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vickieito

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Everything posted by vickieito

  1. I had fun looking into my buying habits yesterday and started thinking about the buyers I deal with. As a buyer, I have been every type that I listed below. I'm usually #1 or #3. I'm trying to be #4. And every now and then, I like to be #10. 😊 As a seller, I normally deal with #1 and #9. How about you? What type of buyer are you? What types of buyers do you deal with? 1) Indecisive Buyers – Not sure what they want but are pretty sure the seller will come up with something they'll like (they’ll know it when they see it)! 2) Walmart Shoppers – Trying to get the most for the cheapest prices. 3) Window Shoppers – No real intent to buy … just looking around. 4) Strategic Buyers – Knows exactly what they want, their budget, and turnaround (this is rare!) 5) Disappearing Buyers – Here one day, gone the next. Where did they go???!!!! 6) Impulsive Buyers – Anything is good, they’ll order simply because the button is green! 7) Fence-Sitters – Here to buy … but need the seller to convince them to. 8) Desperate Buyers – It doesn’t matter what your service is … they need you!!!! 9) Lonely Buyers – Just wants to chat (and chat … and chat … and chat). 10) Royalty – Like to be told how awesome they are and need special treatment.
  2. I think the 24-hour posting period starts from the last post that you make for the day?! So I can't post on the forum until tomorrow. 😟

    Edit: Just kidding! I can finally post now!

  3. Vickie, I saw that there was flooding in Montana ... I hope you're okay! 😟

    1. imagination7413

      imagination7413

      Echoing this sentiment. Hope you, your family, and your neighbors are well.

  4. I was trying to post this on @dannykojima1's status update, but it wouldn't let me (on the post that I gave a laughing emoji):

    You're so funny @dannykojima1! And brave. I usually just consider my money wasted because I don't really have the heart to cancel an order even if I haven't gotten what I've paid for. I also choose not to leave reviews at all if I can't give the seller a 5-star review. I have a soft spot for sellers (being one myself) and it hasn't helped me as a buyer. I also don't do well with confrontation. Next time I'll ask you to be my spokesperson!

    By the way, I really enjoy reading your status updates 😊

    1. dannykojima1

      dannykojima1

      Why? Fiverr, why did you do this to vickieito?! Ugh... (Sigh) I thought the same that we are allow to share a friend's status too. 😞

      A spokesperson? Yes please, sign me up! I promise I will try to be nice and won't go all b***hy if the seller isn't trying to cheat you for your money out of the pocket. Haha. 🙂


      Well, of course no one want to waste the money to the shady sellers that trying to overcharge us for extra on revision. I would contact Fiverr C.S. for investigation make sure the seller isn't trying to scam me.

      All my gigs, I only put no revision on the Basic, and Standard, but 3 revision on the Premium. But my buyers are always great to me and never asked for a revision. For now, I just pause all my gigs just for temporarily.

  5. Happy Monday!!!! 

    1. dannykojima1

      dannykojima1

      Happy Monday to you too, vickieito!

  6. HI @lortui! Just to add on to what @williambryan392 said: 1. I think you have a good name and a good profile. I don't know why you would want to close your profile and start from scratch again. Many sellers start as a one-man show and expand their team when they scale up. 2. When you do scale up, it is important to mention that you are operating as a team (not just yourself). Buyers like to have transparency. But you can do this in the gig description, you don't have to change your name. I also want to scale up as a team, and will do it under my current username (which is my personal name). 3. I agree with @williambryan392, there's no reason why you can't be successful with your current username. I actually like the name that you have. It's short, unique, and easy to remember.
  7. Hi there! I'm getting a lot of personal messages from people on the forum, so I just want to let you know that I prefer to chat with you either here on my personal feed or on the forum.

    I'm limited on the number of posts I can make each day, so I prefer not to use private messages unless it's necessary.

    Also, if you send me messages containing your links and requests to buy your gigs, I will consider that spam and will report you. Sorry! I had to report 3 of those messages this morning.

    Thanks! I look forward to chatting with you!

