No Clients? Here’s How I (Accidentally) Turned Fiverr Gigs Into ₨100K Retainers
Okay, confession time: this wasn’t a grand business plan. It started with one random Fiverr gig—logo tweak for ₨3,000 (~$10)—and a client who said, “Hey, can you just keep doing this monthly?”
I blinked. Thought: Wait. Is that… a retainer?
What followed was messy. Unplanned. Slightly genius. I scribbled a game plan on the back of a grocery receipt. And now you get the cleaned-up version—with all the awkward experiments and chai-stained insights.
Why I Stopped Doing One-Off Gigs (And You Should Too)
One-off gigs are fine… until they aren’t.
- Clients ghost.
- Your calendar’s empty.
- Income = inconsistent chaos.
But retainers? Ah. Retainers are that warm, quiet friend who shows up every month. Predictable. Reliable. Pays on time (hopefully 😅).
How I Made the Shift: Four Uncomplicated, Slightly Chaotic Weeks
| Week | What Actually Happened | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Looked at old gigs, facepalmed, rewrote them | 1 buyer messaged back |
| 2️⃣ | DM’d old clients with “want this monthly?” | 2 trial offers accepted |
| 3️⃣ | Fumbled with pricing, made packages anyway | First client paid ₨60K upfront |
| 4️⃣ | Created a Notion board & welcome doc | Onboarded like a semi-pro 😎 |
Let’s Talk Real Retainer Money (in Rupees + Dollars)
I tried three pricing models before settling on this mix:
| Plan | PKR | USD | What’s in it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | ₨30,000 | ~$100 | 4 design tasks/month + basic support |
| Standard | ₨60,000 | ~$200 | Basic + reports, feedback calls, priority response |
| Deluxe | ₨100,000 | ~$330 | Standard + strategy, edits, branding consults + white-labeling |
⚠️ Important-ish: Always clarify scope. Otherwise you're doing 10x the work for half the pay.
Ready to Take the Leap?
Turn your passion into profit—start freelancing today!
The DMs I Actually Sent
Cringe? A bit. Effective? Weirdly yes.
“Hey! Not sure if this is useful, but I’m offering a monthly version of the gig we did. No pressure—just easier if you need frequent updates.”
Sent 11 of those. Got 3 replies. Closed 2 clients. Go figure.
Quick Start Checklist
- Revisit top 3 Fiverr gigs
- Add “retainer option available” to gig descriptions
- Message 5 past clients with chill pitch
- List 3 retainer packages (be real, not fancy)
- Use Notion or Canva to build onboarding doc
- Deliver week 1 task fast—like, real fast
- Mid-month update → ask for feedback
- Month-end → upsell, refer, repeat
What’s Ali‘s Experience:
“I came for a logo. Stayed for the systems. By month two, I just stopped looking elsewhere. This feels like having a design department in my pocket.”
Ali M., Owner, Somewhere Cool Cafe, Karachi
Scope Creep = Emotional Damage
Early on, I said yes to everything. That ended… poorly.
Now I use a sticky-note rule:
If it’s not written on the sticky note, it’s not included in the retainer.
Simple. Effective. Keeps clients (and me) sane.
Add-On Monetization: The Chill Upsell
Got a client happy with the monthly package? Offer this:
- ₨20,000 ($67) one-time: full website audit + next 3 months strategy roadmap.
It’s high-perceived value, low workload. Chef’s kiss.
Try This Weekend. Like, Actually.
Seriously—open Fiverr, tweak 2 gigs, message 3 old buyers. You don’t need a launch. Just momentum. I did it between chai breaks.
You can too.
FAQs
Q1: Do I need a fancy agency site to do this?
A1: Nope. My first retainer came from a Fiverr DM and a Canva PDF. That’s it.
Q2: What if the client ghosts mid-month?
A2: Take 50% upfront. Always. Every month. No exceptions.
Q3: Should I charge in PKR or USD?
A3: Depends on the client. Just clearly state your preferred currency and offer a quick conversion.
Q4: How long should a retainer last?
A4: Start with a 1-month trial. Then offer 3-month commitments with discount options.
Final Chai-Stained Thoughts
You don’t need hundreds of buyers. Just a few who stick around.
Turn one-off chaos into comfy retainer rhythm. I did it. Slightly on accident. And it paid rent.
Your turn.
