Madmoo, You’re a Fiverr Super Seller

madmoo (a.k.a. Ang) has been a member of our community for over 2 years now. Those of you who are on the forum already know her as being a super helpful and supportive member of the community.
Ang offers a number of creative Gigs from stop motion, to custom made messages. You may recognize her Gigs where she’ll draw your logo or message on the frothy cup of cappucinno, or write out your message on toast with alphabetti. These are just a taste of the creative services madmoo provides!
Her Gigs were such a success that last September, she made the decision to leave her day job and focus on Fiverr full time! Anyways, I’ve done enough talking.
Over to you Madmoo!
A friend (Sam Cornwell) emailed me to say he’d found this site and knew I’d find it interesting. I set up an account and didn’t really expect anything to come of it.
I was shocked to get my first order around a week later and that was the start of my Fiverr addiction. I added a few more Gigs and gradually built up my sales and reputation.
I maintained my day job and did my Fiverr work in the early mornings, at night or weekends. A lot of my Gigs rely on photography. Seeing that I prefer natural light, my time was limited.
My greatest fear was getting a negative review, and whilst I would never even come close to the deadlines, I am a perfectionist so I would never deliver anything I wasn’t 100% satisfied with.
After around a year on Fiverr I had the opportunity to cut my hours at work so I decided to work part time. On my days ‘off’ I was able to work on my Fiverr orders. Somehow, because I had more time to devote to the Fiverr side of things, I’d get more orders, complete them quickly and felt in a better position to actively promote what I do (I have a Facebook page devoted entirely to my Fiverr work).
The decision to leave my job completely last September wasn’t hard for me. My job was pretty tedious and certainly not creative – I worked in a call center. The chance came up and I took it. Mine isn’t the sole income in the house, my two daughters are grown up so the financial pressures aren’t there.
Now, my life is no longer stressful and I can organize my days as I wish.
I find it hard to see myself as successful. It’s one reason I love getting feedback – when someone appreciates what I did and tells me I’m wonderful or awesome, it makes me smile.
Getting an order that auto-completes sometimes feels like a kick in the teeth, especially if I feel I did a great job. It’s like holding the door open for someone who then walks through without saying thanks. I know lots of people don’t see it that way, and lots of buyers probably don’t give it a thought.
I’ve always been creative but never really stuck at any one idea. Being on Fiverr has focused my mind. My Gig ideas tend to come to me in the middle of the night or I will see something online or in real life that sparks an idea. I love thinking up new Gigs. My biggest challenge now is to keep the Gigs fresh!
To anyone starting out or setting up new Gigs, first of all do something you enjoy. Don’t try doing something you’re uncomfortable with since you will struggle and start to resent it.
Getting that first sale is always the most difficult part and even though I’ve been on the site for over 2 years I try not to forget that each sale is important and it often takes a buyer who is trusting to take that leap of faith and be the first.
You can help yourself by having clear titles, descriptions and instructions, good Gig photos and realistic lead times. Communicate with your buyers throughout the sale where necessary. Don’t assume they know the procedure or how things work.
Put yourself in the shoes of the buyer and ask yourself how you’d feel to receive the work you did.

Thanks for sharing your story and amazing tips medium.

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Admit it, you're fascinated

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Some people are pondering their fate after December 21, while others are just enjoying the show.Popular culture, religion, current events and human nature among doomsday influencesApocalyptic scenarios can be thrilling or amusing, especially when zombies are involvedShare your thoughts in the comments below or post a video on CNN iReport

(CNN) -- If you've got dinner reservations for December 22, there's probably no point in changing them on account of an apocalyptic prophecy.

December 21, 2012, is the endpoint of the 5,126-year Great Cycle marked on the Mayan people's "Long Count" calendar. Some say that could be the end of everything. Or not.

We've noticed a few sarcastic story comments, but some readers seem fascinated. The apocalypse has left cultural footprints.

"Doomsday Preppers" is a popular, if somewhat controversial, TV program detailing how people are preparing for the possibility of disaster on the National Geographic Channel. TNT's "Falling Skies" and NBC's "Revolution" are fictional depictions of apocalyptic scenarios. For those more interested in a zombie apocalypse, "The Walking Dead" is shambling on AMC.

"The Hunger Games" book trilogy and movie series features a post-apocalyptic, dystopian society broken up into districts and a wealthy capital. The government forces children to fight to the death each year.

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Interestingly, Google Trends graphs show 2009 marking a turning point when Web searches for "apocalypse" started to gradually rise. The brief spike back in 2004 seems to be related to searches for the film "Resident Evil: Apocalypse." Of course, the word "zombies" tops the apocalypse-oriented terms, while "end of the world" brings high peaks that meet up with "zombies" before dropping into deep valleys. "Doomsday" looks less popular.

