By Julius Choudhury
The gig economy has been growing for the last several years, thanks to
advancements in technology. Even in 2017, 55 million people in the United
States alone were gig workers.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the gig economy changed completely. Since so
many businesses had to close down, lay off employees, or encourage remote
working, workers had to find ways to get back on their feet right
away.
Thankfully, the gig economy has actually thrived throughout this pandemic.
Some gig jobs like food delivery and grocery services have been deemed
essential, especially for those who can’t otherwise leave their homes.
Other gig jobs require you to spend time in front of your computer each day,
which some people are more comfortable with. Work-from-home jobs have become
more popular than ever, and even after the pandemic is over (whenever that
may be), it’s likely that remote working will remain popular and continue to
increase as the norm.
While there are countless gig economy jobs out there to choose from, if you
truly want to create a new career path for yourself, you might want to
consider freelance jobs that are more lucrative.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few of the highest-paying gig
economy jobs that you can start doing right away.
1. Ride Sharing
Now, more than ever, people want to be able to get out and feel some sense
of normalcy. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to drive themselves from
place to place. Other people, including those in larger cities, might not
see the need in having their own mode of transportation.
So, ride sharing remains incredibly important and incredibly lucrative in
the gig economy. The great part about being a driver for companies like Uber
or Lyft is you essentially get to choose how much you make. You can work as
much or as little as you would like. Some drivers can make up to $7000 each
month!
2. Virtual Receptionist
If you do a quick search on “virtual receptionist - what do they cost”,
you’ll likely find a wide range of different salaries. But, it really
depends on the type of work you will be doing, where your boss is located,
and how many hours a day you plan on working.
Virtual receptionists and assistants are becoming more popular than ever as
people start to transition to remote offices. An employer that has let go of
some of their workers might depend on a virtual receptionist to keep them
organized and simply to keep their business running. As a virtual
receptionist, you will perform tasks like:
- Taking incoming calls
- Setting appointments
- Transferring calls
- Taking messages
Your tasks and responsibilities may change on a daily basis, which is why
it’s such a lucrative job. You can negotiate with your employer ahead of
time as to how much you’ll make. While this might start out as a gig job for
a short period of time, it can quickly turn into more of a full-time
position.
3. Freelance Work
Freelance work can consist of almost any type of “one-time” job. Whether you
consider yourself to be a writer, a graphic designer, a photographer, or
someone who is good with data entry, working contract jobs is a great way to
make money in the gig economy while working as much or as little as you
want.
As a freelancer, you can set your own rates. While you might need to put in
a bit of effort at first in order to secure a few clients, it’s all a matter
of building up your portfolio.
As a freelancer, you are your own brand. That requires marketing yourself
and networking in order to build up a steady client base. Once you’re able
to do that, however, you can make more money and even consider raising your
rates. Depending on the type of work you do, you can make thousands of
dollars each month while setting your own hours and working from home.
Finding Your Place in the Gig Economy
One of the great things about the gig economy is that there are so many
opportunities and options when it comes to what you can do. Consider what
skills you have or areas where you might want to grow.
Whether you want to completely change your career path due to the pandemic,
or you’re just looking for a ‘side hustle’ that can bring in extra income
during these uncertain times, the gig economy is a great place to be, and it
shows no signs of slowing down.
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