katakatica

I made the mistake of looking for a cheap logo I could use as a watermark via BR. Out of the 200 replies I had about... 20 people message me directly (big no-no!) And maybe 150 if not more just copy paste whatever. My favourite were the first five or so that said 'I AM THE FIRST TO REPLY SO YOU CHOOSE ME' (Exact same script for all of them...) Thing is - until Fiverr is full of spammers who think they can get orders by messaging other sellers - or people who copy other's gigs and descriptions...And are confused why they have no orders.. I don't think BR will be cleaner.

I've seen a few BRs where the buyer was looking for someone with a specific religion - and I think one or two people have messaged me looking for a writer who's religious as well. Since I don't write nonfiction there's not much I could do for them. As an outsider, admittedly my POV would be very different which could only work for a very small amount of people for sure. (That being said I also don't think it's good to justify you being an honest seller by saying you are from x religion. When I was looking for nanny jobs many fake parents would claim not to be scammers based on how god-fearing (and the like) they were. I always found it an odd thing to say (but scammers are scammers and they did have a specific audience so...)

It's a manual process - not like level 1 or 2. From what I've heard some people wait for years! You need to be absolutely exceptional at what you do. Even if you are - maybe you're in a category / niche that's very crowded so there are already tons of TRS (so it takes a while for new ones to be nominated. I'd assume that niches that are rarer get more attention because it's easier to pick and genuinely evaluate every single candidate (while with crowded niches this takes longer.)

Didn't you pause all your gigs though? What if it only monitors 60 days that are active? (I'm not 100% sure that's possible, but that'd seem more likely to me.) Something that happened to me twice was that if the buyers were at fault, my order completion rate went back to normal after a while - what if the system regards these as 'buyers are at fault' kinds of cancellations (but the app messed up your rating?) I wouldn't say that your account isn't being evaulated at all - from what I know TRS is fully manual and some people just never get it. But of course, I could be wrong.

Difficult depends on your mentality, too. Working 12 hours a day chasing kids around, keeping them safe for little to no money was difficult for me. 'Ranking' a new gig, to me, is much easier than that - even though I have no idea what I'm doing half the time. Being genuinely talented at something that others might not be so great at is what's hard. Understanding what even the toughest customers who struggle with English (or are always in a rush) is what's hard. Making a gig in a popular category is 'easy', especially if you are spoonfed that information. (that being said, yes, the competition is REALLY tough. Still not harder than dealing with a screaming toddler though) (take this with a pinch of salt, obviously the two cannot be compared. Both require vastly different skillsets...)

Honestly, if I needed a business card I'd totally buy it (but I realise that IS rather specific!) Yeah, I think what we need is something that is NEEDED but still not many sellers do it. My two interactive(ish) gigs (one for game-writing, the other choose your own adventure) are definitely what bring in the most $$ for me - not many people have them (I'm sure there's more gigs around now than when I made them, but still!) I tried to do something new with offering scripts for city-tours (like those detective ones) -but as cool as it sounds, there was no luck with the gig! The point is, it is also trial and error, as you've implied, even for people who have some sort of a talent. I feel like the main issue is that logo/bg removal and so on - those gig look easy to make. You can make a logo in canva (or even in PS, really) in ten seconds. Will it be cool and unique? No - but it's finished quickly. These gigs seem to focus on quick delivery instead of actual artistic thought into things, which CAN fool people who are used to fast food (and just rushing, in general). I remember when I'd first moved to Paris (even though it's such a fast-paced city) I was SO confused why people would actually line up in front of bakeries (or other food shops, really!) Quality really matters, but not everyone understand it in this world - and of course, people are desperate, which is sad - but they need to realise that they need to think to make money. It leads to chaos (and while it's good for us in the sense that good gigs really 'shine' when surrounded by bad ones, it's probably still devastating to people who were relying on this to get extra $$ because someone online said they can do it.

