Are you looking to make the most of your time and money and finally take control of your career? Then perhaps right now is the perfect time to take the plunge into the gig economy.
“Gigging” is a term traditionally thrown around by musicians and other entertainers, where you are booked and paid for a single performance or job. This model of business can be applied to many other kinds of short-term work, from delivering food to designing websites. Each of these jobs allows you to become a master of your own time and practice. You pick when, where, and who to work for and get paid for your services.
While working in the gig economy has plenty of benefits, it can be difficult to settle into if you come from a more traditional work environment. The Red Lounge for Writers shares four tips to get you started.
Diving In
Getting your feet wet with your first few gigs is easier than ever these days. As you likely are well aware, remote work blossomed when the pandemic broke out, and all the tools and platforms for workers to thrive were already in place. It’s simply a matter of connecting the dots.
For instance, you can look to specialized job boards, like Bookkeeping Side Hustle or TutorMe to connect with people or companies who need your services, or you can go to sites that cover a broad range of fields, like Fiverr or FlexJobs. Another option is to market your services yourself through social media, personal outreach, your own website, and so forth.
Save, Save, Save
When starting out, you might only have enough capital to cover the expenses for your new business. When you start earning from your gig-based job, you should set aside a sizable portion to go back into your business.
Online magazine Home Business points out that saving is especially important early on, and any revenue you make should be redirected back into better equipment or marketing strategies to increase your exposure. By investing in your own small business, you significantly increase your chances of succeeding.
Stay Organized
As your business steadily grows, you’ll notice that the names and numbers quickly begin to pile up. The more organized you are moving forward, the easier it will be to keep track of your clientele, as well as your income and expenses. Having this information easily accessible is key for you to remain aware of where your business is coming from and how to improve your business so that you make the most amount of dollars for the least amount of cost.
An easy place to start is simply by keeping a planner and notebook, but there is organizational software at your disposal that can help you keep track of profits, orders, tax information, and other statistical data to help run your business. For example, payroll software can make it easier to process payroll by calculating employee wages and tax withholdings. Effective software will also let you track employee time and pay them using direct deposit.
Create a Functional Workspace at Home
Many small businesses begin in the home, which can be great for convenience and also provide a nice deduction on your taxes. However, just because you’ve decided to set up shop at home doesn’t mean you’ll find success working from your kitchen table. In short, as Mashable notes, you still need to create a functional and inspiring workspace to maximize your efficiency when working from home.
The best way to manage your own workspace is by dedicating a specific room or area of your home to your small business. You can buy office furniture fairly cheaply, or you can hire a carpenter or handyman to build out a custom-made desk, shelves, and organizer for your cords.
Nothing is more liberating than being your own boss. If you work hard, stay positive, and stick to your business plan, overtime you’ll begin to see your own business start working for you.
Guest post by Lucy at www.gigmine.co
