Why Fervorfish Isn’t Swimming in the Freelance Platform Ocean

Let’s start with a confession: we at Fervorfish love the idea of marketplaces. Farmers markets? Fantastic. Book fairs? Count us in. But when it comes to freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, we’ve decided to sit this one out. Why? Because we’re not just another fish in the sea. We’re Fervorfish, and we’ve got our own way of doing things.

Here’s a breakdown of why we’ve chosen to dodge the algorithms, bidding wars, and “Let’s circle back to this” messages that plague these platforms.

We’re Not About the Race to the Bottom

One of the hallmarks of freelance platforms is the bidding system. Someone posts a project, and suddenly it’s a gladiatorial arena where freelancers try to outbid each other to offer the lowest price.

“I’ll design your logo for $50!” “I’ll do it for $25!” “I’ll pay YOU $10 if you let me design your logo!”

At Fervorfish, we value our work (and our coffee habit) too much for this kind of nonsense. Our pricing reflects the quality, expertise, and time we bring to each project. Sure, we’re competitive. Our prices align with what you might find on these platforms. But what you get is great, authentic work paired with a sincere working relationship. We’re here to create value, not cheap knock-offs.

“I cannot say enough on the professionalism that Jamie has demonstrated while putting together my website from beginning to end. This was such a smooth transition and was done in the most professional way, yet fun to do. I would highly recommend Jamie to make things happen.” ~Claude Blumenzweig, Vino Bella

Algorithms Are Great for Dating Apps, Not Creativity

Freelance platforms often rely on algorithms to match clients with freelancers. Sounds efficient, right? Except when you realize that these algorithms prioritize metrics like how many projects you’ve completed or how quickly you respond, rather than the quality of your work or how well you’re aligned with the client’s needs.

Here’s a fun fact: the Mona Lisa wouldn’t have passed an algorithm’s test for “popular styles of portraiture in Renaissance Italy.” Algorithms are great for finding the nearest pizza joint but not for pairing clients with a digital media company that truly gets them.

At Fervorfish, we prefer to build relationships the old-fashioned way: with real conversations, mutual understanding, and a sprinkle of humor.

“Working with Milo is a real pleasure. He is very professional, very quickly understand the need and the message we want to carry. The result is two versions of what we believe to be highly attractive videos (short and long). Milo reacts extremely quickly, making the work as if we were sitting in real time around a table. our organization, NATAN-International Humanitarian Aid operates for 16 years, it means many places, various skills, a mission, a specific approach: summarizing all these in a 90 seconds video was a challenge, Milo did it beautifully, Thank you very very much.” ~Danny Kahn, NATAN Worldwide Disaster Relief

We’re Not Fans of Middlemen (or Middlefish)

Freelance platforms are like the toll booths of the digital world. They’ll connect you with clients, but not without taking their cut. And let’s be honest, those cuts can feel more like amputations.

Imagine spending hours crafting the perfect website, only to have the platform skim 20% off the top before you even see your paycheck. Meanwhile, the client might be paying a “platform fee” on their end. It’s like buying a concert ticket and realizing you’ve paid more in fees than the artist makes from the show.

At Fervorfish, we believe in keeping things simple. No middlemen, no hidden fees. Just straightforward collaboration between us and our clients.

“I can’t say enough about how collaborative, transparent and FUN the process of creating my site was. You guys are so creative and fun to work with. Thanks for everything!” ~Kimberly Lancaster, Avalon Privacy

We’re Flexible, and We Don’t Shove Our Work into Square Holes

Yes, we have standard packages. They’re thoughtfully designed to meet a variety of client needs. But here’s the catch: we’re not married to them. If your project requires mixing and matching elements from different packages, or if it needs a bit of tweaking, we’re all for it.

Platforms often push freelancers to fit their services into rigid, predefined boxes. But creativity doesn’t work that way, and neither do we. Our pricing is competitive with what you might see on these platforms, but with Fervorfish, you get personalized solutions and a sincere working relationship. Whether it’s designing a website, crafting graphics, or editing a promotional video, we’re not going to shove our work into their square hole just to check a box. At Fervorfish, we customize our approach to fit your unique goals, not the other way around.

“Recently used Milo and the crew for a promotional video for our fledgling business. Couldn’t recommend them enough! Really put me at ease from the minute they walked through the door. Very professional service from start to finish. Also I love how they take the time to really get to know your business and how to best promote it. You won’t be disappointed.” ~Vivette Madden, MAD N' CAKES

We’re Big on Relationships, Not Transactions

Freelance platforms treat projects like fast-food orders: quick, impersonal, and often regrettable. But digital media isn’t a drive-thru experience. It’s more like a Michelin-star meal: it takes time, care, and collaboration.

