Fiverr.com Update - Good and Bad

Fiverr.com Review

A Month of Fiverr At A Glance

One month in with Fiverr.com, and I'm already scratching my head. 

Is it even worth it?

I'm weighing the annoyance factor to the amount of money that I've earned. Excitedly at first, I'd jump into my email at all hours of the day, waiting for orders. Some were a lot of fun! One of my first was a jewelry boutique. I relished writing creative descriptions of the pieces, tying in pictures and links - yes, life was good. 

My second turned out to be a cannabis oriented garment website. Funny - I took to writing for it like a chronic stoner to the pipe, learning all the new terms for Mary Jane that I have remained oblivious to for 30 years.

My third - go ahead, laugh! It was a lingerie website. I find that I don't care about what sort of website I write articles and blogs for, so long as they're not explicitly pornographic. That gets me lots of takers for gigs.

 

Some of my gigs have turned out to be long-term clients, if you can call working with them for the last month and a half as "long term", but they keep coming back for more and leaving me great reviews! They're starting to come in bulk orders - 4 or more blogs at once. As such, I can offer them a little break - say, a blog for free, so long as I'm making $20 a gig. Some are harder than others, requiring an almost complete rewiring of my brain - like writing for a door and window repair company  - or a cat treat website. At first I was able to crank out blogs, but now - it's getting difficult. 

The good side: I've made well over $150 in my first month, in my spare time. Realistically, I haven't lost time out my life. I have had to sacrifice time that I would normally devote to watching a movie or going out for a stroll, but it hasn't changed my life all that radically. In return for my devotion, I've got the spare change that I need to buy a little more cat food, that occasional dinner out, and pay for my bus fare. 

The bad side: I'll admit, I've taken my work on the bus, to my phone, and occasional glances at my Fiverr page while working at my day job. it's distracting. An order will come in, and my curiosity will win every time - so there I go again, checking my email and wondering where I'll find the time to write five more blogs. Will I have enough time to do the keyword research, or will i write it and then scrape it for keywords and scrub it after? 

Then there's the annoyance factor. A client writes in, asking about an order, and supplying all the info in a message prior to ordering. They place their order, and forget to copy the information into the order, so that I have to access the message, access the order, tie the two together in a document, and then do the research. It ends up being 15 minutes more work, sapping my potential from the get-go. 

Then there's the client that orders, doesn't supply any information, and expects to get it in a day. The clock starts ticking from the moment that they order, sometimes in the middle of the night. So I wake up to an order that has to be fulfilled in 12 hours, and I've still got five blogs on my plate from an order that was placed the day before. I try to get the information via messaging my midnight client from the other side of the world, and they fail to send it until the order is already late for delivery. 

I've taken to not worrying about it at all. When work comes in, I check it, and then ignore it until I get home. There's just no point to worrying about it until I can actually work on it without distraction. If it comes in late because of time differences, so long as I don't get a negative review, I don't care. 

*Shrug* I have cancelled orders before due to this problem. 

Then there are the clients that ask for work outside Fiverr, offering me pay and sending an email address  - and that's expressly forbidden on Fiverr. I've ignored these people, perhaps to my detriment. After all - outside of Fiverr, I could actually earn ALL of my $5, have no fees associated with orders, and have nothing taken out if it's wired directly to my bank account. This will have to wait until I've graduated from using Fiverr. I don't want to screw up a good thing. (Or at least, I think it's a good thing...)

All of this brings me to wonder, can I do this for myself? I've written an introduction letter which I plan to send to businesses that I stumble over on Google+, Facebook, and LinkedIn that are allowing their social media to get stale. I've got plenty of work to do - create a special business Google+ account, establish myself as a leader in SEO expertise, and gather up a portfolio that I can show to clients. It's a tall order to complete while working two other jobs, but now is the time to strike in this industry. If I don't, I may lose out to the flood of robot-calling businesses that claim to be "Google+ Partners!" *Sigh* None of these places are actually local. They claim to get businesses #1 placing on Google, 5000 followers, etc. It's ridiculous. They charge hundreds of dollars just to drain small businesses' bank accounts. They multitudinous postings on useless Yext partners' websites are useless. I can do more with a single blog post. 

The good things about Fiverr are now balancing precariously with the bad things. I need time to develop my business plan and to begin acting on developing my social media profile - something Guy Kawasaki promotes. He said in a seminar given for Ted Talks that one should start at least a year before actually opening one's business. Well, today is the day I'm getting started. let's see how far it takes me!

Working Out with Fiverr

Earning A Future, $5 At A Time

It's been almost four weeks since I started working with Fivver.com, and two weeks after I registered, I got my first gig. Fab! A few days later, I got another one, same customer. Then another came from a new client, and another, and another! 

To date I have completed an odd 15 or more gigs, all of which were very pleasant. My clients keep coming back, asking for more. It's great! 