What came to my mind was 'when everyone is selling mangoes, bring a durian to sell' (although I realise, wrong continent, but bear with me for a second!) Selling something that stands out (even if its the smell 😄) will make people curious. Curiosity might not get you thousands of dollars in the first few weeks - or even ever, but it's a good starting point. Of course on such a huge marketplace it's difficult - but it's still possible to offer up a talent that's different. Obviously this mostly works for artistic folks. but I'm sure other niches can find something different to offer up as well (...and also, make it attractive somehow.)

I wish THIS was what those 'gurus' preached. Because you do NEED skills to do anything, so why would online work be any different? I realise that one time I was a waitress for like, three days. NEVER hated a job more than that - I'm really clumsy but I was desperate. Ended up mostly wasting time (and being SHOOK) after I was fired haha. The thing is - online, people don't have such 'consequences'. I've read several posts that confirmed that these gurus are telling them 'it's okay to break rules/get bad reviews, just go and make a new account' - so even reviews/criticism isn't 'that' harsh. Some people just don't get the hint and try and try (which is sad)... But... I know they won't read any of this. Maybe there should be an undercover youtube account 'debunking' Fiverr myths (but posing as a 'guru'...)

See, I've been thinking lately (been exhausted by trying to offer genuine/unique advice to people) and... this is accurate. Something else I've been trying to think of (but it's hard to do so without pointing fingers at people from certain niches) - if you have a tool that can help you finish a job that takes a (top rater/pro/level 2/level 1, whatever) seller days/weeks to do, the tool might NOT be helping as much as you think it is.

This is so hard (even though I've ranted about this, ha!) I think by knowing what we can actually handle, we also become kinder to ourselves. I've started saying 'no' to writing 5-6000 words a day (7 days a week), not because I can't do it but because it was exhausting me mentally - I needed to do it at some point because I'd set a delivery time...and then promise to deliver much much earlier. But obviously, quality also matters! Don't be dumb, people! Know what you're capable of (and what you CAN'T do.) (we should keep this post active so those who need it will like, at least read through them. Maybe.) (I mean. thx for tIps bro, my gig will rank now.)

Okay, I'm really curious - how do you think being online on the forum has ANYTHING to do with impressions? Being online on Fiverr can - kindamaybesomewhat help if you are in a niche with 212231312 other gigs AND people filter for online sellers - but that still won't get you clicks OR orders, for that matter. I'll give you a trick though: be good at what you do - and sell something people actually NEED.

So I've been trying to pinpoint what bugs me about these posts (other than how they fill up the forum along with all the one-line tip posts like (fiverr is good. And so on) And... It's the lack of content that makes them feel spammy (which they are.) I personally would LOVE to read actual stories that are tied to these orders - got your fifth order after a huge slump? Got three orders in a row? Announce it - but in a way that we actually get something out of reading it. Make it worth our time. (My point is - my personal issue is how these posts are clearly created only because the posters are convinced forum goers will order from them (or make their gig rank better or whatever.)

Honestly, I did consider it - sort of like a 'witty debunking fiverr' kind of thing (a bit like those reddit reading things!) I'm not funny enough - but I might still give it a shot haha. I just think it'd be an easier channel to reach people who struggle with English (this is from personal experience but when there are visual cues (and sound) it's easier for me to get a foreign language than just reading - some people are the opposite but..maybe? I feel like I've been losing my cool about the 24/7 thing mostly because of my personal sleep struggles - I probably wouldn't get so caught up in it if it wasn't a sore subject haha (but... I do think that it'd be nice if we could actually HELP these people...)

