Keys For Success In A Gig Economy

The internet has had a profound impact on how the gig economy works. Now, it’s easier than ever to connect with gigs and potential clients, and there are specialized sites for matching providers with industry-specific gigs. Here’s how to make 500 fast with these options.

What is the Gig Economy?

The gig economy is comprised of millions of Americans who refer to themselves as freelancers, self-employed workers, and independent contractors. You’d be amazed at just how much of the American workforce this group of people accounts for, and it continues to grow as Americans look for more profitable and flexible work options to meet busy schedules and lives.

Side hustles can begin as a quick way to make a few hundred extra dollars per month, but with the right guidance and determination, you can quickly grow your gig income to full-time status.

Use Sites Like Fiverr

Fiverr is quite possibly the single best resource for connecting professionals with paying gigs. The site is specifically focused on making finding paying gigs as simple and painless as possible. With an enormous user base, there are thousands of gigs and clients just waiting to be connected with the right people.

Fiver is based on the concept of the five dollar gig, hence the name “Fiverr”. This means that most gigs on the site start at $5, but you can advertise your services for an introductory price that you choose. It’s best to start with a basic $5 package to begin with, raising prices as the quality and demand of your services increases.

Be Ready For Unpredictability

Gigging income is pretty much dependent on the demand for your services. You can make anywhere from a few hundred per month to a few thousand during busy seasons, or absolutely nothing during off times. It’s important to remember this when you first start out gigging, as it can be frustrating to plan finances with an income that isn’t always guaranteed.

With unpredictability comes many challenges, but don’t be afraid to keep putting yourself out there. Once you earn a name for yourself, your work will become a bit more steady because you’ll develop a reputation for quality. Always put your clients first and deliver your projects on time.

Time Management and Productive Spaces

So you’ve started gigging, now what? How do you maximize productivity and effectiveness in the gigging world? The first step is to master time management. This can require incredible discipline, especially if you’re working from home.

Time management means setting a schedule for yourself to work on your gigs. Treat it like any other job, where you are to begin at a specific time, work for a specific number of hours, and then finish at a predetermined time. This routine will help you develop discipline, and therefore increase the quality of your projects and ensure you’re meeting deadlines.

Your environment will play a huge part in how well you manage your time. If you’re working from home, it’s important to create a space away from distractions such as the TV or even your phone. Have a separate home office or workspace will minimize distractions and help keep you focused on your projects.

Some people simply can’t work from home, and that’s ok too. You can use your favorite coffee shop, bookstore, or other hangout space to work from if that’s more comfortable. There are many freelancers that prefer to leave their home to complete their work.

Know Your Worth

Even if you’re particularly talented in a certain field, if you’re just starting out, you probably won’t be able to charge top dollar for your services. You’ll need to establish a reputation before you can do that, but you should also be aware of what your services are worth.

Undercharging a client can be pretty frustrating. You’ll feel like you spent a lot of time on a project but were unable to justify it what the amount you’ve charged. Create a fee structure for different project levels, so you’re sure to keep pricing consistent across all project scopes.

Always Be On The Lookout For New Opportunities

There are thousands of sites and other resources dedicated to helping freelancers and independent contractors to find work. If you’re looking to make a significant amount of money per month, you’ll want to always be aware of any new opportunities.

Not only do new projects connect you with potential clients, but they’ll also keep your skills sharp and improve your reputation by offering new challenges. The best independent workers are always up to a new challenge, navigating the project with confidence and prestige.

Be Confident in Yourself

When you separate yourself from employment and enter the gig economy, the competition will be fierce. Confidence is an incredibly powerful tool and can mean the difference between quality projects and sub-par projects.

Being confident will increase the confidence of your clients, as well as your abilities as a freelancer or independent contractor. You’re among a group of people who’ve decided to take their destiny into their own hands by creating their own schedules and workflows. This is impressive in and of itself, requiring great discipline and determination.

Conclusion

Confidence, great resources, and a little persistence will help you take charge of your gigs and start making extra money each month. If you grow enough, you can even choose to go full-time, making your own hours and setting prices for your services.