So far, we’ve laid the groundwork for joining the world of gig work and explored some of the best gig apps to join. Now it’s time to complete your first big milestone: earning your first dollar without spending any.
Gig work appeals to so many people because it’s accessible. It’s easy to make money without expensive outlays like buying expensive equipment or completing major projects like setting up a website.
This guide will walk you through the no-cost gigs that are beginner-friendly, quick to join, and perfect for building yourconfidence. We’ll explain how to take action right now without risking your money or time.
Your Zero-Cost Gig Plan: What to Focus On First
Starting gig work without a budget doesn’t mean starting blind. You need a simple plan that maximizes your time and energy on what works.
Choose Fast-Paying Platforms
Not all gig platforms are equal when you’re just starting out. Look for those that pay quickly – within one or two weeks rather than months. Check the minimum withdrawal amounts, too. You might prefer to opt for low-effort tasks like micro jobs to help get things moving.
Start With Small Wins
Don’t aim to make hundreds of dollars right away, as this quickly becoming overwhelming. Instead, focus on small goals like $5 to $10 a day on five or ten-minute tasks. Remember that your initial goal shouldn’t be about replacing a full-time income straight away. It should be about building confidence and momentum.
Track Your Progress
Keep a spreadsheet or note app and log everything you have earned. It’s a good way to stay focused on your goals, and it will keep you motivated to see your earnings rise. It also helps you to determine which apps pay out the most money for your skill type.
Remember: this stage is about turning idle time into income. Master this first before moving on to higher-paid and more consistent gig work.
No-Cost Gigs to Try on Day One
If you read our second guide in this series, you’ll see a list of apps to sign up for your gig work. However, some of these take a while to get approval or complete their identification process before you start earning money. If you are in that situation, here are some small, easy tasks you can try straight away while you are waiting. The advantage? It helps you get a feel for gig work, and most importantly, you can begin to see some dollars hitting your bank account.
1. Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk)
MTurk is great for micro-tasks like categorizing data or basic research, and it’s free to join.
2. Swagbucks
On Swagbucks, you can earn money by watching videos, completing simple tasks, or answering surveys. You can get started within minutes.
3. UserTesting
You can get paid on UserTesting to test websites or apps and provide feedback. It’s a great way to get used to following task instructions and deadlines.
4. Fiverr (Free Services)
If you have signed up for the Fiverr app and have approval, start offering some simple services at a low price to begin getting reviews. Keep the tasks short and simple, like proofreading.
5. Clickworker
Clickworker is similar to MTurk. It also comes with a user-friendly mobile app. You’ll find tasks such as surveys and data entry. It’s a good way to practice completing tasks at speed to maximize your income.
While some of these gigs don’t come with high financial rewards, they are great for building confidence and getting you into the practice of this new way of working.
How to Earn Efficiently With Starter Gigs
One of the biggest challenges with gig work is learning how to be efficient with your time because you are paid per task, and if it takes too long to complete the work, it will reduce your hourly earnings. So, use this time to fine-tune how you complete tasks and work at your own pace. Here are some tips:
Focus on the Highest-Paid Tasks First
Not all tasks come with the same rewards. Browse each platform to look for the surveys or tasks that pay the best for the time taken. Avoid low-paid tasks that only bring in pennies.
Optimize Your Dead Time
Dead time is the space between tasks when you aren’t earning money. It’s important to fill this with something productive. That might be taking the time to relax and grab some lunch, or you could start completing your profile on another app.
Unlock Better Tasks
You’ll find that some platforms will offer better-paying tasks once you have completed some basic tasks to a high level. It’s worth focusing on the quality of your work these early days to ensure you qualify for this higher-tier work.
Avoid Too Much Time on Low-Paying Platforms
As you familiarize yourself with different platforms, you’ll notice that some pay better than others. If you find that you are taking lots of time to complete jobs that only pay a few dollars, move on to a different platform.
Set a Daily Goal
Focus on a small starting goal, like $5/day, to help you stay focused. You can soon start to see these numbers go up, and that will help you stay motivated. Work smart and build momentum, and that will help you see the best results for your efforts.
How to Start Your First Gig with $0 Investment
Let’s now switch to taking action. Here is your quick-start task list for earning your first dollars with a gig.
- While waiting to be approved on gig apps, sign up for a micro-task platform
- Choose 1-5 simple tasks to begin (choose the best paid)
- Track your time and your earnings (keep a spreadsheet)
- Set a financial goal for the week
- Carve out some quiet moments in your day to complete tasks
Once you’ve completed this, you’re ready to move on to Guide 4: How to Scale Up and Earn Your First $100.