More Gigs, or Better Gigs?
Some people say, what matters is that you have one really good gig on Fiverr. Others put the focus on the importance of casting a broad net and having lots of gigs covering multiple categories. Today, I'll give you my take on that.
I've been a fisherman all my life. If I had leisure time, fishing has pretty much always my first choice for a pastime. One thing I've learned is the importance of the right bait. You can cast a bare hook into the water all day long, and catch...absolutely...nothing. On the other hand, with the right bait, chosen for the waters you're in, the species you're after, the time of day, and other factors like current-vs-non-current, shallows or a hole, cover or an open area, temperature and wind conditions, the chances of actually catching something goes way up.
When I watch successful anglers, one thing I notice about them is them is the meticulous way they prepare their bait. They select it carefully, whether it's live or artificial. They tie the knot carefully. The present the bait as skillfully as they can, varying the speed of the retrieve, causing it to flash, jerk, drop, pop. Ask them about the importance of the bait and the presentation.
I'm often asked about whether it's a good idea to have lots of gigs, and I say, yes, but it's a qualified yes. As a fisherman, I've tried fishing with many poles, and with just one, and I've learned that your chances of catching a fish doesn't necessarily increase direct proportion to the number lines you have over the side of the boat. Unless you're able to put your best effort into fishing all those lines at the same time, they won't produce much.
On Fiverr, we're given an increasing number of available gigs as we progress from level to level, and I think it's crazy not to take advantage of it, because certainly you will increase your chances of setting the hook on a job if you are using more lines. So why aren't more people taking full advantage of it? Because they've learned that more doesn't necessarily equal better. Visit the gigs of even successful Top Rated Sellers, and you'll see they have a few gigs that are pulling in orders, and the rest have gotten one, or two, (or none). Why? Three things: bait, presentation, and attention.
Suppose a seller determines as, for example, a voiceover person, that they can probably deliver the goods in a dozen different styles or categories of voiceover work. So they quickly do up a whole bunch of gigs and put them on Fiverr. What will they gain, if they're all slapdash, "bare hook" offerings? Probably nothing. In order for a gig to succeed, a lot of care needs to go into the bait (the demo), the presentation (the gig image), and in keeping an eye on the line (watching its impressions and changing the bait and presentation as needed).
Keep Your Eye on the Bobber
As a kid, it was all about worms, hooks, and bobbers. If we didn't pay attention, we could have nibbles on the line and never catch anything because we did't notice the fish or set the hook. I can go into this with you in detail if you like when we do a Gig Doctor together, but the crux of it is this: a gig will only be productive if you do the same things with it as you would when fishing. Bait it with something irresistible, present it in an eye-catching way, and tend the line carefully. Keep your eye on the bobber and be ready to set the hook. If you have a dozen lines in the water, that gets increasingly difficult to do.
The Doctor Recommends
Start by making whichever you consider your "bread and butter gig," the one with the best prospects, as good as you can make it. Use every big of knowledge and expertise you presently have, and consider having a Gig Doctor meeting to optimize it. Baby it! Do all the right stuff with it. When you've exhausted ways to optimize it, start thinking about what your next gig should be, and begin working on that. Take the same approach. Be meticulous about every aspect of it. Research what others are doing, and make yours a "best of," also applying everything you've learned when setting up your previous gig. When you are satisfied that the second gig is spit-polished and in great shape, start a third, and so on. But don't just toss a bunch of gigs up willy-nilly. That's like fishing with bare hooks on unattended lines. The odds of catching anything are extremely poor using that approach.
Did you know my Studio Takes is now also a podcast? Take me along on YOUR next fishing trip, jog, or car ride. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/studio-takes-with-dane-scott/id1558231133
There's so much you and I can do together to improve your gig's performance. Schedule your Gig Doctor appointment by hitting the Gig Checkup link at the top of this page for an inexpensive personalized checkup and consultation!
For those of you who do voiceovers, or who are interested in entering that fun profession, I can help there too. Check out my voiceover coaching services.