Tag: gigger

GIG RIGGED THE NEW PROFITABLE NORM IF DONE RIGHT

I will keep saying this and shouting it to the top of my lungs, but we’re living in the best of times as independent contractors, self-employed, giggers, side-hustlers, small business owners, etc. It is as if this time was created specifically for us all and though this time of opportunity is abundant it does come at a cost and readjustments.

For well over a year or two I have been speaking of the importance of gig workers establishing LLC’s. of their own and building a “gig business” of their own. I foreseen the need of the gig economy growing immensely. Some times thinking my calculations may be wrong I always ended up back to the the reality that the gig economy is here to stay and will be the new norm! Now, with Covid-19 my predictions reigns even more true!

So what is the cost of all this? The cost is moreso of an internal one causing for a mental shift and acceptance of this type of work life. As a gig strategist and gig coach the biggest thing that get in the way of most giggers is their need for immediate gratifications and lack of creativity on the platforms. They don’t see all the various aspects of the gig economy that can make them even more profitable, the great thing about this is many of them are exiting the gig economy in droves! This great exodus will become another profitable factor for those of us that do see the massive opportunities within this sector of work. We will begin to see a massive infusion of the professional turned gigger!

In many of my other writings I spoke of mainstream traditional employers embracing the template of the gig economy here’s how/why:

  1. Contracting / Outsourcing employees (in high demand).
  2. Less financial risk with contracted employees.
  3. On-boarding process is quicker.
  4. Doesn’t have to provide traditional incentives for employment.
  5. Serves as a trial run for potential hiring on employees full-time.

Why many contractors are taking advantage of the gig economy:

  1. Flexibility! This is a major one,
  2. Less commitment.
  3. Earn more upfront and use the money to pay into outlets of their choice i.e. retirement, assets, healthcare, etc.
  4. Many can work from home or remotely in the field.
  5. Less demand from authorities and oversight.
  6. Work freely.

The gig economy is not to be limited to delivery services of food and goods, nor limited to rideshare. The gig economy is made up of software engineers, truckers, administratives, virtual assistants, bookkeepers, etc. Covid season has proven this. With the majority of employees working remotely from home this proves to be true. So with this being the case why wouldn’t a business or corporation take this opportunity to minimize costs such as overhead, pay employees more, but as independent contractors? Is this possible? I think it is and know it is! Though with traditional employees still wanting employers to offer great health care options, 401k, and retirement types, that incentive is dying out massively; and employees are preferring their money upfront with the choice of purchasing their own options.

There will be a learning curve and many adjustments as this progress, but I believe if one educates themselves on these options and embrace the gig economy right, they can become highly profitable and more in control of their lives and earnings. The gig economy has a sexiness about it that can catapult you into abundance or serve as a great destruction. What is key is discipline, money management, and creating safe holdings of finances for unexpected issues.

THE GIG VISION FOR 20/20???? DON’T GET BLINDSIDED

The power of the number 2020 is massive. New year, new decade, new mindset! In short I want to encourage to take the good, the bad, and ugly and use it as a tool to help you metamorphosis in your gig business. You, me, we are sitting on a wealth of information, experiences, and know-how; but now we must effectively use what we’ve learned to earn more and do more collectively. So let me ask you what is your vision? What have you mapped out for your annual goals? Have you at least made some projections of what you seek to obtain for 2020? Well let me help you begin to do so, let’s go!

LIST IT OUT

This process is simple and is not to be overthunk, the only rules are you cannot second guess yourself nor can you sell yourself short on your desires. You will make a list of 5-25 entries for each. List the following:

  • For each of the 12 months write in your desired earnings i.e. 4K for March, but 6k for June.
  • List all gigs currently working and those you will apply for. In the list example briefly job description (1 sentence i.e. food delivery, dog walker, rideshare, handyman, freelancer, etc.
  • List educational courses that would complement your gigs, those that will allow you to expand/broaden your skill-set so that ultimately you can use towards employment or business.
Photo by Lukas on Pexels.com

I believe you get my drift. You’re not limited to just these listings, but this should help you get a head start on things. You cannot afford to take a simple generic approach in planning out 2020 mapping of goals. It is a must your are detailed oriented and laser focus on what it is you want. As I always say the gig economy is here to stay, but not meant to stay in your life for the long-term, you must have a multifaceted portfolio of gigs, jobs, opportunities to be highly profitable and maintain some sort of “gig security” due to the climate of gigs currently.

