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The pandemic has made working from home the "new normal" for many industries across the world. On top of that, companies have become more open about the idea of working with online freelancers. While hiring full-time employees that work around a fixed schedule is undoubtedly important, some businesses today have seen the numerous advantages of tapping gig workers for certain projects.

If you're a startup owner who's still on the fence about dipping your toes in the water, pay attention here. You might be surprised to know that hiring gig workers could be a money-saving, productivity-boosting, and profit-increasing resource.

It's a trend that definitely isn't going away anytime soon. In fact, it's expected that the worldwide gig economy will be worth more than $400 billion by this year, according to Mastercard.

Feeling a little more convinced now? Read on to discover more about what gig workers are and how the gig economy can be a great asset for your organization.

What is a gig worker?

Before we proceed further, let us first define what the term actually means.

As a US Chamber of Commerce article tells us:

"Gig workers are independent contractors or freelancers who typically do short-term work for multiple clients. The work may be project-based, hourly or part-time, and can either be an ongoing contract or a temporary position."

Why are their numbers increasing? Perhaps an Entrepreneur article best answers that:

"A 9-to-5 job is no longer the dream job of many workers, especially the younger generation. Traditional employment has lost its luster. More individuals are looking for work that offers flexibility, allowing them to select their schedule."

Now here are some of the many benefits you can expect when you hire gig workers…

#1. You won't have to go through the tedious hiring process anymore

Let's face it: finding and hiring the right employee can take a long time. You'll have to sift through countless applications and then do lots of applicant interviews just to find the right person for the job.

You can skip all the hassle by hiring a freelancer instead. These online professionals come equipped with the skills and experience that exactly match your requirements.

For example, you might need someone to design those occasional event posters or somebody to whip out a short press release for your upcoming product launch. Instead of hiring a full-time graphic designer or writer, you can easily commission gig workers to handle these projects. No need to spend time and money training a new employee!

#2. You get access to a wider pool of talent

Another obvious advantage of the gig economy is that your choices won't be limited to local talent. Freelancers and digital nomads located in different countries stand ready to accommodate your requests. All you have to do is get in touch with them and tell them about your project requirements.

"Quality talent is the single biggest contributor to a company's success," a Forbes article reminds us. "In the gig economy, instead of having access to talent in your geographic area, companies can now access highly specialized talent anywhere in the world."

#3. You won't have to shell out big bucks

As mentioned earlier, utilizing on-demand workers can help you decrease overhead costs. Besides, they provide top-notch services at a fraction of the cost of hiring full-time personnel. You won't have to cover their benefits, pay taxes or sign up for insurance just to work with them.

Case in point, some basic services from freelance websites (such as Fiverr) may cost only $5. You get quality output without breaking the bank.

Needless to say, you may only have to spend a little more, depending on the complexity of the project.

#4. Your company will be more productive

Since gig workers are living in a different time zone, chances are they're completing their tasks while you are asleep. That means they can contribute to your company's overall efficiency. Just imagine the possibilities if you're hiring virtual assistants from different countries who can help you deliver 24/7 support to your customers!

#5. You can keep (or stop) working with them anytime

Once you've fulfilled your end of the deal, you can decide whether to continue working with the contractor or not.

Since one-time gig workers only take a certain number of projects on at a time, there isn't any pressure on your end. If you're satisfied with their service – and if they're still available – then you can keep throwing more tasks their way. Otherwise, feel free to look for other freelancers who can do the job better, faster or cheaper.

Some important reminders when adding gig contractors to your workforce:

When in the process of choosing a gig worker for your business, it's crucial that you check out your prospective candidate's portfolio. You want to see what they can do and if they'll be a perfect fit for the project you have in mind.

Also, make sure to read reviews and feedback about the contractor. These are generally available on freelancing sites, so make it a habit to do some browsing. This will help you decide which gig workers are right for you. Naturally, you will want to avoid those with a lot of negative ratings!

Lastly, it is recommended that you have someone assigned to supervise your gig workers. Monitoring them firsthand can be a challenge if you're always busy with other aspects of your startup business. As such, you may delegate the responsibility to one of your employees, who will work closely with them and answer any questions.

So, where can you actually find gig workers?

We've already mentioned Fiverr above, which is the world's most popular online marketplace for professional freelance services. But yes, there are a lot of different websites out there that are offering similar services.

Other possible options include:

• CloudPeeps (https://www.cloudpeeps.com)
• FlexJobs  (https://www.flexjobs.com)
• Freelancer (https://www.freelancer.com)
• Guru (https://www.guru.com)
• Hubstaff Talent (https://talent.hubstaff.com)
• PeoplePerHour (https://www.peopleperhour.com)
• Toptal (https://www.toptal.com)
• Truelancer (https://www.truelancer.com)
• Upwork (https://www.upwork.com)
• Zeerk (https://zeerk.com)

Final words

If you feel you're not quite ready yet with the commitment that comes with hiring full-time employees for certain positions, gig workers can definitely be a great alternative. As you find and hire the right professionals, you'll see how your business can grow with their help.

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Source: https://www.thefarmsoho.com/magazine-blog/how-gig-workers-can-be-an-asset-to-your-startup/

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