fiverr-sends-a-lot-of-mixed-messages/
3. If you're having trouble with pricing, consider at least minimum wage. What is your reading speed of words per hour? If it takes you an hour to read 5k words, and your day-job pays you $7.50/h, then you should be pricing yourself at least based on 'opportunity cost'.
4. Consider a shorter gig title. As beta readers, we should be constantly expanding our vocabulary, yes, but also capable of being be succinct. Brevity is good.

[epeat1]

@vickieito @imagination7413 

I appreciate the advice! Since I’m restarting should I wait a little to raise my rates? At least until I have a new review or two? I know they’re too low but I worry about not getting any business if I raise them right now. 

[epeat1]

@uk1000 Thank you!

[imagination7413]

2 hours ago, epeat1 said:

Since I’m restarting should I wait a little to raise my rates? At least until I have a new review or two? I know they’re too low but I worry about not getting any business if I raise them right now. 

That depends. Do you have a day-job? Did you plan on doing Fiverr as full-time, part-time, or hobby? When you say you were 'overwhelmed', was it due to word-count, or due to the quality (or lack of) of the writing?

I'm going to be blunt: I'm your competition, so it's technically in my best interest to not help. That said, I'm going to offer a bit of insight, beta-to-beta: narrow it down. There are 6k+ beta-reading gigs in that category. We have enough competition that specialization is becoming important to the Fiverr search engine. I specialize in fantasy/sci-fi. You specifically mention that you'll beta that-'e'-word-that-I'm-not-touching. There are beta's that specialize in Westerns, and Horror, and Romance. Think like a buyer. If you have a Psychological Thriller you want beta-read, and see 6k+ results with the top ones specifying genre, would you keep browsing all 6k, or would you try to narrow down your search results?

Tying that to your question: do some research. If there are five sellers who specializes in Mystery/Suspense, and they all have their prices five times yours AND they all have orders in their que, then let the basic principles of supply and demand help you. You and I have too much competition to not specify the kind of work we do best.

[uk1000]

I agree it probably helps to specialise.  Though when I view the "writing & translation->beta reading" subcategory it only shows me about 2,763 active gigs in the relevance and best selling sorts.

Maybe you could also send offers to buyer requests when you have your gig(s) set up in the best way. That might help get orders and help with newer reviews which might help with other orders.

[vickieito]

12 hours ago, epeat1 said:

I appreciate the advice! Since I’m restarting should I wait a little to raise my rates? At least until I have a new review or two? I know they’re too low but I worry about not getting any business if I raise them right now. 

The problem with setting your prices too low is that it makes buyers question whether you know what you're doing. 

7 hours ago, uk1000 said:

Maybe you could also send offers to buyer requests when you have your gig(s) set up in the best way. That might help get orders and help with newer reviews which might help with other orders.

This is a good option. Price yourself right on your gig, but send in offers to buyer's requests.

I also have a beta reading gig and my first 5 orders were through the buyer's requests. I actually had 14 orders, but only 7 are rated. I no longer have to go through buyer's requests to get orders now, which is nice.