{"id":1474,"date":"2020-08-22T10:38:05","date_gmt":"2020-08-22T17:38:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/?p=1474"},"modified":"2020-08-22T11:37:11","modified_gmt":"2020-08-22T18:37:11","slug":"you-dont-want-to-be-in-the-gig-economy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/you-dont-want-to-be-in-the-gig-economy\/","title":{"rendered":"You Don’t Want to be in the Gig Economy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The “Gig Economy” is a real big thing right now. People are talking about how companies are doing short-term or project based hires more than ever. Here’s why it’s awesome… it gives corporations more and convinces individuals that they get more. It’s the perfect capitalist situation!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delineating : Employee, Gig Worker, Corporation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Governments around the world have been working for a long time to set up protections for employees as far as fair wages, safe working environments, required benefits, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main way gig workers are protected is that governments try to figure out when a gig worker is actually an employee. This is a very effective way to keep gig workers safe by bringing them into the protections already setup for employees. Here’s the USA’s IRS rules for what makes someone an employee…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behavioral Control:\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0A worker is an employee when the business has the right to direct and control the work performed by the worker, even if that right is not exercised. Behavioral control categories are:
> Type of instructions\u00a0given, such as when and where to work, what tools to use or where to purchase supplies and services. Receiving the types of instructions in these examples may indicate a worker is an employee.
> Degree of instruction, more detailed instructions may indicate that the worker is an employee.\u00a0 Less detailed instructions reflects less control, indicating that the worker is more likely an independent contractor.
> Evaluation systems\u00a0to measure the details of how the work is done points to an employee. Evaluation systems measuring just the end result point to either an independent contractor or an employee.
> Training\u00a0a worker on how to do the job — or periodic or on-going training about procedures and methods — is strong evidence that the worker is an employee. Independent contractors ordinarily use their own methods.

Financial Control:\u00a0<\/strong>Does the business have a right to direct or control the financial and business aspects of the worker’s job? Consider:
Significant investment\u00a0in the equipment the worker uses in working for someone else.
> Unreimbursed expenses, independent contractors are more likely to incur unreimbursed expenses than employees.
> Opportunity for profit or loss\u00a0is often an indicator of an independent contractor.
> Services available to the market. Independent contractors are generally free to seek out business opportunities.
> Method of payment.\u00a0An employee is generally guaranteed a regular wage amount for an hourly, weekly, or other period of time even when supplemented by a commission. However, independent contractors are most often\u00a0paid\u00a0for the job by a flat fee.

Relationship:<\/strong>\u00a0The type of relationship depends upon how the worker and business perceive their interaction with one another. This includes:
> Written contracts\u00a0which describe the relationship the parties intend to create. Although a contract stating the worker is an employee or an independent contractor is not sufficient to determine the worker\u2019s status.
> Benefits. Businesses providing\u00a0employee-type benefits, such as insurance, a pension plan, vacation pay or sick pay have employees. Businesses generally do not grant these benefits to independent contractors.
> The permanency of the relationship\u00a0is important. An expectation that the relationship will continue indefinitely, rather than for a specific project or period, is generally seen as evidence that the intent was to create an employer-employee relationship.
> Services provided which are a key activity of the business.\u00a0The extent to which services performed by the worker are seen as a key aspect of the regular business of the company.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
as of 2020-08-22 https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/newsroom\/understanding-employee-vs-contractor-designation<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you read all that, and you’ve been an independent contractor for a while, you probably said, “Hey wait!” Yes. The independent contractor thing is very often abused, and I know the US government still hasn’t figured out how to fix it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Employees are protected. Independent contractors are not. Corporations are.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

We know that corporations have lots of great protections. They’re our precious babies that keep us full of corn syrup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The majority of the problems are new<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Two things that are really going to crush the potential income for gig workers are provided by technology : long-tail<\/a> connection & globalization.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long-tail connection<\/strong> for example Uber connected people who weren’t able to connect without technology. Only a few people wanted to drive a taxi, and enough people wanted to take a taxi to pay for the industry. Technology made it possible for the few people that wanted to drive a little bit and pickup some cash to connect with the people that wanted to save money on a taxi. There was no way before for a dispatcher to call thousands of out of work standups and actors and ask them if they felt like driving that moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Globalization<\/strong> is incredible. You can pay someone in romania $500 in five minutes. A lot of websites are connecting you with the service you need and you don’t have to know where in the world that gig worker is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The use of globalization and long-tail connection is going to be amplified by this pandemic because now companies are realizing their localized offices are not that important to productivity. Soon they’ll notice that their loyal employees are not adding as much value as delegating projects overseas to specialists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations are going to keep looking for ways to save money within the law, the government will not be able to protect gig workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we don’t want to be employees during this time, we most likely want to own businesses.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

