gina_riley2

Quick answer: NO. If anyone on SM where to click you're link, they are likely to browse other gigs - your competitors. Fiverr proudly displays below yours, others in same/similar category. Unless you have the best and most enticing gig, you have the same chance as a random click.

I find bad reviews to be more useful as a buyer. Good reviews are worthless, they pretty much say the same thing over and over. When I see a bad review, I'm really interested in reading the seller's response. How well the seller articulates him/herself says a great deal about the freelancer's character. Those that respond with a snarky, whiney, self-pity, unprofessional remark, turns me off. Those that state a well written fact and event without pointing a finger tells me all I need to know. A buyer's bad review never turns me off, the seller's response does. You do your thing, and let the customers do their thing. You don't have to leave a review for the buyer, if you don't want to.

I am exclusively a buyer on this platform. Once upon a time, I was very active here. I was also buying quite a bit, at that time. Since my full time job took a different direction, I had to put my freelancing side job on the back burner. I've been gone for a long time and haven't even purchased in about a year. I am not in a position to give any advice to other buyers until I get active in my freelancing career wiring ebooks again. Truth be told, I loved interacting with long time sellers here and have bought great gigs from them. There were at times, I was rather "lonely" with so few people with extensive buying experience. I've been catching up on few forum post and I admit there is way less drama than wat back when. I did, occasionally, feel unwelcome (may or may not have been true, but it's the way I felt). ********* My 1st two buying experience on 5r was atrocious. It was so darn bad, I was turned off. One failed to deliver and one canceled one me. Lol. 😁😆 I would have left but back then, you only go back a credit on your account. I tried for the 3rd, and in my mind, the last time. I finally landed a seller who was truly a professional that delivered top quality work. Omg! I was so thrilled. Had it not been for that 3rd seller, I'd have left permanently. I do understand how fustrating it can be for new buyers. It's rather daunting with thousands to filter through. Just a short stroll down memory lane.

Are you sure?

It would be beneficial if there was a subcategory to your search. I am looking for a virtual assistant to do internet research and categorize it on a spreadsheet. If I can put "Virtual Assist" in the search and then put "Research or Excel" in subsearch, it could filter down the number of sellers. Thanks.

I don't know. I'm afraid to find out. 😁😁😁

I just noticed the "msg buyer" icon. Does this mean the seller will have access to my inbox if I submit a brief? That would be just awful. I only have limited # of sellers with access to my mailbox for a reason. Around 2014 time-frame, I had to cancel my account and create this on (hence the #2 on my profile). I was getting crazy amounts of messages asking for work.

I've read the articles, blogs in regards to your vetting process to become a Business Seller but I'd like to know from your 1st hand account. When it was 1st rolled out, I was auto enrolled (as a buyer). I was tied up and didn't buy at that time, so I cancelled before they charged me $149. Well, now that I have time and working to create my own site, I'd like to consider signing up. Searching through thousands of Sellers is daunting. I am absolutely going to be doing my due diligence but just don't want to spend 100 hours looking at endless list of gigs. If the business platform was vetted with tough standards, it'd be well worth the $149 in time management savings. Any of you business seller able to elaborate? Thanks.

The seller you hired has writing skills that isn't up to par. I can see just by reading his profile and gig page, he's not a proficient or fluent writer. He has misspelled words and incorrect use of punctuation. I don't know many native writers of English would put, "It would be my pleasure to serve you." In their gig description. I wouldn't have even bother to contact him or make a test order. I've ordered many articles and also been duped a few times too. Are you sure the good articles you received aren't plagiarized ones from another web site? Do a search.

What happens if a buyer messages you and you weren't online to answer? I'd think you're ignoring me and move onto someone that response immediately.

Just a funny yet useful tip for those of you buyers that still occasionally use Buyer's Request. I don't use Buyer's Request that often, but occasionally, I'll post something to see if I can find a newbie diamond to put in my back pocket. I listed exactly what I needed and at the end of my request, I wrote, "Ask me a question." No matter how thorough I am, there is always something that needs to be answered. I figured people would ask me something about the gig. Well, for those that actually took the time to read my request, did ask. Most of them asked me a question about the job, few asked me a generic question like, "How's your day?" (🙂 technically, they did ask a question. Then there were a few that were cute facts, hysterical in nature or just silly. It showed me they read my requirement, some sellers have excellent sense of humor and they will be fun to work with. My advice for using BR, just tell bidder to ask a question!!! 🙂🙂🙂😄😄😄😁😆😁😆

Would you risk the chance of the buyer tipping you $450? What if the buyer decides **NOT** to tip and closes the order. Then what? Are you going to complain to CS? 🤔 The seller is out $450 with no one to complain to and no way to recoup it. Nope. I don't agree that's the reason for the 20%.

I'd vote no on this. I think it would create too many opportunities for the cheaters, liars and scammers.

Hello @fynwriter I'm glad to have had the chance to help you out. Wish you the best on your 6r journey. 😀

These are advices for a brand new, never ordered before buyers. Experienced and business buyers will do whatever they also do.

Newbies, For your own sake, it's not professional nor is it appropriate to post things about your clients. Let me explain, * I give you a gratuity/tip. You post on forum. Even if you don't mention my name, I still feel violated. You should at the very least ask. * I ask you to do an art for me, you give that to another client as a sample. Not cool!! * You talk openly about something you've written, proofed, or edited for me. You didn't mention my name - but you still violated my privacy. Anything you do for a paying client should stay between you and them. No exceptions! It's called privacy and goes a long way towards building a long term relationship! I see way too many post that share private info. I know you're excited about your first sale, review, tip, etc. but know your limits. So many of you talk about communication and satisfying a customer, but that should continue after delivery as well (by not sharing my stuff). Allow the buyer to brag about you on the forum and elsewhere. It adds an air of legitimacy!