    1. nomuffinsforyou

      nomuffinsforyou

      waa they also post limit you in private messages? thats weeeeird

    2. dannykojima1

      dannykojima1

      "If you send me messages containing your links and requests to buy your gigs, I will consider that spam and will report you". Exactly my thought, I have reported a few message from buyers to buy one of their gig which is I find it annoying. There's nothing to feel bad about report the message like that, because I also considered this as a spam. I also received 2 messages from buyer too from January with a PDF files with example of concept art they are looking for artist to create characters for their game. I didn't bother respond to the message after I looked up company via Google to see if this was legitimate or not, but I couldn't find any information about this company appears on the internet.

    3. vickieito

      vickieito

      Yes, the 5 posts a day includes private messages!

  8. Sorry this might be a bit long, but I think this is my 5th post for the day! @dannykojima1 – I think it’s awesome that you were a kidpreneur! And funny how you found Fiverr through “a friend’s niece who’s husband” told you about it! I also find the order system on Fiverr (and the timer) stressful. I’m glad you’re building your business on DeviantArt and can’t wait to see your new art gig on Fiverr in January! 😊 @nomuffinsforyou – I also can’t wait until you’re a full-timer too! @williambryan392 – I’m like you, I prefer this lifestyle over corporate life and hope to eventually make more than I used to earn (someday)! I agree that each job has to be our best and we have to build other streams of income and not be too dependent on Fiverr. @farrukh_bala – Great points! I agree that there’s good money to be made if we work smart, “learning while working” is one of the best pros, and the pros heavily outweigh all the bad that comes with freelancing! @corsogr – So true: flexibility = freedom! I love the flexibility and freedom that Fiverr gives me. @smashradio – Ummm, you actually can’t fart as much as you want in the studio, right? Because you’re recording. Unless it’s the SBDs (silent but deadly ones). In that case, it’s just unfortunate for you! 😂 Anyways, you are awesome! I wish I had a schedule like yours! … I also want to see a picture of young and dapper smashradio in a tux! @visualstudios – I also find the direct relation between work and pay very motivating (but I also procrastinate more than I should)! I also find that the work tends to come at inopportune times and there’s not much control over the workload. …on your dream manager job – do you think managing a team of freelancers is on the horizon for you? 🤔 @theratypist – I loved hearing about your main jobs! Your researching/consulting projects explains why you have such great posts! I’ve been digging up a lot of your content on the forum and have been learning a lot from you, so thanks! I also like the people here on the forum. It was lonely trying to run a Fiverr business all by myself, so it's been great hanging out here! I hope I can get to know everyone better but it’s hard with the 5-post daily limit. I’m torn because I want to give back as much to the forum as I can (since I get so much information out of it), but I also don’t want to miss out on all the fun!
  9. It's tough being post-limited on this forum. 😟 There are so many good conversations that I want to jump in on but can't! And by the time I can, the conversations have already changed. *sigh*

    However, I do understand why there's a post-limit set, and I don't want to change the rules because it does help make the forum better. 

    For now, I'm just reacting to posts and putting in as much emotion as I can into each emoji!  Hopefully my fellow forum buddies can feel the love!😂

