The gig economy is growing by leaps and bounds, and it appears it’s going to continue to thrive. Perhaps the pandemic had a big effect, perhaps it was already headed in that direction, or perhaps the time is just right. Whatever the reason, the gig economy for businesses is a smart route to take right now, so read on for all the goods to know.
How can companies benefit from the gig economy?
But first…what is the gig economy?
Before we talk about how beneficial the gig economy can be to businesses, let’s touch on what the gig economy is exactly. We know that the gig economy is made up of gig workers doing all sorts of jobs. Your photographer for your senior year photos may be a gig worker, just like your dog sitter. Maybe you write copy for a local dentist’s blog and also work on your neighbor’s website offering formatting help. So yes, all of these are part of the gig economy.
Basically, gig work is any work that is done independently. Gig workers aren’t employees of businesses or companies; they work through contract work or freelance jobs. It’s a great way for people to supplement their income, start a business, or make an income equivalent to a healthy salary. It also involves professional flexibility, control, and autonomy. But back to how companies can benefit from the gig economy… Let’s take a look at how the gig economy for businesses is a healthy way to work, for everyone.
The gig economy for businesses
The beautiful thing about the gig economy for businesses is that businesses can pick and choose what and who they need and when they need it. Embroker.com gives some excellent advice on how businesses can use the gig economy to their full advantage.
- First, it’s important to identify any gaps in needs and skills. When you take a look around your team, are there missing elements that you need? Perhaps things shifted due to the pandemic, or maybe there were always some gaps. Take a look ahead at any upcoming projects that may require specific skills. This is where you can hire a freelancer from the gig economy and get the projects done without hiring another employee.
- Work with a platform. When you are an established business, it makes sense to hire talent from an established platform. Here at Bunny Studio, for instance, you can hire any creative professional from content writers to video editors to translators. This works especially well when having a few different needs to meet. It’s a one-stop-shop!
- Look ahead. The gig economy is making a case for being the work model of the future. So take some time to look ahead and figure out what talent and skills you already have internally, and what you may need down the road. Instead of hiring new full-time employees, consider hiring from the gig economy for future needs. Once you find a gig worker or platform, you can always stick with them if you love them.
You don’t need to give up the great employees you have, but you can supplement with talent from the gig economy. It’s an effective way to blend tradition with up-and-coming work models, and as time goes on, you’ll reap the benefits.
Types of gig work and gig economy for businesses
The list of the types of gig work goes on and on. You’ve got artists and chefs and tutors and cat sitters. There are tax pros and fitness trainers and house cleaners…But let’s focus on what types of gig work businesses may need.
- Video production – If you have a conference or presentation and need a video, outsource it! Maybe you want to update your marketing videos. You may only need a few a year, and there’s no need to hire a full-time video pro. Look to work with the gig economy to find great talent in the video department, from filming to editing to animation.
- Translation – Do you work internationally? Are you trying to attract global clients and customers? It may help more than you think to get your content into another language. That’s where a translator can help, and using a freelance professional is a super smart way to handle this. Localizing content is a way to make global connections and help your business grow. Work with a gig translator to get the job done and done well.
- Content creation – Whether it’s a script for that marketing video, a blog for your website, or a product description, the written word goes a long way. Content creation is a huge gig job, and you can find writers for almost any project you need. Find a writer to match your company vibe, emulate your voice, and share your tone.
- Voice work – Remember the video we’ve talked about? You’ve got the video itself and now the script, so now what? You need a voice actor. This is another great opportunity to delve into the gig economy. If you’re working with a platform, just hop around and find one of the professional voice actors who possess just the talent you need. They can add the voice to your video to make it come alive and reach far and wide.
So you see, there’s gig work for almost anything you need. When you work with a platform, you can hire them all within that company. Sure you can also hire them individually, but getting a package deal sure makes things easier.
Benefits to businesses
The gig economy can benefit all involved. Clearly, it benefits the workers, they’re gaining experience and exposure, applying and sharing their craft, and yes, getting paid. But the business gains a lot, too.
We see in Online Professional Services in the Gig Economy: Key Takeaways that companies are becoming more and more apt to hire freelancers. Flexibility, removing barriers, and cost reduction are big incentives for hiring from the gig economy. Another big plus is that there is much more versatility and options to choose from. Geographic barriers usually don’t come into play because much of the work is done remotely. This can provide top-notch work to any global area.
There are also a lot of specialized services that the gig economy provides. For instance, some hot areas are software, content, AI, and automation. With the gig economy, businesses can hire highly skilled professionals in these areas when they may not have the budget to hire full-time workers.
Also, because often gig workers are more motivated, productive, and fulfilled, they can do a stronger job. This also allows the employees to focus on their own area of expertise and not have to worry about taking on projects or assignments they are not familiar with or comfortable with. Everyone can complete more high-value work. No need for you to write website blogs when you’d rather focus on tax accounts or medical care. The gig economy allows everyone involved to focus on their specialties.
So not only are employers able to hire the best of the best in specific fields, let their own employees take on their own specialties, but they can also save money. It’s not just the salary that they aren’t paying a freelancer, but it’s also insurance costs, paid days off, hiring costs, 401 contributions…it takes a lot to support an employee. There’s also no need for infrastructure costs like office space, computers, car allowances…all of those perks that employees get aren’t necessary for freelancers.
How to hire from the gig economy for businesses
Even though you may be only using a gig worker once or twice, you still want the best job you can get. It’s important to vet the pro and check previous work and references. Some businesses like to work with a platform, like Bunny Studio, so they know they are getting reputable and talented pros. You can also check out other client reviews to see how people react to the pros’ work.
A few other things to check on are that the gig pro can meet your deadlines, fit your budget, and will fix anything that isn’t quite right the first time. From bakers to writers to developers, you want the job done right and it’s best to work with someone who has some sort of guarantee.
If by chance you work with someone and you’re just not happy with the end result, by all means, find someone else for next time. You’re not obligated to them, that’s another perk of working within the gig economy. Do make sure your requirements and expectations are clear, including any details that will make the work smoother upfront.
The future of the gig economy
The gig economy was here before the pandemic hit, but it surged during the pandemic. When people couldn’t work traditionally, they adapted. And that goes for both the worker and who they did the work for. People have become quite attached to this concept, and it appears that the gig economy is here to stay. Whether it’s your neighbor driving Uber in his off-hours or your friend making a full-time salary through her software skills and expertise, the gig economy encompasses a broad range of talents, types of work, and platforms.
If you’re looking to change up your business, think about the gig economy. You may be surprised how professional it’s become. And you’ll be sure to see it growing in the future.
We’re here to help
At Bunny Studio, our expertise is in placing our pros in the best jobs suited to them. If you’d like to chat with us about hiring one of our freelancers for your project, we’d love to chat. We fully trust all of our pros; they excel in their specialties, and we’ve already checked them out for you. So reach out and let’s get you involved in the up-and-coming gig economy!
