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Whether you’re a member of the gig economy on a full-time or part-time basis, you’re in good company. Fiverr Enterprise says that as of the start of 2024, almost half of the global workforce consists of freelancers.
Of course, gig work can be a mixed bag. It’s nice to have the freedom to set your own rates and make your own schedule. But giving up a regular paycheck can be tough.
Still, the nice thing about gig work is that the more you do, the more you stand to earn. And if you follow these tips, you might boost your income this year.
1. Get more efficient at what you do
Unless you’re a gig worker who’s paid by the hour, the more efficient you are at what you do, the more money you could potentially make. This holds true whether you own a business or work solo.
Think about the ways you can streamline your process to maximize earnings. Let’s say you’re a freelance music teacher who gives clients lessons at their homes. Making changes to your schedule so you’re spending more time teaching and less time on the road could result in more income.
Similarly, let’s say you’re a freelance web designer. Investing in the right tools could be your ticket to getting things done faster. The result? More money in your pocket.
2. Try to get more business out of the same clients
It’s often the case that adding new clients to your roster means spending more time on things like travel and administrative tasks. Even on a basic level, let’s say you’re a freelance content writer with a consistent monthly project load. If you have five different clients, it means having to send out five different invoices every month and keep track of them. If you have four clients you’re doing that same amount of work for, that’s one less invoice a month to deal with.
To this end, try to drum up more business from your existing client base. And believe it or not, in some cases, lowering your rate in exchange for more projects could still work to your financial advantage if it means not having to spend the time growing your client list.
Now that said, as a gig worker, you don’t necessarily want to whittle down your client list too much. The key is to strike a balance.
3. Know when it pays to turn down work
As a gig worker, you may be wired to say yes to every single opportunity that comes your way. After all, when you’re not getting a steady paycheck, every job out there is a chance to pad your savings account for a rainy day.
But in some cases, it does pay to say no to a project, such as if the rate isn’t likely to value out or you think the work will be so darn boring you’ll spend longer than usual getting it done, thereby taking time away from other income opportunities.
Saying no to work can be scary. But in many cases, it’s actually the right financial decision.
Being a gig worker isn’t always easy, but it can be quite rewarding. And if you employ these tips, you may find that your income rises very nicely in 2024.
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