According to the Census Bureau, more than 4.4 million new businesses were created in the U.S. during 2020 — the highest total on record. Half a million new businesses were started in January 2021 alone.

Woo-Hoo! Right? Well, what these statistics don’t highlight is that starting a small business is not for everyone.

In fact, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 20 percent of small businesses fail within the first year. By the end of the second year, 30 percent of businesses will have failed. By the end of the fifth year, about half will have failed. To accurately define failure, we mean the business no longer exists.

Investopedia.com

Ouch!

Of course, there are benefits to being a small business owner.

Advantages of Starting a Small Business

A few of the advantages of being a small business owner are 

• the tax benefits, 
• enjoying the flexibility of your time, 
• personal satisfaction, as well as
• legitimizing and monetizing your expertise. 

Disadvantages of Starting a Small Business 

However, small business ownership comes with a set of difficulties that many may not consider, including the significant commitments involved. There may also be substantial financial and time commitments, not to mention all the many hats an owner wears. 

Starting a small business can be overwhelming for many, especially if they don’t have the right mindset or access to capital, and their perception of business ownership is not grounded in reality.

There is an alternative. 

The Gig Economy

The gig economy is something to consider. Though the term “gig economy” is relatively new, these nontraditional work arrangements have been around for a long time. 

A study by the American Staffing Association found that most Americans (78%) see the gig economy as a new way to describe the participation of this longstanding independent workforce. Back in the day, we used to call it “temping.” 

Gigonomy.info

Advantages of Gig Work

Gig work is a great place to get your feet wet before starting a small business. 

According to Flexjobs, gig workers work as short-term, temporary, or independent contractors for one or a variety of employers (though they are not employers in the traditional sense). 

No matter what industry a gig worker (or freelancer) is in, the gigs consist of small tasks that the worker completes. These tasks can be from picking up and delivering food (like DoorDash) to graphic design to virtual assistant services. 

A freelancer can choose to work for a set amount of hours (like selecting a shift) or work by the project. Once the task or gig is complete, the freelancer moves on to the next gig. That might be another task with the same customer (company, business, person, etc.) or something entirely different with another customer.

Disadvantages of Gig Work

Some things to consider with gig work are lack of benefits and inconsistent income. As a freelancer, you most likely won’t have health benefits, and you will have to provide that for yourself.

Also, with most gigs, you’re paid for the project or task. So, while you are free to choose how and when you work, you may have limited control over how many jobs may be secured in a given day or week. 

Determine Your Commitment Level

Gig work versus business ownership is like dating versus marriage. 

It is sensible to date first to see if a person is right for you before entering into a marriage. 

The same is with doing gig work before starting a business. You get to experience a low level of commitment when providing your service before jumping into the deep end of business ownership. You can still experience the benefits of flexibility while trying out something new without a full-fledged obligation.

Leverage Gig Work

Using gig-work to test a new skill or an old passion or adding extra income to your bottom line every month may be the right choice for you.

For example, suppose you love baking. Instead of opening a bakery and taking on all the added responsibility, you can sell your baking services online or take orders from your friends and family to start. 

Get Started Gigging!

So, if you are ready to start making some extra cash or test the waters before taking on the significant responsibility and commitment of starting a business, listing a gig on online marketplaces like DPGIGS.com is a great way to get started.

Best wishes and happy Gigging!

The post Gigging: The Alternative to Starting a Business appeared first on DPGigs.

ATLANTA – Dec. 20, 2021 — Personal and Business Finance Expert Tarra Jackson, known as Madam Money®, announced the launch of a new online services marketplace specifically for Minority-Owned (Black Owned, Woman-Owned, Veteran-Owned) Businesses and Freelancers in the United States, called DPGIGS.

DPGIGS.com is an online marketing solution for minority entrepreneurs and freelancers created to market their services to an audience intentional about Buying Black or Woman-Owned.

“With several global marketplaces available, many US-based minority entrepreneurs and freelancers struggle to get business when competing with people overseas,” says DPGIGS founder Tarra Jackson. “This platform helps Black entrepreneurs and freelancers professionally market their services and gives consumers a safe place to find and hire these amazing service providers.”

