Today I've added a new gig: writing about coffee. Coffee is a popular topic, and as a coffee lover and a former caffeine addict, I enjoy writing about it.
A warm cup of coffee in your hands in the morning, or in the afternoon. The scent of coffee. The scent of cinnamon. The first sip. The aroma of coffee, of cinnamon, of brown sugar. Having fun with your friends while drinking it, or working with a nice smell right next to you. Or, something to do when you're bored, or when you're curled up with a good book. Coffee is a good companion.
Your brain waking up with the help of coffee. The comfort of the warm cup in your hands. The world around you is more clear after you've had your coffee. Or, more scary, if you've had too much.
Caffeine addiction: the dark side of coffee. Some people call themselves caffeine addicts even though they've never experienced the true addiction. Heart beating like crazy (there's also the possibility of a heart attack, if you go too far). Constantly being nervous and irritable. Snapping at others when, without the addiction, you would have just shrugged it off. Panicking when there's no good reason for it. Bowel problems. Serious. And if you try to stop immediately, as soon as you realize what's going on, you can't. Well, you can, if you want to suffer the worst headache of your life for about a week. If you want to avoid the headache, you have to go slowly. Little by little. Reducing the amount you drink every day. Apply self-discipline, or it won't work.
Been there, done that. Managed. Stopped drinking coffee for a while after that. Now, I can enjoy it again. The smell, the warmth, the aroma. The companionship. Good time with friends, or on my own. As long as I keep in mind the possible danger of overdoing it, it's all fine.
Coffee is a pleasure again, and a pleasure I'm happy to write about.
Friday, November 28, 2014
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Fear and Loathing on Fiverr
First time when it happened, I was petrified...
All right, not exactly petrified, but every Fiverr seller knows what I'm talking about: the first negative review, which happened while I was still fairly new. The ARS (the 5 stars system instead of thumbs up and thumbs down) was also new, and everyone was desperately trying to keep their 100% rating. People kept saying that everything lower than 100% rating was a complete disaster for a new seller, and being new, I believed them.
Now, on other freelancing sites, a rating of 95% is excellent. I believe that time will come when the same will be true for Fiverr. However, that time isn't here yet, and while I know now that one negative rating would have just slowed me down, not ruined my business on Fiverr, back then, I was worried. Saying that I experienced fear and loathing would be exaggerating, but hey, I'm a writer and a blogger, so I'm allowed to exaggerate.
Anyway, here's what happened: I discovered that I got a 1 star rating for an About Us page I've written for a client. No explanation, no modification requests, nothing. My first impulse was to answer his feedback with my own 1 star rating, explaining that the buyer never even tried to communicate after placing the order, and that he sent me very little information to begin with. I calmed myself down and messaged the buyer instead, asking about his reasons and why he didn't request me to revise the page. He said he thought about asking for a modification, but the page was terrible, it had numerous grammar errors (actually, there was a single typo), the vocabulary was terrible, it was useless to his company (all of this written in not so good English). So, I do the next smart thing and initiate the mutual cancellation, apologizing for wasting his time and offering a refund because my writing was useless to him. That would be it, i thought.
It wasn't. He refused the cancellation. They were going to use some parts of the page I sent him, he said. Some parts of a 296 words page? I didn't ask him that, of course; that would have been unprofessional. Instead, I asked him to remove the negative rating, because the page wasn't so useless, after all. He accepted, but discovered the option to do so was gone. So, I asked him to contact Fiverr Customer Support (I did the same myself), because at that point, that was the only way to remove the bad rating. He did, and I sighed with relief, thinking that it was over.
It wasn't.
He rated the work I sent him with 4.5 stars. It's not a bad rating as such, but it still lowered my overall rating and decreased my chances at success, or so I thought at the time. So, I patiently explained to him what the problem was, and he agreed to contact the Customer Support again. They removed his rating. Then he demanded that I write him a better page than the one I sent him. He did so much for me, he said, he deserved a flawless page. And, he would rate me based on the page I sent him. This time, he sent me more information, as well as some examples of the pages he liked. I did the page again, and I got 5 stars.
