Taskrabbit is a well-liked facet hustle choice for helpful go-getters, however it might really feel daunting for those who’re simply beginning out.
Kevin Johnson has been there, accomplished that, and located success. He’s a school pupil primarily based in Maryland and affords handyman and transferring companies on the facet. His dream is to open an automotive restore store someday, and he views this hustle as invaluable, if nontraditional, profession expertise.
Discovering a standard job isn’t precisely simple today. In keeping with the latest jobs report, the economic system added simply 73,000 jobs in July. Examine that with 275,000 new entrants — individuals looking for their first job — who joined the ranks of these already trying.
In case you want or need work, pay attention to what established Taskers like Johnson do to achieve the gig economic system.
What the work is like
Taskrabbit connects clients with succesful employees who can put collectively furnishings, carry heavy objects, mount a TV, declutter a room, clear home, run errands and extra. The employees — known as Taskers on the app — work independently and flexibly.
“Being a Tasker helps with making your individual schedule and setting your individual charges,” stated Johnson in an e mail interview.
Las Vegas-based Tasker Nola Rodgers likes the individuals facet of the work, and the cash. She began tasking in 2021, after graduating highschool in 2020, and has turned it right into a full-time dwelling.
“I really like having the ability to assist households and companies have what they should function every day,” she stated in an e mail interview. “In case you supply sufficient duties in numerous classes, you possibly can find yourself making livable cash.”
Rodgers would know. She’s obtained ‘elite tasker’ standing on her profile — which signifies expertise and constantly excessive rankings.
Find out how to stand out and succeed as a Tasker
Johnson and Rodgers have every accomplished properly over 1,000 duties. You’ll be able to study from their perception as you get began with Taskrabbit.
Specialize (in a number of high-demand expertise)
Lean in your expertise and into companies that pay.
Rodgers does TV mounting, packing, organizing and unpacking and even minor residence repairs, for instance. She additionally builds quite a lot of Ikea stuff.
“Furnishings meeting is what I get booked most frequently,” she stated. She fees $41.29 per hour for furnishings meeting and brings her personal instruments to the job.
Johnson will get quite a lot of transferring and hauling jobs, which make use of the little purple truck he purchased in money along with his earnings.
He stated “handyman work, comparable to furnishings meeting and mounting [decor],” is nice for pay and constant bookings as properly.
Optimize (your Taskrabbit profile)
Your profile is the entrance door of your Tasker enterprise. Simply beginning out, you want a compelling pitch.
Rodgers’ profile is enjoyable to learn and conveys her ardour for constructing issues. Her service descriptions are clear and concise — solely a pair strains of textual content — and embody images of previous work (e.g., an enormous TV hanging degree in a lounge with all cables hidden).
Johnson, who does quite a lot of transferring, mentions he has a truck, and gives a clear breakdown of pricing on his profile.
Serve (clients with care)
When clients come knocking, deal with them properly. Responsiveness, timeliness and perfectionism are key qualities for profitable Taskers.
Johnson stated he responds to buyer inquiries as rapidly as he can and stays involved all through.
“I all the time arrive on time and hold them up to date on my estimated arrival,” he stated.
Clients and Taskers can chat and ship images in regards to the job on the app and web site, or join on a name.
Rodgers additionally pressured the significance of doing proper by the client. “[It] builds phrase of mouth and helps with opinions and proposals.”
Grind and develop (your Tasker earnings)
It could be clever to prioritize opinions over pay charges at first.
Rodgers was on the grind from day one, and stated bookings got here rapidly. “I obtained on the app and I began doing same-day duties — I began getting purchasers that day.” The identical-day jobs gave option to superior bookings, and the power to earn extra.
“I took footage of my work as I completed duties to begin my portfolio and set my charges at what was advisable, and raised them because it was recommended by Taskrabbit,” she stated.
The app affords pricing steerage primarily based on location, process class and degree of expertise, so you’ll be able to set aggressive charges.
How a lot you may make relies on a variety of things, particularly the time you’ve for hustling. Each Rodgers and Johnson estimated that new Taskers have the potential to earn round $1,000 – $1,500 a month, however that will not be reasonable for all.
And don’t neglect — you do gig work like Taskrabbit as a self-employed unbiased contractor, which suggests it’s on you to plan for tax time. The excellent news is Taskrabbit takes its service price from purchasers — charged on high of the speed you set.
What to know earlier than you gig
“It’s nonetheless work,” stated Rodgers. “It is advisable be dedicated and hardworking.”
Being bossless sounds cool, however with out one you’ll must get off the bed and get going by yourself.
Ardour helps, Johnson stated. “No matter ability resonates with you, give it your very best.”
Reddit opinions are combined
We sifted via Reddit boards to get a pulse test on how customers really feel about Taskrabbit as a viable facet hustle. Taskrabbit isn’t all roses for everybody who’s tried it. A fast evaluation might sprint your spirits. We used an AI device to assist analyze the suggestions. Individuals submit anonymously, so we can’t affirm their particular person experiences or circumstances.
These potential negatives stood out.
- Market saturation: Huge cities might have many Taskers competing for work, which makes it powerful to get common gigs.
- Inconsistent earnings: Since gigs might be sporadic, working as a Tasker received’t assure the constant earnings of a salaried or hourly job.
- Want for a number of expertise: Taskers have a tendency to wish expertise in varied kinds of process areas to maximise incomes potential (e.g., handyman and hauling).
A bridge to what’s subsequent
Whereas your degree of success will range, what you study as a Tasker may result in one thing extra.
Round 1 in 13 Individuals (7%) set a aim to begin a enterprise in 2025, based on a current NerdWallet research.
As a Tasker, Johnson emphasizes treating clients properly, displaying up on time, trying the half and doing the job properly, qualities that may serve him if his auto store involves fruition.
Rodgers aspires to extra too. “Over the subsequent 5 years, I plan to increase my enterprise by making customized furnishings,” she stated.
She credit the hustle of gig work for serving to her launch a enterprise, earn a significant wage and construct a base of purchasers.
Extra From NerdWallet
Tommy Tindall writes for NerdWallet. E mail: ttindall@nerdwallet.com.
The article Taskrabbit Work: What It’s Like and Find out how to Succeed initially appeared on NerdWallet.