DPGIGS (https://dpgigs.com) was initially designed for DUALpreneurs® (Employees + Entrepreneurs) dualpreneur.net. However, because Jackson wanted to #BeIntentional about hiring minority-owned businesses to perform the services she needed, she revamped the platform to market business owners and freelancers that look like her.

Jackson shares, “This marketplace is for any and everyone (regardless of race) who wants to #BuyBlack with a safe and secure digital marketplace to find and hire qualified service providers.”

# # #

The post Press Release: The New Online Services Marketplace Of Black-Owned Small Businesses And Freelancers appeared first on DPGigs.

Here are a few things to keep in mind.

• Your accredited balance equals 80% of your listed gig fee(s).
• You must execute a Payout Request. Account balances $50 or more are eligible for payout.
• Payouts are processed weekly on Tuesdays by or before close of business (5PM ET).
• Be sure to enter the correct PayPal email address in your profile before requesting a Payout.

Here is how to Request Your Payout.

1. Click on the Log In link in the top main menu.

2. Enter your login information to access your Dashboard

3. Click on the Request Payout link under the accredited balance.

(This is only visible if there is an accredit balance from completed gigs. All amounts due from uncompleted gigs will not reflect until gig is completed by buyer and seller.)

4. Enter the requested Payout Amount, the Payment Method (PayPal), and any helpful comments, or enter your PayPal email address to confirm records (optional).

5. Click Submit Request button to submit your Payout Request.

6. Payouts are processed weekly on Tuesdays by or before the close of the business day (5 PM ET)

Do you still have questions? Click here to contact Support.

The post How Do I Get PAID?! appeared first on DPGigs.

Follow the steps below to list your first gig on DPGIGS.com.

NOTE: Use a computer or laptop for the best gig listing setup experience.

1. Click on the “List A Service” button in the top menu.

2. Sign in to your account. (If you have not registered, click on the Register link to set up a free account and complete your Seller Profile.)

3. Select the Category for your service. (Select a sub-category, if applicable.)

4. Add your Services (Gig) Details. (Don’t forget to add a pic for your service) 

IMAGE: Recommended picture size 500 X 500 PX (pixels) or a square

TITLE: Enter an “I will … ” statement. Example: “I will design a custom design professional flyer for your event.”

PRICE: Enter the price you want to charge for your gig (No Cents. Up to $999)

QUANTITY: Enter the number of gigs you want to sell. (Once the number reaches zero (0) the gig will be Sold Out and will not be available for sale.) Leave blank if the number of gigs/services available is unlimited.

TAGS: Enter Tags that represent your gig. They will help your visibility when buyers search for Keywords. Example: Black Owned, Woman-Owned

TIERS (OPTIONAL): If your gig/service offers multiple options, you can add tiers (levels) to your gig. Example: BASIC, STANDARD, PREMIUM options. Click here to see an example.

EXTRAS (OPTIONAL): If you have an extra option for your gig/service. Example: EXPEDITED option. Click here to see an example.

DESCRIPTION: Enter the details about the gig/service you are offering so the buyer is clear as to what they will be purchasing.

DELIVERY TIME (OPTIONAL): Select the timeframe you will complete the gig/service. (From up to 24 to 30 days)

SERVICES INCLUDE (OPTIONAL): Select the option(s) that apply.

MAX REVISIONS: If you allow revisions, select the number of allowed revisions. If revisions are not applicable to your gig/service, enter or select zero (0).

5. Enter Purchase Note and Click Submit Listing once all required (and the desired optional) fields are completed.

PURCHASE NOTE (OPTIONAL): Add a note that will be revealed to the buyer upon purchase. Example: Link to schedule a consultation, instructions on next steps, link to access download, etc.

I AGREE TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Click the link to read the terms and conditions and then click the checkbox to agree.

SUBMIT LISTING: Click the button to submit the gig/service listing.

6. Select the Package best for your Gig Listing needs.

7. Your Gig/Service listing will display. (Click on the Edit link to make revisions or corrections to your listing.) 

Your Gig/Service is now LIVE and ready to be found by buyers looking for your service.

Be sure to share your Gig Listing page via social media and to your network to let people know you are open for business and ready to “Get The Job Done!”

The post How to List a Gig appeared first on DPGigs.