Is Fiverr a Good Cybersecurity Side Hustle?
I got into Fiverr in 2022 to test it out as a side hustle for Cybersecurity professionals.
To be clear... I am NOT a big fan of freelancing, as most cybersecurity professionals already have 9–5 jobs and busy schedules. This is Is Fiverr a Good Cybersecurity Side Hustle??
Trading time for money is not scalable with that type of job stress. This is why I have always preferred to write e-books, create courses, etc. You get ten orders with freelancing, and that is ten times the effort!
However, with all the layoffs and cost-of-living issues, many cybersecurity professionals need a viable side hustle to survive.
This is where sites like Fiverr and Upwork come in.
Fiverr is an incredibly popular freelancing platform that has evolved considerably since its early days. It is now a thriving marketplace for freelancers with a proper gig ecosystem. Even making a few thousand dollars a month on this platform can be life-changing for people. You can also earn in dollars, which is amazing for countries like Pakistan and India, where I am from.
In the UK, where I currently reside .. Freelancing is becoming more and more viable.
I have worked on this platform quite often, getting up to Fiverr Level 2 and then into the Fiverr Pro program, which is only possible after the Fiverr team assesses your profile.
So, here is my honest opinion about this platform in 2024 and whether it is a good side hustle for Cybersecurity professionals.
The Good Things About Fiverr
Firstly, the good things about Fiverr:
Fiverr takes away the hassle of freelancing. You create a gig on their marketplace showing what you can do, and you're good to go!
Undoubtedly, demand for freelancing services is increasing as companies look to cut costs and hire professionals only when necessary.
Thousands of customers browse and search for these gigs daily to select those that meet their needs.
If you are a cybersecurity professional, you get access to a global marketplace with little hassle.
You don't have to push traffic to your website or chase after customers yourselves.
If customers like your work, they can become repeat customers and give you a nice project-based income every month.
For people starting out freelancing, Fiverr is a great, frictionless way to get started.
Cons of Using Fiverr
Now, the bad stuff...
Fiverr is massively saturated and can be a race to the bottom, where your skills can become greatly undervalued. Newer entrants can set dirt-cheap prices, forcing you to lower yours—i.e., the dreaded fiver dollar gig!
SEO is critical in Fiverr, given the number of gigs launched daily. You need to optimize the Gig images, description, etc., to make yourself stand out; otherwise, customers will never find you!
Cybersecurity services are usually listed in Fiverr Pro rather than the regular Fiverr platform. To get into Fiverr Pro, you have to fill out an application and get vetted by the Fiverr team, which can take some time.
If you don't have a portfolio, start making one ASAP to increase your chances to get into the Fiverr Pro program. I recommend creating a gig in non-Fiverr Pro categories so you get a feel for the platform and can get some testimonials on your profile.
Fiverr also charges a 20% fee on every transaction, which can reduce your earnings. You can set higher rates as you build your name on the platform, but this takes time and effort!
Do I recommend Fiverr As a side hustle?
If you are interested in becoming a Cybersecurity freelancer, then YES. Fiverr, like any platform, has its flaws, but you can get a lot of success by following these tips:
Specialize in a particular cybersecurity niche that makes you stand out like cloud security, AI pentesting, malware analysis etc.
Make a good profile that highlights your skills. Fiverr is not Facebook or Instagram, so make sure it looks professional.
Analyze existing gigs that are doing well to understand how they write their gig descriptions and price themselves. Get some help from tools like ChatGPT to get started.
Reach out to your network for some early orders. Once you have a few reviews, you can use the Fiverr algorithm.
Maintain high-quality services and get as many testimonials and reviews as possible.
Start making some gigs in non-cybersecurity-related categories first, then aim for the Fiverr Pro program.
Over time, you can build a loyal customer base, which will help you if you decide to become a full-time consultant or freelancer. The gig economy will only get stronger over time, and Fiverr is one of the best ways to get started.
Wishing you the best on your freelancing journey!
Taimur Ijlal is a multi-award-winning, information security leader with over two decades of international experience in cyber-security and IT risk management in the fin-tech industry.
Taimur can be connected on LinkedIn or on his YouTube channel “Cloud Security Guy” on which he regularly posts about Cloud Security, Artificial Intelligence, and general cyber-security career advice.
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