Freelancing is an attractive way to earn money without being tied to a 9-to-5 schedule. Fiverr and Upwork can connect independent professionals with clients who need digital services.
Let’s dive into these apps so you can choose the platform that fits your skills and experience, whether you’re looking for occasional gigs or hoping to build a consistent freelance income.
- 15 iPhone Games to Earn Money with No Scams!
- 5 Best Budgeting Apps For Couples to Manage Money Together
- A Complete Guide To Make Money with Airbnb
Fiverr and Upwork: compare these freelance platforms
Nowadays, with technology being part of our everyday lives, remote work is growing, and so are remote job platforms.
In this article, we will explore Fiverr and Upwork, two of these popular apps that connect freelancers with clients.
But we need to mention they use different approaches to finding work, and that’s exactly what this article is about.
Firstly, Fiverr is built around predefined services called Gigs, where freelancers create an offer describing what they provide, how much it costs, and what the client receives.
This model works well if you know exactly what service you want to sell. For example, if you work with logo design, translation, video editing, writing, or social media management.
Meanwhile, Upwork takes a traditional freelance marketplace approach.
In this app, clients publish projects with their requirements and budget, and freelancers can search for those opportunities and submit proposals explaining why they’re a good fit.
The platform also supports longer-term contracts and hourly projects, making it potentially more suitable for freelancers who want to develop ongoing relationships with clients.
The difference between these two platforms also affects how you attract your first customer.
On Fiverr (iOS/Android), your Gig listing, portfolio, pricing, and search visibility are particularly important because clients can discover your service directly.
On the other hand, on Upwork (iOS/Android), your profile and proposals play a larger role because you’re actively competing for individual projects.
Overall, both platforms allow freelancers to work with clients remotely, but of course neither guarantees a specific income.
Your results will depend on your skills, pricing, portfolio, communication, reviews, and the demand for your particular service.
If you are a beginner, you must create a profile focused on one area and start with realistic projects. This can be more effective than trying to offer every service at once.
Fiverr: how to create gig listings and attract buyers
If you choose Fiverr (iOS/Android), the first step is to create a Gig, which is a public listing for a specific service you offer.
When doing that, choose a clear title that tells potential buyers exactly what you can do, select the appropriate category, and describe what the client will receive.
For example, you could create a Gig specifically for blog articles or SEO content. What we don’t recommend is offering a generic ‘writing service’, for instance.
Your pricing and packages should be easy to understand.
Fiverr allows you to structure your offer with different service levels, so you can provide a basic option for simple projects and more packages for clients who need additional work.
Also, make sure your delivery times and revisions are realistic so you don’t accept more work than you can handle.
Keep in mind that a professional-looking portfolio and Gig image can also make your listing more attractive.
And don’t worry if you don’t have previous freelance clients. In this case, create a few sample projects that demonstrate what you can deliver.
Finally, focus on building your reputation gradually by responding to messages promptly, communicating clearly, meeting your deadlines, and delivering exactly what you promised.
Positive reviews are important and can make it easier to attract new buyers, while a focused service with competitive pricing helps a new freelancer stand out among similar offers.
Upwork: bidding on long-term contracts
When it comes to Upwork (iOS/Android), the platform works differently from Fiverr because freelancers apply to projects posted by clients rather than creating predefined service listings.
Because of that, a good way to start is by building a complete profile that highlights your skills, previous work, portfolio, and the type of projects you want to handle.
Then, when you find a suitable project, read the client’s description and submit a proposal explaining how you can solve their specific problem.
In order to get long-term contracts, avoid sending the same generic proposal to every client.
Instead, mention relevant experience, send a portfolio, demonstrate that you understand the project, and briefly explain what you can deliver.
For freelancers interested in long-term contracts, look for listings that mention ongoing work and recurring projects.
These opportunities can be more valuable than searching for new one-time gigs because a satisfied client may continue hiring you for weeks or months.
Freelance taxes and payments for US residents
Freelancers living in the US need to report their freelance income to the IRS, even when the work is part-time or they don’t receive a tax form from the platform.
The IRS says that independent contractors with $400 or more in net self-employment earnings from gig work must file a tax return, and estimated tax payments may also apply.
That said, both Fiverr (iOS/Android) and Upwork (iOS/Android) collect tax information from US freelancers.
On Upwork, US persons must complete a Form W-9, providing their legal name and taxpayer identification number.
There’s a chance of Upwork (iOS/Android) issuing a 1099-K when the applicable reporting requirements are met, but you’re still responsible for reporting your income even if you don’t receive one.
Alongside, Fiverr (iOS/Android) similarly requires relevant US freelancers to complete a W-9 and may provide a 1099-K when applicable.
The platform also allows freelancers to download earnings statements and financial documents that can help with recordkeeping.
When receiving payments, remember that platform earnings are not necessarily the same as taxable profit.
Because of that, you must keep records of your income and eligible business expenses, including platform fees and other costs related to your freelance activity.
Because federal, state, and local tax rules can differ, it’s a good idea to consult a qualified tax professional if you’re unsure about your specific obligations.
Required profiles and steps to secure your first digital client
In order to create a professional profile, use a clear photo, describe your main skills, explain the type of services you offer, and include examples of your work.
If you don’t have previous clients, create sample projects that demonstrate what you can deliver.
Next, focus your profile on one or two specific services. A specialized profile is easier for potential clients to understand and helps you target projects that match your abilities.
Once your profile is ready, look for opportunities that match your skills on both Fiverr and Upwork.
On Fiverr (iOS/Android), create focused Gigs with good descriptions, competitive starting prices, and examples of your work.
On Upwork (iOS/Android), search for relevant projects and submit personalized proposals that directly address what each client is asking for.
Finally, treat your first projects as an opportunity to build trust and reviews.
Remember to communicate professionally, respect deadlines, and make sure you understand the client’s expectations before starting.
And then, a few successfully completed projects will strengthen your profile and make it easier to compete for better-paying and longer-term freelance opportunities.
Turn your skills into freelance opportunities
Insiderbits just showed how Fiverr (iOS/Android) and Upwork (iOS/Android) are useful starting points for people who want to offer digital services without committing to a traditional job.
Although the platforms work differently, both allow freelancers to connect with clients and develop experience through remote projects.
The most important step is a focused profile, nice portfolio examples, personalized proposals, and reliable communication to make you stand out.
The key to building a reputation and getting more clients is to treat each project as a chance to build your reputation and develop long-term client relationships.
Enjoyed this article? Save Insiderbits to your favorites and discover the most useful tech tips.
