How One Woman Earns $1,000+ Per Month Teaching Music on Fiverr
If one woman earns 000 is on your radar, this short guide cuts through the noise. Here is what is worth knowing, and how to put it to work today.
Key Takeaways
- How One Woman Earns $1,000+ Per Month Teaching Music on Fiverr Advertiser Disclosure Our readers always come firstThe content on DollarSprou...
- When you read our content and click on one of our partners’ links, and then decide to complete an offer , whether it’s downloading an app, o...
- Our ultimate goal is to educate and inform, not lure you into signing up for certain offers.
Our readers always come first
The content on DollarSprout includes links to our advertising partners. When you read our content and click on one of our partners’ links, and then decide to complete an offer , whether it’s downloading an app, opening an account, or some other action , we may earn a commission from that advertiser, at no extra cost to you.
Our ultimate goal is to educate and inform, not lure you into signing up for certain offers. Compensation from our partners may impact what products we cover and where they appear on the site, but does not have any impact on the objectivity of our reviews or advice.
Discover how Zhenel Rawlinson turned her passion for music into a profitable side hustle, earning $1,000+ a month by teaching lessons online.
Written by Ben Huber Last Updated: April 1, 2025Some of the links on DollarSprout point to products or services from partners we trust. If you choose to make a purchase through one, we may earn a commission, which supports the ongoing maintenance and improvement of our site at no additional cost to you. Learn more.
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 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.
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.
Related: 35 Flexible Ways to Make Money in College
Taking the Leap: Starting a Side Hustle on Fiverr
As Zhenel approached her final year of college, she found herself in a position that numerous young creatives can relate to, pursuing what she loved 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 numerous potential clients. “There weren’t numerous 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. 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 Rawlinson. Like numerous 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 simple. “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 immed
Final Thoughts
Before you check out, double-check one woman earns 000 against current offers and any coupons you can stack. Small habits like this add up to real savings over a year.
Originally published at dollarsprout.com.
Ben Huber
Our editorial team researches and verifies every money-saving guide before publishing. Editorial policy · About us