Aha, I mean, proper grammar will help (indirectly, but still!) so it's not even a lie! But But. WHAT IF - a new fiverr guru graced youtube's presence. Pretending to agree with the rest but STILL dropping actually useful information. I did notice that while the posts go unread and just commented, the videos do seem to have actual engagement (could be fake but...) It's easier to watch videos than to read, too so... (honestly though, with us trying to help... we could be just selfish and let them be. It's not like they are hurting anyone's business but their own... I'm just too used to being nice to people to bear with this haha)

I wish the voice of reason was actually heard once in a while by those who genuinely need it. But.. let me be honest, we need a new fad for this one to disappear. Because why is being online 24/7 an advice that's heard so much? It's too easy. So... People who want a quick buck (or need it) think that it's effective... Why they don't believe us when they spend months without ANY orders IS beyond me but... so yeah, I feel like WE need to come up with a piece of advice that's just as simple but maybe less destructive... What could it be though? (doesn't have to be more useful than this, just.. maybe a tad 'better' for the people behind the screens.)

So I actually see your point - but here's the thing - your logic is flawed. Fiverr won't 'see' you posting on here (nor will the site care, honestly). You CAN learn things here or come here for the banter but that's all. No one from Fiverr will see that you are posting 123122 posts a day and go 'ooooh, this person deserves orders because instead of doing something productive, they are posting nonsense'. Even if you are posting useful advice - it's highly likely that no one will care. It's for your benefit to hang around here and learn new things - but it does 0 to your profile on Fiverr. Really.

I'm genuinely confused, what is the point of this topic? If you wish to give us tips - I'd be happy to listen but these don't quite sound like tips other than just an empty post. Here is one good tip: Posting on the forum has 0 influence on your orders no matter what people on youtube tell you.

Hmm, this is an interesting one. Short answer - I'd probably pout about it for a while (because I do that every time I need to 'invest' in something this way.) But overall, I do think something like this is becoming necessary. I personally think that it's not only scammers who are causing issues, but also people who are mediocre at what they offer. (and before anything, I've been there as well. I've tried many things - quite a few that ended up failing - and now only accept orders that I know I can write well.) But many people don't have this filter, and I understand why. You offer to do a logo for 5 bucks and only open up an order when the buyer says it's good (which I personally think is gaming the system but oh well). The maximum you're losing out on is 5 bucks (and a review) BUT you only spent maybe 2 hours on it (or less.) I wouldn't consider someone like this a scammer, per say - because they do provide something just... not exactly what one would expect. However, if these people WERE losing something (say, 50 bucks a month because that's what they pay Fiverr by default even if they earn absolutely nothing that month, they would either try harder... or give up. I realize Fiverr is pushing for us to be more professional/better at communication (and at what we offer) but just that by itself isn't enough, mostly because of the people I've mentioned just now. Their response rate/delivery rate is certainly perfect (...if they have any sales, that is.) People who ARE good at what they do but are way too cheap would most likely would raise their prices (so they gain back what they pay, basically) which would end up being great for both parties. If we only had serious sellers around, it'd make things much easier for buyers as well (I've been told a few times that they've been through 20-30 sellers prior just because it's hard to find someone that's genuine.

No worries, I was always bummed at first as well (but as long as long as you don’t give them any free work you’re fine!) re.: the response time, for NOW it seems to me that it’s only the first message that counts but it could be changing/different but I’m not 100% sure myself but maybe someone else knows!

They most likely aren’t spammers (unless they ask you to give them work to do!) they might just move on or get busy with their lives. It happens - some people don’t like to say ‘sorry I chose someone else’ outloud because it’s awkward (or that’s what I think at least.) Fake buyers are people who ask you to do work for them BEFORE placing an order.

…thanks for the tips. (I’m sorry!) Jokes aside, this really had to be said (although I feel like we’ll have to repeat it over and over again. At some point, I’ve tried to be nice to everyone who wanted my orders because ‘I had too many’. I’d explain nicely why it’s not OK to spam… And I’d get replies that were either dismissive or flat-out rude. I understand being new on the platform (Fiverr is tricky to figure out at first) but asking for advice/orders from your competition just doesn’t seem like the ‘easy’ way out for me. Even if we disregard how it’s spam - why would someone with a decent amount of experience hold the hands of newbies (when, as you’ve mentioned, we often don’t have much time due to work (and other things, of course!) So yeah, I do hope that this will help clarify why we get annoyed (or just report spam, I guess.)

