Flexibility for service providers in the on-demand app world
The emergence of on-demand apps is providing people with ways to use their unique skills to supplement their income, with the best part being that they are able to do so at their convenience.
An on-demand app gives the service provider a unique opportunity to work, without having to look for work. The app connects sellers to people who want to avail themselves of their services and sellers can pick up work as needed in a variety of areas. While a seller or service provider may start out using only one platform, they frequently go on to find work on two, three or even more on-demand apps.
We live in the era of the side hustle. It’s a fact that many people nowadays are looking for ways to supplement their income. An article in the Financial Post from 2016 reveals that, “The percentage of workers with multiple jobs has more than doubled in the last 40 years to 5.3 per cent last year, according to Statistics Canada. In 2015, almost 959,000 Canadian worked at least two jobs.”[i] And this is with good reason – we no longer live in an economy where a family of four can survive on one income, pay off a mortgage and send the kids to college.
What kind of services can you provide?
Anything you can think of! What are you good at? Do you love to clean? Are you great at gardening? Are you a master at assembling Ikea furniture? There’s an app for that! Join Task Rabbit and help others put together their cabinets. Do you love dogs and long walks in the park? Guess what? There’s an app for that. Join Spot Walk, Canada’s on-demand dog walking app coming soon to Toronto! Do you love to drive, and have a clean driving record? I think you know where this is going…
Should you be exclusive to one on-demand app?
Heck no! That’s the beauty of the on-demand app economy. Gone are the days where you are stuck working inflexible part time hours set by someone who does not care about your personal obligations- where having even two part time jobs is impossible because both employers want you to be available to them at all times.
Unlike a traditional job, on-demand apps allow you to set your own hours, pick up work at your convenience and decide what kind of work you want to do. And as an independent you aren’t exclusively committed to one app which gives you a great opportunity to maximize your earnings and utilize all of your skill sets. Or to maximize your earnings across one skill set. The possibilities are endless. Many Uber drivers also work for Lyft. Restaurants will use the delivery services of Just Eat, Uber Eats and Skip the Dishes. You are the boss of your time and you decide how you want to use it to earn extra income.
What do you need to get started?
A smartphone and a burning desire to provide on-demand services! It may also be a good idea to have an updated criminal record check as some places will require that you submit one. Other than that you can get started almost immediately… and you can start and stop at your leisure leaving you more control over how you spend your time.
[i] https://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/young-money/rise-of-the-moonlighters-why-more-canadians-are-taking-on-side-jobs-and-how-to-make-it-work-for-you
