​Thanks to the gig economy, workers are finding flexibility and freedom like never before. That same freedom can be daunting when it’s time to jump in. How do you set yourself up for success in what may feel like an unstructured arena?

Flex, Bend, Jump

Along with the freedom of gig work comes instability. The gig economy is a terrific vehicle for those embracing short-term and freelance work, but you need to be focused, disciplined, and graceful in order to connect with opportunities and put them to work for you. Harvard Business Review compares gig employment with a trapeze act, pointing out these ventures can be risky, and if you want a safety net, you’ll need to make it yourself.

You also need to remain productive despite distractions and without anyone setting your schedule on a daily basis. There are no traditional workplace benefits, so nobody is setting aside funds for your tax payments and retirement. You need to schedule your days and plan for your future, both in terms of work and finances, with nobody to prompt you. On the flip side, there is no cap on how much you earn, so long as you are willing to put forth the effort.

What’s Your Gig?

Before you can jump in, you need to identify what you will offer in the land of side hustles and remote employment. Providing a terrific concept is a good start, but you need the skills and ability to flesh it out. There also needs to be a market for what you’re offering, and the kind of work you are thinking about should match your work style. Consider your strong points and what you’re passionate about. For instance, can you stay focused and busy when you’re home alone, or do you need to be around people to be productive? Do you enjoy variety in what you’re doing, or do you prefer to offer one specific skill to a number of clients?

Fortunately for gig workers, the possibilities are almost endless. You can become anything from a pet sitter to a personal assistant to a software engineer. Develop some criteria for getting started, and that begins with your strengths and interests. As explained by Woman's Day, you then simply pair those skills with access to the internet and a computer to get rolling.

Planning and Strategizing

In addition to figuring out your state’s requirements for setting up an LLC, money management is key to being successful in the gig economy. You need to set aside funds for rainy days and for Uncle Sam, and if you want to establish a college fund for the kiddos or a vacation account, that’s all on you. If balancing a checkbook isn’t your forte, you should create a system that will support your weak spots. One suggestion is to create a budget for tracking cash flow and designating funds. Make some notes about your projected expenses and your categories, including both your basic necessities and goals. Use tools like financial apps and business credit cards to track expenditures and income.

Engaging Platforms

Online platforms are an opportunity to list your service or product and allow clients to come to you. There are highly specialized platforms as well as broader, more all-encompassing ones. As Monster explains, it’s a pre-existing marketplace with a substantial customer base. Note that many platforms vet their listings and require a minimal fee to get started, but it’s a quick way to get work flowing and brings your business instant validity.

Through the gig economy, you can find flexibility and freedom in your work like never before. However, in order to be successful, you need to create your own safety net. Through planning and hard work, you can structure your own successful future.

​If you need additional help making your business a success, seek professional assistance at IAmAwet.com. We can help you develop branding and messaging that will help you connect with potential clients and customers.

​The pandemic has forced companies in all industries to re-think the way they do business. If there is any silver lining to the whole situation, it’s that it happened in an era where we are more connected than ever before. The ability to work remotely saved countless companies during shutdowns, and has continued to empower employees and employers alike ever since.

Remote workers are especially valuable in this day and age - this article explores why, and how to get started expanding (or nurturing) your remote workforce. Need help along the way? Check out I Am Awet’s virtual assistant services.  In the meantime, these tips should help you figure out what remote employees have to offer for your company, and how to take advantage of this resource:

Fostering Creativity

If you only ever intended to go remote during the pandemic shutdown, you might wonder - what are the advantages of a remote workforce? For digital marketers, there are a myriad benefits to relying, at least in part, on remote employees. This is an industry that relies on creativity and imaginative thought. The people who can bring this kind of out-of-the-box thinking often have out-of-the-box workstyles to match.

If you can give workers freedom to define their own schedules and workplace, you're a lot more likely to be able to retain the talent you need. Although not all personality types want to work from home, the option to do so can be incredibly attractive and, for some, it's an absolute must.

Empowering Parents 

Remote work options also empower parents, especially those whose children are currently studying from home. Since remote work is inherently more flexible than office work, your employees with children can more naturally fit their work lives and family into the day. 

Many employers balk at this idea - after all, an employee who's watching their children surely isn't working. It's vital to remember that flexible scheduling must also be part of the equation. Try to take a "if the work is done, the hours don't matter" approach whenever possible. Obviously some work tasks, such as meetings, have to happen at specific times. But keep the perspective - if it's easier for your employees to complete paperwork after their kids go to bed, what's the harm?

Adjusting to Changes 

Now, as Entrepreneur notes, moving to remote work is always a major transition, for employees and employers alike. If you've been remote since earlier this year, you've probably adjusted a bit by now. However, there may be some bad habits that might be holding you back from managing your remote workforce properly:

• Micromanaging - Many managers and business owners get nervous when employees work from home, especially early on. Productivity will always take a brief dip during times of transition, but you might have built up a bad micromanaging habit during that early period. Take a step back, and trust your employees to work independently - they’ll appreciate it, and likely do better.
• Disorganized Communication - When you’re connecting with your employees remotely, organized communication is absolutely vital. Unfortunately, it’s also difficult. Check out some of these remote collaboration tools designed to help companies keep things straight from home.
• New Hiring Practices - If you’re open to hiring remote workers, keep in mind that you may have to adjust your approach. Remote experience - or a lack of it - isn’t always a clear indicator of remote success. Instead, Business Insider recommends looking for organization, self-motivation, and strong communication skills.

Although remote work may have initially been an emergency measure for your company, try to stay open to the possibilities. By keeping the option available, you might just attract the talent that sets your business apart from the pack! And as you do, connect with I Am Awet for meaningful digital communications, English language help, and other assistance tailored to your business's needs.