I also received my Payoneer card, which is cool looking and will allow me to load my earnings onto it so that I can use my money for things in the real world, versus buying stuff on the Interwebs.

One problem, though. It's coming in in trickles, and my first gig only just cleared. That's a full 2 weeks after I did the gig. Now that I'm past that hurtle, my next annoyance is waiting for 8 more dollars so I can actually withdraw my money. Yes, it's still $20 earnings before you can take anything out. Confirmed.

Nevertheless, I've completed over $50 worth of $5 gigs. Not that it turned out that way. You see, Fiverr takes a buck out of each gig. Hey, they've got to make money, too. It's just a bit much. I guess it won't matter once I'm selling in the $100 range. I could live with 10%, but 25% is rough. So my real take is around $37. *Sigh*

The pluses of working on Fiverr is that you meet entrepreneurs and business people! They're from all walks of life, and are usually very generous. I got a $5 tip on my first gig. Oh - I forgot to mention, Fiverr doesn't take the fee out of tips, so if you get tipped big (or small) it's all yours. 

I've also gotten some 5-star reviews, so my reputation on Fiverr is building. Of course that will mean more views, more takers, and in the end, increased revenue. It won't be long before Fiverr sends me the dreaded tax forms, because I'll be making enough that they will have to report it. Well, if I'm making that much, it's all for the better. 

I'll keep you informed! 

Fiverr.com And Earning Spending Cash

So You Need A Little Extra Money?

Fiverr.com has to be the king of Internet quick earnings sites that I've tried, and I get good results there. That said, it might not be for you. 

Fiverr operates rather simply: they give you a sentence to complete.
"I will__________________________for you, for $5."

You fill in the blank. 

Be afraid. This can be anything from picking your nose on camera to jumping out of an airplane with a sign painted on your forehead. I've seen scarier "tasks". 

But right in the middle of all these loony things, there are normal things like writing reports, logs, and articles, and that's what I'm doing.

I used Fiverr three or four years ago, and I liked it. Problem being, Paypal finally got cranky with me and canned my account for a bad deal on eBay that happened over 11 years ago. Those dudes never forget. I was forced to drop my Fiverr account, just as I was hitting my peak. Fast forward to today, and I'm going to ignore Paypal for the special card --- see below.

So far I've got one repeat customer, and I posted my job only last week. He even left me an awesome review. The task was "I will write an SEO optimized article or blog post, filled with keywords for your website." It's worked out fabulously, leading to a weekly blog post that will net me a few bucks a week. 

For 1/2 hours of work online at home while I sit before going to bed, I can make the cash that I need for emergencies like extra groceries at the end of the week. I'd normally be broke, but now there will be a little mad money floating around. 

Now I've posted additional tasks, such as setting up Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter accounts for businesses. I'll set them up (a few hours worth of work, max) write a few posts, and start them off with some possible followers from accounts that I already have. Then I'll teach them how to administrate their social media pages, and let them go on their merry way. 

Lately I've been wondering if I shouldn't just continue to admin their pages for a set fee. perhaps I could log in and post something daily, answer posts, and okay new followers. I'm just not too sure how much I should charge for doing it. Since Fiverr only lets you charge $5 per task (at least to begin with) I'm kindah stuck. I was thinking that $20 a week would buy them 20 minutes of networking a day. That is, until I have too many clients to  offer that price. I'd have to offer the service outside of Fiverr, and I am comfortable doing that, but for now I've got to deal with either Paypal fees or be forced to use an online-only banking solution. I've really got to nail it down. If I sell 10 tasks this month, I'll be elevated to a "level 1" seller, and I think they will let me price my tasks from $10-30. At least, that's the way it used to be. After that, you can sell even higher, like $300-$500.

Once I've got enough clients, I may have to start offering to take credit cards, and then there's even more hassle. I'n going to do a little more research on it and get back to you. maybe keeping it ultra-simple might be my best bet. But all of this is counting my eggs before they hatch!

If you're interested in getting involved with Fiverr, give me a poke here, leave a comment, or email me.I can get you a discount because I'm already a member. It'll get you an extra free "task", allowing you to sell more tasks for free.

Keep in mind that as a rule they pay 2 weeks after you complete a task, and they pay via Paypal only. You do have the option of getting a "Payoneer" card, which will allow you to use your Paypal earnings via what is really a sort of ATM card with unbelievably horrible fees. I'm sure it'll be useful. I've opted into it, and I'll let you know if it's worth it. 

My first job finished up two days ago. That means that my first payout could be at the end of this month. Oh, did I mention that you have to earn over $20 before you'll get your first payout? Wait, I'll have to confirm that. What I mean is, a lot of people try Fiverr and discover there are some significant hurtles to get over before you become truly successful at it. Yep, I've read about the few "supersellers" who are making enough money to buy houses, etc.  I'll get back to you on that.

