With rent costs rising and affordable housing hard to find nowadays, it’s no wonder the gig job economy is growing. More than ever, people are participating in the gig economy to earn extra cash.
The gig economy is a labor market where people are paid according to short-term assignments or tasks (gig jobs) rather than traditional jobs. In 2020, the gig economy grew by 33%. That’s over eight times faster than the US economy!
Some people use gig jobs to supplement their regular jobs. Others use them to gain experience while transitioning between careers or jobs. Gig jobs offer flexibility and a way to create multiple streams of income. According to the Steady Gig Employment Index, gig workers can add an average of $624 to their income every month.
If you’re ready to try out the gig economy, this post is for you. Here’s a close look at 4 great places to find a gig job.
4 Places to Find a Gig Job
TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit connects people who need odd jobs done with local people who have the time and skills to do them. It offers flexible, local jobs you can do around your schedule.
There are tasks available for anyone with the skills to complete. Common tasks posted include cleaning, help moving, furniture assembly, shopping, delivery, and home repairs. View the entire list here.
Taskers, those who use the service to complete tasks, must meet certain criteria before they can bid on projects. All Taskers must:
- Be 18 years old or older
- Have a checking account, credit card, and smartphone
- Pass background screenings and ID checks
- Pay a one-time, non-refundable $25 registration fee
TaskRabbit requires Taskers to have a checking account to set up direct deposit to receive payment, a credit card to pay the registration fee, and a smartphone so Taskers can contact their clients. All users must pass a background screening (where available) to ensure the safety of all users.
It’s easy to get started with TaskRabbit. Download the TaskRabbit app and create a Tasker profile. Your profile will include basic information like your name, location, pay rates, and level of experience for different task categories.
After downloading the app, you apply to be a Tasker and pay the $25 registration fee. Application processing time may vary based on where you’re located, but most registrants can begin tasking within four business days of finishing registration. Once you’re approved, you’ll be able to bid on projects and set up direct deposits to receive payments.
As a Tasker, you will be able to browse projects nearby and receive notifications of potential jobs via the app. When you find a job you’re interested in, select the one you want to complete. The client will reach out to confirm the details. Submit your invoice once you complete the work. It’s that easy!
Taskers can also earn good reviews, which helps them gain more jobs. Users also tend to save their favorite Taskers to book again.
Fiverr
Are you an experienced or aspiring writer, designer, or programmer? Fiverr has more than 100 service categories with tens of thousands of users in more than 160 countries. It’s an excellent service to help land freelance work.
Getting started with Fiverr is easy. Create a free Seller profile that lists your expertise and the services, “Gigs,” you want to offer. You can add up to three different packages on your Gig Page to provide choices for buyers. Fiverr is great because job hunting works two ways. First, you can search for projects and apply to them. Second, buyers can find you during their searches, so you must keep your Gig Page up to date.
It’s important to note that Fiverr allows sellers to keep 80% of the funds they make from clients. Fiverr keeps the rest to cover administrative and payment processing fees. If you earn $100 completing a project on Fiverr, you will receive $80, and Fiverr would keep $20.
Fiverr also puts a 14-day hold on funds. It seems like a long time, but it’s done as an administrative service for you and your clients if there is a dispute. After the 14-day hold, you can transfer the money to your bank account or withdraw it to your PayPal account.
Wonolo
At PadSplit, we know an affordable place to live is just the foundation. That’s why PadSplit Members get access to exclusive Member Perks, curated by our team to help improve their health, finances, and career. One of those partners is Wonolo, an innovative online staffing platform that connects available workers (“Wonoloers”) with companies in different industries that need jobs filled soon.
To find and accept jobs on the Wonolo marketplace, you’ll need to download the app and complete the registration process. All Wonoloers must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be legally authorized to work in the United States
- Have a Social Security Number and driver’s license or other US government-issued ID
- Have a smartphone
Creating your account is easy! Download the Wonolo app from the Google Play Store or App Store, and build out your profile. After you set up your Wonolo account, you can start browsing and picking up jobs. It’s important to review the job descriptions and specifications before accepting the job. Sometimes jobs will require additional information after Wonoloers accept them, and you’ll receive those prompts in the app.
Wonoloers get paid after each job, and you can update your payment information at any time. The platform currently supports sending job payouts to a bank account or debit card, and payments usually take 1-5 business days to reflect on your account.
If you’ve found a great company, companies can add you as a Preferred Wonoloer, meaning you’ll gain early access to future jobs posted by that Requestor.
GigSalad
GigSalad is the gig job site for musicians, actors, photographers, bartenders, and events specialists. It’s the #1 event-booking marketplace in the United States and Canada. Why? It connects event planners with talented entertainers in their area.
GigSalad is used by 2.8 million event planners looking for vendors. The site’s vendors have collectively earned over $88 million.
GigSalad offers three membership tiers for vendors. Their Free account is recommended for freelancers looking to earn a little cash. Here are some of the features of the Free account:
- Ability to list up to 2 categories of events
- Accept deposits up to $500
- Add photos, video, and audio samples to your profile
- 5% booking fee
The paid plans offer more features, higher visibility, and smaller booking fees.
Vendors select the membership level they want and create their account to get started. Members get booked for weddings, corporate events, parties, and more. Vendors can search for gigs, and event planners can find them.
GigSalad states that the breakdown is approximately 25% for children’s parties, bands/music, entertainers, and services.
Clients pay in full when they book you for their event. The client sends your deposit in advance and pays the remaining balance after the event. You can receive payment via direct deposit or PayPal. Final payments are guaranteed when services are rendered and protected by a cancellation policy of your choosing.
Unlike other sites, GigSalad does not charge for leads. Instead, they take a small booking fee when you close a gig. Vendors can also earn reviews which helps them get more opportunities and exposure.
Final Thoughts
The work landscape is changing, and the gig and the freelancing market will continue to grow. These platforms offer opportunities for you to use your skillsets for flexible income on your schedule and terms. Whether you want to join the gig economy part-time or full-time, it’s a great way to make some extra cash.
The most significant chunk of the average American’s budget goes toward housing, which, on average, accounts for about 37% of take-home pay. When you move into a PadSplit, you get all the benefits of living in a home without the ever-growing rent payments and long-term leases. That means you can pocket all the extra you’re making in the gig economy and start saving for your future. Check out our Rent Savings Calculator to compare PadSplit to your current place.