  10. Is the year already half over??! Is anyone else losing track of time? I went outside wearing a winter coat yesterday and realized it's almost summer. Time has been a blur since I started freelancing in November! Let's see. Here are my goals for 2022: 1. Become a Level 1 Seller (done!) 2. Become a Level 2 Seller (done!) 3. Update all my gigs (including prices) - this is in process ( @vickiespencer - @newsmike is my unpaid financial advisor too!) 4. Start having weekends again and work half days - making progress towards this goal, but haven't gotten there yet (increasing prices has helped) 5. Lose weight that I gained since I started freelancing - Failing at this goal. Ever since I set it, my weight has gone up!
  11. I agree! So many people want to just quit their job and become their own boss. That’s the dream life, right? But is it really what they want to do? Are they willing to give up the security of the monthly paycheck or break away from the tendency to be “told” what to do all the time? I think many aspiring freelancers on Fiverr forget that— 1. As a freelancer, no one can tell you how to run your business. Sure, there are nice people on the forum that will make comments on your gig. But ultimately, that decision is yours to make. 2. Also, Fiverr is not your boss, it’s a marketplace. It isn’t obligated to give you orders or a monthly paycheck. That depends on you. If you don’t have orders, what are you going to do to get those orders? So, if they can’t handle those two responsibilities, freelancing probably isn't for them. It's a dream, not a reality.
  12. Part-timers and full-timers, please share your experiences! Here are mine as a full-time freelancer: Pros 1. No dress code! Yay! 2. Also related to #1 - For Fiverr, no phone calls or video conferencing unless it's gig-related (I love this!!!) 3. I can say no when I don't want to do the job. Or charge a lot more. 4. Flexible hours with unlimited breaks. This is great…but opens the door for procrastination. And a lot of mindless snacking. 5. I set my prices and have more control over how much I make each month. This is wonderful. 😊 Cons 1. A half day is 12 hours of work, so my working day just got longer. 2. It’s harder for me to strike a work-life balance. If my kids see me on my phone, they'll ask, "Are you still playing Fiverr?!" 3. I make stupid mistakes (often!) that hurt my business. Once, my husband called me a "Yes Man." To prove to him that I was not a "Yes Man," I rejected 8 inbox requests for business in one day. Some of those requests would've been great orders. But I was set on proving to my husband that I could say "no." My best-selling gig quickly became one of my worst selling gigs. Luckily other gigs picked up at that same time. How does your freelancing life look like?
  13. Wistful thinking, but I wish I could freeze time and get everything done that I need to!

    1. nomuffinsforyou

      nomuffinsforyou

      I wish there are more than 24 hours in a day, there are so many things I want to do but so little time to do them x) 

