How to Start on Fiverr Without Falling Into Rookie Traps
If you’re just setting up your first gigs on Fiverr, it can feel overwhelming. You want clients, reviews, and income but you also don’t want to undervalue yourself or get caught in scams. A recent Reddit thread from a new seller in business consulting and marketing pulled in some honest, practical advice from experienced freelancers. Here’s what stood out.
The Pricing Dilemma: Lowball or Go Premium?
One of the biggest questions every beginner faces is: Should I start cheap or charge market rates?
- Some sellers argue you have to lowball in the beginning. One user shared how they offered music transcription for dirt-cheap rates just to land their first 15 orders. Once they had reviews, they gradually raised prices to a sustainable level.
- Others take the opposite route: charge premium from day one — but make your gig look premium. High-quality visuals, professional descriptions, and a polished portfolio can justify higher prices, even if you’re new.
In short, there’s no single formula. If you can afford to wait longer between orders, a premium approach might work. If you need traction fast, offering lower prices initially is a proven way to get momentum.
Handling Scam Messages Without Risk
New sellers often get flooded with shady messages — offers too good to be true, requests to move off-platform, or straight-up spam. The advice?
- Don’t panic. Most are bots.
- Reply politely or with something neutral so your response rate stays healthy.
- Never share personal details or click suspicious links. Fiverr is strict about ToS violations, so keep all real work on-platform.
Think of it as noise you just have to tune out until you’re more established.
Qualifying Buyers the Smart Way
If you want to screen clients before working with them, you have options:
- Create a low-cost intro call gig where buyers pay a small amount for consultation. This weeds out the unserious ones.
- Point outside contacts (friends, LinkedIn connections, past clients) to your Fiverr gig to get trusted reviews without violating rules.
The first 5–10 reviews are gold. They not only build trust with buyers but also boost your ranking in Fiverr’s algorithm.
Consistency Matters More Than Hacks
One seasoned seller put it simply: “Be responsible 101%, patient, and consistent.”
- Answer messages quickly.
- Deliver on time, every time.
- Stick to a work schedule so you don’t burn out.
These basics may not sound sexy, but they’re what separate long-term freelancers from one-hit wonders.
Fiverr vs Upwork: Which Is Better for Beginners?
The debate of Fiverr vs Upwork always comes up. Fiverr is often seen as the faster entry point — you can create gigs today and potentially land a client tomorrow. Upwork, on the other hand, works more like traditional job bidding. You submit proposals, wait for approvals, and often face tougher competition.
- Fiverr = better for building quick traction, getting reviews, and testing new offers.
- Upwork = better for larger, long-term contracts once you have experience and a portfolio.
For many freelancers, the smartest move is to start with Fiverr to build credibility, then branch out to Upwork when you’re ready for higher-ticket projects.
Final Takeaway
Starting on Fiverr isn’t about hacks but about mindset. Whether you go cheap at first or charge premium, the keys are:
- Nail those first reviews.
- Avoid scams and keep everything on-platform.
- Be reliable, responsive, and professional.
Do that consistently, and you’ll go from “new seller” to “established freelancer” faster than you think.