So, let me ask you “what do you see?”. Is your vision filled with worry, despair, debt, and frustration because of life circumstances and lack of gig opportunity? Or is your vision filled with strategic planning, pivoting tactics, proper money management, and motivation? One thing I have learned about the gig economy is a large portion of it is contingent on your own perception, I am not saying to ignore its ugly truths and harsh sometimes unprofitable realities, but rather allowing your perception to be positive because ultimately you come to the realization that these gigs are to work for you, you don’t work for them, per say. An optometrist would define 20/20 vision as visual acuity, the clarity or sharpness of vision, measured at a distance of 20 feet. Now, believe it or not 20/20 vision isn’t actually calculated as the best, but rather a good balance of sight on average. 20/20 vision does not factor in other important aspects of vision for instance peripheral, depth perception, and to see colors. I say that to say this, as you map out this annual plan of year 2020, clearly outlining your goals, desires, and visions for your work-life, collectively your 20/20 vision gains color and depth; virtually mental, spiritual, and physical clarity; it all becomes sharpen and clear to obtain. Have you ever tried to visualize a map, let’s do a little mental exercise, right now try to envision your current city and picture you in the middle of it with a 10 mile radius of all the stores, gas stations, parks, schools, hospitals, police station, post office, homes, etc.. Now, if you’re pretty familiar with your community you may have a good recollection of things at about 40% – 60%, but it wouldn’t be precise, I guarantee you you’ll either under or over estimate distance, time span to get from point A to point B, you would only be able to guesstimate but so much. Now, imagine you unfolding a map with all the precise miles, distances, homes, stores, etc. it’s so clear and colorful, in fact you may be surprise to find way more streets, avenues, neighborhoods, opportunities, better routes, etc. That is exactly what happens when you carefully create a 2020 visual map of your gig/entrepreneurial life and desired goals.

Photo by Gabriel Peter on Pexels.com

Again don’t over think this process, all you need right now is a journal, pen, cellphone, and mental glasses for clear vision to map out the future. Get bold in your demands, proclaim were you will be, don’t worry about were you are right now, but maintain sight on the ultimate goal and accomplishments you’ll soon experience! In a later post I will share my Gig Vision of 2020 in depth. As of right now I have the following gigs signed up on.

  1. Uber
  2. Lyft – inactive
  3. Roadie
  4. Door Dash
  5. Lime – on pause
  6. Bird – on pause
  7. Postmates
  8. Wonolo – inactive
  9. Fiveer – inactive
  10. Airbnb
  11. Instacart -inactive
  12. Shipt – inactive

As of right now I have the following businesses in operation.

  1. CEO DriveHer – Multifaceted gig teaching business and business coaching.
  2. LipstickNFit – Holistic Wellness and Life Coaching Practice
  3. Lady Lifter of Life Publishing Co.
  4. KNB Resume & Portfolio Services
  5. Bodacious Media
  6. WhipLashed
  7. YouTube Creator

From that list I will prioritize all gigs and businesses, outline my desired income from each monthly, and hours committed to them monthly. Some gigs are better in the summer than winter so many will only be active partially. Doing this will keep me focused. In addition for them all I will write a master plan for each detailing how I plan to use them, how they will benefit/compliment my other businesses, and how to scale them so I am profitable whether using them or not! I am a firm believer that you ought to be creating some form of passive income from EVERY gig on some level. I do not care if all you are receiving is a $25 referral credit a week, imagine if for all the gigs you’re signed up on that you averaged a total of just $100 bucks a week, that’s $400 added income for doing nothing, but share your information.

Right now I need you to just ponder over it, think of what you’re doing and think of what possibly you can do more of. Yes, maybe you’re busy, but just busy in the wrong type of way. There’s nothing wrong with being busy, what is wrong is being busy unable to scale and manage what it is you’re doing, especially if you’re lacking being profitable in it.

