How I Survived My First Month on Fiverr and Made My First Sale

My Journey towards Fiverr began when I needed extra income to pay my bills, as a college student. 

I first heard about Fiverr during my search for a suitable freelance platform and on one of Google's endless list of blogs. 
When I created my Fiverr account, I wasn’t expecting chaos. I thought freelancing would feel exciting, maybe even hopeful. You know how it is with, the colossal sum of money other freelancers were claiming to make or actually making. 

I was skeptical about it but I wanted to see for myself and what began as an uncertain choice filled of doubts, soon transformed into the first spark of hope for me. Let me tell you exactly how I survived, and made my first sale in my just my first month on Fiverr. 

⭐ Key Takeaways

• Scammers target new accounts — but they’re avoidable.
• Most bad Fiverr experiences come from lack of strategy.
• Engaging and learning gives you an advantage.
• Your first sale comes from patience + optimization.
• Fiverr rewards consistency, not luck.

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My first 24 hours were filled with scam messages, fake clients, weird requests, and horror stories from people saying Fiverr was “dead” and “impossible for beginners.”

Honestly, I almost believed them. Infact, I was a victim of one of the scams in my emails requesting for my account's card details. So, how did it all happen?

That brings us to the first part of experience.

#1 The Scam Messages, How to Spot and Avoid Them:

One of the very first things you'll notice after your gig goes live is the scammers.  These are people who want to trick sellers and make away with whatever little they have. This is easier because on Fiverr, clients are unavailable to scam, so they go for sellers.

Alright, I signed up, I did everything necessary. Then, bam! I got a message. I was so excited, I thought my heart had skipped a beat.

So, Yes, those were my first two messages ever received on Fiverr. Which brings us to the an important rule of Fiverr, the restrictions against directing a client outside the platform via any means, email or socials or whatsoever. 

Fiverr doesn't even let Freelancers link clients out of their platforms. Infact, all transactions and deals must take place within the platform. Hence when I first received this message I was quite suspicious, especially about the first one. 

In the screenshot above, the first scammer had thought me a lesson and when I received the second one, I did what you should do now, if you're in these shoes because Fiverr's systems keeps record of how you interact with clients.

Pardoning scammers or even sending them your emails could trigger a block on your account from the system or even lead to a ban from Fiverr, if the matter escalates. 

In my case, I reported the profile afterwards, because that's exactly how scammers should be handled on platforms like Fiverr. After that, I stopped receiving scam messages

Warning: Scammers on Fiverr Always ask for your emails 🚫

on Fiverr.

Now, how do you know that a client is trying to scam you on Fiverr?

First things first,

• All scam messages on Fiverr go against the rules, they try to take you outside the platform by requesting for your emails, disguised as a breach in payment. Do not fall for this trap as they mostly target beginners or new sellers on the platform, who they think are easier to lure. Genuine clients do not request for your emails, they chat with you, ask for your services and make an order that actually shows up on your page.
• If you do send them your emails out of naivety, which is exactly why this post would save you today, note that authentic Fiverr messages come from the email for Fiverr, here's my screenshot of an authentic message from Fiverr.

• Notice that, the email comes from noreply@announce.fiverr.com. Any email that has even a slight twitch in at the end, for instance fiver.com or fiv. com is a scam and should be avoided.
• Note their strategy, typical scammers send you a message in request for your email so they can send you  fake order messages and deceive you into putting your card details for a scam. Beware and weary of this.

#2 The Two Weeks of Discouragement:

After some two weeks of nothing, I decided to do some research. Just incase, I was doing something wrong. At this point, I started to understand the real truth about earning online . That it wasn't as quick as it was displayed. It took time and a little extra effort.

Everywhere I looked, Reddit threads, Facebook groups, YouTube comments, people were complaining about getting banned, ignored, or  scammed. It felt like I had walked into the wrong platform at the wrong time, which would go on for about two weeks until I discovered a game changing post on Reddit. 

I did see some opinions about gig tweaking and of course I tweaked my gig a couple of times, but there was no improvement.

#3 The Turning Point:

After a while of surfing another batch of discouraging messages about Fiverr on the internet, I thought about quitting, maybe, freelancing does not work. I hadn't gotten a 

client in three weeks! Except, a bunch of scam messages. I wanted to give up.

