Rise of "The Gig Economy"

As the term gains recent traction, many are asking, "What is Gig Economy?"

The gig economy is a term given to those areas of service within the work world that are completed through short-term contracts. Client contracts can be one-time, or repeated.This type of work is often referred to as freelancing, or independent contracting.

In past decades, serious skill was required to maintain a full schedule in the gig economy. In more recent years, there has been a definitive and rising trend of this type of work available. With the evolution of app software and technology, it has now become easier than ever to become a freelancer, or independent contractor.

An app isn't what makes work part of the gig economy, but many apps are considered part of the gig economy. Some well-known apps like this that you recognize may include Lyft, Uber, DoorDash, InstaCart, HandyPro, and many more.

The gig economy differs from the societal norms of work, in the sense that there is not a set schedule. This invokes an entirely different work experience when it comes to scheduling, budgeting, job flexibility, and presentation.

While the spectrum of opinion on what this means is as diverse as the work world itself, the fact remains, it has never before in history been this accessable to become a successful freelancer or independent contractor. 

It seems the integration of websites and apps into the Gig Economy is in many ways allowing us the opportunity, as workers, to place power back in our own hands.