3 Gig Work Secrets I Wish I Knew When I Started!

The gig economy is always growing and shifting. What works one day might not work the next, and drivers are constantly learning how to adapt. After spending plenty of time on the road and in the apps, I’ve picked up a few lessons that continue to shape how I approach gig work. 

These aren’t just quick tips — they’re guiding principles that can help any driver stay grounded, flexible, and profitable and helped me for years.

So in this article, We are talking about:

• Things I have learned about Gig Work

• How to ACTUALLY stay profitable as a gig worker

• Everything in between!

Disclaimer: The content of this article does not contain and is never intended to be legal, business, financial, tax, or health advice of any kind, This article is for entertainment purposes only. It is advised that you conduct your own research and consult with qualified professionals before applying anything you find online. 

I also want to be clear that everything we are going to go over is very market dependent, and what applies to me and my market may not apply to you.

Don’t Chase Every Order

When you’re first starting out, it’s tempting to take every ping that comes across your screen. You think more deliveries automatically means more money and especially if you are coming out of the W-2 mindset, this can be rather difficult. 

But the reality is that not every order is worth your time, gas, and energy. Learning to say “no” — and to recognize bad orders — is one of the most important skills a driver or any independent contractor can build. Protecting your time matters just as much as making money.

Lot’s of drivers phrase this differently depending on their industry:

• No Tip, No Trip

• No Deal is Better than a Bad Deal

• The numbers have to make sense

The message is the same regardless. 

The Best Lessons Come From Drivers, Not the Apps

Gig companies are always trying to steer you into working the way that benefits them most. Whether it’s chasing promotions, signing up for certain programs, or following their “tips for success,” the advice is designed with their profits in mind, not yours. 

It is almost like they are trying to sell you on working more for them, even though it doesn’t benefit you the way it should.

The real growth as a driver comes from experience on the road and from listening to other gig workers who’ve been through it. Every market is different, and no app is going to give you the blueprint to succeed.

But by paying attention to your own results and learning from the community, you can figure out what actually works — not just what the company wants you to do.

Even if you never speak to another driver in your own market, because I know some drivers feel some kind of way about the other drivers in their area, you can always learn from people who are making content about this.

Yes we do have my channel, Driven Wyld, we have the Gone Wyld Live Clips and Podcast channel where I take the livestreams we hold on Thursdays at 9pm EST, cut them down and post them there, but there are plenty of other GigTubers out there who have been in the game for years.

Find a creator you resonate with and follow them! 

Flexibility Is the Real Value of Gig Work

At the end of the day, the biggest perk of gig work isn’t the promotions or bonuses, it’s the freedom. Being able to decide when to log in, when to log out, and how to shape your schedule is something traditional jobs rarely offer.

That flexibility is what makes the gig economy appealing — but it’s also what makes discipline so important. If you treat it like a business, that flexibility becomes your greatest tool and that feeling you once felt about working harder than your coworkers is actually rewarded properly.

Final Thoughts

The gig economy is constantly shifting, but some principles are universal. Don’t chase every order. Learn from your own experience and from the community of drivers around you, not from the apps that profit off your choices. And never lose sight of the flexibility that makes this work worthwhile in the first place. 

At the end of the day, the drivers who share their knowledge and build on their experiences are the ones who find real success — not the ones following the script written by the companies.

If you would like to add some other perspective to some of the Hard Learned Lessons that I or maybe even yourself have experienced, feel free to email me: drivenwyld@gmail.com and who knows? Maybe your email or perspective and be featured in a post as well!