- Randy McCabe left Google, and now he has earned over $1 million in five years on Fiverr.
- He left corporate jobs due to stress and inflexibility and found balance with freelancing.
- McCabe shares his four strategies for successfully transitioning from corporate to freelance.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Randy McCabe, a 36-year-old freelancer, digital marketing agency owner, and former Google employee from Seattle. It’s been edited for length and clarity.
I worked at Google for nearly two years, starting in 2016 as an account manager. I loved my time there.
The employees were friendly, the directors encouraged growth, and the on-site gym and free food were fantastic. But when my position was outsourced, we had the opportunity to look into joining other teams; instead, I quit.
I found a new job, then I gradually started taking freelance digital marketing gigs on the side and later created my digital marketing agency.
In five years, I’ve made over $1 million on one platform, and I’m so happy with the growth I’ve seen. I used four strategies to help me successfully pivot to freelance.
Working for companies stressed me out
After Google, I joined the cybersecurity startup Skybox Security as a digital marketing manager. My rigid eight-to-five schedule left little room for flexibility in my personal life.
When I was preparing for a major project launch, I found myself staying late at the office night after night and continuing the work from home. The urgency and immediate deadlines from management made me feel constantly tethered to work, and I was stressed out knowing that requesting time off might make management unhappy.
I transitioned to freelance when I noticed other online marketers freelancing on the side.
Fiverr helped me earn $1 million and gradually grow my business
I began taking freelance gigs on platforms like Fiverr in 2018 to leverage my skills outside of work. I liked Fiverr’s platform, and it allowed me to gradually build my business while initially still keeping my primary job. It took about a year to gain momentum as I dedicated more time and effort. Within a year and a half, I’d reached my first $100,000 on Fiverr.
When COVID hit, I was laid off along with the entire marketing department at Skybox. Fortunately, I’d built strong customer relationships on Fiverr, which gave me the confidence to transition to full-time freelancing.
One of the toughest challenges in transitioning from corporate to freelance work was the uncertainty of not having a guaranteed monthly paycheck. However, once I transitioned to Fiverr full-time, I consistently achieved over $300,000 in annual sales.
Within six months of freelancing, I also launched a digital marketing agency called Exo Agency.
Today, I’m still working with Fiverr and my agency, and I couldn’t be happier with the growth. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Four strategies helped me pivot to freelancing and make seven figures in five years on Fiverr
1. Identify a niche.
Since my background is in marketing and I had experience working at Google, I decided to focus on providing Google Ads Campaign setup and management services for small businesses. I delved into understanding client needs to set myself apart and increase earnings on the platform.
2. Showcase skills and expertise.
I created a comprehensive work portfolio. One of the projects I included in my portfolio was a marketing campaign that resulted in a 30% increase in sales for a client’s product. Including this campaign in my portfolio proved my creative abilities and showed my direct impact on the client’s increased revenue.
3. Market your services.
To market myself and my Google Ads and SEO services, I made a Photoshopped poster that effectively showcased the value of my services and relevant highlights. I included a Google Partner badge with my Google Ads gigs, showing that I’ve met all of the performance, ad spend, and certifications.
This led to more inquiries and more revenue from my services through the platform.
4. Stay Organized
I ensured I met all deadlines and delivered high-quality work by using a project management tool. I rely heavily on Google Sheets and Google Calendar in my daily routine to ensure I meet all deadlines and that each project receives dedicated attention.
This level of organization and attention to detail allowed me to take on additional projects — and ultimately increase my freelance income.
I’m 100% happier working for myself
I have more control over my schedule and can more effectively balance my work and personal life. I decide when to take a break and take care of myself without feeling guilty or worried about being unavailable to my clients.
I also have complete control over the amount of work I take on, allowing me to focus on customer service and results. As a result, I’m not only more productive but also more fulfilled in my personal life.
If you quit Big Tech and would like to share your story, please email Tess Martinelli at tmartinelli@businessinsider.com.