Social media mentions of the word "apocalypse" are much harder to track, but Twitter posts appear to follow comparable trend lines both in the past month and since July 2010, as visualized with analytics site Topsy.

The apocalypse obsession seems palpable, but we wanted to know why. As we took a deeper look, we came up with five themes that seem to explain it.

Opinion: What we learn from collapse of the Maya

Awe-inspiring

It's the recession, right? Maybe.

Robb Willer, an associate professor of sociology at University of California, Berkeley, studies political and religious psychology. He says the economy might be a factor, but other reasons include the rise of evangelical Christianity in the past 20 years.

Christian preacher Harold Camping predicted a Judgment Day on May 21, 2011, and also made a similar prediction in 1994. The "Left Behind" series of books bolstered the concept of a Second Coming.

People have been debating prophecies for a long time. The debunking research in "When Prophecy Fails" was published in 1956, and Stephen King put out his apocalyptic novel "The Stand" in 1978.

Willer says he's been thinking a lot about the feeling of powerlessness that we get in the face of something undeniably powerful. Some would use the word "awe" to describe the sensation, and it affects how we view the world.

Apocalyptic prophecy behavior is puzzling at first glance because people tend to be optimistic, rather than pessimistic, Willer says. (See also: Powerball jackpot.) The people who believe in the prophecies, he explains, aren't crazy. They just "need some kind of source for the apocalyptic prophecy that they believe is credible," be it a Mayan calendar or the predictions of Nostradamus. Willer listed superstitions and astrology as examples of common nonscientific beliefs.

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var currExpandable="expand119";if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);}var mObj={};mObj.type='video';mObj.contentId='';mObj.source='us/2012/12/05/dnt-ca-prepping-for-doom.kgtv';mObj.videoSource='KGTV';mObj.videoSourceUrl='http://www.10news.com/';mObj.lgImage="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/121205072900-dnt-ca-prepping-for-doom-00020603-story-body.jpg";mObj.lgImageX=300;mObj.lgImageY=169;mObj.origImageX="214";mObj.origImageY="120";mObj.contentType='video';CNN.expElements.expand119Store=mObj;Jerry Piven, a researcher who has studied psychoanalytic epistemology and wrote a book on the psychological undercurrents of terror and apocalypse, says he feels an apocalypse almost embeds a tale of fantasy into reality and provides safe theater for exploring death. He says a student once asked him if it was OK that he enjoyed using a Dungeons & Dragons character who is a "priest of apocalyptic power."

"I asked if he believed that the world was truly so vile that he would really destroy it with the apocalyptic powers of his dark deities," Piven explained. "Well of course, he did not."

Willer said the apocalypse can be a spectator sport and a reality show for some people.

"It could be that a lot of interest in apocalyptic prophecy comes as much from people being ironically entertained by a few people believing in it as actually believing that the world will end," he noted.

Concerns about the unknown

There's nothing like a viral hoax to get people talking. We saw it right here on CNN iReport.

An unvetted iReport post about the "Nibiru" asteroid garnered so much traction -- more than 90,000 page views and 10,000 Facebook recommends -- that NASA created an account on CNN iReport and posted comments to help debunk the doomsday text.

This post and others like it allege that an asteroid is approaching Earth, which is pretty scary to think about. Even worse, NASA is said to be keeping this information under wraps so as not to incite panic. But the hoax notes that the news release is coming soon, so get ready.

For the most part, our community hasn't been believing the Nibiru claims, although there were comments on the original iReport that were supporting the idea of a NASA cover-up. There seemed to be as many people trying to debunk the post as there were people who were afraid of total destruction.

"There's always someone ready to buy into the latest doomsday story," commented iReporter Mark Ivy of Farmersburg, Indiana. "For some, the titillation of it all is too much to resist."

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson was one of many experts who commented on the hoax on Twitter:

"

Things you might say if you flunked Astro101: "Planet Niburu is real and is headed toward Earth."

— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) December 2, 2012

NASA posted a page on their website devoted to the Nibiru buzz and other such theories. The common theme among the stories is they involve a force so strong that it could affect our entire world.

At the same time, there are people who say the world probably isn't ending, but they aren't leaving their lives to chance.

'Doesn't hurt to be prepared'

The door chime at a San Diego military surplus store called Bargain Center seems to ring steadily throughout the day, and profits are noticeably up. The store is a popular place to buy survival goods, even though they only make up about a 10th of the store's selection.

