- Guest Contributor
- April 22, 2021
Gig work is praised for its flexibility. You can choose how much work you want to take on. You can also find gigs and opportunities that accommodate your schedule, lifestyle, and needs. More and more people are turning to gig work after discovering how much value they can get from it. There can be both financial and time-based benefits to gig work, depending on the person and the types of gigs they’re taking on. Here are the main types of commitments gig workers choose from and how the flexible income works for them.
Full-Time Gig Workers
Full time gig workers are those who basically do gig work for a living. They may call themselves freelancers or self-employed. Some of them have home-based businesses and are licensed by their states or cities depending on local requirements. Gig work is their job, and they don’t have another job or career on top of it. They often work for multiple clients or platforms. Many also use social media and a professional website as ways to build their brand and bring in more work.
Part-Time Gig Workers
Part time gig workers may have other jobs or be working toward a career in a specific field or industry. The flexible, additional income they get from gig work is helpful. They generally take on gig work in the evenings or on the weekends, and may not do it all the time. Some part time gig workers have full time jobs elsewhere. Others are part time in their gig work and at their jobs. There’s no right or wrong way to handle the issue. It all depends on the time constraints and level of flexible income that these workers want and need in their lives. They have options they can use to control that income.
Side Hustlers
Side hustlers are only focused on taking on gig work when it fits their schedule or they want or need more money for something specific. They may take on some extra gigs when they need cash for a car repair or Christmas presents, or if they want some additional savings before they make a career change, for example. But on a day-to-day basis they won’t be focused on gig work. They might go weeks or even months with the income from their job as their only revenue stream, and then add gig work to their calendar for some flexible income when they need it.
Flexible Work and Flexible Income, How You Need It
All in all, the flexible income and ability to take work around other life tasks and on their schedule are the two most valuable things for most gig workers. Not all gig workers spend as much time on this type of work as others, but it’s available to nearly everyone who’s interested in making some extra money — or even making a living. From a full time gig worker who makes their living that way to the person who only chooses a couple of gigs when they need some extra cash, and everything in between, gig work can add a lot of value to a person’s financial life with the flexible income options it provides. Since you can pick what works for you, it is a truly flexible and customizable way to work, and there are ways to safeguard against losing income if you can’t work.
About the Author: Michelle Dakota Beck has worked as a professional freelance writer since the 1990s. During that time she has written everything from product descriptions to full-length books. Her areas of specialization include real estate, home services, legal topics, relationships, family life, and mental health issues. You can find her on WriterAccess.
