How to Survive and Thrive in the Gig Economy

Remember how people would reminisce about working the same 9-5 job day in and day out for 30+ years? That generation always knew where they were going each morning, what type of work they’d be doing, and what their paycheck would look like. However, the era of the 9-5 job is coming to an end, and the gig economy of freelancers and short-term contracts is taking its place.

Instead of working one job, more and more Americans have been working multiple gigs to make a living. As the fast-growing gig economy was hastened by the economic downturn, freelancers embraced the ability to be more creative and pursue multiple interests at once instead of being tied down to one particular job.

While it’s hard to pinpoint exactly how many freelancers and consultants there are out there, studies predict between 30 and 53 million workers out of the roughly 140 million U.S. workers are independent. Since these workers are not being offered the umbrella of services and benefits that traditional employees receive, new organizations are forming to fill those services, such as the Freelancers Union, which offers healthcare and retirement benefits to its members. Organizations like Freelancers Union are proof that the gig economy is here to stay.

With the freelance market becoming more and more competitive as it becomes increasingly popular, it’s important to make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep your gigs steady. Gabe Miano, the cofounder of OnForce, a provider of freelancer management gives some tips to make sure your brand and business stay relevant in the 2015 gig economy. Some include:

• Make sure you’re the first to hear about new jobs

• Make it extremely clear you’re a good fit for the job

• Continually develop your business. You want to diversify your clients to keep your business as relevant and financially secure as possible.

The rise of the gig economy means more people are working out of their homes instead of a traditional office space. However, sometimes working from home or from a coffee shop can be distracting, which is how the idea for a coworking space was born.

Having multiple gigs as a freelancer or consultant can be scary, since you’re never 100% sure where your next paycheck is coming from, or how much it will be. But if you follow these tips, and surround yourself with likeminded individuals in a coworking space that meets your needs, than you’ll thrive in the gig economy.