Some customers specifically mention December 21 when they come in, says owner Joel Dreifuss. He feels that he's been selling about 50% more survival-oriented items during the past six to eight weeks. MREs, water purification systems and storage supplies are the most popular items, as well as getaway backpacks and emergency supplies.

Dreifuss says many of them are adding to their existing supplies of survival gear, just in case they need to be ready for trouble. Many of these people are self-described "preppers," a community of people who value preparations for life-altering events.

"It doesn't hurt to be prepared for three or four days of not having anything, no electricity or heat," Dreifuss said.

He says he's rung up a few more gas masks than usual, but the numbers aren't extreme.

Bad things do happen, and there's plenty of media to cover it, which Dreifuss theorizes might be contributing to apocalypse fever; and if desperation trumps decorum, humans may be feared as much as the forces of nature.

He talked about 1992's riots in Los Angeles and desperation in the aftermath of a severe storm. He shuddered at the thought of Black Fridays.

"They're animals, and that's over a $199 TV," he said of holiday shoppers. "Can you imagine if it's cold and they're hungry and the power's out?"

It's the end of the world (as we know it)

There's a popular reverse acronym among the "prepper" community that goes right along with a famous R.E.M. song that is topping apocalyptic playlists everywhere: TEOTWAWKI, or "the end of the world as we know it." That, along with SHTF, or "s--- hits the fan," are emblematic of prepper philosophy.

"Anything that could or would change your life as you now know it" qualifies, says a blogger and Twitter user known as Survivor Jane. One might go through a natural disaster or lose their home or job.

Survivor Jane is a well-respected prepper who started a blog in 2008 to provide a place for women to explore their ideas about making disaster preparations. She says she created the #preppertalk hashtag on Twitter in August 2012, which allowed her to exchange knowledge with others more easily. Her following attracted National Geographic's attention, and she has participated in some "Doomsday Preppers" tweeting sessions.

"I am more about taking accountability for myself and being self-reliant," she said. "If that means extra food, water, shelter and a means to protect myself is a bad thing, so be it. I don't want anyone to suffer like the victims of Sandy did, some needlessly."

She says she receives more inquiries about staying safe from natural disasters than about the annihilation of humanity.

"A lot (of questions) are coming from people wanting to know how to better prepare for a storm like Sandy," she explains. "But then again with the 'end of the world' looming, people are seeking its validity and how to prepare for it."

Something to keep in mind: "If the world is going to end," she adds, "There's no need to prepare for anything because we'll all be gone."

Getting a fresh start on society

For Chicago-area author Alex Newton, there is a scale of disaster intensity that starts with house fires and flash floods and ends with a global pandemic or, if you're really unlucky, a zombie apocalypse. The last item is a joke from his book, "Plan and Prep: Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse."

Newton, known as @ZombieApocGuy on Twitter, specifically chose zombies as a metaphor for everything that can possibly go wrong. Whereas some people might admire the special powers of a vampire or werewolf, zombies are the "ultimate predator" because "they just don't stop. They just keep killing."

The September 11, 2001, terror attacks inspired Newton's interest in prepping. He recalls feeling stranded for hours and unable to get in touch with his family. He vowed to never again be caught off guard and put his military experience to use.

He recommends getting started by assessing the real dangers in one's geographic area, such as blizzards or earthquakes. One might make a "bug-out bag" for a quick egress or stash extra supplies. Newton's concern is being ready to survive, rather than the "end of the world" or doomsday prophecies.

"What the Mayans determined back then was amazing," he said. "I just think they didn't get time to finish their calendar."

He wonders if those who hope the world will end need a little excitement in their lives or secretly want society to start over.

"There's a lot of benefit that may come for some if the world ends, unfortunately, and some people look forward to that," Newton said.

Stayin' alive?

Newton is optimistic that he'll live to see his next "Plan and Prep" book come out. But there are also those who are concerned. What about you? Whether or not you plan on still existing come January, we'd like to hear your perspective.

If you think the apocalypse could happen, tell us what you plan on doing between now and The End. Are you making any preparations of any kind? Even if you don't believe in it, we'd still like to hear how you'd theoretically spend your last days on Earth or how you'll be celebrating come December 22.

There's not much time to share your thoughts. Post a comment below or sound off on video via CNN iReport.

View the original article here

Anna Kendrick, 'What To Expect When You're Expecting' Star, Relieved To No Longer Be In 'Twilight'

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Normally, after I interview a celebrity, I somehow settle on the deluded notion that we could, one day, become best friends. This was not the case with Anna Kendrick.