Finally.
This entire story went on for a few days. It wasn't a pleasant experience, but it taught me a few things. One was not to panic about bad ratings. After all the back-and-forth, I simply can't be bothered to panic about such things anymore. Panic is useless; it's much better to move on, and to keep delivering the best work I can. In the end, the results will show, which is another thing that this experience taught me: one bad rating, or even several bad ratings, don't destroy someone's business on Fiverr. They make it a bit more difficult, but if the sellers explains their side of the story, reasonable buyers will still work with them.
And another, very important thing I've learned from experience with this buyer and several others: never, ever accept to work on the order without enough information. I've tried to improvise, or to write general pages about this or that type of business, but the buyers who are unwilling to provide me with enough information about their businesses (see what kind of information I need) tend to be unsatisfied no matter what I do. It's better to initiate the cancellation immediately with a list of questions (cancellation can be aborted once the buyers sends the answers), so that the buyer either sends the info, or accepts the cancellation and moves on.
Live and learn. I've survived, learned something, and got a story to tell.
All right, not exactly petrified, but every Fiverr seller knows what I'm talking about: the first negative review, which happened while I was still fairly new. The ARS (the 5 stars system instead of thumbs up and thumbs down) was also new, and everyone was desperately trying to keep their 100% rating. People kept saying that everything lower than 100% rating was a complete disaster for a new seller, and being new, I believed them.
Now, on other freelancing sites, a rating of 95% is excellent. I believe that time will come when the same will be true for Fiverr. However, that time isn't here yet, and while I know now that one negative rating would have just slowed me down, not ruined my business on Fiverr, back then, I was worried. Saying that I experienced fear and loathing would be exaggerating, but hey, I'm a writer and a blogger, so I'm allowed to exaggerate.
Anyway, here's what happened: I discovered that I got a 1 star rating for an About Us page I've written for a client. No explanation, no modification requests, nothing. My first impulse was to answer his feedback with my own 1 star rating, explaining that the buyer never even tried to communicate after placing the order, and that he sent me very little information to begin with. I calmed myself down and messaged the buyer instead, asking about his reasons and why he didn't request me to revise the page. He said he thought about asking for a modification, but the page was terrible, it had numerous grammar errors (actually, there was a single typo), the vocabulary was terrible, it was useless to his company (all of this written in not so good English). So, I do the next smart thing and initiate the mutual cancellation, apologizing for wasting his time and offering a refund because my writing was useless to him. That would be it, i thought.
It wasn't. He refused the cancellation. They were going to use some parts of the page I sent him, he said. Some parts of a 296 words page? I didn't ask him that, of course; that would have been unprofessional. Instead, I asked him to remove the negative rating, because the page wasn't so useless, after all. He accepted, but discovered the option to do so was gone. So, I asked him to contact Fiverr Customer Support (I did the same myself), because at that point, that was the only way to remove the bad rating. He did, and I sighed with relief, thinking that it was over.
It wasn't.
He rated the work I sent him with 4.5 stars. It's not a bad rating as such, but it still lowered my overall rating and decreased my chances at success, or so I thought at the time. So, I patiently explained to him what the problem was, and he agreed to contact the Customer Support again. They removed his rating. Then he demanded that I write him a better page than the one I sent him. He did so much for me, he said, he deserved a flawless page. And, he would rate me based on the page I sent him. This time, he sent me more information, as well as some examples of the pages he liked. I did the page again, and I got 5 stars.
Finally.
This entire story went on for a few days. It wasn't a pleasant experience, but it taught me a few things. One was not to panic about bad ratings. After all the back-and-forth, I simply can't be bothered to panic about such things anymore. Panic is useless; it's much better to move on, and to keep delivering the best work I can. In the end, the results will show, which is another thing that this experience taught me: one bad rating, or even several bad ratings, don't destroy someone's business on Fiverr. They make it a bit more difficult, but if the sellers explains their side of the story, reasonable buyers will still work with them.