… a business that can not be gigged out. That means…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Offer a unique value that can’t be compared<\/li>
  2. Communicate your unique value<\/li>
  3. Make the value so high that you can charge enough to afford growth and operating expenses<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    If you don’t have a strong brand<\/a> that stands out from the pack, you’re going to be competing on price. There will always be someone who can charge less. A business that’s not growing is dying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Oh my god, I’m a gig worker!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The time is now to start big picture planning. Being a “good” comedy writer, or a “creative” director, or a “funny” author that charges enough to pay bills is not enough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Get a job on a staff where you can build your value and never be gigged out. Or, start a business where you offer a unique desired service.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The “Gig Economy” is a real big thing right now. People are talking about how companies are doing short-term or project based hires more than ever. Here’s why it’s awesome… it gives corporations more and convinces individuals that they get more. It’s the perfect capitalist situation! Delineating : Employee, Gig Worker, Corporation Governments around the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":1512,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_10158666434799935_26707174888":"","twitter_aToyMjM4MTQzMDs=_22381430":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1474","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/reduce.jpg?fit=2000%2C1095&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pc33gc-nM","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4426,"url":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/scot-nery-gig-exchange\/","url_meta":{"origin":1474,"position":0},"title":"Gig Exchange","author":"scot","date":"December 6, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"welcome to variety + circus gig exchange via Scot Nery It's a place for unwanted or hard to cast gigs. Entertainers find exciting gigs... Bookers find entertaining people. We make it the right fit. Join Our Facebook Group How to Join If you're new to our group, follow these simple\u2026","rel":"","context":"With 1 comment","block_context":{"text":"With 1 comment","link":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/scot-nery-gig-exchange\/#comments"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/447732984_979144750677015_8628402904334894964_n.jpg?fit=1200%2C674&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/447732984_979144750677015_8628402904334894964_n.jpg?fit=1200%2C674&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/447732984_979144750677015_8628402904334894964_n.jpg?fit=1200%2C674&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/447732984_979144750677015_8628402904334894964_n.jpg?fit=1200%2C674&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/447732984_979144750677015_8628402904334894964_n.jpg?fit=1200%2C674&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3897,"url":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/the-gig-entertainer-ramp\/","url_meta":{"origin":1474,"position":1},"title":"The gig entertainer ramp","author":"scot","date":"January 19, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"I made a tool for gig entertainers so they could get more of the gigs they want. It's awesome and has helped folks make more money and do more fulfilling work already. It's called the Gig Entertainer Ramp Originally, it was called the Gig Entertainer Survival Kit 2024. i wanted\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/48278076_10156895729624889_7309500554961485824_o.jpg?fit=1080%2C718&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/48278076_10156895729624889_7309500554961485824_o.jpg?fit=1080%2C718&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/48278076_10156895729624889_7309500554961485824_o.jpg?fit=1080%2C718&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/48278076_10156895729624889_7309500554961485824_o.jpg?fit=1080%2C718&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/48278076_10156895729624889_7309500554961485824_o.jpg?fit=1080%2C718&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3738,"url":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/pleasant-process-for-a-gig\/","url_meta":{"origin":1474,"position":2},"title":"Pleasant process for a gig","author":"scot","date":"July 26, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"WHEN WE WANT TO WORK WITH GOOD CLIENTS WE WANT NO FRUSTRATION OR GHOSTING WE GET THE FULFILLMENT OF GENEROUS, COLLABORATIVE WORK PROSPECT: \u201cMAY I HAVE A PRICE QUOTE OR AVAILABILITY\u201d CALL, DISCUSS PROSPECT NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS ARTIST: \u201cHERE ARE SOLUTIONS FOR YOU\u201d INCLUDE SCOPE OF WORK & PRICES PROSPECT:\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/361225680_10161216590814935_8676460480692871172_n-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/361225680_10161216590814935_8676460480692871172_n-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/361225680_10161216590814935_8676460480692871172_n-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/361225680_10161216590814935_8676460480692871172_n-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/361225680_10161216590814935_8676460480692871172_n-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3882,"url":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/the-making-of-the-gig-entertainer-survival-kit-real-stories-real-triumphs\/","url_meta":{"origin":1474,"position":3},"title":"The Making of the Gig Entertainer Survival Kit: Real Stories, Real Triumphs","author":"scot","date":"December 13, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"In the world of gig entertainment, every performer\u2019s journey is littered with both landmines and goldmines. It\u2019s a path I've walked, and I've seen many of you tread it too. The Gig Entertainer Survival Kit isn\u2019t just a toolkit; it's a testament to our collective stories \u2013 the gritty, the\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/survive-thumb.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/survive-thumb.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/survive-thumb.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/survive-thumb.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/survive-thumb.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3965,"url":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/prophet-for-profit\/","url_meta":{"origin":1474,"position":4},"title":"Prophet for Profit","author":"scot","date":"July 26, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"I had a client that came to me for a very small role in their staff party entertainment. They have access to a bunch of performers, so I felt that all I could do is try to offer them the lowest price possible. I like them and wanted to be\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/blog6.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/blog6.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/blog6.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/blog6.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/blog6.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3573,"url":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/gig-proposal-concept\/","url_meta":{"origin":1474,"position":5},"title":"Gig Proposal Concept","author":"scot","date":"February 28, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Think about their \u201cpain points\u201d what\u2019s going to cost them time, money, and headaches. Give them three options (three isn't a rule). Give them the best advice we can think of. One option might be free \/ cheap and partially effective, one option might be easy and effective, and one\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/b.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/b.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/b.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/b.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/b.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1474","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1474"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1474\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1516,"href":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1474\/revisions\/1516"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1512"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1474"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1474"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scot.fun\/damentals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1474"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}