How to Make Money on Fiverr: From Blogging Pastor to $300K 6-Figure Freelancer

Freelance writer and marketer Brad Bartlett was in a completely different career before he happened to click on a link that changed the direction of his life.

How to Make Money On Fiverr: Brad's Backstory

As a full-time pastor at a local church, Brad realized that while he enjoyed many of the storytelling aspects of his job – writing sermons, telling stories, and running the church’s social media channels – the job didn’t quite feel right – and the bills were piling up with a low-paying role with few benefits.

What ultimately became a career change started as a way to make a few extra bucks soon found him rising the ranks of Fiverr’s freelance marketplace as an in-demand content writer. In just three short years, Brad grew online business from a few hundred dollars here and there to a consistent six-figure income.

I recently spoke with Brad to learn more about his path to success and his tips for those looking to start businesses on the platform.

The Hardest Part Is Taking The First Step

I asked Brad what the most challenging part of building a freelance business was for him. Was it finding the right clients? Knowing how to pitch his services?

"The hardest part wasn't mastering my craft or even finding clients—it was simply getting started. There are so many voices, both internal and external, telling you it won't work. That there are too many sellers already, or that nobody will pay good money for your services. But you have to tune that out and just take the first step."

And take that first step he did. Brad began by carefully selecting his niche and creating highly specialized services that would stand out in the marketplace. 

"A lot of people try to be everything to everyone on Fiverr. That's a recipe for getting lost in the crowd. I focused on becoming the absolute best at a handful of specific services, then niched down even further by targeting particular industries."

This laser focus on specialization allowed Brad to command premium rates, even on a platform often criticized for driving prices down. 

"When you position yourself as the expert solution to a specific problem, clients are willing to pay top dollar. Instead of offering generic 'blog writing,' I marketed myself as someone who could write SEO-optimized blogs specifically for startups looking to boost their domain authority. That specificity made all the difference."

Cracking the Fiverr Code

While Brad credits his success to several “happy accidents”—offering much-needed digital writing services during the pandemic-driven move to online marketing—he also studied how the best sellers on the platform operated.

Looking at top-level sellers in the writing niche, Brad worked on client work while simultaneously optimizing his profile for Fiverr's algorithm. The process included carefully crafting his gig specifics – the titles and descriptions used to promote the gigs, as well as the keywords used. But he says that technical optimization is only part of the equation.

"The real secret is the human element. People want to trust that those they are working with are the real deal. 

That means going above and beyond to create connections with clients through the entire process and really see the project as part of a long-term partnership rather than just a one-off purchase.

You also need to keep your portfolio updated and make sure that you’re getting excellent reviews from your clients. The more reviews you have, the higher you rank in the platform’s scoring system and search results for your service offering.”

That focus on building trust has been central to Brad's strategy. He maintains a near-perfect rating on the platform by providing what he calls "white-glove service" to every client. Plus, he takes advantage of Fiverr’s Pro system to help promote his gigs and work with success managers on the platform.

"I treat every project, no matter how small, like it's the most important thing at the moment – because, for that client, it is the most important thing. This means I try to prioritize quick responses to questions, offer regular updates, and deliver early when possible.” 

“These things matter more than you might think. Happy clients become repeat clients, and repeat clients are the backbone of a sustainable freelance business."

Growth Requires Learning The Hard Way

Brad’s success on Fiverr happened faster than he thought it would but it hasn’t been an overnight success. He recalls the early days when he was tempted to take on every project that came his way, regardless of fit. 

"It's scary to turn down work when you're just starting out. I still struggle with this - what if this month is the last month I have consistent work? 

What if I miss the opportunity of a lifetime? Should I lower my rates to win this project? But you have to put those doubts to rest and trust your process. I learned quickly that saying 'no' to the wrong projects creates space for the right ones to come along."

He's also had to navigate Fiverr's strict terms of service while building client relationships. 

"A lot of freelancers try to move clients off the platform to avoid the 20% cut that Fiverr takes from the project – but that's a big risk and a bit shortsighted. I try to view Fiverr's commission as an investment in their marketing and platform infrastructure. They bring me clients I would never have found on my own."

Brad’s Tips For Growing On Fiverr

With his business continuing to grow, Brad has his sights set on expanding his services and potentially hiring a team to help manage his growing client base. But he maintains that success on Fiverr comes down to a few fundamental principles.

"Find and own your niche, deliver exceptional work, and treat every client like they're your most important one. The platform will reward you for it. I'm living proof that you can build a serious, sustainable business on Fiverr if you're willing to put in the work."

For those just starting out, Brad offers this final piece of advice: 

"Don't get caught up in what everyone else is charging or doing. Focus on delivering value, and the rest will follow. 

I started just like everyone else—with zero reviews and zero clients. But you just keep at it – one project, one client at a time. That consistency will grow exponentially as you gain returning customers who want you above others on the platform.”

Looking at Brad's story, it's a good reminder that Fiverr isn't just a place for “five-dollar gigs” or a race to the bottom – for those who have a strategy in place and the willingness to put in the work. The key is to learn how the platform works for freelancers, how to make the right client connections, and how to go above and beyond for client success.