For more of my content and services please be sure to checkout my websites http://www.ceodriveher.shop for gig services, or http://www.knbresume.com for resume and interview coaching, and lastly http://www.lipsticknfit.com (under reconstruction) for life coaching and holistic wellness services.

DELIVERIES IN THE GIG ECONOMY CAN BE A CASH COW & GRANT YOU HUMILITY SIMULTANEOUSLY

the wins….

The delivery aspect of the gig economy I believe is overlooked and underrated. Maybe because of our culture viewing the proverbial “delivery boy” as the low income high schooler side job, no real effort required or needed, just go from point A to point B, easy enough; right? Well I will show you in short how much monies are left on the table because of pride. In this era, in this day academia accomplishments and status still reigns, but at what costs? So many people are choosing jobs/careers/work for status and not essential living, not quality of life, not even money, but reverence from family and peers. Success is cloaked in an illusionary tale and the gig economy has aided in my ability to see what true success is.

I must be honest, I am writing this from both perspectives, I was that judgemental person that thought of these gigs as worthless having no ability to add to the development of an individual’s professional career. Now, do not be mistaken you must, you must, you must ultimately see how to use the gig economy to leverage and develop in your profession of choice; allow its intricate paths to be a guide towards your success. If your only fulfillment in the gig economy is money it will be short lived and not as profitable as you’d like for it to be.

It took me awhile to see the endless possibilities in the gig economy. Once I got over my bitterness, depression, and lack of worth due to my layoff of my job of 15 years, I was truly transitioning as a person in so many ways. It has been 2 years and 6 months roughly since my layoff and I am still learning aspects of myself as an entrepreneur, leader, employee, and individual. I have learned more in this period of my life than any other. I have compounded information, data, and experiences that I would’ve never obtained if not for the gig economy, and I am grateful for that. I thought as an officer dealing with the general public and criminals (usually in crisis) granted me a wealth of knowledge, and it did, but it was one-sided. In law-enforcement I had lost hope, compassion, and patience for people, for society, for government. The gig economy cultivated my ability to care again, to have some patience, and most of all to serve others.

You are probably asking “what the hell does this have to do with the gig economy being a “cash cow”” well I will tell you. I say it’s a cash cow when you see the benefits in it that helps develop you as an individual, you begin to see the fault lines of opportunity so you perfect your craft to be profitable. I have met and watch on YouTube many drivers that for some reason or another make decent/mediocre money doing gigs, but they are unfulfilled as individuals primarily because they lack from my observation, mastery of the gig economy and personal development. They are so fixated on being their own boss that it clouds their ability to be a servant to their craft. They appear to believe they’re owed something, when in fact their entitlement mentality keeps them in a loop of despair and unprofitable. Whether you like it or not, whether you agree of not the gig economy primarily is a gig that requires you to serve others. The good thing about this is the ability to generate more tips for the great service you grant to others. Tips generate $400 – $500 extra to my monthly earnings. My positive attitude, smiling, and common courtesy I attribute to this.

Another aspect of the “cash cow” ability is knowing how to sign up on as many platforms as possible and developing in each one as much as possible; that is in accordance to your market. This takes skills. You must know when it is best to work each. You develop a six sense on these platforms, effortlessly you’ll be able to earn.

I see myself as a professional! I don’t think less of myself or anyone else for that matter for earning a honorable wage, but as a professional we must be and maintain humility, serving in this capacity does exactly this for me. The earning aspect is high and easy when you simply consider the following:

  1. Serving. I assure you you will not like everyone and you will come in contact with some disgruntle individuals, but sometimes those were my best tippers. I have come to learned that most of the time it isn’t personal they are dealing with their own stuff and realize their actions.
  2. Skillset. This takes skills, trial and error, and discipline. The market changes constantly and you must be able to discern the contents tempos.
  3. Goal Setting. This should be done weekly and mini ones set daily. Shoot for numbers. Body counts are my favorite. I know on average every trip averages out for me $10 a ride; 20 rides/deliveries can equal $200.
  4. Time. You must commit the time daily on days of choice. Factor in at least on peak hours slot of the day and work it for at least 2-3 hours. Learn to meed demands at these times in accordance to your market.
  5. Multiple Platforms. You must serve on at least 3-5 delivery platforms in my opinion. Again the demands changes and you don’t want to box yourself in with just one platform.

