A Step-by-Step Guide To Establishing a Gig-Based Business
[This is a guest post by Courtney Rosenfeld]
The gig economy is booming. From for-hire drivers to freelance ghostwriters, you can find people working all kinds of odd jobs all over the world. According to Brodmin, the global gig economy is expected to grow to $455 billion by 2023. Want a piece of the pie? Establishing a successful gig-based business can give you extra money and greater financial stability. The UnOrthoDoc invites you to learn how to establish your own gig-based business.
Choose a fitting business based on your skills, knowledge, and resources.
Keep your overhead costs low when you're starting your new business by utilizing existing resources, skills, and knowledge. Career Addict provides a list of gig-based jobs that can inspire you as you choose a fitting option. Possibilities include food delivery, pet sitting, personal shopping, virtual assistance, and more.
You can also scope out online platforms where gig-style jobs are advertised to get a sense of what skills are currently in demand. Small Biz Trends has a guide to gig platforms catering to diverse niches. Examples range from Uber and Lyft for driving to Airbnb for renting accommodation and ToolLocker for renting out equipment.
So what option is right for you? It depends on what resources you have at your disposal. If you own a car, enjoy driving, and love meeting people from all walks of life, Uber or Lyft can be a great pick. Alternatively, if you prefer a more active job that allows you to get outdoors, you might like something like dog walking.
You could also decide to go back to school to learn the ins and outs of business. Fortunately, you don’t need to drastically change your schedule to accommodate a course load; you could always further your education through an online school, one that offers bachelor’s and master’s programs designed to help you excel at your new venture.
Establish your brand and create a website.
Once you have a business idea in mind, transform it into a brand. Hubspot explains that a brand is basically the "face" of your business — the main way for people to recognize it. A strong brand like Coca-Cola can be identified by people around the world. From your logo to color palette to slogan, many components make up a brand.
With an idea of how you want to present your brand to the world, go ahead and create a website. According to Forbes, every business needs a website. A great website can help attract clients and boost return on investment (ROI). Don't stress: It's not too complicated to make a website with today's modern technologies.
WordPress is one option. This free website platform allows for custom coding, so you can create a site that reflects your unique brand. If you aren't a web pro yourself, you can find WordPress development experts on work-for-hire platforms like Upwork. Browse profiles based on criteria that matter to you, from price to delivery time.
Get creative with your marketing tactics.
Your website is technically a marketing tool. It introduces people to your gig-based business and encourages them to buy your products or services. You can promote your website using digital tactics like pay-per-click advertising and social media. However, there are many other creative ways to raise your startup's profile. Get creative with your marketing ideas.
WordStream offers a list of more than 60 marketing concepts to jumpstart your brainstorming. For example, you can try old-school urban marketing tactics and pass out flyers on the streets or create sidewalk ads with chalk writing. You can also run fun competitions like photo contests.
Collaborating with other creatives can help you find more ways to enhance your brand's success. For example, a do-it-yourself photo shoot with a local model can help show off your products or services.
The gig economy offers many chances to increase your earnings. The key to success is finding a business model that fits your skillset. Follow the above steps to help pave the path toward successful entrepreneurship.
