10 tips for a successful Fiverr adventure

Since I had an incredibly positive response to my previous blog about Fiverr called "My experiences with Fiverr after 50 assignments" and was often asked if I had any more Fiverr tips, I thought it was time for a new blog.

So see here: 10 tips for a successful Fiverr adventure!

P.S. The tips are in chronological order.

Tip 1: Know what you can and cannot outsource through Fiverr

Before you start using Fiverr, you need to know well what you can and cannot outsource. The freelancers who offer themselves through Fiverr mostly speak English, so you need to take that into account as well.

Below I've set up a list for you of examples of work that you can do just fine outsourcing through Fiverr:

• Having a logo made
• Having an illustration created (and other design work)
• Translation
• Videos and animations
• Music and audio
• Having modifications done to your website
• Having your e-book formatted

So what can't you outsource through Fiverr?

• Local search engine optimization
• Having Dutch texts written (by now there are more and more Dutch Freelancers offering themselves, so maybe there's something for you in between)
• Having a complete website built

Of course, there can always be an exception to the rule and there may well be freelancers who can or cannot do the above. In my experience, however, there are certain things you should not want to outsource to someone who does not speak Dutch.

Tip 2: Never choose just one freelancer

Should you be looking to outsource via Fiverr for the first time or should you have come up with something new you want to outsource via Fiverr, never bet on one horse.

Submit the assignment to multiple freelancers so you can compare them and so you can combine the best elements of each freelancer.

Outsourcing through Fiverr can be as little as $5 dollars, so it's definitely worth having multiple versions created by multiple freelancers.

Therefore, by no means be disappointed when you get some bad work back; after all, there are plenty of freelancers on Fiverr who are not so good at their work either.

Tip 3: Take a close look at freelancers' reviews and profiles

When choosing the right freelancers, it is important that you first take a good look at their profile. Then ask yourself the following questions:

• Does this person have many reviews and what are the reviews saying?
• Do the images used appeal to me?
• Is this a price I am willing to pay for it?
• How do I feel about the description of the assignment?
• Does the freelancer's profile inspire enough confidence in me?

These are some things that you need to determine and find out well in advance so that you are as prepared as possible to work with someone. After all, these are also topics you will want to know more about when you start working with a Dutch freelancer.

Tip 4: Get in touch first before buying a gig

If after seeing someone's profile you feel good about it, you should always contact them before purchasing anything.

First introduce yourself, tell a little about your assignment, talk about the price and show interest in the freelancer. This is where it is already important to build a rapport with someone.

9/10 times, the price people ask is their dream price and it's quite possible to take some off the price. And often the freelancer also has a good idea that he or she can work on for you.

But it could also be that the freelancer is too busy right now and thus cannot meet your deadline or that the assignment does not suit him or her at all.

In short, always contact us first :-).

Tip 5: Be as clear as possible in your assignment description

When you're in talks with a freelancer, of course you're going to describe your assignment. When do you want it done? How much should it cost? What colors should be incorporated?

Be as clear as possible in your description and give them all the information they need. Unfortunately, there are freelancers on Fiverr who literally do what you say or whose English is not very good. This can cause problems and, for example, cause your logo to become totally not what you envisioned.

What I find that helps very well is to outline your idea whenever possible. Send as much information as you can so they know exactly what you want.

When I can't explain my idea well, I always draw out. Check it out! (I know, drawing was not my best subject in school)

Tip 6: Negotiate the price, delivery time requirements of the job

Once the assignment is clear to the freelancer, he will make you a proposal. This proposal will mainly include the price and delivery time. Always engage in conversation about this.

The freelancer knows that you will haggle and so he will ask a higher price. This may sound a little disrespectful, but I always compare it to the flea market.

If the freelancer charges $10, he will probably do it for $7.

What is also important is what exactly you get for that $7. When we talk about a logo, for example, he may create multiple logos or offer multiple revisions.

And you might not get the Illustrator or Photoshop file for that $7, but only the PNG file. Always negotiate on this, too.

Tip 7: Test out your freelancer before placing a large assignment with 'em

If you have followed all the tips, by now you have chosen a good freelancer and agreed on a nice price. Whether the freelancer can actually complete the discussed assignment to your satisfaction is still more to be seen.

For that reason, have him first create, say, 3 images for your blogs instead of the required 55. Make sure you are 100% satisfied and know that the freelancer can complete the assignment to your satisfaction before you put everything in his hands.

Should he have done the first 3 well don't put the remaining 52 on him, but pick it up in stages. Then you can keep the overview and the freelancer will not be overwhelmed with work.

Tip 8: Go for the long haul

Treat the freelancer as you would like to be treated yourself. Don't milk the person completely. If the freelancer has already dropped in price, don't go trying to undercut them even more.

Yes, your assignment can earn him a day or weekly wage in some countries, and yes, even though it is so little it sometimes feels unethical.

But within Fiverr, always go for the long haul. I now work with a freelancer who can deliver something for me within an hour if needed, who makes undiscussed changes for me for free and actually thinks along.

This is also incredibly valuable to me. A freelancer will not do this after one assignment for you, as you will not do that after one assignment for a client.

But if you take good care of the freelancer, the freelancer will take good care of you. And never forget: freelancers are just people too!

Tip 9: Tipping

In a restaurant, you tip when the staff took good care of you and when everything was to your liking. This works (I find) the same way on Fiverr. Reward your freelancer once in a while with a few extra dollars.

Especially when the freelancer does recurring jobs for you at a competitive price.

Tip 10: Use the handy Fiverr app

The last tip I want to give you is the handy Fiverr app. It allows you to easily communicate with your freelancers and therefore you don't always have to have your laptop with you.

And the faster you can provide feedback to your freelancer, the faster he can get the work done.