  14. Hi @fabiohusson, I took a look at your gig and your competitors' gigs and would like to make the following suggestions: 1. I agree with @smashradio, the models that you have are a bit plain and I don't like the hand sketches on your 2nd and 3rd pictures in your gallery. It would be better if you had those as 3D digital models that match your gig description of "photorealistic renderings." 2. Your competitors show greater contrast in shadow and lighting than you do. They also put the furniture in its intended setting (such as in a living room or bedroom) or against a colorful/trendy background. 3. You offer "3D renderings" and "texture and lightning," which is something that is unique from your competition. So really play up these features in your images in your gallery. 4. You also offer "3D modeling from your sketches, plans or photographs." You can show examples of how you did this. Just make sure that it is clear that your 3D renderings came from those sketches, plans, and photographs (and aren't mistaken for the finished products). 5. Your competition seem to be offering the source file and you don't offer that. Would that be something you are willing to include in one of your packages?
  15. Oh, @zeus777! You're so funny! Did you really see a vulture eating a squirrel today? Hopefully you didn't watch the whole thing ... and hopefully vultures in the backyard aren't a common thing over there! But if it is a random thing, like you said, I'm not surprised you're the one who got to see it! 😂
  16. If Fiverr CS says that it doesn't affect your stats, I would have Fiverr CS tell you specifically what order numbers are affecting your stats, just to verify. CS does make mistakes from time to time, so I always like to know the exact order numbers that are affecting my order completion rate. On your second question, it depends on the reason. I know if a buyer marks "ordered by mistake," the order is often canceled on its own (without my input as a seller). This one shouldn't affect your stats. However, there are other reasons buyers may cancel and order (without the seller's input) and it will affect your stats. So it's always best to reach out to Fiverr CS and verify if it does or doesn't (and dispute it if you believe you shouldn't be penalized). @excel_expert, I will defer to your expertise. 😊 This is your business and if you feel like you have a good handle on things, keep doing what you're doing. You'll have to deal with the headaches that come from attracting some annoying buyers who can't read the gig description, in order to secure the big orders, but it sounds like it might be worth it! As for me, my life a lot easier now that my prices have been increased. I certainly don't want 20 inquiries a day (I prefer to spend my time on orders and not chatting with buyers who might waste my time). My higher prices automatically filter out a lot of the unnecessary inquiries. So instead of 20 inquiries turning into 5 orders, I'll get 8 inquiries that turn into 5 orders. I also like it when buyers just place the order right from my gig page, because when I talk with them, I already have an open order with them. That's a lot more manageable for me.
  17. I agree with @smashradio. It depends on the applicant's intent for having the CV written. If it's to deceive, then yes, it is wrong. If they are qualified in every point, but struggle with writing the resume and (as @smashradio mentions) the "information on the CV is true," then as @theratypist mentions, we're just "highlighting what needs to shine." I, for one, hate writing my own resume. I love writing resumes for others and have a knack for highlighting their best skills and attributes but when it comes to my own, it's a real pain. I don't like saying what I can do, I want to show it. I believe my work should speak for itself. That's why I love working on Fiverr, I don't have to share my resume. Unfortunately for many of my clients, they have to go through this self-promotion process to get a job and I feel their pain. I like to see the resume as the applicant's "first impression." Like a business card or suit, applicants usually pay a professional to get it done. Business cards printed off a home computer could look tacky. And a homemade business suit might make candidates look like Raggedy Ann and Andy. So job applicants pay a professional printer and tailor to make a good first impression on their future employer. A professional resume shouldn't be any different. I remember that article about Charmaine! Both are really great stories. I'm sure they inspired many people to start working on the platform! I had that too! The buyer gave me all her information and I created a resume. She absolutely loved the resume, but started to say she felt "nervous." After probing, I found out that she had lied about her education and degree because she thought it would look better. Luckily she agreed with me when I told her it was best to be honest, so we quickly updated the resume with the correct information. My most "difficult" case was writing a resume for someone trying to transition into the adult entertainment industry. I could not, for the life of me, find keywords by web research. All I found were graphic images and videos that I didn't want to see. I ended up declining the job and blocking the buyer (twice under two accounts!) for flooding my inbox with hours of explicit language and stories even when I repeatedly asked the buyer to stop. Another fun one, was a client who sent me her bio in Swedish and I used Google translate and chat sessions to understand the client's previous roles. I gathered all the details first before taking on the order, so I knew I could easily create a resume for this client.
  18. I'm going to see if I can do this while post-limited...

    @nomuffinsforyou, you had a question on orders in queue. Basically, when a buyer places an order AND fills out the order requirements the timer on the order starts. That's why I moved my delivery times to two weeks for resume orders even though I can complete most in 2 days. I had to, because there was a time I was getting 11 orders a day (all with the same delivery dates). Other things you can do is extend the delivery dates for each order, have the buyers hold off on submitting their order requirements until you are ready to get started, or limit the orders in queue.

    1. nomuffinsforyou

      nomuffinsforyou

      I limit the orders in queue to how many I can handle simultaneously! But yes I did increase my delivery time and it makes it look like I draw for a really long time (30 days o_o) but I put in my FAQ so people understand that I draw with a queue system and I will update them whenever they ask for progress! But if someone wants theirs drawn ASAP they can have the fast delivery thingy so I work on theirs immediately. 

      Idk if this is a good system or not but I will try and see if it works 😮 

    2. vickieito

      vickieito

      I checked out your gig and saw this! Hope this works out for you. I like your cute doodle art!

    3. nomuffinsforyou

      nomuffinsforyou

      aaa tysm ;w; 

  19. Yesterday, I increased my gig prices for my resume writing gig again and I got my first order today with the new prices! The buyer didn't talk to me, just placed an order. 🎉

    Pricing myself right has been the hardest thing for me. I started all my gigs at $5. I was still averaging $15 per resume order in April, but increased prices so I was averaging $100 per order in May. Now with my increased prices, I'm hoping I can increase my average selling price again for June.

    This is a nerve-wracking process, but necessary to grow the business. One gig down, six more to go...