But instead of quitting, I did something different.

I paid attention, I checked for the positive side of it all. It was in that moment, that I came across a post on Reddit. It said:

Fiverr is a Shitty Platform. Do not Join:  Within at least Fiverr minutes of creation, there were already two scammers contacting me. Within 3 months, there were more than thirty, none ironically, the first time I insulted one of them, my account was permanently banned.

It was relatable except, I had learnt their strategy now, thanks to a friend and Chatgpt. In all my venting and rantings about Fiverr, I paused to do one thing. I watched how experienced freelancers talked. I studied what frustrated sellers were doing wrong. 

I joined discussions, asked questions, and started to understand what Fiverr actually rewards. And slowly, everything started to make sense.

Then, I saw a reddit like this:

I decided, I wasn’t just “surviving” anymore, I was learning, because Fiverr is learnt, as much as any other thing in life.

This is why I'm here, to deliver everything I learnt in one month to you in just 10 minutes so you can get your first order soon or in less than a month on Fiverr, as a beginner with little or no knowledge on how to go about it. 

I studied the profile on reddit and asked sent a message asking for guidance which I was really grateful I did.

 I also saw another a reddit from a girl sharing her testimonials who said that she narrowed down her gig to a specific niche and did a few more things. I decided to try that as one last thing before deciding to give up or not on getting my first client early on Fiverr.

Then, one day, after a week of tweaking my gig the right way, showing up consistently, and avoiding the traps every beginner falls into…

I finally got my first real order.

That one sale changed everything with a high rating from my first client. Ouii! Good first impressions, huh? 😏 Here it is, from Fiverr.

How I Made My First Sale on Fiverr: Tips for Beginners

Starting something new can feel overwhelming, especially when it involves putting your skills out into the world for the first time. Fiverr, a platform for freelancers, can seem intimidating at first, but making your first sale is highly possible with the right approach. Here’s my journey and the beginner-friendly tips that helped me land that all-important first gig.

My First Month on Fiverr

When I first signed up on Fiverr, I wasn’t sure if anyone would notice my profile. I spent hours crafting my gig description, choosing the right keywords, and picking a professional-looking thumbnail. Even though the first few days felt quiet, I kept improving my gig , by the little hints I got from professionals and random people on Reddit, and learning how the platform works.

Then it happened, my first sale from my gig! The feeling was incredible. I actually saw a placed order and money on my dashboard. It wasn’t just about the money, it was proof that my skills were valuable and that I could make Fiverr work.

Here’s what helped me get there and what beginners need to know.

1. Choose the Right Gig

Fiverr works best when you niche down. Instead of offering “writing services,” I offered “SEO blog posts and articles for beginners.” Specific gigs attract clients who know exactly what they need. One of the very first things I did, infact, the very first gig I created, had the title "Ghostwriter for Anything". Vague right? It's been three months since I started out on Fiverr. My first gig with this title has gotten me no clients at all. However my second tweaked gig with the title "Ghostwriter for Blogs and Articles" has brought me 4 potential clients since it went live. The power of choosing the right gig and a specific niche.

Always remember to search Fiverr for your skill and see what’s already selling. Don’t copy; use it as inspiration.

2. Perfect Your Gig Description and Title

Clients often decide in seconds whether to click your gig. Your title, description, and thumbnail are your first impression. What do you want you're clients to think of you?

Make your title clear and searchable.

Use your description to highlight benefits, not just features. For example, “I will write a blog post that drives traffic and engages readers,” instead of “I write blogs.”

The need for strong drafting and copywriting skills is essential here.

Add FAQs, examples and interviews to reduce client hesitation, revision and order cancellation.

3. Use a Professional Thumbnail and Add a Video:

Your gig thumbnail is like a storefront window. A clean, colorful, and relevant image catches attention and makes your gig look professional. Canva is a great tool for beginners to design one quickly. Also, include a video for your gig.

• Adding a video to a landing page can boost conversion rates by up to 80 %. 
• Explainer videos have been shown to increase conversions by 20% in some cases. 
• According to one source, using video on a pricing page could lead to 27% more sign-ups. 

