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The Gig Is Up : Thrive in the Gig Economy, Where Old Jobs Are Obsolete and Freelancing Is the Future

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Win in a world of increasing choice by becoming the clear, unique fit.

The gig economy is made up of project-based, or on-demand services, that can be provided by anyone. The common denominator in the gig economy is technology, so our modern online-lives provide the perfect marketplace for the ever-diversifying opportunities in the gig economy. By some estimates, 2020 will see half of all workers involved in the gig economy. Are we ready for this seismic shift in our work lives?

Freelancers need to clearly answer ''Why choose you?'' so that they stand out in the new economy.  Because all workers in the gig economy need to bluntly pose this question to themselves, The Gig Is Up is designed to answer this one key point head-on, giving readers innovative tools like Unique Value Proposition to confidently step up. The Gig Is Up offers the best boots-on-the-ground methods for success, by evolving the reader's perspective and process. Many books on the gig economy focus on letting people live out their dreams, instead of looking at the realities of what it truly takes to win in a world of increasing choice. People need to understand how to compete and how to put the best version of themselves up front and center. The goal in competing today is to not only be chosen, but to move toward becoming the only choice, over and over again

176 pages, Paperback

Published February 27, 2018

31 people are currently reading
986 people want to read

About the author

Olga Mizrahi

4 books3 followers

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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Rhiannon Johnson.
847 reviews306 followers
February 12, 2019
Need some freelance inspiration and some tools for success? I recommend "The Gig is Up: Thrive in the Gig Economy, Where Old Jobs are Obsolete and Freelancing is the Future" by Olga Mizrahi. Full of statistics from McKinsey Global Institute’s 148-page report “Independent Work: Choice, Necessity, and the Gig Economy” and Freelancers Union studies, author Olga Mizrahi identifies the pros and cons of freelancing and offers lots of tips on how to be better. She poses questions that had me thinking, like "What are you willing to do that others cannot or are unwilling to?" and offered tips on customizing profiles, elevator pitches, boundaries, bookkeeping, taxes, references, referrals, contracts and so much more...all in just 174 pages!
Profile Image for William III.
Author 9 books15 followers
March 28, 2018
When I first began freelancing in 2000, it was a ‘side gig’ sort of thing that helped with additional money, but could never be my primary source of income. As a result of the 2008 US economic woes, I found myself scrambling to patch my ‘side work’ together into a ‘job.’ I made it through (full-time contractor over here) but it would have been smoother and less fraught with peril had this book existed in 2010!

What sets this book apart from the field is it’s time- and trial-honed expertise. More than theory and ‘ideas,’ this book is written by a person who has lived and thrived through every level of the gig economy, from contract worker, to design studio boss. The potential pitfalls are laid out to avoid major rookie mistakes in Ethics, Accounting, and Project Management, and solid advice on moving forward is the result. You can’t get that kind of in-depth knowledge from a quickie how-to manual, you need an expert, and Olga delivers!
Profile Image for Sarah Daniels.
2 reviews11 followers
March 21, 2018
This book is a must-have for anyone trying to make their way as a freelancer or gig-based worker. Mizrahi expertly guides the reader through: the world of the gig economy, communicating your unique difference to stand out, how gig apps work and how to work with them, how to manage yourself like a small business owner, how to attract new clients and secure repeat clients, the best way to get great reviews and what to do with them once you have them, and freelancer ethics.
This helpful, practical, easy-to-read How To guide will help you start a successful side hustle or grow your existing freelance prospects even further. Get ready to be your own boss!
1,004 reviews1 follower
March 28, 2018
The Gig Is Up: Thrive in the Gig Economy, Where Old Jobs Are Obsolete and Freelancing Is the Future
by Olga Mizrahi explains the Gig economy and what the difference between the old tradition economy and jobs are. This was the first time that I had seen the term Gig Economy but it is a sure thing that the economy is in transition. Olga Mizrahi uses easy to follow language and gives plenty of examples. Freelancing means a lot more now than just a writer selling articles to whoever will buy them. It is a book that would be good for anyone to read but I would strongly suggest giving it to high school and college students as well as anyone needing to find work today.