  20. Well said @catwriter! 😂 Jokes aside, I do like the points @williambryan392 brought up regarding the risk levels associated with the type of services that we offer. I do consider my resume writing gig one of my higher-risk gigs. I'm very lucky that I get a lot of post-order feedback from my buyers. They usually share with me screenshots from employers stating that they were impressed with the quality of my cover letters and resumes. It's also nice when they tell me my CVs helped them land a job. So it's these unsolicited post-order feedback that have really given me confidence in my abilities. Thanks! I like both of your definitions of "liar." This is how I've gotten most of my current business (through people asking me to do things that aren't specifically advertised in my gigs). I'm glad that my approach is similar to both of yours. I'm honest about my limitations and experience levels and direct them to look for "experts" on Fiverr. If they still want to try out my services and are willing to let me try it out, then I'll give them a custom order. Thanks @smashradio! It's inspiring to hear that you don't have any formal training either but have been able to prove yourself in the Fiverr marketplace. ... I'd love to hear your character voices! Thanks for all your comments, @miiila! This makes me feel better about myself. I think my recent "mulling" has been a result of imposter syndrome kicking in. I'm not sure why those feelings have come in right now, but I'll try to ignore them and focus my energies on more productive things, such as building my business and learning as much as I can. Thanks for all your help!
  21. I finally started to slowly update my gigs! I removed all seven gig videos that mentioned "unlimited revisions." I replaced the gig images. I'm going through each gig one at a time to make all the necessary updates to the gig and the video. Hopefully it won't take too long to complete everything!

