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Zhenel Rawlinson grew up surrounded by music in Memphis, Tennessee. With a mother who was a recording artist and a father who worked as a Hip Hop producer, music was ingrained in her life from an early age. “I was always involved in music, whether it was at church, school, or in the community,” she said. By the time she was a teenager, she had recorded her first album in her father’s home studio.
But while music was her passion, financial stability was harder to come by. As the first in her family to attend college, Zhenel knew she needed a way to make ends meet while pursuing her goals. That’s when she decided to offer music lessons, starting with just two students. Over time, what began as a modest side gig blossomed into a $1,000-a-month income stream.
From Memphis Roots to a $1,000-a-Month Side Hustle
Zhenel’s deep connection to music started at home in Memphis, where both her parents were involved in the entertainment industry. “Music was always around me—my mom was a recording artist, and my dad was a producer,” she said. Growing up, she performed in local festivals, regional choirs, and church worship teams, gaining experience and developing her talent. By high school, she had already released her first album with the help of her father’s home studio.
Despite these early achievements, financial pressure was a constant challenge. Raised in a low-income area, Zhenel lived with her mother, sisters, and grandparents, and the family’s financial struggles were always present. “It was tough, but I always felt driven to make something of myself and help my family,” she recalled. Determined to create new opportunities, Zhenel became the first in her family to attend college, enrolling at The Ohio State University with a major in Music (Voice) and a minor in Music, Media, & Enterprise.
College, however, brought new challenges. While Zhenel thrived musically—headlining concerts and releasing original songs—covering her living expenses and tuition was another story. “I was doing what I loved, but it wasn’t enough to pay the bills,” she admitted. During her senior year, Zhenel realized she needed to make extra money without compromising her passion. That’s when she began offering music lessons on social media, starting with just two students.
After graduation, Zhenel took things a step further by joining Fiverr, the freelancing platform that allowed her to expand her reach beyond her local community. By offering vocal coaching, music production, and songwriting services, her online business idea soon grew into a steady income stream, with some months generating over $1,000. “Fiverr became a way for me to continue pursuing my passion while earning extra money on the side,” she said.
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Taking the Leap: Starting a Side Hustle on Fiverr
As Zhenel approached her final year of college, she found herself in a position that many young creatives can relate to—pursuing her passion but struggling to make ends meet. “I was performing and recording, but it just wasn’t enough to cover all my expenses,” she said. The reality of juggling both her education and financial responsibilities pushed her to explore new avenues. That’s when she decided to offer music lessons online.
At first, Zhenel taught just two students she had connected with through social media. But she soon realized there was potential to reach a wider audience. “I knew there had to be a better way to find more students, so I started looking into freelancing platforms,” she recalled. In 2022, Zhenel joined Fiverr, the platform that would soon become the backbone of her side hustle.
Setting up her profile and first gig took time. “I was still balancing my studies, and it took a few months before I really started seeing inquiries,” she admitted. But when the clients started rolling in, things picked up quickly. Zhenel soon found herself balancing her new freelance business with a substitute teaching job at an elementary school in St. Louis. “I was teaching full-time, but also getting flooded with inquiries from Fiverr,” she said.
The turning point came when she decided to focus on offering Christ-centered music coaching, a unique niche that resonated with many potential clients. “There weren’t many Christian music coaches out there, and people were excited to find someone who understood their values,” she explained. That focus on faith, combined with her musical expertise, helped Zhenel carve out a space for herself in a competitive market.
Standing Out in a Crowded Marketplace
On Fiverr, where thousands of freelancers offer similar services, Zhenel knew she had to find a way to differentiate herself. With a combination of her faith-driven approach and versatile skills, she set herself apart. “What made me stand out was my ability to connect with my clients through our shared values,” she said. By positioning herself as a Christian music coach, Zhenel tapped into a niche that wasn’t well represented on the platform.
Beyond her niche, Zhenel also diversified her offerings. While she started with vocal coaching, she soon expanded her gigs to include music production, songwriting assistance, and even beginner piano lessons. “A lot of times, clients would reach out for one service, like vocal coaching, and end up asking for help with writing or producing their music,” she explained. This flexibility allowed her to build deeper relationships with her clients and create long-term partnerships.
Another key factor in Zhenel’s success was her ability to let her personality shine through. “I created videos that highlighted not only my vocal abilities but also my passion for music,” she said. By sharing her own original work and expressive style, Zhenel attracted clients who resonated with her authenticity. This personal touch, combined with her focus on delivering more than expected, helped her earn repeat business and glowing reviews. “I always tried to give more than what was asked—whether that meant going over the session time or offering additional resources,” she added.
Overcoming Challenges
Starting a side hustle on Fiverr wasn’t without its challenges for Zhenel Rawlinson. Like many first-time freelancers, she had doubts about whether it would provide the financial stability she needed. “I was worried that it wouldn’t pay the bills, especially when everyone around me was telling me to go for a more traditional job,” she recalled. The pressure of finding financial security while staying true to her passion for music weighed heavily on her.
The turning point came when Zhenel decided to put her faith first. “I knew that if God had called me to do this, then He wouldn’t let me fail,” she said. Trusting that her side hustle could grow into something substantial, Zhenel pushed forward with focus and persistence, despite the slow initial growth. “It took months for my profile to gain traction, but I kept refining my gigs and improving my skills.”
