The internet has become an indispensable method of connecting people throughout the world. At the same time, it changed the way that consumers receive goods and services by introducing the commerce marketplace. Commerce marketplaces have gained popularity, due to the direct contact and rapid communication and response times, and they have become a reliable method of earning extra income for various freelancers. One of the most prevalent websites is Fiverr.
Fiverr is a sort of outsourcing website that allows people all over the world to connect and perform unique tasks in exchange for five dollars. The service started in 2010 and has since gained a reputation among the commerce marketplace. The site connects “buyers”, those who need something done at a low price, but within a reasonable timeframe, and “sellers”, who are people that offer their skills or services in order to earn extra income from the talents or experiences they’ve built up over time.
If you were a buyer, you would select the service you wanted done and pay the fixed rate. If you were a seller, you would offer your services as a “gig” and wait to hear from someone who wished to order that specific gig. Upon completion, Fiverr would receive one of the five dollars paid, and the remaining four would reach the seller.
There are hundreds of thousands of services being offered at Fiverr. The most popular services are those that allow for mass advertisement using their own website as a board, or a social site that they frequently visit. There are also categories for writing, crafts, videos, and more. Even some of the nonsensical offers have enough appeal to warrant an investment.
The first step in getting involved, or making any sort of profit, is to write down a list of what you can offer to others. The service you offer doesn’t have to be your field of expertise, but you should have confidence in it. You should also be able to deliver it in a timely manner befitting the nature of your request. The length of time you set to complete the request should be as quickly as possible, but it should leave enough time to review and correct anything that needs to be corrected. Leaving unsatisfied buyers will drop your ratings and will harm your credibility in the long run.
The next step is to promote your service throughout the internet. When promoting, you need to reach a very wide audience that will have an interest in the service you are offering. The primary, and most common, method is the use of social sites such as Facebook, where you can spread word through an established network of friends. Using social pages, you can identify a target audience to announce your service, directly striking the heart of the consumer base you were aiming for.
After the success of Fiverr, numerous clones appeared using the same format. These include Tenbux and Fittytown, which operate on the same principals, but you can work at higher prices. In order to maximize your earnings, it is important to offer your services on as many of these sites as possible.
I have used fiverr both as a ‘seller’ and a ‘buyer’. My only issue from a freelancer’s point of view is that they take 20% in commission. which is HUGE by my standards. Elance take around 9% and I’m not thrilled, but Fiverr take 20% (1 dollar out of 5).
Still many professionals work with clients and then take the other gigs outside, so it’s a great way to find good clients or professionals.
As a buyer I’ve been pleased with it. Worked with few freelancers and they were pretty good.
I must admit the amount they take is not great for me either (since I used Fiverr and just Fiverr) however I still like to use it because the site is so clean and slick now. It has improved a lot design and user friendliness wise.