Broadly speaking, videos have been shown to boost conversation rate by tens of percents.

 A good gig video could be your hack today. When I started out on Fiverr, I figured getting a nice video kit for my gig video and profile images was one of the best investments I ever made. My impressions boosted in a week and client rate doubled. One client even complimented how confident I sounded in my gig. Of course, that was after a successful delivery that she loved. Luckily for you, I have just the perfect recommendations for a clear, bright, confident video that'll make clients trust you even more to make an order. You can check it out here!

4. Start With Competitive Pricing

As a beginner, it’s okay to start slightly lower than top sellers. You’re building reviews and credibility. You can always raise your rates after a few successful orders.

You can also offer extras for faster delivery or additional features, clients love options.

5. Be Responsive and Friendly

When a potential client messages you, reply quickly and politely. Fiverr tracks response times, and higher responsiveness can improve your gig visibility.

Use Fiverr’s mobile app to respond on the go.

Remember your response rates signals the system that you're active and credible.

Note: Maintaining your response rate at 100% makes Fiverr's system increase your visibility.

6. Promote Your Gig

Don’t rely only on Fiverr traffic. Share your gig on social media, LinkedIn, or niche communities.

Even a few extra eyes can make the difference.

Create content that showcases your skills (like a short writing sample or graphic) and link to your Fiverr gig.

When I started out, I remember that one of the first ever places I'd promoted my gig was on LinkedIn and Twitter and it did help to boost my initial impression.

7. Focus on Quality and Reviews

Your first few reviews are gold. Overdeliver if possible, clients appreciate extra effort, and positive reviews boost your credibility exponentially. To succeed on Fiverr you must learn to treat your clients like their kings and queens, like they're the boss. 

Nobody buys your gig because they like you, want to help you or even spend some money, people want to make sure they get quality and good client service with their hard earned money. Being kind to clients brings them back. Remember, customers are priority, if no one patronizes you, you won't sell. So treat clients with respect.

Politely ask satisfied clients for reviews. Most are happy to help.

8. Learn and Improve Continuously

Pay attention to which gigs get clicks and which don’t. Tweak titles, descriptions, and tags based on performance. Fiverr is a learning process, and small adjustments can lead to big results because it's all about knowing the system's preferences. Look for what works for Fiverr and provide it there.

Lessons for Fiverr Beginners

I know we all want that order that first notification bell that comes with good news and sometimes we even want it the very day we upload our gig 😌( I've been there)

But here the few things every beginner would need to imbibe to succeed on Fiverr

1. Patience is key – Your first sale may take time, Why? Because it's your first sale, it like opening a bookshop or a store for the first time. People have to getto know you first to buy, but don’t give up.
2.  Clarity sells, be specific about your services. For instance if a client is looking for writers for a blog, they won't go for general writers, they'd go for, permit me to say specialists.
Tip: Always ensure you complete interview before encouraging an order from client💌
3.  First impressions matter, A professional thumbnail, a good gig video and well-written gig attract clients. So, invest in that video because it could be the thing that convinces your customer to buy. Invest in your gig, get a video kit or set, a mini microphone to enhance your voice and make your gig stand out in the crowd to get all clients. Remember, customers need to be impressed first to buy.
4. Communication wins, Respond quickly, politely, and clearly.
5.  Reviews are your currency, Focus on delivering excellent service.

Making your first sale on Fiverr is like crossing a milestone. It’s proof that your skills are in demand and that effort pays off. If you’re just starting, remember this: every top seller was once a beginner. Take your time, refine your gig, stay persistent, and the first sale will come.

Funfact: The name "Fiverr" comes from the original idea that every service costs $5 💰

With love,

The Weirdo 💕

About the Author

Hi, I'm Sylvia, a writer, creative, and storyteller who loves sharing honest experiences about freelancing, life, and becoming the best version of myself.I'm currently working on publishing my first book. During my spare time, I love to read, draw or just care for my pet cat, Molly. Welcome to my page, my general diary. I'm so glad you're here! I hope you love it and find what you're looking for!

FAQ

It took me one month of optimizing and learning.

You only need one skill you can do confidently. Even beginner-level writing works.