Tips to Make More Money as a Gig Worker

Jul 5th, 2023

The gig economy is a rapidly developing labor market where short-term contracts and freelance work are becoming more common than traditional, permanent employment. Employers now opt to hire independent contractors and freelancers as opposed to full-time staff when looking for help on specific tasks or projects.

This shift in the way people work has been enabled by technology platforms that connect customers who need services with workers offering those services. These platforms include Uber and Lyft for ride-sharing, TaskRabbit for various tasks and errands, Airbnb for accommodation sharing, and Upwork and Fiverr for a variety of freelance work, among many others.

If you're considering joining the gig economy, there are several important factors to consider:

Self-Employment Taxes

Gig workers are usually considered self-employed, meaning they're responsible for paying their own taxes, including income tax and self-employment tax (which covers Social Security and Medicare). You'll need to keep track of your income and expenses and potentially make quarterly estimated tax payments to the IRS.

Income Stability

Gig work can be inconsistent. There might be periods where you have more work than you can handle and others where work is scarce. It's important to plan for these fluctuations and have a financial buffer in place.

Benefits

As a gig worker, you typically won't receive benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, or paid time off from the platforms you work with. You'll need to arrange and pay for these things on your own.

Expenses

You'll likely have out-of-pocket expenses that you need to cover yourself, such as transportation costs for ride-share drivers or equipment for freelance work. It's important to track these expenses, as they can often be deducted from your income for tax purposes.

Setting Rates

For many gig jobs, you'll need to set your own rates. This requires understanding the market rate for your services and knowing the value of your own work.

Time Management

As a gig worker, you'll have to manage your own schedule. This offers flexibility, but it also requires good time management skills to ensure you're completing tasks on time and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Reputation Management

On many gig platforms, your reputation is crucial. High ratings and good reviews can help you get more work, so delivering quality work and good customer service is key.

Legal Considerations

Depending on the type of work, there may be legal considerations to keep in mind, such as licenses, permits, or insurance needed to perform certain types of work.

Technology Skills

Most gig work involves using a digital platform or app to find work, communicate with clients, and process payments, so comfort with technology is important.

Before starting gig work, it can be helpful to talk with others in the industry, do your own research, and potentially seek advice from professionals like accountants or lawyers to ensure you're prepared.

The gig economy offers several benefits and downsides for both workers and companies. Here are some key points to consider:

Benefits of the Gig Economy

For Workers:

1. Flexibility: Gig work often allows for flexible scheduling. Workers can often choose when, where, and how much they want to work, which can be especially appealing for people seeking work-life balance.
2. Variety: Workers have the ability to take on different types of jobs, which can lead to a diverse range of experiences and skills.
3. Earning Potential: Depending on the type of work and the demand for their skills, gig workers may have the potential to earn a good income, especially if they can set their own rates.

For Companies:

1. Cost Savings: Companies can often save money by hiring gig workers because they are not responsible for providing benefits like health insurance and retirement plans.
2. Flexibility: Companies can quickly scale up or down depending on their needs. They can hire gig workers for busy times or specific projects without the long-term commitment of hiring a full-time employee.
3. Access to Talent: Companies can access a wide talent pool across geographic boundaries, especially for remote-friendly gig work.

Downsides of the Gig Economy

For Workers:

1. Income Instability: Gig work is often unpredictable and can lead to inconsistent income. Workers may face periods of feast or famine in terms of available work.
2. Lack of Benefits: Gig workers are typically responsible for their own health insurance, retirement savings, and other benefits that are often provided to full-time employees.
3. Lack of Protections: Gig workers may lack certain protections afforded to employees, such as minimum wage guarantees, overtime pay, and protections under employment law.

For Companies:

1. Less Control: While companies can provide guidelines, they typically have less control over gig workers compared to employees.
2. Quality Assurance: It may be more difficult for companies to ensure consistent quality, as gig workers may vary in their skills, experience, and understanding of the company's expectations.
3. Turnover: Gig workers might not have the same level of loyalty as full-time employees and high turnover can lead to additional costs and disruption.

As the gig economy continues to evolve, these benefits and downsides may shift. It's important for both workers and companies to stay informed and adapt to changes.

In the gig economy, there are many side hustles you can take up, depending on your skills, interests, and available time. Here are some popular options:

1. Rideshare Driving: Companies like Uber and Lyft allow you to make money by driving people around your city.
2. Food and Package Delivery: With apps like DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber Eats, Instacart, and Postmates, you can get paid to deliver food, groceries, and other items.
3. Freelance Writing, Design, and Coding: Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer connect freelancers in various fields with clients who need their services.
4. Tutoring or Teaching: If you have expertise in a particular subject, you could offer tutoring services. Websites like Chegg Tutors and Tutor.com can help connect you with students. Alternatively, if you're skilled in a certain area (like a language or a musical instrument), you can give lessons.
5. Pet Sitting or Dog Walking: Apps like Rover and Wag! allow you to make money by providing services for pets, such as pet sitting or dog walking.
6. Renting Out Your Home or Room: If you have extra space, you could consider renting it out on Airbnb.
7. Selling Handmade Products: If you're crafty, you could make and sell handmade products on platforms like Etsy.
8. Freelance Photography: If you're good at photography, you can take on freelance photography gigs or sell your photos on stock image websites.
9. Virtual Assistant: Many businesses and individuals hire virtual assistants to help with tasks like email management, scheduling, customer service, and more.
10. Task-Based Jobs: Platforms like TaskRabbit allow you to get paid for doing small jobs or tasks for people in your local area, like assembling furniture or helping with a move.

It's important to remember that a successful side hustle often requires a significant investment of time and effort, especially at the beginning. It's also crucial to understand the tax implications of earning extra income and to consider any potential legal issues (like contracts or liability) associated with your chosen side hustle.

Whether you're doing gig work as a side hustle or your primary source of income, here are some tips to maximize your earnings:

Diversify Your Gigs

Diversifying your sources of income can help protect against fluctuations in demand. For instance, if you’re a freelance writer, you might also consider editing or tutoring in English. This way, if the market for one service slows down, you still have others to rely on.

Improve Your Skills

Enhancing your skills can make you more marketable and enable you to command higher rates. If you’re a graphic designer, for example, learning a new design software or technique could broaden your job prospects and increase your income.

Provide Excellent Service

Satisfied customers often become repeat customers, and they can also leave positive reviews that attract new customers. Going the extra mile to deliver high-quality work and excellent customer service can really pay off.

Efficient Time Management

The more efficient you are, the more gigs you can fit into your schedule. Good time management skills, including the ability to accurately estimate how long a gig will take, can help you maximize your earnings.

Understand Your Market

Know what people are willing to pay for the services you offer and price your services competitively. Keep an eye on what others in your industry are charging and adjust your rates as necessary.

Bonus Tip: Track Your Expenses

Keeping accurate records of your expenses can help at tax time. Many costs associated with gig work, such as travel expenses, home office expenses, or the cost of materials, can be tax-deductible, which can increase your take-home earnings.

Remember that success in gig work, as in any business endeavor, often takes time. Building a reputation and a customer base usually doesn't happen overnight, but with patience and persistence, gig work can be a rewarding and profitable venture.