Question about packages and pricing

[theautonomouswr]

Hi,

I'm in the process of setting up my profile and gigs and I'm still very new to Fiverr and how it works. So please bear with me if my questions are a super basic.

I'm trying to figure out how it works with the packages and pricing. I know you have an option to set up 3 packages (basic, standard, and premium). Is there a way to price the packages fairly (or what you believe is fair) without people trying to "game the system" by purchasing the cheaper packages separately because they average out to less than if they purchased the premium?

Here's an example of what I mean:

Say I offer a blog post writing gig (I'm not, this is just an example). I price the basic at $5 for 500 words, the standard for $10 and 1000 words, and the premium for $50 and 2000 words (these are just random, not reflective of anything being offered right now). Am I right to assume that someone can technically look at that and say, "Hmmm, I want a 2000 word blog post so why don't I just purchase the standard package twice, which would cover the 2000 words and cost me $30 less?" Then, they purchase both packages and say they want me to write them ONE blog post of 2000 words (and not 2 blog posts of 1000 words each which is what the gigs they purchased would essentially mean). Would I be able to tell them that this is something I can't do and I can either give them 2 blog posts of 1000 words each or they will need to purchase the premium package.

Obviously, if I'm starting out and still trying to get reviews, then I get it that it would probably be a good idea to agree to the client's proposition, but further down the line, would that be acceptable?

Hope this all makes sense!

Tam

[katakatica]

Hey!

Awesome question, I can totally see where you're coming from. The way I do things personally (mostly to avoid this actually) is by making sure that all of my packages are priced based on my basic package. So for example, if 2000 words would be $5, (basic package) and my next package would be at 4000 words, it would be at $10. The package after would be 6000 words at $15 (not my real prices or packages, just an example.) I understand that in some niches, bigger packages mean extra stuff ( more research, commercial rights for only certain packages, etc) but this seems to be the simplest way for me to make sure people don't game the system.

What you CAN try if you want different prices is make sure buyers know that the lowest tiers don't come with x perks, and they might need to purchase extras for them. However, I always found that a bit risky because people can be quiet cheap.

I hope you find a way to price things that makes sense for you! Good luck!

(Important: when it comes to writing, people CAN purchase your basic package (or any package) multiple times without the deadline changing at all. Keep an eye on it and make sure to communicate early if you need more help. It's an issue many of us have reported since technically the days needed should just multiply (e.g. if you buy package one three times it should be three days not one) but they don't. Hopefully this will be fixed though! This is irrelevant to your post but it's good to know. I think most other niches are OK, it's mostly writing that has this issue but I'm not sure.)

 

[theautonomouswr]

37 minutes ago, katakatica said:

Hey!

Awesome question, I can totally see where you're coming from. The way I do things personally (mostly to avoid this actually) is by making sure that all of my packages are priced based on my basic package. So for example, if 2000 words would be $5, (basic package) and my next package would be at 4000 words, it would be at $10. The package after would be 6000 words at $15 (not my real prices or packages, just an example.) I understand that in some niches, bigger packages mean extra stuff ( more research, commercial rights for only certain packages, etc) but this seems to be the simplest way for me to make sure people don't game the system.

What you CAN try if you want different prices is make sure buyers know that the lowest tiers don't come with x perks, and they might need to purchase extras for them. However, I always found that a bit risky because people can be quiet cheap.

I hope you find a way to price things that makes sense for you! Good luck!

(Important: when it comes to writing, people CAN purchase your basic package (or any package) multiple times without the deadline changing at all. Keep an eye on it and make sure to communicate early if you need more help. It's an issue many of us have reported since technically the days needed should just multiply (e.g. if you buy package one three times it should be three days not one) but they don't. Hopefully this will be fixed though! This is irrelevant to your post but it's good to know. I think most other niches are OK, it's mostly writing that has this issue but I'm not sure.)

 

Thank you so much, Katakatica! This is so helpful and makes a lot of sense.

[donnovan86]

We can't lock gig packages so the best approach is to have consistent pricing. $5 for 100 words, $10 for 200 words and $20 for 400 words. If you start overpricing one of the packages, people will always try to buy the cheaper one. So I found consistent pricing to be the best option. You can always have a more expensive gig for longer articles. I mean, that's what I do. 

I for one, as a buyer, hate to see inconsistent pricing, and I am sure I am not alone. That, and people that have their Premium package as the gig name, for example "I will write 1500 words for $5", even if $5 just gives you 300 words or whatever and the 1500 word package costs $50. I hope Fiverr will do something about these misleading gig titles...