Nothing is ‘easy’ - because the marketplace is super crowded. I won’t say I didn’t think the same as you did for a while (back in 2017 when I made my first attempt at becoming a ‘famous writer’… But it took me a long while to get where I’m at (and I’ve still a long way to go.) The problem is that a few years back you could still earn with all the tips and tricks you read on youtube - but the marketplace (and life) is changing. I can see that you offer something I personally haven’t seen before (but I also haven’t searched for anything tax/etc. related so can’t say whether it’s because your profile is unique or not! That being said, I do believe that if you have talent it’s easier to get over hurdles like cancellations (I don’t have a perfect rate either - neither do I aim for it.) Working hard is important of course, but being good at what we do is essential (I think at least!) Anyway, don’t lost your spirit, I’m sure you’ll get that level 2 badge one day!

This is such a tough topic because culturally I can totally understand it and I don’t mind being called sister/auntie/dear/luv/FOREIGNER (etc.) when I’m at the target country (although when I’m called auntie it does hurt me a bit, but eh, getting old isn’t fun!) but on the internet it just feels weirdly personal and pushy. However, I always try to think about how people have greeting others ingrained into their brains (and it’s such a hard thing to change habits. I used to cuss like a sailor in Italian without knowing I was cursing (long story!) so I can ‘relate’ to the troubles of filtering one’s language! It’s also dangerous nowadays to misgender someone as it can genuinely anger them, so it’s really safer to use a neutral way of communication.) I personally try to pick up on how I am talked to and just go with it, but refrain from using dear/hon/sir and so on. (but I do write video game stories, so my target audience isn’t necessarily big businesses) The other side is: when I was back in school, it was DRILLED into us to start every single letter with Dear Sir/Ma’am, and it was a pretty hard habit to lose but… I feel somewhat iffy now every single time I see it after nearly being scammed (not only on here) quite a few times!

So… fun fact is I have been thinking about a thread like this, although I don’t think I have a ‘process’ just yet. When I was writing just for fun, it used to be - finish homework, sleep till 10PM, wake up, hyperfocus for x hours and repeat - (luckily my grades didn’t suffer that much, I was a smart bean. But… once I’ve started taking writing seriously is where things got a bit jumbled up. The way I think is, my brain still thinks that ‘writing 6000 words in two-and-a-half-ish hours is the way to go’ - which it can be for some people, but it absolutely drains me. I don’t have a real preparation ritual to it (other than, when too tired, making a strong cuppa of whichever chocolate tea that smells like has the most caffeine) and reading through the docs I was provided. I am definitely a ‘work in short bursts and then be done for the week’ kind of person, but the more ‘good days’ like that I have, the more I suffer after (like, I have to legitimately be reminded I should be water (which results in, yes, more tea.) for 2-3 days and then rinse and repeat. So far this ‘crazy mad scientist gets inspired on a whim’ thing has worked (and no one’s been complaining) but I do realize it probably won’t be OK in the long run - so I’m working on slowing down. I’m writing every single day instead of whenever it feels right - which does seem to prevent me from complete burnouts but also makes me grumpy so… Looking for the middle ground basically. (Yeah, I wish I had a magic routine or something going on, but still haven’t quite figured that out yet. I… have time I guess?)

So - and pardon me for not understanding it - why would anyone order 24 illustrations and then just decide they don’t like it. Did they know your style beforehand? I feel that they might be either scamming you (to get back some of their money but still use your illustrations) or they haven’t even checked your samples (or of course, without seeing what you have done for them, what you provided did not match up 100%. It’s hard to say without seeing both sides.) I’d try to see where they come from (you’ve already done your job twice) and possibly contact support if it gets bad. Would definitely worry about them using your work AND getting some of their money back. (But it could be anything of course.)