    1. sumonkhan813082

      sumonkhan813082

      ok good idea 

  22. Thank you 🤩Popular Top Rated Sellers! The results are in… Thanks to all of you for taking the time to share your thoughts on what it really takes to become a Top Rated Seller. You are awesome! Based on the feedback, there are really only three categories that all of the comments fell under. I've included a summary of the discussions as well as my thoughts below: Factors that affect whether you are TRS or not: 1) You are Rock Star Material @miiila 2) You bring value to Fiverr @smashradio 3) You fit “The Pyramid” @williambryan392 FACTOR 1: You stand out … you are 🤩 Rock Star Material! In order to be a top-rated seller, you’ve got to stand out. As @miiila reminds us, it’s not called “Top Rated Seller” for nothing and the team that handpicks sellers “are very choosey….because if everyone is a TRS, no one is.” Simply put, just meeting the minimum requirements for TRS is not going to cut it. You’ve got to exude greatness in everything that you do…just like @damooch916 in his ‘high art’ tank top, or collection of Christopher Hitchens essays and Jordan Peterson book. Or @yannisenglish whose expertise in the games blog writing niche makes him naturally stand out from the crowd/competition. Or @vickiespencerwho was clearly “knocking it out of the park” with her buyers. Greatness is a part of who you are and it shows no matter where you are. So based on the consensus, the team that handpicks TRS sellers will be looking for… Seller/gig professionalism & presentation, timely deliveries, high % of repeat buyers, your portfolio, social proof (high reviews & buyer satisfaction), excellent communication, stellar customer service, and professional responses to public ratings. In addition to “qualifying” you, the team may consider reasons that may “disqualify” you … Even though forum activity is not a qualifier for TRS, it could be a disqualifier if you have warnings or offensive/bad content. @williambryan392 @newsmike Being notorious for going “full metal Karen” on CS, could be a disqualifier. @newsmike Grammar mistakes could be a disqualifier if they affect overall gig quality. @smashradio As @visualstudios says, “if you look like a TRS to begin with, you’ll be more than likely to get it.” Don’t give Fiverr any reason to disqualify you due to lack of professionalism. FACTOR 2: You bring value to Fiverr There were several questions on whether gig price or average selling price has any bearing on becoming a TRS. On the one hand, Fiverr likes high prices: "Generally speaking the higher the better ... seeing that [the average selling price] move in the right direction, this shows you're making more and more over time, and therefore more and more for fiverr." @williambryan392 "...when Fiverr sees you are selling at higher prices, you are likely doing something right." @yannisenglish However, we see TRSs with low selling prices, so it’s not decisive. @visualstudios @williambryan392 @crownmediaa @callyofficial @melanielm @miiila I think what it all boils down to is what @crownmediaa calls “value for the money” and @miiila calls “relevancy and providing value to Fiverr.” [emphasis added] So, the big question is…(more than just price alone)…are you providing value to Fiverr? @smashradio sums it up nicely here: "I think the main factor…is how much value you bring to Fiverr. Selling five dollar gigs probably won't make you stand out as a monetary resource that Fiverr can tap. And that's what we are: a resource for Fiverr to earn profit from. That's not negative, in my view, and I want Fiverr to find the best ways to push more value out of us. It helps me improve as a seller and freelancer (and it makes Fiverr earn more, making me, as a shareholder, happy)." TRSs are a monetary resource for Fiverrr. @vickiespencersays: “One of the first things my SPM said to me was, 'Of course, Fiverr expects you to increase your prices over time.' Therefore, I think the team that chooses the TRSs looks at the seller’s potential earning ability.” [emphasis added] Potential earning ability is money for Fiverr. I also like @newsmike’s comment here: "I would hope they are giving preference to those using "seller plus" and "promoted gigs" as well. You know, those investing in their own success, both monetarily and through behavior, public and behind the scenes." I also hope that sellers who invest in their business, in paid ways that also benefits Fiverr, would be considered. @smashradio says here: “one of the things they look at is community leadership. I assume that involves being active in the community, helping other sellers, or doing something that benefits the community as a whole." I would hope that Fiverr looks into the value you bring to the Fiverr community as a whole, including the forum. Think of all the sellers who flood the platform and get the motivation to stick it out just a bit longer because of the help from TRSs and other levelled sellers. Seller retention is in the best interest of Fiverr. FACTOR 3: You fit “The Pyramid” The last part of this discussion talks about gig type and the performance/number of sellers in your category. As @callyofficial states: "I don't think this [gig type] would be a major factor, but could be taken into consideration, especially if you have a unique gig or USP." @yannisenglish is the prime example of an expert who is dominating a niche market. @vickiespencer states: We all know that sellers and their gigs oversaturate some categories, and it is more unlikely that sellers will earn the TRS status in these areas. This is unfortunate, but happens. Some sellers qualify for TRS but never get it because they are in oversaturated markets. @williambryan392 says that “so long as there aren't duplicates and they aren't unethical or against ToS” gig type and the category shouldn’t matter. This goes back to the first two factors. Make sure you stand out in good ways and provide value to Fiverr. @visualstudios mentions: I assume there is some sort of cap (% wise) of TRS per category, so as not to devalue the badge. @callyofficial adds: while I don't think this would make a big difference, I would guess that there will only be a certain number of TRS's for each category, so I'm sure this would be taken into consideration. Agreed. There’s a reason why TRSs are handpicked because if this were an automatic promotion, the TRS badge would be meaningless. I like @williambryan392's explanation: It is a pyramid…they want to have enough sellers at each level at each price point and offering each type of gig. This makes sense and is the way things should be. The bottom layer of the pyramid will always be the biggest – it takes no effort to be there. Then, the levelled sellers make up the middle layer. And at the top, the hand-picked, specially-selected and vetted sellers who clearly stand out and consistently demonstrate excellence in all that they do AND provide tremendous value to Fiverr's platform. That badge is certainly well deserved by all of you! Thanks for all of your input!!!
  23. @yannisenglish! That's really wonderful - good for you! How do you manage to maintain your Fiverr business on a part-time basis? I'm just learning how to spread out orders and plan ahead for weekends and other life events. I find it really hard to strike a good work-life balance.
  24. @damooch916, I'm blown away with the content that you and @newsmike seem to come up with on a daily basis! That's pure awesomeness right there. And that's not even looking at your vetted, top-rated talent that you offer on Fiverr! I agree with @visualstudios & @smashradio... I'd love to see what the dynamic trio can do on YouTube! @damooch916 + @newsmike + @visualstudios 😍
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