Creating a gig on Shapwork is fast — but creating a gig that actually gets orders requires a bit of strategy. In this guide, we'll walk you through exactly how to set up a compelling gig profile that attracts buyers and builds your reputation from day one.
Step 1: Choose the Right Category
Before you write a single word of your gig description, make sure you're placing your service in the right category. This determines which clients can find you when they browse or search.
If you're a logo designer, choose "Graphics & Design → Logo Design." If you write blog posts, choose "Writing & Translation → Articles & Blog Posts." Being specific increases your visibility to the right clients.
Step 2: Write a Compelling Gig Title
Your title should be clear, specific, and include keywords that buyers would actually search for. Compare these two titles:
- ❌ "I will design for you" — too vague
- ✅ "I will design a professional logo with 3 concepts and unlimited revisions" — clear, specific, value-packed
Keep your title under 80 characters and lead with your most important benefit.
Step 3: Set Up Pricing Packages
Shapwork allows you to offer different service tiers. A smart pricing structure looks like this:
- Basic (₦5,000): 1 logo concept, JPG delivery, 2 revisions
- Standard (₦15,000): 3 logo concepts, PNG + SVG delivery, unlimited revisions
- Premium (₦30,000): 3 concepts, all file formats, brand style guide, 3-day delivery
Having tiers caters to different budgets and often upgrades buyers to higher packages when they see the extra value.
Step 4: Write a Description That Converts
Your gig description should answer three questions every buyer is asking:
- What exactly do I get? (List your deliverables clearly)
- Why should I trust you? (Mention your experience, approach, or relevant skills)
- What do you need from me to start? (List what information the buyer should provide)
Keep it concise, enthusiastic, and professional. Avoid spelling errors — they destroy trust.
Step 5: Add High-Quality Images
Your gig thumbnail is the first thing buyers see. Use:
- Real samples of your previous work
- Clean, professional-looking images (at least 800×600px)
- Text overlays that highlight key benefits
Gigs with images get significantly more clicks than those without.
Step 6: Publish and Promote
Once your gig is live, share it on WhatsApp groups, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Ask friends and family to visit and share the link. Early activity signals to Shapwork's algorithm that your gig is relevant, helping it rank higher in search results.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Pricing too low in a way that signals poor quality
- Using generic stock photos instead of real work samples
- Writing a description full of grammatical errors
- Setting unrealistic delivery times you can't meet
- Ignoring messages from potential buyers for more than 2 hours
Your first gig is just the beginning. Each order, review, and connection you make on the platform builds your reputation and leads to more opportunities. Start strong, deliver consistently, and the orders will follow.
