Even when you think you have nothing to offer and can't imagine being paid for anything that you can do, remember that you can do things that other people will always pay for.
I've lost count of all the times I've needed someone to come to my house and do things (sometimes just because I don't feel like it or I am particularly short on time): cleaning, ironing, gardening, odd jobs, and maintenance. And not everyone knows where to look for the people they need.
In the UK, there are several simple platforms where you can offer your skills or services in exchange for payment. These sites are beginner-friendly and cover a variety of skill levels, so even if you’re new to freelancing or offering services, you can quickly get started. Below is a list of popular platforms and how they work.
1. TaskRabbit
What is it?
TaskRabbit connects people who need help with everyday tasks to those willing to do them. These tasks include assembling furniture, cleaning, running errands, gardening, or even basic DIY jobs. Depending on the service, you don’t need advanced skills—just a willingness to help and some basic tools.
How It Works:
Sign Up: Create an account on TaskRabbit UK.
Build Your Profile: List the tasks you’re willing to do (e.g., furniture assembly, house cleaning, moving help).
Set Your Rates: You decide how much to charge per hour for your services. For example, furniture assembly might be £20/hour.
Get Hired: Clients in your local area will see your profile and book your services.
Get Paid: TaskRabbit handles the payments and deposits your earnings into your account.
Why It’s Great:
You don’t need professional skills—just the ability to complete everyday tasks.
You can work flexible hours and accept jobs that fit your schedule.
It’s perfect for people who prefer working offline and locally.
Examples of Tasks You Could Offer:
Assembling flat-pack furniture from IKEA.
Cleaning or organizing a home.
Delivering groceries or running errands.
Gardening or lawn care.
Potential Earnings: £15–£30 per hour, depending on the task and your location.
2. Airtasker
What is it?
Airtasker is a platform similar to TaskRabbit but with a broader range of services. You can offer anything from handyman jobs and cleaning to creative gigs like graphic design or writing. It’s excellent for in-person and online tasks, so you can choose what suits you best.
How It Works:
Sign Up: Create a free profile on Airtasker.
Browse Tasks: Look for tasks posted by people in your area or online.
Bid for Jobs: Submit an offer for the task, including your price and why you’re the best person for the job.
Complete the Work: Once hired, complete the task and get paid securely through Airtasker.
Why It’s Great:
You can apply for jobs matching your skills, whether physical tasks (e.g., cleaning) or online services (e.g., writing).
It’s an easy way to find one-off gigs without long-term commitments.
Examples of Tasks You Could Offer:
Cleaning and tidying homes.
Fixing minor household repairs.
Helping with packing or moving.
Online services like proofreading or social media management.
Potential Earnings: £10–£50 per task, depending on the job's complexity.
3. Fiverr
What is it?
Fiverr is a global platform where you can offer services starting at £5 (hence the name). Unlike TaskRabbit or Airtasker, Fiverr focuses on online services, so it’s ideal if you have basic skills like writing, graphic design, or even just a willingness to help with simple tasks like typing or data entry.
How It Works:
Create a Gig: Sign up and create a listing for your service (called a "gig"). For example, “I will write a 500-word blog post for £10.”
Set Your Price: You can offer packages at different price points (e.g., basic, standard, premium).
Get Orders: Customers browse Fiverr, find your gig, and place an order.
Deliver the Work: Complete the task and submit it through Fiverr.
Get Paid: Fiverr takes a small commission, and the rest is deposited into your account.
Why It’s Great:
You can offer simple services that don’t require advanced skills (e.g., typing, basic research, or social media posting).
It’s a great way to build experience and earn money online, even if you’re starting from scratch.
Fiverr is global, so you’re not limited to UK clients.
Examples of Gigs You Could Offer:
Writing short blog posts or articles.
Proofreading or editing documents.
Creating simple graphics using free tools like Canva.
Offering virtual assistant services (e.g., replying to emails or scheduling).
Potential Earnings: £5–£50 per gig, depending on the service.
4. PeoplePerHour
What is it?
PeoplePerHour is another platform that offers services similar to Fiverr but with a focus on professional and creative skills. It’s great for people who have basic skills like writing, admin work, or social media management and want to earn on a flexible schedule.
How It Works:
Sign Up: Create a profile and showcase your skills.
Apply for Jobs: Browse job postings and submit proposals for tasks that interest you.
Set Your Rate: You can charge hourly or fixed prices for each project.
Get Paid: PeoplePerHour handles payments, ensuring you get paid securely after completing the work.
Why It’s Great:
It’s beginner-friendly, and there are many jobs that require basic skills.
You can build a portfolio and gain experience while earning money.
Examples of Jobs You Could Apply For:
Admin tasks like data entry or spreadsheet management.
Social media posting or content scheduling.
Writing short articles or blog posts.
Basic graphic design or Canva template creation.
Potential Earnings: £10–£30 per hour, depending on the task.
5. Bark
What is it?
Bark is a UK-based platform where people post requests for services, and you can respond to jobs that match your skills. It covers a wide range of services, including cleaning, tutoring, fitness training, photography, and more.
How It Works:
Sign Up: Create a profile and specify the services you offer.
Browse Requests: Look for jobs in your area or online that match your skills.
Respond to Clients: Submit a quote for the job, including your price and availability.
Get Paid: Once you complete the job, you get paid directly by the client.
Why It’s Great:
Bark caters to a wide range of services, so it’s perfect if you want to offer something offline, like cleaning, or online like tutoring.
You can set your rates and choose the jobs that suit your schedule.
Examples of Services You Could Offer:
Tutoring (e.g., math or English).
Photography for small events.
Home cleaning or organizing.
Fitness coaching or personal training.
Potential Earnings: £10–£50 per hour, depending on the service.
Conclusion
Here’s a quick summary of the best platforms for offering your services in the UK:
For physical tasks (offline): Use TaskRabbit, Airtasker, or Bark to find local jobs like cleaning, gardening, or DIY help.
For online services: Use Fiverr or PeoplePerHour to offer simple skills like writing, admin support, or graphic design.
For flexible work: These platforms allow you to work as much or as little as you like, making them perfect for beginners.
Whether you want to offer online or offline help, these platforms make it easy to get started without prior experience or upfront costs.
Here's To You! Handyman/Woman!
John Duncan
NB: often, the only thing that stops people from earning in this way is an early bad experience. It could be as simple as not getting noticed or getting hit with some kind of administrative glitch.
Like most things in life, those who succeed are those who persist. See it as no more than a way to generate seed funds to get you started on your passive income journey, and you will be fine.
