1. Unclear or Poorly Optimized Gig Titles and Descriptions
Prominent among the major explanations Fiverr freelancers struggle with attracting buyers’ attention and inquiries among other issues is sheer deficiency of clear presentation of their services on offer. This issue starts from unclear headlines or gig titles. This is the case because gig titles represent the first impression to the potential buyer. If the Fiverr gig title is not clear and easily understood in terms of what is on offer, the buyers might skip the gig for another. They have tons of choices. Another critical issue with gig titles is poor “keywordings.” Keywords are key. It unlocks the fortress of search engine visibility, and Fiverr algorithm is not an exception. When a gig have keywords with high search volume and less competition, it records impressive impressions, a sine-qua-non for sales. Worthy of mention also is the effects of poor or too general gig descriptions. A good gig descriptions should be able to outline a catalogue of profits and deliverables to the potential buyer. It should also be able to describe the workflow and processes to delivering the services. What is more? Good gig descriptions should be able to highlight why you are the best hand for the job, i.e. your unique capabilities. If the qualities you list flops in capturing the interest of the buyer, it would be nunc dimitis.
2. Low-Quality or Missing Visual Content
Just like the gig title, the gig visuals or gallery (gig image or the introductory video) impress the potential buyers first. In this regard, if the visuals are not just there or are very low in quality, it will leave negative impression on the buyers. They would simply dismiss the gig as unprofessional. This is understandable as everybody wants value for the money they spent on goods and services. This fact makes it imperative that gig images should be of very high quality. Fiverr has downloadable gig templates that could be edited by sellers, and then “saved as JPG” for use as gig thumbnail. I would also advise up-scaling the gig pixels with PhotoGrid picture enhancement too for maximum quality. The video should also be of very high quality resolution in audio and definition. Fiverr warns that bad videos could hurt sales while good ones improves engagements of the gig. Professional gig image and video boosts credibility and trust. I have also observed that gig images should best feature the picture of the seller and minimal but telling texts. Gigs without seller images are largely ignored on Fiverr. You can verify.
3. Noncompetitive or Confusing Pricing Structure
Sellers gig packages and pricing make or mar their gigs appeal and patronage of the buyers. I have already stated that buyers are never in lack of alternative gigs, so that any little misstep could cause the buyer to look elsewhere. A great deal of gig packages and pricing on Fiverr are noncompetitive at the best, and confusing at the worst. New Sellers are always advised to price their services fairly, or rather, competitively. Given the fact that they have not gotten reviews and rock-solid portfolios, their only strategy should be giveaway prices. This is necessary as the risk-taker of buyer who would dare to work with the not-yet-worked-with-by-anyone of a seller should be able to stake what they can afford to lose (even though Fiverr will always provide a shield against such loses). I must also mention a dimension where some Fiverr enthusiasts advise against low prices for any reason because they are associated with mediocrity and unprofessionalism, and that Fiverr algorithm tends to favour higher prices to maximizing Fiverr’s 20% commission on every sale. I would advise balance between the two extremes at least at the outset. Pricing can be adjusted in the course of the freelancing career as the sellers gain value and recognition.
4. Slow or Inconsistent Communication
Prompt communication with the potential buyers hold immense benefits to the sellers. When communication is slow or inconsistent, or unprofessional, the effects are devastating. Many sellers struggle with getting first order largely because of their attitude to communication. This is serious to the extent that even established and ranking gigs could lose traction and visibility if the sellers of the gig respond less promptly or unprofessionally to messages. I have advised elsewhere that response to messages should be total and complete. In this, I mean that sellers should also reply to obvious spam messages politely. Reply a message with several messages sent in bits of sentences; e.g. Hi there (send). Thanks for your interest on my services (send), etc. I feel that either by design or chance, spam messages are part of Fiverr algorithm for allowing New Sellers achieve response rate scores which would have eluded them in the competitive marketplace forever. The spams will flood into new gigs requesting email your address; you should ignore the requests, and request them instead to tell you how you might serve them better! If they can still be contacted on Fiverr (their accounts die quickly due to the spamming), check on them as a follow-up (Your target in this is not to get sales, but to improve your response metrics. Quick responses are made possible by downloading Fiverr app (on Google Play) to notify you about new messages. Messages must be replied as fast as possible but it must never exceed 24 hours. The response rate drops just by one un-replied message after 24 hours, and delayed responses make buyers to look elsewhere.
5. Poor Customer Service Attitude
The way and manner of communication with buyers matters. Potential buyers evaluate not just your service but also assess how easy it is working with you. This is observable on the reviews buyers leave on sellers’ profiles on Fiverr. You would most see statements such as, “The seller is breeze,” or “easy to work with, and polite.” This makes customer service attitude quite imperative for success at Fiverr, and sellers struggling with orders are most likely with poor customer service attitude. The customer, they say is always right (the first rule), and if there is any reason why the customer is wrong, the seller is advised to be guided by the first rule. This is why sellers must avoid unfriendly tone even if the buyer is unfriendly and provocative. The reason is simple, rude or overly mono-syllabic responses could repel further communication. The same thing could also be said about failing to answer buyer’s questions clearly or comprehensively. In fact, if a buyer does not clearly comprehend what they are seeking to buy, they’re unlikely to go on with the purchase.
6. Lack of Reviews and Social Proof
Potential buyers just like every other human being count on the experiences others had with the seller. The experiences are provided by the previous buyers on the sellers’ profiles. Newbies or inactive sellers largely find it difficult getting orders due to their lack or poor reviews or testimonials. In other words, they have not yet gotten social proof. This is where it is advised that New Sellers should aggressively seek patronage from social media engagement.
7. Not Promoting Gigs Outside Fiverr
Most Fiverr sellers imagine Fiverr to do all the marketing and promotion, but that is wrong. Fiverr and sellers should be partners in progress because the more, the merrier. Sellers is expected to share their gigs on social media platforms. Sharing of the gig URL and the social interest it could garner factor strongly in ranking the gig on Fiverr. I would add that sharing your gig is tantamount to marketing Fiverr, and endears the gig to the Fiverr algorithm. In this manner, not sharing gigs beyond Fiverr explains while gigs and their sellers struggle with orders, especially, the first order. Depending entirely on Fiverr search engine under the intense competition on the marketplace can be a long game.
8. Failure to Use Fiverr Tools and Analytics
Another reason why sellers face difficulties with first order and more is failing to, or ignoring Fiverr’s internal tools and analytics. The tools provide important performance data and chances for promotion. Sellers are advised to invest hours in research and see ways to improving their gig performances. It is however stated that changes should be studied or evaluated after an upward of 30 days. It is also to be advised that sellers should be active on Fiverr Community Forum. Even though Fiverr has denied that the forum has no effect on gig performance, the forum is a rich source of information. The forum, it should be noted, is domiciled in Fiverr domain, and as such, I believe that active forum participation amounts to active Fiverr presence.
Conclusion
Striving to achieve first order and more on Fiverr is not always about capacity, it is mostly all about the extent you do the presentation, communication, and engagement with potential buyers. If sellers facing this challenge take out time to recognize and address the eight (8) reasons outlined supra, they could start seeing quantifiable progresses in commitment, response rate, and eventually, orders.
P.S
Yours sincerely offers resume writing services on Fiverr. Thanks in hopes of your patronage.
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