How I Got Into The Fiverr Pro Program As A Cybersecurity Freelancer
Is the Fiverr Pro program worth it in 2024 ??
It is no secret that the job market is not great right now
With companies shedding employees like crazy .. the 9-5 is no longer the safe haven it once used to be
Freelancing is becoming more and more of a viable option for people in tech and cybersecurity
I wrote earlier about Freelancing and touched upon Fiverr in that article which you can check out below
Fiverr is a great marketplace if you are starting out in freelancing giving you access to a huge pool of buyers looking for gigs.
However, two problems are there:
1 - There is MASSIVE competition on Fiverr with sellers looking to undercut each other by offering dirt-cheap prices. Buyers are torn between choosing a person who will do the work for 5 dollars compared to someone charging a 100 for the same thing
2 - Freelancers are not allowed to put their gigs in Cybersecurity category unless they are part of the PRO program which brings us to our current topic
What is Fiverr PRO
Pro is Fiverr’s special program which only vetted freelancers are allowed to join based on specific criteria
Simply put .. being a Pro Freelancer means that Fiverr has reviewed your profile and decided you meet its high bar
The fact that you are handpicked by Fiverr also means that customers get that extra confidence to hire you
Buyers have an option to filter out regular sellers and only look at Pro Verified Freelancers when looking at gigs raising your visibility
Being part of this curated program means the competition is less BUT it also means it is much harder to get into
You need to pass a vetting process from the Fiverr Pro team before you are allowed to host gigs under the program
But once you are in .. you get a shiny badge next to your profile AND you get access to customers who are willing to pay much more for your services
How to Become a Fiverr Pro Freelancer
Getting into Fiverr Pro is not easy but it can be done provided you invest the right effort into it
Fiverr has made it clear what criteria they focus on which can be looked at here
Once you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for Fiverr Pro status through the Fiverr website.
You have to fill out a detailed application form that shows you area of expertise and why Fiverr should vet you
Here are the steps I took to get into the Fiverr Pro program:
1 - Established Credibility On Fiverr
I would not recommend jumping straight into Fiverr Pro without first spending some time on the regular Fiverr Platform
Fiverr needs some data to see if how good you are with customers and your existing Fiverr profile can go a long way to establish your credibility
They need to know you are good enough to handle Pro level customers which your existing metrics can show
Spend a few months doing gigs and getting those customer reviews
I had reached upto Fiverr Level 2 before I applied to be a Pro freelancer
2 - Create A Portfolio
Fiverr wants to see what projects you have done and what you bring to the table
Start creating a list of projects / portfolios that you have done especially those that are publicly listed
This portfolio becomes a living, breathing testimonial that you can bring the level of quality that Fiverr Pro needs
Get as much social proof as you can and share your work on platforms like GitHub, LinkedIn, X etc.
The more testimonials and reviews you have .. the more the chances of you being approved
3 - Document Your Freelancing Process
During the application process I noted that Fiverr actually asks you what your process is as a freelancer
Questions were around how your collaborate with customers and how do you ensure deadlines are met ?
Do no try to wing this and have it documented beforehand
4 - Do not rush
I would not recommend rushing to get into Fiverr Pro as the review process takes a lot of time ( a few months in my case )
Also if you are rejected then you have to wait for a few months before you can re-apply !
So .. after doing all these things I applied and after a few months got the email I was waiting for
Is Fiverr Pro Worth It ?
If you are serious about freelancing then definitely YES
Cybersecurity is a hot field and companies are always on the lookout for good professionals
Getting onto Fiverr pro means you can start your journey on starting your own business
You get access to higher-paying customers and it is no longer a race to the bottom like on regular Fiverr
It takes time and effort but it is worth it in the end
Good luck on your freelancing career
Do you find Fiverr to be better than Upwork for freelancers ?