Notes from Chris

Episode 548

Platforms like Etsy, Fiverr, and Skillshare are typically recommended for beginners, or for those who just want to dip their toes into the world of side hustling. They’re easy to get started on quickly and they can help to build your business skills, but they don’t tend to be lucrative. Because they’re based around an existing business model, working with one of these services tends to limit your income. It’s a great way to experiment, but not a great way to grow… at least usually.

However, there are exceptions, and in that intersection of exceptions is where we meet Jon Youshaei. In just under a year of using Fiverr, Jon has earned close to $100,000. To be clear, this is uncommon. So, how did he do it? What did he do differently from everyone else making $5 at a time on the site?

Let’s start from the beginning. By day, Jon works at Google as a product marketer helping Youtubers grow their audiences. On the side, he runs a website where he publishes weekly cartoons that poke fun of the common workplace. (It’s aptly named “Every Vowel” since Jon is one of the few people who has every vowel in his last name). He was already heavily involved in those endeavors when he began working with Fiverr.

As a refresher, Fiverr is a platform where freelancers can advertise their services to the public. Buyers can go on the sight and hire writers, editors, marketers, and more to do work for them. Fiverr markets itself as being for the “lean entrepreneur” and has thus built a culture of relatively inexpensive services. Because of this, people usually don’t make very much money as a Fiverr freelancer.

Jon’s story is different. With his background as the Head of Creator Product Marketing at YouTube, he has an impressive resume of past clients and a coveted position in the company.

Fiverr Pro is the highest tier of services that Fiverr offer and costs more because of this. Jon decided to ONLY offer services through the Pro tier, and in his case, he does marketing consultation.

In Jon’s case, he does marketing consultation. This means that most of his sales come from calls with business owners asking for advice about their social media presence, brand, videos, copy, and strategy. Of course, his main specialty is with businesses tied to YouTube. For these video calls, Jon charges $1,080 for one 60 minute session. If the customer wants his copywriting service, he charges $1,500 for a speech, around $1,300 for a blog or article, and about $900 for website copy.

Pricey, right? But remember what he does—he helps these clients gain an audience, which is valuable.

Jon is able to keep these prices and his clients coming by the quality of work he puts out. He prioritizes giving his clients more than what they ask for and always leaves them happy. This, then, breeds a large number of positive reviews, which then gets him more business.

He brought in $60,000 within his first six months, and now, a year later, he's about to bring in $100,000! Which is pretty impressive for a side hustle working on a starter platform.

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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Fiverr | Everyvowel: Learn more about the services Jon offers over on his Fiverr profile!

• Every Vowel: The work centric illustration brand that Jon created in addition to his digital marketing

SEE ALSO:

• Man Earns $100,000 Serving Clients on $5 Website: He’d always dreamed of making a million dollars–but could he achieve it selling his services for just $5? Thanks to a penchant for naming things, he’s well on his way
• How One Man Used a $100 Microphone to Make Over $8,000: After testing the waters with low-priced services on Fiverr.com, a Tennessee IT manager learns to focus on voiceover services for overseas customers
• EXTENDED CUT #2: 9 Starter Ideas for Your First Hustle: Bonus episode! If you’re just getting started in the world of side hustling, explore these different platforms and ideas, including Skillshare (teaching a class), Wyzant (tutoring), Etsy (selling handcrafted items), and 6 more

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

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