As her client base grew, so did her confidence. Balancing her Fiverr business with other commitments, like a full-time substitute teaching job, wasn’t easy. “There were times when I felt stretched thin, trying to balance everything,” she admitted. But over time, as more inquiries and positive reviews came in, Zhenel realized her side hustle was becoming a sustainable source of income. “Once I saw it was working, I felt like I didn’t have to compromise my passion for financial stability anymore,” she said.
Her Top Tips for Fiverr Success
Zhenel’s journey on Fiverr didn’t start with immediate success. It required patience, adaptability, and a strategic approach to attract clients in a competitive space. “It took a couple of months before I started seeing steady inquiries,” she recalled, “but the key was staying persistent and constantly improving my profile.”
One of the most important aspects of building her Fiverr business was creating a niche. For Zhenel, that niche was her Christ-centered music coaching, which resonated with clients looking for a coach who shared their values. “I realized that there weren’t many Christian music coaches on the platform, and that allowed me to connect with people on a deeper level,” she explained. This unique offering not only helped her gain clients, but it also set her apart in a crowded marketplace.
However, Zhenel’s strategy for Fiverr success didn’t stop with finding a niche—she understood the need to offer variety and flexibility to meet different client needs. “I started offering multiple session lengths, from 20 to 60 minutes, because I knew not everyone could commit to a full hour,” she shared. She also created bundle packages that offered clients a discount when booking multiple sessions, which encouraged repeat business and long-term coaching relationships.
For those looking to follow in her footsteps, Zhenel shares these key strategies for Fiverr success:
- Identify and Lean Into Your Niche. Whether it’s a unique service or a specific audience, focus on what makes you stand out. “Your niche doesn’t have to be huge; it just needs to be something that sets you apart,” she said.
- Offer Flexible Services. Cater to different client needs by providing a range of options. “Not everyone has the same budget or time, so make your services accessible,” she suggested.
- Go the Extra Mile. Providing more than expected was one of the ways Zhenel built loyalty and received glowing reviews. “I usually go over the session time or send clients extra resources, like practice exercises, without charging more.”
- Be Patient and Persistent. Success doesn’t happen overnight. “It took months before I got consistent inquiries, but the more I refined my gigs, the better the results became,” Zhenel advised.
- Create High-Quality Visuals. Your gig’s images and videos are often the first impression clients get, so make them count. Zhenel used videos of her singing to highlight her skills and give potential clients a glimpse of what to expect.
- Start Small and Expand. Zhenel started with vocal coaching but expanded her offerings as she grew, adding services like music production and songwriting. “As my clients began asking for more, I adjusted and added new gigs.”
Zhenel also recognized the value of creating passive income streams. To complement her live coaching sessions, she developed a digital product called “The Vocal Closet: A Singer’s Friend,” a downloadable resource filled with vocal exercises, techniques, and tips for clients who couldn’t commit to regular lessons. “It’s a great way to help people and generate extra income without having to be present for every sale,” she said.
Her experience shows that Fiverr success is about more than just posting a gig—it’s about understanding your audience, offering flexibility, and consistently delivering value. “You won’t get everything right at first, but if you keep refining your approach and listening to your clients’ needs, you’ll find your footing,” she said.
Growing Beyond Fiverr: Social Media and More
While Fiverr laid the foundation for Zhenel’s side hustle, she knew that relying on one platform wasn’t enough for long-term success. “I realized that if I wanted to grow my business, I couldn’t just depend on Fiverr. I had to build a broader presence,” she explained. This led her to tap into social media to grow her client base beyond the freelancing platform.
With her vibrant and engaging personality, Zhenel found that creating content for platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok was a natural extension of her work. “I love making videos, and it helped people see my personality and my passion for music,” she said. By posting vocal tips, behind-the-scenes clips from her music projects, and even snippets of her lessons, Zhenel was able to attract a new wave of clients. “People would reach out to me for music lessons just from seeing my videos, even when I wasn’t actively promoting my services.”
Her personal website, The Kingdom Expo, also became an important tool for expanding her business. “Having a website gave me the freedom to offer more than just coaching,” she explained. It allowed her to sell digital products like “The Vocal Closet” and serve as a booking hub for clients who preferred to book lessons directly with her rather than through Fiverr.
Zhenel’s music career itself became another way to draw in clients. “Sometimes people discovered my music and ended up booking a lesson. Other times, coaching clients became fans of my music,” she noted. This integration of her various talents not only brought in more business but also helped her build stronger relationships with her audience.
By diversifying her approach through social media, her website, and her music, Zhenel was able to create a well-rounded business that didn’t rely solely on Fiverr. “Fiverr was a great starting point, but expanding beyond it has helped me create a more sustainable, long-term business,” she said.
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Long-Term Vision and Future Goals
As Zhenel’s business continues to grow, her vision for the future is ambitious. “I see this becoming more than just a side hustle. I want to create a physical space where people can come to be coached, record their music, and get the support they need,” she shared. Her long-term goal is to open a music hub where artists can develop their talents in a supportive environment.
In addition to expanding her coaching services, Zhenel plans to build more partnerships with schools, ministries, and organizations. “I want to use music to spread positivity and faith, and I see myself working with schools and other organizations to help people express themselves through music,” she said.
While she’s focused on growing her online presence and exploring new opportunities in music production and teaching, Zhenel remains committed to her core passion. “This is just the beginning. I’m excited to keep helping people through music and to see where this journey leads,” she said.
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