We don’t just complete tasks for our clients; we partner with them. We get to know their goals, their challenges, and even their favorite memes. (Trust us, it’s all part of the creative process.) This level of connection isn’t possible on platforms where the main focus is closing the deal as quickly as possible.

“Thank you so much for all your help. My customers were confused about our profile on the search engine. My wife loves the new website!” ~Markiel Shamalov, Markiel's Hair Company

We’re Not Robots. We’re Humans with a Sense of Humor

Have you ever tried messaging someone on a freelance platform? It’s like emailing a robot that’s had all its personality scrubbed away.

Client: “Can you help with this project?” Freelancer: “Yes. Please provide specs. ETA 3 days. Regards, FreelancerBot9000.”

At Fervorfish, we’re all about the human touch. We laugh with our clients, brainstorm over Zoom calls, and occasionally send them gifs of dancing cats to lighten the mood. You won’t find that on Upwork.

“Had a fantastic photo shoot with Milo. Great to work with and very creative. Can’t recommend him enough. If you need some Pro Photography done give him a shout.” ~Anthony Hoey, Anthony Hoey Music

We’re Not Chasing Stars

Freelance platforms often have rating systems that reduce your entire body of work to a handful of stars. And while ratings can be helpful, they’re also incredibly reductive.

Let’s say you deliver an amazing project, but the client gives you 4 out of 5 stars because they had a bad day or didn’t like your font choice. Now you’re stuck explaining to future clients why you’re not a perfect 5.

At Fervorfish, we let our work and our relationships speak for themselves. No star ratings needed.

“Jamie was amazing. His quality of work and ability to translate what we were looking for into a tangible product. His super personality was an added plus. I can’t believe he did all this for us.” ~Darryl Johnson, Mentor2Youth

The “Fiverr Effect” Hurts Everyone

Platforms like Fiverr have popularized the idea that creative work should be fast, cheap, and always available. It’s the digital equivalent of expecting a five-star steak dinner at a fast-food price.

But good work takes time. It can require brainstorming, revisions, and the occasional “Let’s scrap everything and start over” moment… and that’s okay! By not participating in these platforms, we’re making a stand for the value of quality.

I recently worked with the guys at Feverfish on some web content and digital images for my cocktail-making tutorials, and the results were fantastic. They captured the essence of what I wanted to convey. Their attention to detail and ability to deliver high-quality visuals exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend them. ~Nelson, web publisher and YouTuber

We’re Proudly Old-School (With a Dash of Modern Cool)

In a world obsessed with instant gratification, we’re all about taking our time to do things right. We’re not just building websites, writing copy, or producing videos; we’re crafting experiences that last.

We’re the kind of people who still send thank-you notes (digitally, of course) and believe in the power of a good handshake, even if it’s virtual. That’s not something you can replicate on a freelance platform.

“Jamie is great! He knows what he is talking about, is good interfacing with third-parties, and is willing to look into ways to improve. He was always on our side, looking out for our bottom line and the service that we could get. The solution he came up with provides great value. Highly recommended.” ~Crystal Merrill, Read-Aloud Volunteer Program

We Like to Keep It Local and Personal

Finally, we’re proud to be an American company that keeps all our work in-house. While freelance platforms often outsource projects across the globe, we’re committed to maintaining close connections with our clients.

When you work with Fervorfish, you’re not just another line item on a to-do list. You’re a partner, a collaborator, and, dare we say it?… a friend.

“Its so great and convenient having this graphics service, especially how fast I can get things! When I needed a QR code menu during COVID, Jamie designed one so fast and it looks great. We still use it today! Sometimes I need graphics for my social media quickly, especially for things like events planned late, and I can get social graphics and posters done so fast and without hassle. In fact, its fun to work with Jamie and crew!” ~Claude Blumenzweig, Vino Bella

So, Why Isn’t Fervorfish on Upwork or Fiverr?

Because we believe in doing things differently. We believe in relationships over transactions, quality over measliness, and creativity over algorithms. And while freelance platforms might work for some, they’re just not our style.

We’re Fervorfish. We’re here to help you create something amazing, and have a little bit of fun doing it. If that sounds like the kind of collaboration you’re looking for, let’s chat. No algorithms required.