The economy is now “gigly,” if that is a word; we can potentially add it to the dictionary soon. However, the point is, gigs are plentiful, and there is a lot of work to go around, with students not left behind in tapping into the evergreen online space. The word “gig” in the English dictionary means a job to be delivered within a specified time, and the majority of these jobs can be done remotely. In other words, you don’t have to be at a physical workplace to get the job done; it’s possible to work from your lecture hall or hostel and still complete the task.
Let’s assume an Indonesian YouTuber needs a thumbnail for their upcoming videos and has specified in their proposal: “I need a creative thumbnail design that captures the theme of my marketing video. I have a budget of 150,000 naira.” This is how you’ll often see job offers on various platforms, and with proper positioning, students can earn more online. In this article, we’ll delve into the gig economy, its constraints, and what you need to start earning online.
How Does the Gig Economy Work?
As illustrated earlier, the gig economy is akin to quick jobs that come your way based on your expertise. If you’re a skilled designer, you could secure a gig to work on a campaign’s creative, design for an upcoming event, or contribute as an associate designer for a startup. The options are endless. The gig economy can be described as a system that facilitates the flow of jobs and payments online, meaning there are jobs available online, each with a corresponding payment.
What Are the Advantages of the Gig Economy?
To mention a few, the gig economy offers the following advantages:
– It allows you the privilege to take on multiple jobs, provided you can deliver with excellence.
– It creates more earning potential, allowing you to charge your worth and earn better than before.
– It offers flexibility and time freedom. Although this depends on your choice of gigs and their associated payments, the gig economy allows for flexibility, enabling you to choose when and what to work on.
What Are the Disadvantages of the Gig Economy?
To mention a few, the gig economy comes with the following disadvantages:
– It can be a constant struggle for your time. While flexibility is a goal for many seeking remote work, in reality, they often find themselves dealing with more deadlines than expected.
– It can also be a place of low pay. Although you can make a decent income online, saturation and a lack of proper positioning can lead to dealing with audiences and clients who pay you less than your worth.
How Can I Earn Money as a Student?
While there’s no specific framework or pathway to entering the online space, there are principles that serve as necessities and guides to earning online. Let’s consider a few:
1. Develop a Skill and Continuously Improve It:
To embark on your journey to earning online, start by acquiring a skill and becoming proficient in it. When selecting a skill to learn, consider your interest, earning potential, and the time required to become proficient. These three factors will guide your choice and set you on the path to earning online.
2. Build an Online Presence:
Building an online presence is as crucial to the gig economy as submitting a CV is to traditional job hunting. To do this, follow these steps:
– Select a preferred social platform.
– Optimize your bio to showcase your offerings.
– Create consistent content, whether it’s audio, video, or written text, to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in your field.
3. Join Job Offering Platforms:
As mentioned earlier, you’ll also need to reach out to brands and individuals to offer your services. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and social media direct messages are excellent places to start. This process involves finding the right opportunities and approaching them to provide solutions.
These tips are what you need as a student to begin earning online. While it may sound easy, it will require discipline on your part to make it happen.