Not to say that the star wasn't friendly, we just didn't "get" each other. Nevertheless, that didn't stop us from discussing her role in the upcoming big-screen adaptation of the consummate baby guide, "What To Expect When You're Expecting." Here, she plays Rosie, a colloquialism-spewing, food truck proprietor who ends up getting knocked up by her hunky pork-hawking competitor, played by "Gossip Girl's" Chase Crawford. (Swoon!)

Moviefone (awkwardly) chatted with Kendrick about phone grettings, baby bumps, and being relieved to no longer be a part of "Twilight."

Hi! How are you?
[Monotone voice] So good.

Good? Sorry?
Oh, yeah. So good.

“So good”... is that sarcasm? Are you doing tons of interviews?
[Laughs] No, I just say that. I guess I realized that’s my standard greeting when I actually do junkets and I say it to everyone. I go, ‘Oh, I say that a lot.’

Well, let's talk "What to Expect." How was it to shoot?
It was really fun, actually. We just got to shoot, mostly nights, in the warm Atlanta weather, on a food truck -- sometimes with a little baby bump, sometimes without. [It was] pretty great.

So you actually had a prosthetic baby bump?
I did. Because when I flash it and I’m not that far along yet, I kept saying, ‘Can’t I just like, have a big lunch?’ It’ll be great. It’ll be easier for everybody. And I want to have a big lunch. So everybody wins.

And I assume that didn’t happen?
Yeah, they still made me get the prosthetic, which took like three hours to put on and was incredibly uncomfortable. You know, it’s just like it’s hot and sticky and everybody wants to poke you -- all the time.

So you had a little taste of pregnancy, then. Do you have any baby aspirations of your own?
No, no. And everybody keeps asking me like, ‘Oh, did making the movie make you want to have babies?’ No, not at all. Like, wearing that prosthetic did not make me want to bring a life into this world.

Well, I imagine you read the book...
I haven’t read the book. That book scares me. It’s going to tell me all the crazy things that are going to happen to me when I have a kid and I don’t even want to know. I like being able to sleep at night.

Is there any book that you’d like to see be made into a movie?
Well, when I was a little bit younger, I read this book called “The Rapture of Canaan” and I thought that would make a cool movie, especially because there’s like a teenage girl lead part...if they made it now Hailee Steinfeld would be a great choice. But now I don’t even remember if the book was good. I was just like, ‘Aw, they should make this a movie so I can be in it.”

Your particular role was a more serious story than the others, was that by choice?
Well, I was going to play Jennifer [Lopez]’s part but I guess she wanted to do that... No, I was just f-cking with you.

Well, in “50/50” you played a serious part, too.
The script as a whole is kind of light and funny so I wasn’t really thinking about how serious my particular storyline was until we were filming and I was like, ‘Ugh, this is another bummer of a scene.’

Yeah. It was super sad. I kept thinking it was like being in a Ben Folds Five video or something.
[Laughs] Oh, my god. Yeah!

Is it weird for you to field all these pregnancy questions?
A little bit, yeah. I kind of knew that it would be coming but I feel like pregnancy and kids, it’s one of those things that once you talk about it, people always [recall that] like, ‘Oh, you said in 2012 that you are open to having kids’ and that like follows you around or something. And it’s one of those weird things where I’m trying to avoid sort of saying anything about it because for me, honestly, I haven’t really thought about it that much.

So you spent a lot of time on the food truck, were you actually working with food?
Yeah, they gave us cooking lessons, I chopped my fingernail off, which was maybe the single most painful experience of my life.

So, this isn’t sarcasm, then? That was real?
No. I chopped my fingernail off, like, half-way up my fingernail. Gone. Like, awful. And you don’t even end up seeing my slicing skills in the movie.

Oh, so there was a sequence where you were like, julienning something?
Yeah. And then they were like, well, actually, if we just shoot it this way, we won’t even see your hand... Yeah, lost a fingernail to the cause but, OK.

That’s awful. Have you ever been hurt on-set before?
Not really, no. I mean, I should have sued them or something, right?

You and Chace Crawford really seemed to get along.
Yeah. Everybody keeps asking us if we knew each other before but, yeah, we just met on set. He’s...obviously an incredibly handsome dude and I just kind of had to get past that little speed bump cause it’s hard for me to look somebody in the face when they’re that attractive.

How does it feel not to be involved in the final ‘Twilight’ movie?
It’s a relief, you know? Because it’s kind of off my shoulders [in terms of] talking about it. Because talking about it I always feel like I say something that gets misconstrued or I offend someone because people are so deeply passionate about that series. So, I’m actually sort of happy to be not talking about it.

"What To Expect When You're Expecting" hits theaters May 18.

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