1. Gig pic 2. Your pic 3. Gig description- writing skills

Hey Frank, Anything happening behind the scenes in regards to helping us buyers searching for qualified sellers. It's getting more and more frustrating in finding the right person. I use my own advices in finding great sellers, but the filter only does so much and with thousands of gigs, in just the article writers alone, it's mind boggling. Many of my writers have folded shop. There are many top and pro writers that are good but they just don't match my style. When it comes to writers, we have to click. It seems 5r does quite a bit to help sellers get the best positions but they rarely do anything to help the buyers have a more pleasant experience. Enough venting. Thanks! -- G.

You got that right! I thought that wasn't allowed, only a newly designed gig can have a Pro badge? Did the rules change? If so, that isn't right and it's being deceitful. 😑😑 I've bought Pro twice, both times, I received Pro level delivery, attitude, communications and professionalism. It was a good experience. I hope it doesn't get lowered.

Hopefully, established buyers who sees something unique about you and your gig. Since, you're competing with thousands of sellers and hundreds of newbie, ask yourself a question: "What makes my profile/gig better than the guy/gal next to me?" I saw your gigs. It's nicely done but it looks similar to the seller next to you.

Pro vetted sellers used to charge from $100 and upwards. Their profile used to exquisite. I've looked at some of the newer sellers who have Pro Verified on their profile, yet have no gigs of $100 or the Pro badge on their gigs. Oh, the seller profile is terribly written. The over use of the word "and!" It jumps all over the place and the gig description isn't up to par with what a Pro seller used to look like. It leads me to ask, are the Pros really scrutinized like they used to be? How can I trust a Pro seller will deliver Pro quality with $5 gigs that have spelling errors? Don't they have success managers that oversee their gig before publishing? @frank_dor other Pros, what's the deal?

I placed an order today but it's been quite awhile since I've bought here. The last time, the Private Feedback was a few yes/no questions like did you use it, will use it? It doesn't exactly give you space to comment or provide your opinion like it used to. When the PF 1st started, I really liked telling why I liked it and how I am using it. I've also told them how much I hated something as well on junk deliveries.

Buyer only. I mostly buy editing, proofing, beta, ebook cover, formatting, illustrations/cartoons, articles and few in other categories.

I see your point. I was going with the thought of someone who is established for at least a year. I forget, there are high value, complex gigs that only sell few a month. Dang it, I can't update/edit my OP. 😩

As an experienced buyer, I still find it daunting to filter thru thousands of gigs to find the right sellers. After hundreds of gig purchases, sometimes, I still get swindled by a newbie seller. Although, it's 2nd nature to me now, my 1st purchase was confusing and an overall bad experience. A newbie buyer ordering from a newbie seller is basically, blind leading the blind. Neither one of you are sure how things work. One of you should have the experience to guide the other one on how to order, accept, and other questions. Tips for new buyers: 1. Don't worry about levels, that's useless. 2. Look for sellers with at least 200 reviews. This will ensure the reviews are legit. Unfortunately, there are still scammers who buy or trade reviews. 3. Look at gig picture. Does it look nice or sloppy? Is it stolen off the internet (right click & reverse search) or original? 4. Actually read the sellers description on that gig. It doesn't matter what kind of gig you are buying, there is a universal sign for troublesome sellers: * Bad grammar, misuse of punctuation, incoherent sentences, etc. * Short description is a bad sign. The seller should write out what they will deliver and what they expect from you (the buyer). * Sloppy description means sloppy delivery. If you see things like: Sir, Dear, etc. Not a good sign. 5. Do not message them via inbox, unless it's necessary. As a buyer, once you contact a seller that way, they have unlimited access to contact you. It's a headache. * Most established sellers should know better but not all of them follow the rules. You can get spammed with buy one get one free offer that you don't need or want. * If you find a great seller that you are confident about then by all means have a convo with them about the order. * If you have to message them, don't do a, "Hello, are you there." They may think you are a spammer. Add your question that wasn't answered in the gig description. 6. I know that there are different customs around the world where price negotiations are an every day thing. This platform is not one of them. Don't ask for a discount or offer them future work. There is no way to guarantee that. Established sellers will politely tell you to go away and then block you. 7. Regardless of who you hire, order a sample gig first. If they don't have a sample gig, it's okay to ask them, "Can I ask for a $10 or $20 sample?" * They can send you a custom offer where they can do a small portion of your project. Afterwards, either you fit or not. Don't ask for modifications on a sample order. * Don't ask for free samples. Time is money. You're not sampling wedding cakes for free, this is a freelance platform, pay for it! * If sample is good or fits your need, discuss the project and place order. * If sample isn't what you wanted, say thank you and go elsewhere. Just chaulk up your $20 as cost of doing business. Note: In order for me to have found some really amazing sellers, I had to spend money on not so good and/or nightmare sellers. Don't let your first experience be a bad one. Buy from an established, well rounded seller. After you've gained experience in buying, then you can trek into the pool of newbies to get yourself that diamond in a haystack. Many great and true professional sellers have to start here as a newbie and they need a chance. Happy holidays everyone. 💙💛🤎