Starting Over With More Knowlege - Blogging and Content Writing

Blogging Versus Content Writing

Yep, I'm back at it again - the bills are due, and I'm desperate to try something new. Freelancer.com is an option, or so I'm told; but it comes with a catch - you work for pennies compared to the blogosphere, for which could and should pay much higher. Problem? You really have to have your own web page.

I say, boo to that - I refuse to pay GoDaddy even $35 when I'm cash poor. Yes, I'll be going to the eentsy-weensey pay sites, but in the meantime I've set up an "Aboutme.com" account. What's that, you say? It's a splendid way to find contacts.

Aboutme.com has literally thousands of gazillionaires just hanging around, looking for something to do. I'm serious. It's like Aboutme was made for the dude who wants to have a landing page that says, "I'm somebody important", and shows a robust fella with a choke hold around a huge lion's neck, hanging out of a helicopter, flying his own jet - you get the picture. They're all there, waiting to start conversations.
Stay tuned to see how I do at actually contacting any of these dudes. it remains to see if they have just slapped up a page as a status thing, or if they're genuinely interested in conversing with a public that might not have as much money lying around.

Now don't get me wrong! I have (or had) rich friends who taught me that "rich folks" are not bad people. They're just people who happen to have money. Aunt Helen and Uncle Bill taught me this - that it's more important to educate one's self and work hard than it is to have billions of dollars in the bank and be spending it on frivolities like a fool. Bill spoke 13 languages, and I think Helen spoke 11 fluently. Ask anyone you know, "How many languages can you speak?" Odds are that they'll shrug and say that they can speak a little French, or a little Spanish, but they hadn't practiced so it fell by the wayside. I'm guilty of it myself. I can't believe that at one time I spoke fluent Castillian Spanish, and now I can barely ask for a servesa.

How strange. Someone's kid is tooting on  a flutophone in their backyard, playing a continual scale over an over again. Ahem, well, that's Mastic Beach for you. Anyway, back to the argument at hand.

I write very quickly, if my keyboard will permit me. Right now the laptop is sufficing, but what I'd really like is one of those pads with a rubber keyboard. You know, the type that is sealed, that can't be damaged, and that you can clean with soap and water. Yep, I need that. You never know when a cat will suddenly stop and decide that your keyboard is a great place to wharf.
-But I digress. You can see  that my typing is almost an extension of my brain. I can literally type anything that comes to mind as quickly as I think it, barring the stuck "q" key which is driving me insane.

Right then! On to the real topic: Content writing versus Blogging. Content writing is the quick and dirty way to make money if you're someone like me. I can literally churn out millions of words in a very short time about any subject that anyone could want. Well, Football might be a stretch. Soccer on the other hand, I might be able to write about. Science gadgets, Sci-fi, Star Trek - well I could go on all day about that stuff. Hopefully I can find someone who's trying to get some much-needed traffic to their site, and I'll be the one to churn out ream and reams of keywords so that Google will take notice of them. We shall see. Keep tuned as I report on my progress with various freelancing websites.

Movie Madness

How To Get Really Bored In 4 Days Or Less By Watching Movies

It's dead winter and the construction industry is at a standstill, so I'm working 1/2 days and going home to fill out job applications and watch movies. I've crunched over 10 or more in the past two days, and I can safely say, I'm bored. 

Why? Because I've hit the wall again. I've looked up all my favorite directors, actors, and genres, crammed in anything that I haven't watched in the last year or two, and discovered: nearly nada. 

The trouble started with "Interstellar", which bounced me to the moon, made me love movies again, fulfilled my faith in movie-making, sparked my fire - and simultaneously quenched it in sour milk. It was such a good movie that I was comparing it with many sci-fi epics that I adored: "2001", "Planet of The Apes", and "Alien".

I began my quest with Matthew McConaughey, the star of "Interstellar", because I'd always liked his style and of course because he's drop-dead gorgeous. I can't help but enjoy looking at him. Beyond that, though, he's a wonderful actor. I looked up his IMDB resume, found his list of acting credits in movies, and then watched them. I watched as many as were quickly available for free on the Internet. 

Seriously, I think I watched three a night. And then it got boring. Suddenly that Texan drawl became frustrating instead of soothing, his body language became repetitive, and I found myself yawning. I'll be sure to catalog a critique of each of them in a later blog. 

Skip to my science-fiction search. Have I seen every science-fiction movie out there that's worth a damn? Yup. well, if I didn't remember it, it was because it wasn't that good in the first place. I stumbled around for a while and gave in. The worst experience I had was watching "12 Monkeys", thinking that I hadn't understood it the last few times that I watched it. Nope. It was just...bad. 

I did stumble over a lovely French animation, and "Big Hero 6" provided much fun last night, but I'm back in the boredom hole again. 

Maybe you can help me through my boredom by suggesting a great science-fiction piece, or a Nolan movie, or a Luc Besson movie, or even an animation move that I may not have seen. try me. If I've seen it I'll critique it, and that'll be more blogs! Woohoo! Hit me.