And another, very important thing I've learned from experience with this buyer and several others: never, ever accept to work on the order without enough information. I've tried to improvise, or to write general pages about this or that type of business, but the buyers who are unwilling to provide me with enough information about their businesses (see what kind of information I need) tend to be unsatisfied no matter what I do. It's better to initiate the cancellation immediately with a list of questions (cancellation can be aborted once the buyers sends the answers), so that the buyer either sends the info, or accepts the cancellation and moves on.
Live and learn. I've survived, learned something, and got a story to tell.
Monday, November 24, 2014
Gig Time: Video Scripts
 |
| A sample of an AV script |
Just like with the gig for writing About Us pages, I had some surprises with the clients. I have assumed that the clients who wanted video script had at least some idea what the AV script looked like, and that they would know, since every video has both the audio and the visual part, that they needed to tell me what they wanted for the both parts. What kind of video did they want? What did they want it to look like? What did they want it to say? It turned out that many have never even seen an AV script, or that they only thought of the audio part, or that they haven't thought about the matter at all.
Fortunately, once they received the script, everything was pretty much self-explanatory.
Another thing that surprised me was that some clients expected the script writer to make the video. While I have no doubt that some script writers also know how to make a good video, it's far from common. I've changed the gig description to add that I only write the scripts, I don't make the actual videos.
Just like with the About Us pages, I had to change the gig description several times in order to cover the most frequent issues. Live and learn.
A Fiverr buyer gave me the first opportunity to write a script for a whiteboard animation video. It was fun. It was interesting. I've learned something new, which is, in part, why I enjoy Fiverr so much. Opportunity to learn and to apply what I've learned.
These days, I write scripts for various types of videos. Whiteboard animations, animated cartoons, green screen videos, explainer videos, commercial videos, promotional videos, voice over scripts for the already shot videos... You name it (with enough information), and I'll write it. And I'll have fun doing it, which shows in the script and makes the final product look good.
Saturday, November 22, 2014
How I Started On Fiverr
I have heard of Fiverr when looking for freelance sites, but dismissed it at first. I was already on Elance, which looked like the best site for freelancers, with the most serious buyers. Even on Elance, I've noticed a bunch of buyers who treated it like a content mill and offered $1 for 500 words. Fiverr seemed like yet another place where freelancers worked for spare change.
However, a freelance writer in a LinkedIn group mentioned that $5 was for beginners, and that she, as a Top Rated Seller, could earn up to $125 per assignment. And in Writing For Money by Stephen G. Davies I found not just a recommendation for Fiverr, but a very useful advice, something like: Don't write more than 300 words, it's $5.
I decided to give it a try.
I created my first gig, and got my first order the very next day. I was lucky, in a way; there was a buyer who needed texts for his website about pets, and it looks like he was checking out all the pet gigs on Fiverr. I completed it, got 5 stars, and for about a week, that was it.
I've used the time to browse the forum, learn as much as I could about Fiverr, and also to check out other gigs and see what else I could offer. I created the gig for About Us pages, figuring that people with websites could use it, and another one, for video scripts (I'm a script writer by trade, so that was something I could easily do). Thanks to my first gig, I was already a 5 star seller, and so, a week after the first order, the second one came. This one was for the About Us page, and it was the first such page I have ever written for a client.
It was scary. It was exciting. The client loved it, and immediately ordered another one. He was very nice in his reviews, too. And I was... Wow. I did it. I actually did it. And it was good.
The next day, I got another order. The day after that, another one. And so it began. I got promoted to Level 1, and then to Level 2.
