[ad_1] The post Fiverr vs. Upwork: Which is the Better Option? appeared first on Millennial Money. The gig economy is roaring as more and more young people embrace the idea of freelancing for a living. In the past, freelancing was a lot harder because it involved forming direct relationships with companies. But recent advancements in the freelance platform market have made it easier than ever to access opportunities from multiple companies at once. Two of the most popular freelancing platforms in 2021 include Fiverr and Upwork, where people hire freelancers and remote workers for various tasks. Here’s a quick summary: FIVERR UPWORK Pricing 20% for all projects 20% to start then scales down Opportunities Better for smaller projects Better for larger projects Customer Service Limited help center Robust support center Upgrades Fiverr Pro is free to apply Upwork Pro costs $14.99 Keep reading for a closer look at how each freelancer platform stacks up to help you determine whether it makes sense to spend time looking for work on either. or, jump straight to our in-depth Fiverr vs. Upwork comparison What is Fiverr? Fiverr is a digital marketplace where freelancers can connect with companies and offer their services. The company was founded in 2010, giving them over a decade of experience in helping gig economy workers find jobs. How Fiverr works Here’s a breakdown of how to use Fiverr. 1. Have a skill Like any freelance platform, the platform itself will only get you so far. Making money requires you to have a marketable skill. This isn’t a platform for learning new trades or practicing writing, performing voiceovers, managing social media, or practicing video design. Don’t use Fiverr unless you’re proficient in graphic design, digital marketing, copywriting, or translation. Fiverr is ultimately a marketplace, not a training center. And if you treat it as training, you’re liable to get poor reviews or wind up taking on a contract you can’t execute, thereby damaging your reputation as a freelancer. If you need practice before using Fiverr, consider looking for courses on a site like Udemy or interning for a company that can teach you the knowledge you need to succeed. 2. Sign up for Fiverr Once you have a clear understanding of your skill, head over to Fiverr and sign up for their service. Fiverr is free to join, so you don’t have to worry about paying anything out of pocket upfront or subscribing to a service. Fiverr Fiverr is one of the top platforms for finding freelance gigs for around the world. Sign up now for free Sign up with Fiverr 3. Create a gig Once you’re up and running on the Fiverr platform, the next step is to create a profile and then a gig, which is basically an advertisement for a particular service. Spend some time crafting an ideal description. Competition is fierce, and there’s no guarantee you’re going to get results either way. To create a gig, select your subcategory and pick the one that matches your skillset. For example, you may choose the email marketing or blogging categories. At this point, it’s a good idea to browse the site and see what your competitors (other Fiverr users) are offering. Look for ways to make your gig stand out from the rest and try to figure out an optimal price range and effective messaging for your services. 4. Wait for offers or pursue jobs At this point, you have two options. The first option is to sit back and let companies find your gig. You can fill your gig with specific keywords to aid your discovery and make it easier for people to find you. The main problem with this approach is that there are a lot of people on Fiverr. The platform has millions of users competing for a limited number of jobs. To stand out, you really have to be the best of the best freelancers. Some highly skilled and experienced Fiverr users can do just fine letting companies find them. However, the majority of users would be better served by browsing gigs and applying directly. This is the most effective way to get noticed on Fiverr. 4. Do the work When using Fiverr, the thing to keep in mind is that even after going through all the legwork of signing up, creating profiles and gigs, and hunting down opportunities, you still have to execute on any agreement. Make sure you budget your time accordingly so that you’re in a position to deliver on the intended item after you accept a job. Most projects have firm deadlines to which you must adhere. You have to move quickly if you want to keep getting jobs. 5. Get paid Once you complete a task on Fiverr and deliver the expected item, the client will review it to determine if it meets acceptable standards. At the very end, the client will mark the project complete and pay you. Payment is transferred to your account once all deliverables are met. Of course, Fiverr will take a slice of your payouts, so that’s something to consider. The Pros and Cons of Fiverr Advantages Wide range of job categories Customize your own gigs Get paid through the app Disadvantages High 20% commission to the app for all projects Can be hard for beginners to find work Poor customer support What is Upwork? Upwork is a marketplace for hiring freelancers. It’s a bit newer than Fiverr, having launched in 2015. That said, the platform has emerged as one of the leading outsourcing marketplaces and has a dedicated user base. Many Upwork freelancers are highly sought-after. How to get started with Upwork Here’s a rundown of how to get started with Upwork. 1. Have a skill Upwork is no different from Fiverr in terms of expectations. Anyone is free to sign up, but proof of your skills and ability is left largely on the honor system. In other words, if you say you can build a website or typeset an ebook, then