UBER COMFORT; TO CANCEL OR NOT TO CANCEL || IS IT WORTH THE WAIT?

Great morning my fellow giggers, freelancers, and rideshare baggers and baguettes; I hope and pray you are being strategic and profitable out here in these streets. Below is a link to my YouTube vlog on the latest and maybe not so greatest rollout by Uber on their new feature Uber Comfort in regards to the infamous change to cancellations. A lot of drivers are up in arms about the matter yet I have not seen one person post an actual issue to the wait time and cancellation fee.

SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND CLICK THE BELL NOTIFICATION

So on July 12th, 2019 Uber Comfort officially rolled out of BETA mode and was full throttle. We got to see it in it’s full glory and I must say thus far it’s not that big of a deal… yet! I have been part of the beta testing for 2 1/2 months and was actually liking the Uber Comfort option as a driver. I noticed a number of things and came to some conclusions, but I will save that for a later write-up. Today I want to focus on my very first Uber Comfort cancellation with the newly implemented changes.

Now, a lot of drivers loathed the fact of the extended wait time and “preference mode” these are two hot topics that got drivers pissed beyond measure, but before I could come to any conclusions I felt the need of first experiencing it in its full glory. Below you will see a series of screenshots of the process of the cancellation and what I suggest you do if you find yourself in this situation.

I got the request which was maybe a mile away from Meghan, I quickly arrived and submitted a text as I always do advising I have arrived. The problem is Meghan had input the wrong pickup location. I asked her to update the address and I could come to her. She hung up on me and clearly had an attitude. I sat and waited, I was not going to take the hit and cancel on my end, she would have to do that. I did my part and fulfilled my obligations. I extended the olive branch, use all modes of communication available. Offered to go above and beyond, and she did not want to do what was needed on her end. Now someone may say, well you could’ve just driven and found her, but mind you I did not have an accurate address, if so and if in close range I would have went the distance. I really prefer to pick people up. Constantly cancelling does not help me and my pockets. I want to give the rider the benefit of the doubt! Also if you noticed, Meghan never responded to the multiple texts and she clearly had read them all. This is an indicator to me that she was avoiding the matter in all for whatever reason. When I see people choose not to respond that usually means they are hoping you cancel the ride prior to them having to pay the cancellation fee.

So after about waiting for 8 minutes and 5 seconds I proceeded with the cancellation process. I was not going to wait a second longer. Yes Uber extended the wait time and I was prepared for that mentally so I just used that time to sit in the car and answer emails from my clients in my consulting and coaching practice. Once I was cleared to cancel the ride WITH FEE option checked I made sure I had all my screenshots in case Uber tries to pull a fast one. I always text because phone calls are not tracked and doesn’t prove what was said, but a text thread can help you in situations if anything is ever questioned. I bid you to please use the texting option if possible, this sets a standard with you and riders. Communication is everything and you must effectively do that on a consistent basis.

So my conclusion is it was worth the wait, due to the payout. Now if I had traveled a long distance this could’ve been a lost. Ten minutes zero miles, $7.20 was a win for me. We must be compensated for our time and resources. Don’t allow your time to be wasted my fellow giggers! I believe if they are subject to the consequences it will condition them (them being the rider) to be more respectful and attentive when using the rideshare platform. I can however see this being a loss at times, but as an Uber Pro Diamond driver I am able to use a number of factors to weigh the the costs of it entirely. But this is the chance we take, the game we play, and in all 95% of riders do their part, they are prompt and ready to take off. This was a late night full of Atlanta nightlifers so I totally expect their to be issues and problem children.

So in closing I say before complaining please due your own trial study. See if it is actually a lost or gain or if it balances out for you. I am always open to giving anything a try and maintaining a positive perspective before solidifying any conclusions. I still have some testing to do with this, but overall I don’t think it will be a big deal.