The workforce is becoming more and more familiar with gig work. In fact, 13% of people are part of the gig economy already, and 35% have thought about joining it.
And employers and freelancers alike are reaping the benefits. Collectively, freelancers earned a total of $1 trillion just last year. Plus, hiring a gig worker can help your company grow while preventing your team from becoming overworked. If you’re considering bringing on a gig worker to help your small business, there are tons of advantages to consider.
Benefits of hiring freelancers
- Save money
- Balance workloads
- Enjoy high-quality work
- Find seasonal help
- Skip third parties
Save money
If you’re looking to hire for a certain position, consider a monthly retainer agreement with a freelancer instead of hiring someone fulltime. This can save your organization a tremendous amount of money, not only on hourly pay, but also on benefits.
Office space, company computers and other infrastructure expenses can also be eliminated.
Balance workloads
Identify those time-consuming tasks that don’t require specialized training, like scheduling flights, expense accounting and virtual assistance. A gig worker can take on those projects, freeing up your employees so they can focus on performing high-value work that will best help your business grow.
On the flipside, perhaps there is one specialized area of expertise your organization needs. Rather than spending time and money to train an employee or hire a new one, hire a specialist to do specific gig work.
Enjoy high-quality work
Gig workers are motivated to produce high-quality work because they represent themselves. They benefit from referrals and recurring work, so leaving a positive impression is paramount. To stand out among the competition, self-employed professionals often stay on top of industry trends, allowing them to grow and develop so they can take on bigger and better projects. They don’t require training because they come equipped with the exact skills you need.
Gig workers decide if they want to continue working with you, so sweeten the deal with recruitment giveaways to say thanks. The High Sierra® Laptop Backpack is a higher-ticket gift they’ll use for years. Or send them a tumbler with straw. Every time they take a sip, they’ll think of their favourite client—you!
Find seasonal help
If your business gets super busy during summer or the holidays, finding seasonal employees fast is crucial. With gig workers, you get to choose from a wide talent pool of people who are ready to start immediately—and who have the skills that best fit your company’s seasonal needs.
Or, if your business is currently booming but you don’t have enough employees to handle all the work, freelancers can help get you through. You’ll protect your team from burnout, keep morale high and continue working efficiently, day after day.
Skip third parties
Temp agencies and staffing companies charge a fee to hire someone on your behalf. That can be as much as 25% to 100% of the hired person’s price. So, if someone’s wages are $20 an hour, the staffing agency may charge $40. Hiring a freelancer directly allows you to skip the third party—and their fees. Freelancers also don’t have the expectation that the gig will turn into a full-time job whereas someone from a temp or staffing agency might.
Gig workers likely have multiple companies trying to hire them. A fun gift can improve your offer. A coffee mug with lid can help fuel them throughout the day and keep your brand front and centre. A MopTopper Pen is a one-of-a-kind pen with a full head of hair. And a combination waterproof container and solar light is a useful giveaway that’ll be sure to brighten their day.
Reap the rewards
Help your organization grow and enjoy these great benefits of hiring freelancers—from saving costs to getting strong output to skipping third parties. Best of luck!
Key Takeaways:
- Save on costs
- Free up time
- Enjoy strong results
- Skip the middleperson