The Covid-19 pandemic has affected employment in big ways all across the country and around the world. If you have lost your job, have had hours cut, or have otherwise seen a decrease in your income during this difficult time, pandemic side gigs may be the perfect option for you to regain financial control. These freelance opportunities can fill in the gaps when it comes to paying ordinary bills, saving for an uncertain future, or getting rid of debt that makes this whole time more stressful.

Decide What Type of Side Gig You Can Do

The most important part of building a new income stream with pandemic side gigs is determining what skills and availability you have. For example, you cannot become an Uber driver if you do not have a relatively new and good condition car with a backseat. You cannot offer freelance web design services if you know nothing about coding and site development. It is important to be honest with yourself during this discovery process. You simply cannot fake your way to a reasonable income with side gigs.

Answer these questions before you begin:

  • What are my marketable skills?
  • Do I have the right tools or equipment available?
  • How much time do I have to put into these side gigs?
  • How much do I need to earn to pay my bills?

Get Involved With Existing Platforms or Apps

Perhaps the easiest way to earn extra money during the pandemic is to sign up for existing platforms or apps that have a built-in business model already. These include things like rideshare apps, food delivery programs, or freelance platforms online where you can offer a variety of services directly to consumers or small businesses.

Common side gig options on these platforms include providing transportation to people, delivering take-out food or other orders, and providing freelance services like content writing, web design, video editing, marketing, graphic design, and more. Some of these take more skills than others. If you do not have them, you will waste a lot of time and get bad ratings, which will destroy your ability to earn at all.

Learn How to Market Your Side Gig Service

The other option for using side gigs to make money during Covid-19 is to identify people in need of your services and market yourself to them directly. This is closer to starting your own independent business, which is something that frequently takes a lot of time, effort, and money to get started. This is not the best choice for most people who want a simple side gig and occasional influx of cash. However, it does have a higher chance of creating long-term income that you can grow into your primary source over time.

Even once the world goes back to normal and you get a new job, advance your career, or return to university, these types of pandemic side gigs can make a difference between debt and success. Having an alternate source of income with flexible hours and earning options is an amazing way to build security into your financial future.