In a gig economy it can feel impossible to differentiate yourself from your gig competitors when pitching for a job. Whether it’s a mundane task you’ve done a thousand times or something you’re trying for the very first time, gig mills like Upwork seem to be filled with people who are just like you. So, how do you prove that you’re different?
Approaching gig work creatively is not only a great way to separate yourself from others vying for your gig, but it’s also a great way to maintain your own sanity while juggling several different projects at once. By honing your creative energy, or your impulse to be creative and discover new ways of doing something, you’re bound to be more successful. There are several reasons that embracing your creativity will serve you well in gig work.
1. You’ll stand out
Cover letters and gig pitches are like a vast sea in aggregation places like Upwork or Fiverr. If your idea doesn’t stand out, unfortunately, neither will you. If you put a little creative muscle into your concept you’ll make them remember you, which means you’re more likely to land the gig.
2. The work gets less redundant
Especially if you’re doing gig work like content creation the tasks you’re asked to do can become tiresome really quickly. If you invest some extra creative energy into your work you’re more likely to feel proud of it. If your client gives you enough creative liberty, run with it and be as creative as you can within the confines of your parameters.
3. You’re more likely to be recommended
You already know that your work is unique, but if you prove to clients that you are willing to go the extra mile for them, they’re much more likely to hire you back. Or they may be more likely to recommend you as a gig worker for another organization!
4. You might be able to reuse the work
Depending on the agreement you make with the client and the content you create, it’s entirely possible that you could use the work elsewhere. Did you develop an online course? Take a series of stock photographs? What about write up some standard practices that other businesses could utilize? Make the most of the work you’re already doing and it might serve you well in the future.
5. You’ll enjoy yourself
This goes right along with making the work less redundant. You chose a gig out of necessity or a desire to expand your work profile. You might as well embrace creativity and enjoy the work you’re doing– life is too short.
6. Gives more value to your work
Just like in every other aspect of life, you get out of something what you put in. If it’s clear you’ve brought your ‘A game’ to the gig you’ll give it more inherent value. When you give something more value it becomes more valuable and you, therefore, are more valuable too!
7. Flexibility makes you more hireable
Thinking creatively is all about flexibility. If you’re flexible to work with and able to negotiate ideas into an even better idea, clients are more likely to hire you. If you’re rigid and unable to think outside the box clients won’t be as interested in utilizing your talents.
8. Makes your work more human
In an age of digital interactions and a plethora of perfect photos, it’s important to bring humanness into some gigs, especially creation focused ones. The more original you can be with a project, the more connections you can make with those that receive it. If you’re creating content for a social media campaign, do something you haven’t seen done a million times. If you’re delivering groceries be extra nice to the folks you interact with. There is always a way to make a gig more human and empathetic.