I received a copy thru a Goodreads Giveaway.
Profile Image for Jennifer L..
Author 3 books12 followers
March 31, 2018
Since 1998, I have worked gigs. My last non-gig job was a summer job -- or was it a gig (!?!?) working at Wendy's in 1996 at Daytona Beach Florida. It allowed me to spend the summer in Florida (possibly a forerunner of the digital nomad -- the fast food nomad?). So, with 20 years of experience working for myself online, I'm familiar with some of the things out there. The author mentioned some sites and opportunities I had not yet heard of. I bought the Kindle edition, and I hope that the author will update the book from time to time as this is a book that could easily become outdated. It was just the thing I needed to read the week I am doing taxes. Reminded me why I work for myself and that even though taxes were a bit crazy, it gave me encouragement to keep going -- as well as some new places to look into to try and pick up some new gigs. :)
Profile Image for J Earl.
2,337 reviews111 followers
October 16, 2018
The Gig Is Up is at best a brief overview of what the gig economy is and/or is becoming but fails to offer very much new information about how to succeed in it. Mostly rehashed ideas given new names and repurposed from sales training to freelancing and passed off as something unique.

The information about what is happening to the marketplace is useful, though available almost any where. If that is what you mostly want then this book is as good as any for it. Frankly, for how to succeed in this new economy, you would be just as well served going to sales training books and simply taking the information and adapting it for your niche, since that is what this book offers except without the depth the other manuals offer on actually accomplishing something.

I will say she must be very good at selling herself if she has been able to make a living at calling this something substantial, and to convince a university she has something important to offer their students? I don't see it. Sounds more like a scam artist, as she explains quite gleefully when describing how she "fooled" clients into believing she had a brick and mortar business when she started.

I don't recommend this and would suggest that if you want good in-depth information then look elsewhere and avoid these types of quick fix cash cows. These authors write these thin light on detail books for one purpose and it isn't to help anyone but themselves.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
100 reviews
January 24, 2024
If you are thinking about freelancing, chances are you've already considered some of the things mentioned in this book. But you'll still find something useful.

For me, this consolidated a lot of what I was already thinking. After reading this I know have a greater understanding of what lies ahead - and how I'm going to get through it.

Absolutely recommend to anyone wanting to strike out on their own, or even those who already have, there are ideas for everyone to use.
Profile Image for Laura Luzzi.
212 reviews7 followers
March 8, 2018
I already passed this book on to my son. Good information on the opportunities to be made and had online.
Profile Image for Nick.
49 reviews
March 22, 2023
Overall a solid guide for anyone looking to jump into or just needing a refresher for any type of freelance work. As someone who has done freelance work full time for the past two years, this book provides a basic outline and good framework for finding some level of success. Some of the pros:
-Explaining how gig work is the future (growing industry and different types of work to do)
-Low entry requirements (no matter your circumstances, there is no barrier to entry)
-All ages (a major misconception is that gig work is only for young people)
-Talking about separating yourself from competition (building relationships and being memorable for clients)
-Narrow focus to what you’re good at (lots of different lines of work to do)
-Mental health (good and bad parts of that come with freelance work)
Understanding how apps algorithms work (in my opinion, the most underrated thing to know)
-Realistic in explaining pros and cons (lots of factors determining how far you can go with freelancing)

The main criticism I have with the book is that it is outdated. There have been a lot of new apps that have been created in the last 5 years since the book as been written. The industry is evolving and even more so since the pandemic. For myself, a lot of the information shared I kind have learned on my own but this would have been great for me to read before I got into freelance work. I believe it would have lessened the learning curve for me so I definitely recommend this to anyone thinking about doing app based or freelance work
Profile Image for Karren Hodgkins.
395 reviews20 followers
March 3, 2018
I have to admit to giving up part way through as I just could not connect to the book. I was excited to start the journey as I moved from a senior position in marketing in a corporate company to starting my own business, from home, in 1995. I related to the notion that there is a great deal of uncertainty to doing so, being the master of your own destiny creates a freedom but can also be lonely, so I would have appreciated more guidance in those early days.

Perhaps it was the deception the author owned to early on in the book, “In 2004, we had a huge secret! Shhhh!” MizRahi goes on to acknowledge that while the reality was that they were working from an in-home studio, they were masquerading as an. “Actual brick-and-mortar studio and pretended that our scrappy team all actually went to work there every day, “ giving the impression that she is proud of the deception and claiming you could not be taken seriously. Any other freelancer feel uncomfortable with this?

The intention, as I understand it, Is to show how a digital marketplace can make up a comfortable living, etc.. Perhaps for a different audience?

My thanks to the author and Greenleaf Book Group Press for the free copy for my review, it is much appreciated.
Profile Image for yamiyoghurt.
286 reviews25 followers
March 18, 2018
A good guide book to freelancers who want to manoeuvre in the gig economy. Concise yet comprehensive. Relevant advice.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

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