Charles A. West
“I finally got it done,” a friend said to me months ago. I smiled knowing that it had taken her some time to find and launch the right gig for her, doing voiceovers. Her previous gigs ranged from writing short stories and editing manuscripts to writing speeches and teaching writing for online platforms. The gig she launched utilized her training, captured her passion, and made her day job more bearable. She had found the right gig the old-fashioned way, research, trial and error. It Just goes to show you, that anyone can find the right gig. The trick is doing your homework and testing to see what works for you. Here are five things to consider to find the right gig for you:
- Understand What A Gig Is
- .Identify Your Why
- Examine Earnings Potential
- Develop Your Gig Profile
- Select the Right Gig for You
Understand What A Gig Is
Musicians were some of the first to talk about gigs years ago. They called their work gigs because it was usually short-term engagement. Musicians were always on the lookout for the next gig because they were in a sense entrepreneurs. Hip folks began to use musician slang and before long gig became part of everyday language. No matter who used it, a gig was short-term.
Having a gig makes you an entrepreneur. You are on you own and responsible for looking after your interests. You are responsible for finding the gigs, setting the price for your services, collecting the money, accounting for the money, paying the taxes and if it is your only employment, setting funds aside for your retirement and health insurance.
Identify Your Why
Research indicates over 30% of the population is engaged in some form of gig work. By 2026, the participation rate is projected to reach 50%. The primary reason most people start a gig is to earn extra money. Secondary reasons include independence, flexibility, job satisfaction, pursuing a passion, and or testing a business idea. In order to help you find the gig for you, identify the top three or four reasons that you want to start a gig. Then use this list to evaluate potential gig candidates.
Examine Earning Potential
Since the primary reason for starting a gig is to earn extra money, that should be one of the first things you consider when looking at a gig. How much you earn is a function of your skill level. Hourly earnings can range anywhere from $5 to the hundreds per hour or project. At the bottom level are low-skilled gigs like ridesharing and food delivery. In the top-earning categories are highly skilled including doctors, lawyers, and cybersecurity experts. It’s important to examine the current and projected future earnings of potential gigs
Develop Your Gig Profile
The Gig economy is not one size fits all and is not for everyone. There are potential opportunities for everyone in every industry. However, you should identify the ones that fit you. A good tool to have is your gig profile. Your gig profile identifies your why, your skills, experiences, and your goals.
Select the Right Gig for You
Some people rush into the gig economy without doing any homework. The results do not meet the primary goal, earn extra money or secondary goals, job satisfaction, pursue a passion and or test a business idea. On the other hand, if you develop your gig profile, you can begin the process of identifying and selecting the right gig for you. Each gig would be compared to the gig profile that you have developed. The next step is to select three or four gigs that meet your gig profile. The final step is to choose from the three or four and try them on for size. If it does not work, you can return to the previous list of candidates and select another.