How to message a Fiverr seller before ordering (with templates)

A two-minute message before you pay is the cheapest insurance on Fiverr. It confirms the seller is available, catches scope mismatches and shows you how the person communicates, all before any money moves.

Most buyers either skip this step or send something too vague to be useful (“Hi, can you do my logo?”). Here is how to write a message that gets a real answer.

Should I message a Fiverr seller before ordering?

Yes, whenever the order is above the Basic package, the deadline is tight or your scope does not neatly match a listed tier. For a small, clearly defined order, such as a single background removal, you can usually go straight to checkout.

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Messaging first is also the only way to get a custom offer, which is how you buy work that does not fit the packages. See Fiverr custom offers for how those work.

What should I include in my first message?

Include the deliverable with counts, the formats you need, your deadline and one question that tests fit. Add a budget only if you are asking for a custom offer.

Keep it to three to five lines. Sellers answer short, specific messages faster and more accurately than long ones, and the full brief belongs in the requirements form after you pay. How to write a Fiverr brief has the full template.

What are good pre-order message templates?

Here are three templates you can paste and adapt. Replace the bracketed parts.

1. Standard package check

Hi, I’m looking at your [Standard] package for [a 1,200-word blog post on bookkeeping for dentists]. I need it as a Google Doc by [October 14]. Does the package include [keyword research and 2 revisions]? Are you available to start this week?

2. Custom offer request

Hi, I need [a Shopify store set up with 25 products, 3 collections and an existing theme]. Deliverables: [product uploads, collection pages, basic SEO fields]. Deadline: [November 1]. Budget: [$400 to $600]. Could you send a custom offer with delivery days and revisions?

3. Fit and process question

Hi, I run a [small dental clinic] and need [a 60-second explainer video, 16:9, 1080p]. I have a script ready. Have you done [healthcare or local service] videos before, and what do you need from me to start?

Each template gives the seller enough to say yes, no or “here is what it would cost”, and each ends with a question that needs a real answer.

What questions tell me the most about a seller?

The most revealing questions are the ones only someone who has done the work can answer well. Good ones include:

• “What do you need from me to start?”
• “Which package would you recommend for this, and why?”
• “What is not included that buyers usually ask about?”
• “What file formats will I receive?”
• “How do you handle revisions if the first version misses?”

A seller who recommends a cheaper tier than you asked about, or flags something missing from your brief, is usually worth hiring.

What should I never send in a Fiverr message?

Never send ID numbers, phone numbers, home addresses, logins, passwords or payment details. Fiverr’s safety guidance tells users to avoid sensitive personal details in messages, and says Fiverr will never ask for your login credentials or payment info.

For work that needs access, such as a website or ad account, wait until the order exists and grant access through the platform’s own user roles (a WordPress user, a Shopify staff account) rather than sharing your password.

Can I move the conversation to email, WhatsApp or Zoom?

Not before an order is placed. Fiverr’s off-platform policy says communication through third-party tools is permitted only after an order has been placed, and warns that off-platform contact exposes users to scams and fraud that Fiverr cannot protect against.

Even once calls are allowed, summarize any decision from a call in the order chat. If something goes wrong later, that written record is what counts. See is Fiverr safe for more.

How do I judge the seller’s reply?

Judge the reply on specifics, not speed. A good reply confirms the scope in the seller’s own words, names the package or quotes a custom offer, states delivery days and asks at least one clarifying question.

Response rate is built into the level system: Level 1 requires 80% and Level 2 and Top Rated require 90%, according to Fiverr’s help center. An established seller who takes days to answer before the order is telling you something. See Fiverr seller levels explained.

What happens after the seller replies?

If the scope matches a package, order it and paste your full brief into the requirements form. If the seller sent a custom offer, check that it states the deliverables, revisions and delivery days you discussed before you accept.

The order only moves to In Progress once you submit your requirements, and Fiverr gives you 14 days to do so before the order automatically cancels. Have your files ready so you can submit the same day. The first-order checklist covers what to confirm before paying.

How do I report a suspicious message?

Use the three-dot menu next to the message and choose “Report” or “Mark as Spam”. Fiverr’s safety page lists warning signs such as a misspelled brand name (for example “Fivver”), suspicious domains, unfamiliar links and requests to move to apps like Telegram.

Reports go to Fiverr’s Trust and Safety team, according to the off-platform policy. Then carry on with the sellers who answered properly.

If you would rather skip most of the screening for a high-stakes job, Fiverr Pro Paid link only lists freelancers its team has vetted, though a short pre-order message is still worth sending.

Ready to reach out? Open your shortlist and send your first message.

Sources

• Stay protected: Fiverr’s off-platform policy - Fiverr help center
• Avoiding spam and staying safe on Fiverr - Fiverr help center
• Understanding Fiverr’s freelancer levels - Fiverr help center
• The complete guide to your Fiverr order - Fiverr help center