My cat gigs didn't get many orders, but they made me stand out among other writers who did About Us pages and video scripts. People noticed them in the forum. Buyers noticed them. And some of them ordered animal related About Us pages from me because they figured me for an animal lover (correct). Some others may have noticed my minimalist lifestyle gig, which also serves more to set me apart than to bring me direct income. By seeing those gigs, some buyers get a better idea about me, and an impression that I would understand them and help them. And I do.
While most of my work is written for small businesses, a considerable amount is done for charities and the underrepresented, and that makes me happy. I like working with them. I like helping them to get noticed, to express themselves about the good things, the important things they're doing. And the most common comment I get from them is: She really understood what our website is about. That makes me smile. That makes me feel proud. Just as buyers who return a few months later with a new task make me feel proud of myself. I did well, they remembered me, and they want me to work for them once again.
And so, here I am, 5 months after I started on Fiverr, and doing... Well, sometimes doing good, sometimes not as good as I'd like, but overall, I like it. I enjoy it. I love the small, quick jobs, and exploring new things, and experimenting, and writing for a living. And Fiverr offers the possibility for all that.
Would I recommend Fiverr to others? Yes. I already did. Find something you like doing and can do in 5 minutes, or 15 minutes, or half an hour, and offer it. Be respectful to customers, offer good service, and have fun.
Definitely have fun. If you do, sooner or later, it will work.
However, a freelance writer in a LinkedIn group mentioned that $5 was for beginners, and that she, as a Top Rated Seller, could earn up to $125 per assignment. And in Writing For Money by Stephen G. Davies I found not just a recommendation for Fiverr, but a very useful advice, something like: Don't write more than 300 words, it's $5.
I decided to give it a try.
I created my first gig, and got my first order the very next day. I was lucky, in a way; there was a buyer who needed texts for his website about pets, and it looks like he was checking out all the pet gigs on Fiverr. I completed it, got 5 stars, and for about a week, that was it.
I've used the time to browse the forum, learn as much as I could about Fiverr, and also to check out other gigs and see what else I could offer. I created the gig for About Us pages, figuring that people with websites could use it, and another one, for video scripts (I'm a script writer by trade, so that was something I could easily do). Thanks to my first gig, I was already a 5 star seller, and so, a week after the first order, the second one came. This one was for the About Us page, and it was the first such page I have ever written for a client.
It was scary. It was exciting. The client loved it, and immediately ordered another one. He was very nice in his reviews, too. And I was... Wow. I did it. I actually did it. And it was good.
The next day, I got another order. The day after that, another one. And so it began. I got promoted to Level 1, and then to Level 2.
My cat gigs didn't get many orders, but they made me stand out among other writers who did About Us pages and video scripts. People noticed them in the forum. Buyers noticed them. And some of them ordered animal related About Us pages from me because they figured me for an animal lover (correct). Some others may have noticed my minimalist lifestyle gig, which also serves more to set me apart than to bring me direct income. By seeing those gigs, some buyers get a better idea about me, and an impression that I would understand them and help them. And I do.
While most of my work is written for small businesses, a considerable amount is done for charities and the underrepresented, and that makes me happy. I like working with them. I like helping them to get noticed, to express themselves about the good things, the important things they're doing. And the most common comment I get from them is: She really understood what our website is about. That makes me smile. That makes me feel proud. Just as buyers who return a few months later with a new task make me feel proud of myself. I did well, they remembered me, and they want me to work for them once again.
And so, here I am, 5 months after I started on Fiverr, and doing... Well, sometimes doing good, sometimes not as good as I'd like, but overall, I like it. I enjoy it. I love the small, quick jobs, and exploring new things, and experimenting, and writing for a living. And Fiverr offers the possibility for all that.
Would I recommend Fiverr to others? Yes. I already did. Find something you like doing and can do in 5 minutes, or 15 minutes, or half an hour, and offer it. Be respectful to customers, offer good service, and have fun.
Definitely have fun. If you do, sooner or later, it will work.
Monday, November 17, 2014
Gig Time: About Us Pages
My most successful gig on Fiverr is the one for writing About Us pages. It's not a surprise; many businesses and fansites need them, and as a storyteller, I don't find it difficult to write, basically, a story about a certain business or a passion project (or both at the same time).
What surprised me when I was still new was that some clients thought it wasn't necessary to provide me with information about their business or website. They'd tell me a sentence or two, and maybe send me a link to a Lorem Ipsum website. What was I supposed to do with that? I'm a writer, not a psychic. I tried my best, but quickly learned that, no matter how hard I tried, such clients were not satisfied. Now, when clients don't send me enough information to work with, I ask them for more, and if they still don't send it, I cancel the order.
The information can be in broken English, and/or all over the place. As long as I can understand it and as long as it's there, I can work with it, and shape it into a compelling page.
It took some trial and error until I came up with a solid list of questions to ask the clients. If you need me to write an About Us page for your website, the information I usually ask for is:
People tend to love such pages. Not everyone will like my style, of course, and I will revise or refund when needed, but most find my texts better than expected.
To get an idea about my style, see the Samples page, and keep in mind that I'm like a chameleon: I adapt to the tone and voice of the client, or the content already on their website (if different from the client's voice), or I adopt the tone and the voice the client wants me to adopt. Every business is different, and I do my best to adjust.
That's it for today. Until next time!
What surprised me when I was still new was that some clients thought it wasn't necessary to provide me with information about their business or website. They'd tell me a sentence or two, and maybe send me a link to a Lorem Ipsum website. What was I supposed to do with that? I'm a writer, not a psychic. I tried my best, but quickly learned that, no matter how hard I tried, such clients were not satisfied. Now, when clients don't send me enough information to work with, I ask them for more, and if they still don't send it, I cancel the order.
The information can be in broken English, and/or all over the place. As long as I can understand it and as long as it's there, I can work with it, and shape it into a compelling page.
It took some trial and error until I came up with a solid list of questions to ask the clients. If you need me to write an About Us page for your website, the information I usually ask for is:
- the name of the business/website/project/person I should write about, and the website link, if available
- what does your company do, where is it located, and what area do you cover with your services
- the products or services you provide (at least several specific ones, if possible)
- why are the products or services you provide important, and who is your target audience
- what sets you apart from your competition (that is, why would someone buy from you instead of your competitors)
- what is your vision, what do you dream of, what do you hope to accomplish
- what are your short-term and long-term goals
People tend to love such pages. Not everyone will like my style, of course, and I will revise or refund when needed, but most find my texts better than expected.
To get an idea about my style, see the Samples page, and keep in mind that I'm like a chameleon: I adapt to the tone and voice of the client, or the content already on their website (if different from the client's voice), or I adopt the tone and the voice the client wants me to adopt. Every business is different, and I do my best to adjust.
That's it for today. Until next time!
Saturday, November 15, 2014
CatWriter on Fiverr
Welcome! We may have met already, if you have contacted me on Fiverr. I'm CatWriter, and I write About Us pages, video scripts, book blurbs, book titles, and articles about cats and the minimalist lifestyle. I might add a few more services, once I feel confident that I can do them properly.
Several people on the Fiverr forum told me it would be a good idea to start a blog to promote my services (incidentally, my sales skyrocketed soon after I got that advice, and the Belgrade Book Fair started, leaving me no time for writing some more), so that's what I'm doing. However, don't expect me to write about my services only; that would be boring. I'll do my best to share useful information and to entertain you, and if you have any question or need advice, I'll do what I can to help.
Until next time!
Several people on the Fiverr forum told me it would be a good idea to start a blog to promote my services (incidentally, my sales skyrocketed soon after I got that advice, and the Belgrade Book Fair started, leaving me no time for writing some more), so that's what I'm doing. However, don't expect me to write about my services only; that would be boring. I'll do my best to share useful information and to entertain you, and if you have any question or need advice, I'll do what I can to help.
Until next time!